As Ethereum wavers after a sharp drawdown, Tom Lee’s renewed bullish cycle forecast has shifted attention toward smaller, high-growth projects such as Pepenode, which continue to attract capital despite the broader market slump.

Ethereum’s recent volatility has not deterred one of the sector’s largest corporate holders. BitMine Immersion Technologies added more than 54,000 ETH – worth roughly $170 million – to its balance sheet this week, taking its total holdings to 3.56 million ETH. At current valuations, this represents more than $11.1 billion and nearly 3% of the circulating supply.

This significant accumulation comes despite ETH falling 11% over the past week and sitting 35% below its August all-time high. Myriad predictors now place the probability of a drop to $2,500 at roughly 51%, though these odds have flipped several times alongside rapid intraday swings. While uncertainty persists, BitMine continues to deploy capital in line with long-term strategic allocation rather than short-term market sentiment.

Shares of BitMine’s public stock, BMNR, are down 6% on the day and 35% over the month – outpacing declines in Ethereum and Bitcoin themselves. Even so, the company’s leadership maintains that cyclical weakness should not overshadow what they view as an extended growth phase for the industry.

Tom Lee Renews Bullish Forecast With Long-Term Supercycle Argument

BitMine Chairman Tom Lee has doubled down on his long-running thesis, reiterating expectations for an Ethereum “supercycle.” His long-term Ethereum price prediction suggests that the asset could eventually mirror Bitcoin’s 100x trajectory from earlier cycles. In the near term, he maintains that cycle tops may remain 12–36 months away.

For Lee, the lingering softness in crypto markets reflects the aftermath of the October liquidation event, which erased more than $19 billion in positions in a single day. He argues that the incident likely weakened at least one major market maker, resulting in what he describes as a de facto period of crypto quantitative tightening.

“We saw a similar QT effect in 2022 that lasted six to eight weeks,” Lee noted, adding that markets today appear to be in a comparable environment. Despite the temporary slowdown, he has reiterated his year-end targets of $150,000–$200,000 for Bitcoin and up to $7,000 for Ethereum – figures that remain significantly higher than market consensus.

His recent commentary has reignited conversation around alternative ecosystems and early-stage tokens positioned to benefit disproportionately if Ethereum resumes upward momentum. This shift has been especially pronounced within the presale market, where smaller projects tend to thrive during transitional phases of the cycle.

Broader Market Weakness Pushes Investors Toward High-Potential Sectors

While Bitcoin and Ethereum face macro-driven headwinds, specific niches have shown relative strength. Stablecoin legislation in major markets, improvements across Layer-1 and Layer-2 ecosystems, and a flurry of GameFi developments have kept developer culture active even through downturns.

The GameFi sector, in particular, shows early signs of renewed activity. Play Solana’s PLAY token launch, cross-chain gaming expansion, and new releases from Nika Labs reflect the steady rhythm of builders focusing on long-term utility rather than short-term market noise. Data shared by industry analysts suggests rising player retention and transaction throughput across networks like Sei and Ethereum, even as traders remain cautious.

At the same time, meme coin markets – still valued at around $52 billion – are undergoing a reallocation phase. Dogecoin whales, reacting to both volatility and stagnation, have reportedly begun rotating into newer projects that combine cultural appeal with functional features. This environment has created an opening for emerging GameFi models aligned with upcoming cycles.

Pepenode Emerges as a Standout in GameFi’s Next Phase

Against this backdrop, Pepenode has quickly separated itself from other presale-stage projects. Positioned at the intersection of meme culture and interactive digital rewards, Pepenode’s “Mine-to-Earn” model allows participants to build virtual server rooms, generate hashpower, and receive rewards in assets like PEPE, FARTCOIN and the platform’s native token.

The project’s presale has surpassed $2.1 million, fuelled by both its accessible mechanics and rising interest in hybrid GameFi-meme ecosystems. Its browser-based gameplay, customisable infrastructure, and integration of staking incentives – currently advertised at up to 597% APY for certain locked options – have caught the attention of traders searching for alternatives that combine entertainment with on-chain viability.

A recent analysis from CryptoTV labeled Pepenode as a top meme coin to watch in 2025, citing the project’s early traction, low-cost token entry, and utility-driven reward model. While presales should always be approached cautiously, Pepenode’s fundraising success during a market downturn is a notable data point – especially considering the continued risk-off sentiment among liquidity providers.

How Tom Lee’s Ethereum Thesis Connects to Pepenode’s Growing Appeal

Tom Lee’s Ethereum price prediction suggests a phase of prolonged accumulation and eventual expansion – a framework that historically precedes substantial interest in smaller-cap assets. During periods when Ethereum consolidates and accumulates capital, presales and early-stage GameFi networks often experience heightened inflows as investors position ahead of broader market rotations.

The narrative fits closely with Pepenode’s current trajectory. While institutional players like BitMine accumulate ETH with decade-long horizons, retail participants often seek exposure to projects capable of capturing the type of exponential upside that large-cap assets struggle to offer during mid-cycle pauses.

In that sense, Pepenode’s presale resilience reflects the same underlying sentiment that fuels Lee’s long-term thesis: the belief that blockchain adoption is still early enough to support massive growth in both infrastructure and consumer-facing applications. If ETH enters a supercycle, GameFi ecosystems built on or around it may benefit from the spillover effect.

Pepenode Positions Itself for the Next Market Upswing

With a presale price fixed at $0.00115 and scheduled to climb through subsequent phases, Pepenode is preparing for TGE with DEX listings and an expanded roadmap for Q4 2025 to Q1 2026. These include staking upgrades, extended mining features, and additional meme integrations designed to appeal to both gamers and speculative communities.

DISCOVER THE PEPENODE PRESALE BEFORE THE NEXT GAMEFI WAVE HITS

Should Ethereum stabilise and re-establish upward momentum – consistent with Lee’s multi-year projections – tokens with established utility, strong community traction, and early liquidity access could see amplified interest.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are volatile and high-risk. This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.