Shares of BitMine Immersion Technologies Inc. (BMNR) plummeted 5.16% in intraday trading on Tuesday, following the company's announcement of a substantial common stock offering of up to $20 billion. The news, revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, has sparked concerns among investors about potential dilution of existing shareholders' stakes.
The significant stock offering, if fully executed, could substantially increase the number of outstanding shares, thereby reducing the value and voting power of current stockholders. BitMine plans to use the net proceeds for general purposes, including working capital, pursuing its Ethereum treasury strategy, debt repayment, stock repurchases, and capital expenditures. This move comes after the company had already made aggregate gross sales of nearly $4.5 billion under a prior prospectus.
BitMine, known for its involvement in cryptocurrency mining and substantial Ethereum holdings, has been a favorite among South Korean investors recently. The company had been riding high on the cryptocurrency wave, with its stock seeing significant gains in recent months. Prior to this announcement, BitMine's shares had surged from around $4 in June to over $50, following the company's transition from Bitcoin mining to adopting Ethereum as part of its financial strategy. However, this latest move appears to have dampened investor enthusiasm, at least in the short term, as the market grapples with the potential implications of this massive stock offering.