Ethereum News Today: Cathie Wood's ARK Bets Big on Ethereum's Institutional Takeover

ARK Invest, a prominent New York-based investment firm led by Cathie Wood, has recently intensified its exposure to the crypto market by making significant investments in both BitMine Immersion and Bullish, reflecting the firm’s ongoing commitment to digital assets. In a move worth $16 million, ARK Invest purchased shares in BitMine Immersion (BMNR), an Ethereum treasury firm that recently listed on the NYSE American on July 8, 2025. This acquisition aligns with ARK’s strategy of capitalizing on undervalued opportunities in the crypto space. BitMine, which has been expanding its Ethereum holdings, now owns over 1.75 million ether, representing approximately 1.44% of Ethereum's total supply. The company's treasury is valued at roughly $7.7 billion, positioning it as the largest corporate holder of ether in the market [3].

Additionally, ARK Invest invested $7.5 million in Bullish shares following the company’s initial public offering (IPO), further cementing its involvement in the crypto sector. This purchase is consistent with the firm's approach of backing high-growth companies during periods of market weakness. For instance, in July 2025, ARK added 143,000 Tesla shares after a stock price decline due to earnings results and also trimmed positions in Coinbase and Roku as market sentiment shifted [2]. These actions underscore ARK’s belief in the long-term potential of disruptive technologies and its willingness to navigate market volatility to support its investment thesis.

BitMine’s strategic positioning in the Ethereum ecosystem is gaining traction among institutional investors. The firm has been steadily building its Ethereum treasury, acquiring an additional 153,075 units over the past ten days, which has raised its Ethereum holdings to $8.3 billion [4]. BitMine’s chairman, Thomas Lee, emphasized the significance of Ethereum in the future of finance, stating that the platform is central to the transformation of the financial system driven by Wall Street and AI integration. The company’s ability to issue shares via shelf registration without shareholder approval also provides flexibility in its capital-raising strategy, a feature that distinguishes it from NASDAQ-listed peers [3]. As of September 2025, publicly listed Ethereum treasury companies collectively hold 2.77 million ETH, with BitMine at the forefront of this trend.

The growing institutional interest in Ethereum treasury management has contributed to the asset’s outperformance relative to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Over the past 30 days, Ethereum’s price rose nearly 20%, while Bitcoin saw a 3% decline, according to CoinGecko data. Analysts attribute this divergence to the increasing adoption of Ethereum in institutional portfolios, driven by its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract capabilities [5]. BitMine’s recent acquisition of $64.7 million worth of ETH through Galaxy Digital further reinforces its long-term investment strategy and its confidence in the token’s macroeconomic prospects [5]. On-chain data indicates that the firm is inching closer to its goal of acquiring 5% of Ethereum’s total supply, a milestone that would significantly amplify its influence in the crypto market.

ARK Invest’s strategic moves in the crypto space are part of a broader trend of institutional investors seeking exposure to digital assets as traditional markets remain volatile. With Bitcoin and Ethereum dominating institutional portfolios, the firm is positioning itself to benefit from the long-term growth of the crypto ecosystem. These investments also align with Cathie Wood’s broader investment philosophy, which favors high-growth, disruptive technologies despite short-term market fluctuations. As the crypto market continues to evolve, ARK Invest’s decisions to double down on BitMine and Bullish suggest a belief in the transformative power of blockchain technology and its potential to reshape global finance [2].

Source:

[1] ARKW - ARK Next Generation Internet ETF | ark-funds.com (https://www.ark-funds.com/funds/arkw)

[2] Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Buys Figma Stock Amid 20% Post-IPO Slide (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cathie-woods-ark-invest-buys-052542952.html)

[3] BitMine Immersion (BMNR) Statement on NYSE American Listing and Access to Capital Markets (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bitmine-immersion-bmnr-statement-on-nyse-american-listing-and-access-to-capital-markets-302547414.html)

[4] Bitmine (BMNR) Soars Anew as ETH Treasury Raises to $8.3 Billion (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitmine-bmnr-soars-anew-eth-163409873.html)

[5] BitMine acquires $65 million worth of ETH via Galaxy Digital (https://www.theblock.co/post/369421/bitmine-acquires-14665-ethereum)