** Shares of ether-linked companies rise premarket as the underlying cryptocurrency ETH= hits one-week high; last up 2.3% at $4,429.81
** Peter Thiel-backed Bitmine Immersion Technologies BMNR.A rises 6.1%, BTCS BTCS.O up 1.4%
** Sharplink Gaming SBET.O jumps 2.2%, while Bit Digital BTBT.O rises 2.5%
** iShares Ethereum Trust ETF ETHA.O jumps 2.5%
** The second largest cryptocurrency has become a popular choice over bitcoin BTC= this year, rising 32% compared to bitcoin's ~22% gain
(Reporting by Avinash P in Bengaluru)
((Avinash.P@thomsonreuters.com;))