Staking activity on the Ethereum network has reached a historic high. The amount of Ethereum (ETH) locked under the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism has hit an all-time high, driven by increasing interest from institutional investors. This growth is noteworthy despite the generally more selective liquidity in the cryptocurrency market.
According to data, the amount of ETH staked on Ethereum’s Beacon Chain has exceeded 36 million, reaching approximately 30% of the circulating supply. This figure indicates a staked market capitalization of over $118 billion. The previous record was set in July 2025 at 29.54%. While the price of Ether has risen by approximately 11% since the beginning of the year, a more than 5% increase in the last 24 hours has given additional impetus to staking activity.
The number of active validators on the Ethereum network has reached approximately 900,000, while the amount of ETH waiting to be added to the system is measured at 2.3 million. However, the fact that the validator exit queue remains at historically low levels indicates that the selling pressure from existing stakers is limited.
Staking forms the basis of network security, but locking up a larger portion of the circulating supply can reduce liquid supply during periods of increased demand. In this area, Lido Finance is the largest liquid staking provider with approximately 24% market share.
One of the most significant drivers behind the recent growth in staking has been institutional investors. BitMine Immersion, headed by Tom Lee, has rapidly increased both its ETH holdings and staking position. The company’s total holdings of 4.17 million ETH represent more than 3.45% of the circulating supply, with 1.25 million ETH already staked.
On the other hand, exchange-traded products (ETPs) have also begun to support staking flows. Grayscale has started distributing staking rewards to investors in its Ethereum ETFs, while Morgan Stanley’s application for a spot Ethereum ETF with a staking component reveals that major asset managers see staking as a fundamental part of Ethereum investments.
*This is not investment advice.
Read the full article here