- Tom Lee links Ethereum’s future demand to AI, robotics and autonomous machines requiring blockchain-based verification and control.
- Lee expects Wall Street tokenization and agentic AI to strengthen Ethereum’s role as a settlement layer for financial activity.
- BlackRock maintains Bitcoin’s investment case as an alternative monetary asset despite capital shifting toward AI-focused equity funds.
BitMine chairman Tom Lee has linked Ethereum’s future role to advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. Lee cited BlackRock’s continued Bitcoin view while arguing that blockchains could support AI and autonomous machines. He also said Ethereum could become the most important Layer 1 as Wall Street tokenization and agentic AI expand blockchain use.
Lee Connects AI Growth With Ethereum
According to Lee, AI capabilities are advancing along a steep S-curve and developing greater collective coordination. He argued that blockchains and smart contracts can keep humans involved in AI-driven activity.
Lee also pointed to robotics as another potential blockchain use case. He said robots could eventually exceed human capabilities and require blockchains to verify and control their actions.
“we see $ETH as an important downstream story for AI,” Lee wrote. He described Ethereum as an important base layer for these applications.
The argument follows Lee’s view that crypto becomes more relevant as AI and robotics capabilities increase. He also agreed with BlackRock’s assessment that Bitcoin has growing use cases.
BlackRock Maintains Bitcoin Investment Case
BlackRock said Bitcoin’s core investment case remains unchanged despite its more than 50% decline from its October 2025 high. Its report described Bitcoin as an emerging global monetary alternative and portfolio diversifier.
The report said capital had shifted toward AI-themed equity funds during Bitcoin’s decline. However, Lee used the report to reinforce his broader Ethereum thesis.
Lee has also tied the ETH/BTC ratio to previous crypto cycles. He cited initial coin offerings in 2017-2018, NFTs in 2020-2021, and stablecoins in 2025.
Tokenization And AI Drive Lee’s ETH View
For the upcoming cycle, Lee expects the ETH/BTC ratio to rise through Wall Street tokenization and agentic AI using blockchains. He also connects Ethereum with tokenized assets moving onto blockchain networks.
Lee said this could make Ethereum an important settlement layer for financial activity. Meanwhile, BitMine has accumulated Ethereum through multimillion-dollar purchases. The company, chaired by Lee, reportedly holds about 4.8% of Ethereum’s circulating supply.
Lee also co-founded Fundstrat and has previously connected Ethereum with artificial intelligence. His latest comments place AI, robotics, tokenization, and Ethereum within the same market thesis.
