Ethereum is climbing back in the headlines after the staking queue rose to a high of 860,369 ETH, which is worth $3.7 billion, the highest so far this year. This sprawl comes as large funds, corporations, and corporate treasuries are committed to getting more exposure to Ethereum, locking coins away in staking contracts.
The numbers are revealing a clear change in market behavior. Data shows 35.7 million ETH, valued at $162 billion, is already staked. This represents about 31 percent of the total supply. Among this, corporate treasuries alone hold and stake 4.7 million ETH, roughly $20.4 billion, or nearly 4 percent of the network supply.
Industry watchers say the rising queue shows growing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term position. “Institutions are not trading in and out every week. They are holding, staking, and waiting for the rewards,” said Michael Carter, a digital asset analyst at London-based Arcane Research. He added that consistent inflows from large players create stability for the network.
The contrast with just a few months ago is sharp. In July, the exit queue hit 1 million ETH, with many holders pulling out rewards after the Shanghai upgrade allowed withdrawals. Now, the exit queue has dropped 20 percent, while new entrants are lining up with record sums.
According to data platforms, BitMine and several other investment firms have recently added significant stakes, signaling that institutional interest is not slowing down. These moves are pushing the entry queue higher while retail traders take a different path.
On the price front, Ethereum has pulled back after setting an all-time high in late August. The token now trades at $4,321, down 12.4 percent from its peak on August 24. Analysts say retail investors are taking profits, while institutions are buying the dips and adding to their stake positions.
“Retail holders often sell during corrections. But the story is different for funds. They see lower prices as an entry point,” explained Sarah Lin, head of crypto research at a U.S. trading desk. “The more ETH gets locked, the less liquid supply remains, and that has long-term price impact.”
Experts note that Ethereum’s lower fees, combined with steady upgrades, are also making staking more attractive. With staking rewards seen as relatively stable, many funds are treating it like a yield strategy, similar to fixed-income products in traditional finance.
As the crypto market grows more competitive, Ethereum’s staking model continues to attract both large and small investors. The rising queue shows a network that is still building trust, even during periods of price volatility.
Conclusion
Ethereum staking has shown us strong growth and made a difference in the separation of short-term traders and long-term institutional players. With billions of dollars staked and locked, the Ethereum network is demonstrating its endurance beyond intra-day price fluctuations. If this trend by institutions continues, the Ethereum ecosystem can further strengthen its base.
