BIT Mining Bets Big on Solana: $300M Mega-Play Shakes Up Crypto Landscape

Mining giant pivots to high-speed blockchain—because proof-of-work wasn't volatile enough.

The $300 million gambit puts Solana in the spotlight as institutional players keep chasing the next Ethereum killer. Never mind that most 'institutional strategies' still look like drunk darts at a crypto price chart.

Solana's speed and low fees make it a miner's paradise—if it can stay online long enough to cash in.

The Ohio-based company’s stock surged dramatically following the announcement, with shares reaching highs of $10.88 before settling around $5, marking a 100% increase from the previous day’s trading value. This expansion represents a significant pivot for BIT Mining as it looks to diversify beyond traditional cryptocurrency mining operations.

Building a $300M SOL Treasury

BIT Mining Limited (NYSE: BTCM) plans to build a substantial SOL token treasury valued at up to $300 million through a phased fundraising approach. The company will raise between $200 million and $300 million in phases, depending on market conditions and capital availability, according to the official announcement.

Bit Mining’s share price spiked on the solana announcement. Source Yahoo Finance

The strategy involves converting existing cryptocurrency holdings into SOL tokens while maintaining a long-term holding approach. This MOVE positions BIT Mining as one of the larger corporate holders of Solana’s native token, following a trend of companies building significant treasuries in specific cryptocurrencies.

Validator Operations and Network Participation

Beyond building a token treasury, BIT Mining will operate validator nodes on the Solana network. These validator nodes serve two main purposes: supporting the network’s decentralization and security while generating staking rewards for the company.

Operating validator nodes requires technical expertise and infrastructure – areas where BIT Mining’s experience in cryptocurrency mining operations should prove valuable. The company’s background includes owning 7nm Bitcoin chip designs and capabilities in developing miners for multiple cryptocurrencies including Litecoin, Dogecoin, and ethereum Classic.

Solana’s Growing Ecosystem Appeal

The timing of BIT Mining’s expansion aligns with Solana’s recent performance in the blockchain space. Since October 2024, Solana has consistently outperformed every other blockchain in Real Economic Value (REV), generating over $550 million USD in January 2025 alone.

Solana accounted for 81% of all decentralized exchange (DEX) transactions across the cryptocurrency industry in 2024 (the number of individual transactions, not the dollar value), demonstrating its dominance in trading activity. The blockchain’s ability to process approximately 65,000 transactions per second, with an average cost per transaction of $0.00025, makes it attractive for companies looking to participate in high-throughput blockchain networks.

Strategic Goals and Market Position

Bit Mining CEO Xianfeng Yang described the move as a “bold step” that reflects the company’s ability to adapt to industry trends. The expansion aims to create sustainable value for shareholders while positioning BIT Mining as an active participant in one of the blockchain industry’s most dynamic ecosystems.

The company’s strategy focuses on three main objectives: driving innovation through Solana’s infrastructure, enhancing ecosystem integration, and attracting investors seeking exposure to the Solana network. By operating validator nodes and maintaining a significant SOL treasury, BIT Mining becomes directly invested in the network’s success and growth.

Market Response and Future Outlook

The market’s positive response to BIT Mining’s announcement extended beyond the company’s stock performance. Solana’s token (SOL) saw a modest 2% increase in the 24 hours following the announcement, suggesting broader market approval of the strategic move.

Solana has shown remarkable growth with over 40 million daily transactions in Q4 2023, far exceeding most other blockchains, and the network continues to attract institutional interest. The ecosystem’s growth trajectory appears sustainable, with a tenfold increase in active developers from 2020 to 2023, with over 3,300 contributors.

BIT Mining’s expansion into Solana represents more than a simple investment strategy. It signals a fundamental shift toward active participation in blockchain networks rather than traditional mining operations alone. The company’s decision to build a substantial SOL treasury while operating validator nodes creates multiple revenue streams and aligns its interests directly with Solana’s network growth and success.