Sharplink Deployed $170M Worth of $ETH on Linea to Boost Staking Yields
SharpLink has deployed $170 million worth of ETH on Linea as part of a strategic push to capture higher staking and restaking yields through institutional-grade DeFi infrastructure. SharpLink Gaming, the Nasdaq-listed Ethereum treasury firm known for actively managing one of the largest corporate ETH reserves, has moved a significant portion of its crypto holdings onto Linea — a zkEVM Layer-2 network developed by Consensys that supports native Ethereum yield and scalable DeFi operations. Strategic Deployment to Boost Yield By routing its ETH through Anchorage Digital — a regulated custodian — SharpLink is positioning these assets to earn multiple layers of return. The deployed ETH is expected to generate: This layered approach is designed to optimize annualized yield compared with simply holding ETH or traditional Layer-1 staking alone. Although the firm previously announced plans to allocate up to $200 million of its ETH treasury into Linea-based yield strategies late last year, this latest deployment confirms a $170 million tranche is now live and actively earning returns within the emerging Layer-2 ecosystem. Investing.com What This Means for Institutional ETH Capital SharpLink’s move underscores a broader shift in how corporate treasuries treat digital assets — not merely as passive reserves but as productive capital. By blending regulated custody with DeFi-native protocols, the company aims to generate more predictable returns while maintaining a risk-managed framework suitable for publicly traded entities. For the Ethereum ecosystem, deployments of this scale highlight growing confidence among institutional actors in Layer-2 networks like Linea to deliver both security and yield. Many analysts view such activity as a bellwether for increased institutional participation in staking and restaking markets throughout 2026. SharpLink’s deployment marks another milestone in the ongoing migration of traditional capital into blockchain-native yield opportunities, further bridging the gap between regulated finance and decentralized protocols.
Bitmine Staked Another 109,504 ETH Worth $344.44M, Bringing a Total of 908,192 ETH Staked Worth $2.95B
Bitmine has deepened its commitment to Ethereum after staking an additional 109,504 ETH valued at approximately $344.44 million, pushing its total staked holdings to 908,192 ETH—worth about $2.95 billion at current market prices. The move further cements the firm’s position as the largest single “fresh money” accumulator of Ether globally and places it among the most influential institutional participants in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake ecosystem. The latest staking activity came just hours after Bitmine disclosed a separate stake of 19,200 ETH, worth roughly $60.85 million, highlighting the pace at which the firm continues to deploy capital into Ethereum. Taken together, these transactions underline a clear strategy: long-term exposure to Ethereum through yield-generating participation rather than short-term market positioning. Key Takeaways Bitmine Now Controls Over 3.4% of Circulating ETH With 908,192 ETH under its control, Bitmine currently holds about 3.43% of Ethereum’s circulating supply. That share has been steadily built up over time, even during periods of reduced market activity. The firm closed the final week of last year with a sizeable ETH acquisition despite subdued trading conditions. “In the final week of 2025, total equity and crypto activity slowed, and yet we acquired 32,977 ETH in the past week,” Tom Lee, Chairman of Bitmine, said in a press release. Lee emphasized that Bitmine’s accumulation pace continues to outstrip that of other Ethereum-focused digital asset treasuries. “Our analysis shows that Bitmine has continued to accumulate ETH at an accelerated pace versus other Ethereum DATs. We remain the largest ‘fresh money’ buyer of ETH in the world,” he added. Beyond Ethereum, Bitmine maintains a diversified balance sheet. As of January 4, the firm reported holdings of 192 Bitcoin valued at about $17.3 million, a $25 million stake in Worldcoin-linked treasury firm Eightco, and total cash reserves of approximately $915 million. Why This Staking Move Matters Bitmine has been staking Ether consistently since December 26, signaling a deliberate pivot toward active participation in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model. Large-scale staking decisions of this nature often reflect confidence in network fundamentals rather than near-term price movements. By committing such a large volume of ETH to staking, Bitmine reduces the amount of Ether immediately available on the open market. Analysts note that this can ease short-term selling pressure, potentially supporting price stability during periods of heightened volatility. More importantly, it reflects a broader institutional shift toward viewing Ethereum as productive infrastructure capable of generating predictable yield. Institutional players increasingly favor staking as part of disciplined treasury management. Yield-bearing assets with strong network fundamentals offer an alternative to purely speculative exposure. Bitmine’s approach aligns with this thinking, prioritizing long-term participation over liquidity. Strengthening Ethereum’s Network Security The impact of Bitmine’s staking extends beyond market dynamics. Ethereum’s security model relies on economic commitment from validators. As more ETH is staked, the cost of attempting a network attack rises significantly. With over 900,000 ETH now staked by a single institution, Bitmine materially contributes to that security threshold. Large institutions also tend to operate validator infrastructure with higher uptime standards, redundancy, and operational discipline. This improves validation consistency and reduces the risk of network disruptions. Professional-grade participation strengthens confidence among developers, enterprises, and other institutions building on Ethereum. Locked ETH also influences Ethereum’s token economics. Reduced circulating supply can dampen sharp sell-offs during market downturns, encouraging more measured price behavior over time. Institutions are acutely aware of these structural effects, and Bitmine’s actions suggest a calculated assessment of Ethereum’s long-term economic design. Aiming for 5% of Ethereum’s Supply Looking ahead, Bitmine has set an ambitious target: acquiring 5% of Ethereum’s circulating supply. Based on current figures, that would amount to roughly 6.04 million ETH. While the timeline for reaching that goal remains unclear, recent activity indicates that accumulation and staking remain central to the firm’s strategy. Lee has also pointed to broader macro signals supporting crypto in the coming year, suggesting that digital assets often track movements in precious metals over longer cycles. Against that backdrop, Ethereum’s role as a settlement layer with built-in yield appears increasingly attractive to institutional capital. What This Signals for the Market Bitmine’s latest staking move sends a clear message to the wider market. When firms of this scale commit billions of dollars to staking, it reinforces Ethereum’s standing as a credible, institution-ready network. Such actions tend to shape sentiment, encouraging other large players to reassess their own exposure. As more ETH becomes locked in staking contracts, Ethereum’s network security strengthens, liquidity dynamics shift, and long-term confidence builds. Bitmine’s growing stake is not just a headline number—it is a signal of how institutional crypto strategies are maturing, with durability, yield, and network participation taking priority over short-term speculation.
21Shares Will Distribute $ETH Staking Rewards to TETH Holders at $0.010378 per Share on Jan 9, 2026
21Shares has announced a new staking-related distribution for investors holding its Ethereum exchange-traded fund, reinforcing how yield from on-chain activity is increasingly finding its way into regulated investment products. The crypto ETP issuer confirmed that holders of the 21Shares Ethereum ETF (TETH) will receive a cash distribution of $0.010378 per share, derived from staking rewards generated by the fund’s underlying ETH holdings. According to the announcement, the ex-date and record date are set for January 8, 2026, while the payment will be made on January 9, 2026. “21shares announced a distribution of $0.010378 per share for the 21shares Ethereum ETF (TETH) for staking rewards earned from its ETH holdings.” How the Distribution Works The payout reflects rewards earned through Ethereum’s proof-of-stake mechanism, where ETH is locked to help secure the network in return for yield. By distributing these rewards, 21Shares is passing through a portion of on-chain income directly to ETF investors, offering exposure not just to ETH price movements but also to staking-generated returns. Investors must hold TETH shares through the record date to be eligible for the distribution. Shares purchased after the ex-date will not qualify for the January 2026 payment. 21Shares’ Position in the Crypto ETP Market 21Shares remains one of the largest and most established issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products globally. The firm has played a key role in bringing regulated crypto exposure to traditional markets, having launched the world’s first physically backed crypto ETP in 2018. “21shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product (ETP) providers and offers one of the largest suites of crypto ETPs in the market.” With products listed across major global exchanges, the company continues to expand the range of ways investors can access digital assets within familiar market structures. The upcoming TETH distribution highlights a growing trend: blending blockchain-native rewards such as staking with exchange-traded products designed for institutional and retail investors alike.
Rumble Enables $BTC Tipping for Streamers via Moonpay Wallet Integration
Rumble has taken a decisive step toward crypto-native creator monetization by enabling Bitcoin tipping for streamers through a new wallet integration powered by MoonPay. The move positions the video-sharing platform among a small but growing group of mainstream media companies embedding digital asset payments directly into their products, rather than treating crypto as an external add-on. The rollout comes with the launch of Rumble Wallet, a non-custodial crypto wallet built directly into the platform’s interface. Announced on Jan. 7, 2026, the wallet is the result of a collaboration between Rumble Inc. and stablecoin issuer Tether, with MoonPay handling fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat transactions. At launch, the wallet supports Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and Tether Gold (XAUt), giving users multiple ways to support creators without leaving the Rumble ecosystem. “By embedding crypto payments natively into its video-sharing ecosystem, Rumble removes intermediaries such as ad networks, banks, and traditional payment processors.” Direct Bitcoin Tipping Comes to Rumble For creators, the most immediate impact is the ability to receive tips in Bitcoin directly from viewers. Instead of relying solely on advertising revenue or platform-based payouts, streamers can now earn peer-to-peer payments that settle quickly and work across borders. This model is particularly relevant for international creators who often face delays, high fees, or outright restrictions when using traditional payment systems. The wallet is non-custodial, meaning users retain control over their funds rather than handing custody to the platform. Rumble Wallet is built using Tether’s Wallet Development Kit (WDK), which allows platforms to integrate crypto payments while keeping private keys in the hands of end users. For a creator economy increasingly concerned about platform risk and payment censorship, this design choice is likely to resonate. Beyond Bitcoin, support for USDT and XAUt introduces stable and commodity-backed options for tipping. This gives fans flexibility and allows creators to manage volatility more effectively, especially in regions where local currencies are unstable or access to global banking is limited. MoonPay Bridges Crypto and Fiat MoonPay plays a central role in making the wallet usable for a mainstream audience. The payments company manages all on- and off-ramps, allowing users to move between crypto and traditional payment methods such as credit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo within the same interface. This removes a common friction point that has slowed crypto adoption on consumer platforms. MoonPay’s leadership sees this kind of integration as a preview of how online payments will function in the future. MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright described peer-to-peer crypto payments as the future of the internet economy, noting that Rumble is among the first major platforms to deploy this model at scale. Founded in 2019, MoonPay has grown into a major crypto payments infrastructure provider, reporting more than 30 million customers across 180 countries and supporting over 500 enterprise clients. Its regulatory footprint includes a New York BitLicense, a New York Limited Purpose Trust Charter, money transmitter licenses across the United States, and MiCA authorization in the European Union. This compliance coverage is likely to be important as regulators continue to scrutinize crypto payment services tied to large consumer platforms. Reinforcing Rumble’s Crypto-Friendly Strategy The wallet launch aligns with Rumble’s broader positioning as a “Freedom-First” technology company. By enabling direct crypto payments, the platform reduces dependence on advertising networks and financial intermediaries that have historically acted as gatekeepers for creator revenue. For audiences, it offers a more direct way to support voices they value. The integration connects Rumble’s global creator base to stablecoin and Bitcoin payments, reinforcing the platform’s positioning as a “Freedom-First” technology company. While Bitcoin tipping is not entirely new in the streaming world, Rumble’s approach stands out for its native integration and multi-asset support. Instead of redirecting users to external wallets or third-party services, the entire flow happens within the platform, lowering friction for both creators and viewers. As competition among video platforms intensifies, monetization tools are becoming a key differentiator. With the Rumble Wallet and MoonPay partnership, Rumble is betting that crypto-native payments can offer creators faster payouts, broader reach, and greater financial autonomy—while giving the platform a distinctive edge in the creator economy.
Riot Platforms Reports 460 $BTC Mined in Dec 2025, but Holdings Fell to 18,005 $BTC After Selling 1,818 $BTC
Riot Platforms has released its December 2025 operational report, offering a detailed look into how the Bitcoin miner closed out the year amid shifting market dynamics and rising operational demands. While the company recorded a solid month of Bitcoin production, aggressive selling activity led to a noticeable drop in its total BTC holdings. According to the update, Riot mined 460 Bitcoin in December, reflecting an 8% increase compared to November’s output. However, this figure was still 11% lower than production levels recorded during the same period last year, highlighting the longer-term impact of network difficulty growth and post-halving conditions. Key Takeaways Bitcoin Sales Weigh on Treasury Holdings Despite the improved month-on-month production, Riot significantly reduced its Bitcoin treasury after selling 1,818 BTC during December. Following these sales, the company’s total Bitcoin holdings declined to 18,005 BTC, down from 19,368 BTC at the end of November. “The company mined 460 Bitcoins during the month and sold 1,818 Bitcoins, reducing its holdings to 18,005 Bitcoins.” The Bitcoin liquidation generated approximately $161 million in proceeds. At prevailing market prices, Riot’s remaining Bitcoin stack is valued at roughly $1.7 billion, underscoring the scale of its treasury even after the reduction. “Riot Platforms, a Bitcoin mining and data center company, sold 1,818 Bitcoin in December 2025 for approximately $161 million.” Riot explained that the sales were part of a broader liquidity management strategy, aimed at covering operating expenses and supporting ongoing infrastructure expansion during periods of market volatility. Financing Growth Through Bitcoin Liquidation The December sale aligns with Riot’s long-standing financing approach, which combines Bitcoin sales with equity offerings to fund growth initiatives. Rather than relying solely on debt, the company has consistently treated its Bitcoin production as both a strategic asset and a flexible funding source. “The sale represents part of the company’s ongoing strategy to fund operational expansions through Bitcoin liquidation.” This approach has become increasingly common among large-scale miners navigating tighter margins and higher competition following the most recent Bitcoin halving. Hash Rate Expansion and Power Cost Improvements Operationally, Riot reported continued progress on the infrastructure front. Its deployed hash rate climbed to 38.5 exahashes per second (EH/s) in December, reinforcing its position among the largest publicly listed Bitcoin miners. The company also benefited from favorable energy economics. Power and demand response credits reached $6.2 million for the month, helping push Riot’s all-in power cost down to 3.9 cents per kilowatt hour. Fleet efficiency also improved on a year-over-year basis, partially offsetting lower annual production. Shift to Quarterly Reporting December 2025 marked a turning point in how Riot communicates its mining performance. The company confirmed that this report would be its final monthly production update, with future disclosures moving to a quarterly format. “Riot said December marked its final monthly production update, with future disclosures shifting to quarterly reporting focused on business performance and data center strategy.” The change signals a greater emphasis on long-term execution, data center development, and financial performance rather than short-term mining fluctuations.