At a Glance
- Bitmine Immersion Technologies will invest $200 million in Beast Industries for an equity stake
- Deal scheduled to close on or about January 19, 2026
- MrBeast previously denied investing $1.28 million in ASTER tokens after on-chain claims
- $23 million in alleged insider-trading profits tied to MrBeast and affiliated wallets, per Loock.io
Why it matters: The largest Ethereum treasury firm is betting big on the world’s top YouTuber while that creator faces serious crypto-trading allegations.
Ethereum treasury giant Bitmine Immersion Technologies has agreed to pump $200 million into Beast Industries, the entertainment empire run by YouTube phenomenon Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson. The transaction, revealed Thursday, is penciled in to finalize on or about January 19, 2026.
The Deal
Bitmine framed the move as part of its larger mission to roll out digital-asset strategies for institutional and public-market clients. Thomas “Tom” Lee, the company’s chairman, hailed MrBeast and Beast Industries as “the leading content creator and creator-driven platform of this generation,” highlighting their grip on Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and millennial viewers.
Jeff Housenbold, CEO of Beast Industries, welcomed the backing:
> “We are excited to welcome Tom Lee and Bitmine as new investors in Beast Industries, joining our current top-tier venture investors. Their support is a strong validation of our vision, strategy, and growth trajectory, and it provides additional capital to achieve our goal to become the most impactful entertainment brand in the world. We look forward to exploring ways to further collaborate and incorporate DeFi into our upcoming financial services platform.”
Token Allegations Surface
The cash infusion lands as MrBeast continues to swat away crypto-trading accusations. Last September, analytics platform Lookonchain asserted that the YouTaker had bought 705,821 ASTER tokens worth roughly $1.28 million. MrBeast publicly shot down the claim.
A separate on-chain probe linked him to more than 50 cryptocurrency wallets allegedly involved in insider-trading-style activity. Advisory firm Loock.io reported in 2024 that MrBeast and members of his influencer circle promoted various tokens on social media before dumping holdings for sizable gains. Investigators pegged total profits at over $23 million.
Tokens named in the report:
- SuperVerse (SUPER) – more than $11 million in profits
- Ethernity Chain (ERN)
- Polkamon (PMON)
- STAK
- AIOZ
Researchers traced transaction patterns through a publicly known Ethereum wallet previously used for NFT purchases, allowing them to connect related wallets and follow fund flows. Specific examples include a PMON investment that supposedly turned $25,000 into $1.3 million and ERN transfers that preceded heavy sell-offs.
The report noted that tokens were often sold shortly after promotional posts, raising questions about insider-trading behavior, though control of individual wallets could not be conclusively proven.
Market Context
Bitmine’s splashy bet on MrBeast caps a string of Ethereum-heavy moves. The firm has added tens of thousands of ETH to its balance sheet in recent weeks and now commands 3.37% of the total supply, according to News Of Losangeles data. The Beast Industries deal gives Bitmine a high-profile avenue to push DeFi integrations inside the creator economy, aligning with its pitch to institutional investors.
Key Takeaways
- Bitmine, the world’s largest Ethereum treasury company, is sinking $200 million into Beast Industries
- Closure is targeted for January 19, 2026
- MrBeast faces $23 million insider-trading allegations tied to multiple crypto tokens
- Despite the controversy, Bitmine sees the creator as a strategic gateway to Gen Z and millennial markets
