Tom Lee "Crypto Winter Is Over"...'Reversal' Declared Amidst Massive Ethereum Accumulation

▲ Crypto Winter/AI Generated Image

Tom Lee of BitMine, who has embarked on a large-scale accumulation of Ethereum, has stated his judgment that the current cryptocurrency market has entered the final stage of the so-called 'crypto winter,' emphasizing the possibility of a market rebound.

According to a BeinCrypto report on the 21st (local time), BitMine recently purchased over 100,000 additional Ethereum (ETH), marking its largest weekly purchase this year. With this acquisition, the company's total Ethereum holdings expanded to approximately 4.97 million units, and its total assets, including cryptocurrencies and cash, reached approximately $12.9 billion.

Along with this aggressive accumulation, Tom Lee characterized the current market situation as "the final stage of a mini crypto winter." He cited past market patterns, explaining that cryptocurrency bear markets generally coincided with periods when the stock market fell by more than 20%.

However, the analysis suggests that the recent market environment is different from the past. In 2025, the S&P index fell by about 20%, showing a similar trend to cryptocurrency corrections, but as of 2026, the stock market's decline has been limited to about 8%, indicating a lack of macroscopic shock sufficient to sustain a long-term bear market.

In addition, on-chain indicators are also sending positive signals. The amount of Ethereum held on exchanges has decreased to approximately 14.6 million units, marking the lowest level since 2016, which means that the amount immediately available for sale in the market is decreasing.

Based on these trends, Tom Lee predicted that the cryptocurrency market's recovery could be faster than market expectations. He drew a line against the long-term stagnation forecasts until the second half of 2026 raised by some, emphasizing that the current correction phase is highly likely to end within a relatively short period.

However, it was also pointed out that the market's direction still depends on the persistence of demand and changes in the macroeconomic environment. While a strengthening rebound could occur if large-scale institutional buying and improved on-chain indicators continue, the possibility of increased volatility due to external variables cannot be ruled out.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*