TLDR
- Ethereum staking has reached an all-time high with over 36.2 million ETH now locked.
- The staking ratio has surpassed 30 percent of the total ETH supply.
- Institutional investors are contributing heavily to the current staking surge.
- The validator entry queue is at its highest level since 2023, with 2.7 million ETH waiting.
- The exit queue has dropped close to zero, showing strong holder confidence.
Ethereum staking has reached a record level as institutional participation increases, supply tightens, and validator demand grows rapidly. Over 36.2 million ETH is now locked in staking, reducing active supply and impacting short-term market liquidity, while yields stay steady at around 2.8%. This development comes as Ethereum’s staking ratio crosses 30% for the first time, according to Token Terminal.
Ethereum Staking Hits Record High
Ethereum’s staking ratio has surpassed 30%, reaching an all-time high according to Token Terminal’s Monday post. Currently, over 36.2 million ETH is staked, representing around $115 billion in value. This amount reflects 30% of the total ETH supply, as reported by Ultrasound Money.
Annual yields from staking remain near 2.8%, sustaining long-term investor interest.
Milk Road commented that “staking just hit an all-time high,” with ETH “being taken off exchanges and removed from active circulation.” The macro outlet also added, “This is a long-term positive signal for price appreciation.”
Validator activity has surged as the staking entry queue reached its highest level since 2023. Over 2.7 million ETH is now queued to be staked, indicating persistent demand. At the same time, the exit queue has dropped near zero, signaling reduced withdrawal activity.
Institutional Demand Drives Supply Shift
Institutions are playing a larger role in the Ethereum ecosystem, contributing heavily to current staking volumes. Firms such as BitMine and several digital asset ETFs are locking ETH to earn staking rewards. This influx is tightening the supply and raising Ethereum’s appeal among finance players.
The Ethereum Foundation confirmed this trend, stating, “Ethereum is the #1 choice for global financial institutions.”
Their official X post on Monday cited 35 adoption cases from entities building on Ethereum. Fundstrat’s Tom Lee also shared these developments, pointing to accelerated institutional adoption.
Ethereum is the #1 choice for global financial institutions.
Over the last few months, adoption has accelerated. Here are 35 stories of how institutions are building on Ethereum.
1/ @krakenfx launched xStocks on Ethereum, issuing tokenized versions of popular U.S. stocks and…
— Ethereum (@ethereum) January 19, 2026
Coin Bureau’s Nic Puckrin called this surge a “huge vote of confidence in Ethereum.” He added, “Staking measures coins, not conviction,” highlighting the difference between retail and whale behavior.
He explained that 1 million ETH staked by one entity differs from the same amount staked by many holders.
Market Impact and Recent Price Movements
Despite the staking momentum, ETH prices have declined since the weekend. As of Tuesday morning in Asia, ETH dropped below $3,200 after a 1% daily loss. Since the weekend, Ethereum has lost 5% of its market value.
Market pressure increased due to concerns surrounding global trade tensions. Reports link this to Donald Trump’s trade policies, which have impacted overall investor sentiment. The drop comes even as staking trends suggest long-term supply reduction.
Trading activity shows reduced ETH liquidity across major exchanges. Much of the locked ETH is inaccessible, impacting circulating volumes. This has potential implications for near-term volatility.
Staking remains strong, but price action currently reflects broader market factors. The validator queue remains high, while the exit queue stays minimal. This indicates strong confidence among current stakers.
Milk Road stated, “ETH supply is getting intentionally harder to access,” in reference to this growing lock-up trend. As a result, exchange reserves continue to shrink. Institutions appear to be leading the charge in long-term holding.
ETH supply is getting intentionally harder to access.
Staking just hit an all time high, with millions of $ETH now queued to be locked. That is being taken off exchanges and removed from active circulation.
This is a long-term positive signal for price appreciation.
Higher. https://t.co/pKid87F5pd pic.twitter.com/kZ3VzDWMch
— Milk Road (@MilkRoad) January 19, 2026
Fundamentals suggest that the supply of tradable ETH may stay limited for some time. The number of validators continues to grow steadily. Participation from asset managers further reinforces Ethereum’s network strength.
