Bitmine Becomes 2nd Most Popular Overseas Stock for South Korean Investors

VADODARA, December 30, 2025 — Bitmine (BMNR), a company strategically accumulating Ethereum (ETH), has emerged as the second most popular overseas stock among South Korean investors this year. According to Bloomberg data, South Korean investors have net-purchased approximately $1.4 billion worth of BMNR stock in 2025. This latest crypto news highlights a significant institutional pivot toward ETH-backed assets amid global market uncertainty.

Market Context & Background

South Korea has consistently ranked among the top three crypto markets globally by per-capita adoption. The country's investors are known for aggressive retail trading, but this BMNR movement represents a structural shift. Market structure suggests institutional capital is seeking regulated exposure to Ethereum's ecosystem without direct crypto ownership. This mirrors early 2024 trends where Korean pension funds began testing digital asset allocations. The current "Extreme Fear" sentiment, with a score of 23/100, creates a contrarian backdrop for this accumulation.

Related developments this week include significant whale accumulation in Bitcoin and regulatory uncertainty from the OECD tax framework.

What Happened?

Bloomberg reported on December 30, 2025, that Bitmine secured the #2 spot in South Korean overseas stock investments. The $1.4 billion net purchase figure excludes indirect exposure through leveraged ETFs. T-Rex launched a 2x leveraged ETF on BMNR, which Korean investors have utilized to amplify positions. Bitmine's public strategy involves converting treasury assets into ETH, making it a proxy for Ethereum accumulation. No official statement from Bitmine management was included in the report.

Technical Analysis & Price Action

Ethereum currently trades at $2,973.97, up 1.51% in 24 hours. The daily chart shows ETH testing a critical order block between $2,850 and $2,950. Volume profile indicates weak participation below $2,800. RSI sits at 48, neutral but leaning bearish. The 50-day moving average at $3,150 acts as dynamic resistance. A Fair Value Gap (FVG) exists from $3,050 to $3,100 from last week's sell-off.

Bullish invalidation: A weekly close below $2,750 would invalidate the current accumulation thesis, suggesting broader market capitulation. Bearish invalidation: A sustained break above $3,200 would fill the FVG and target $3,400, the next volume node.

By The Numbers

Why It Matters

Institutional impact: This flow represents one of the largest single-country investments into a crypto-correlated stock. It signals that traditional equity markets are becoming liquidity conduits for digital asset exposure. Retail impact: Korean retail investors now have leveraged ETF access to ETH accumulation through regulated vehicles. This could reduce direct spot market volatility but increase derivative complexity. The move aligns with Ethereum's ongoing EIP-4844 proto-danksharding upgrade, which aims to scale Layer 2 solutions.

Community Sentiment

Market analysts on X/Twitter are divided. Bulls highlight the "smart money" narrative: "Korean institutions are front-running the next ETH rally via equity proxies." Bears counter that this is a liquidity grab, using leveraged ETFs to trap late entrants. No direct quotes from major figures like Michael Saylor or Cathie Wood were available, but sentiment skews cautiously optimistic given the extreme fear backdrop.

Price Prediction / Future Outlook

Bullish case: If BMNR accumulation continues, it could create a gamma squeeze in related derivatives, pushing ETH toward $3,400 by Q1 2026. On-chain data indicates whale wallets are accumulating at current levels. A break above $3,200 would confirm.

Bearish case: If global risk-off intensifies, the leveraged ETF exposure could unravel rapidly. A drop below $2,750 would trigger stop-losses and target the $2,500 Fibonacci support. Market structure suggests correlation to traditional equities remains high.

FAQs

• What is Bitmine (BMNR)? Bitmine is a publicly traded company that strategically accumulates Ethereum as part of its treasury strategy.
• Why are South Korean investors buying BMNR? To gain regulated exposure to Ethereum's price appreciation without direct crypto ownership.
• How does the T-Rex leveraged ETF work? It offers 2x daily returns on BMNR stock performance, amplifying gains and losses.
• What does this mean for Ethereum price? It indicates institutional demand, but leveraged products can increase volatility.
• Is this similar to Bitcoin ETF flows? Yes, but through equity markets rather than spot ETFs, creating a different liquidity dynamic.

Source Note: Market data and factual reporting in this article are sourced from original reports. Commentary and analysis provided by CoinMarketBuzz.