Rising ETH Staking Demand Coincides With Network Upgrades and Institutional Accumulation
Ethereum’s staking dynamics have shifted sharply, with the validator entry queue now almost twice the size of the exit queue, a development not seen in roughly six months. The change suggests growing confidence among holders willing to lock up Ether rather than withdraw it, potentially altering short-term supply dynamics across the network.
According to on-chain data, more than 745,000 ETH is currently waiting to enter staking, translating to an estimated 13-day wait time. In contrast, the exit queue holds about 360,000 ETH, with an approximate eight-day delay. The crossover occurred when both queues hovered near 460,000 ETH, after which the entry side accelerated rapidly while exits continued to decline.
This imbalance reflects a notable reduction in unstaking pressure and a renewed appetite for long-term participation in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake system.
Large-scale unstaking events earlier in the cycle contributed to selling pressure, but much of that supply appears to have been absorbed. At the current pace, the validator exit queue could be fully cleared in early January, potentially easing sell-side pressure on Ether.
A major driver behind the surge in validator entries has been digital asset treasury firms accumulating and staking significant ETH positions. In parallel, expectations around the Pectra network upgrade have improved the staking experience, particularly for large holders, by increasing validator limits and simplifying restaking mechanics.
As Ether trades near the $3,000 level, the sharp rise in staking demand underscores growing conviction in Ethereum’s long-term value proposition rather than short-term liquidity.
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