Tom Lee, Chairman of Bitmine, a digital asset treasury company, declared a new bull run underway in cryptocurrency during Korea Blockchain Week 2026, saying the current cycle could surpass the scale of previous rallies.
Lee, a market strategist whose views carry weight in crypto circles given Bitmine's aggressive Ethereum accumulation strategy, outlined four primary drivers of his bull case.
Tokenization of real-world assets on blockchain platforms represents the first pillar. Lee said this trend is drawing far more attention than in earlier bull cycles, accelerating integration of blockchain with traditional finance.
Capital flows form the second factor. Lee pointed to intergenerational wealth transfer and increased institutional investor purchases of cryptocurrency as sources of fresh capital entering the market.
Digital asset treasury companies like Bitmine itself constitute the third element. Lee argued that capital held by these entities faces no repayment pressures typical of traditional investment funds, allowing extended holding periods that could amplify bull market impact.
AI adoption of digital currencies represents the fourth driver. Lee said the convergence of artificial intelligence and digital assets offers another avenue for ecosystem growth.
Together, these factors position the current cycle for broader impact than past ones, Lee said. His assessment reflects market expectations but does not guarantee future price performance.
Bitmine recently added 27,562 ETH worth approximately $75 million to its balance sheet, bringing total holdings near six million ETH.
