Tom Lee predicts ETH will hit $250,000 as corporate validators take over network control
Tom Lee argued that Ethereum is being overlooked because major infrastructure shifts are underway, driven by AI and tokenization. He said machine-to-machine payments will need fast, programmable settlement, making blockchain more useful than traditional banking rails. On that view, ether could eventually rise to $250,000, though no timeline was given. Lee linked Ethereum’s future to corporate adoption of staking and validation. He noted that the Ethereum Foundation has reduced its holdings to about 100,000 ETH, while public companies such as Bitmine and Sharklink now control about 7% of circulating supply and generate roughly $500 million a year in staking rewards. Bitmine recently bought 111,942 ETH, bringing its holdings to nearly 5.4 million ETH. He also highlighted Bitmine’s upcoming Russell 1000 inclusion, which could force large index-tracking funds to consider owning the stock. Lee said Bitmine’s staking model has far outperformed spot ETH over a recent six-month period and argued that bearish sentiment now may be near a market bottom.
