Corporate Treasuries Are Tightening Ethereum (ETH) Supply – But Risks Remain
The recent surge in Ethereum-focused digital asset treasuries has been a significant development in the cryptocurrency space, with some major companies accumulating substantial holdings. According to CoinMetrics, corporate ETH treasuries have collectively acquired 2.2 million ETH, which is approximately 1.8% of the total supply since July.
The trend is led by five prominent firms: Bitmine Immersion Technologies, SharpLink Gaming, The Ether Machine, Bit Digital, and BTCS Inc., with Bitmine alone holding a staggering 0.95% of Ethereum’s overall supply and aiming for a further 5%. It is essential to note that these corporations have financed their purchases primarily through equity raises such as public share offerings or PIPE transactions.
As Ethereum’s proof-of-stake issuance framework rewards validators and partially burns transaction fees, this influx could potentially shift the net issuance between deflationary and inflationary scenarios. This may create an unpredictable environment for Ethereum’s overall network health in the long run.
The statistics suggest that corporate treasuries are currently accumulating more than the net increase in supply since The Merge, along with ETFs continuing to absorb the available liquid supply. As a result, the liquid supply of Ether is shrinking at an alarming rate. With approximately 29% of ETH staked and nearly 9% locked away in smart contracts, there is now increased pressure on Ethereum’s liquidity.
While this trend may potentially generate higher returns for investors by scaling treasury deployment, it also brings about significant risks to Ethereum’s long-term sustainability. These potential threats include high leverage, concentration risk, or operational challenges, which could have far-reaching consequences for the entire network.
Furthermore, market conditions and investor sentiment play a crucial role in determining the actions of these treasuries. In times of significant price decline, liquidity crisis, or over-leveraging, these firms may be forced to sell their assets, leading to lower on-chain activity.
Source: cryptopotato.com