Ethereum staking has reached a new all-time high, with approximately 36 million ETH now staked. This represents nearly 30% of Ethereum’s total supply. At current market prices, the total value of staked ETH exceeds $118 billion, indicating a growing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term worth and security.
Ethereum Becomes a More Matured Digital Asset
This increase surpasses the previous high of 29.54%, which was recorded in July 2025. The upward trend signifies Ethereum's maturation as a digital asset capable of generating yields, making it particularly appealing to institutional investors.
A primary driver behind this record level of Ethereum staking is increased participation from institutions. Treasury management firms, crypto-focused funds, and new Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been instrumental in staking substantial amounts of ETH. For these institutions, staking offers a method to earn consistent on-chain yields while remaining invested in Ethereum's price appreciation.
Despite the sharp rise in staked ETH, the number of validators seeking to exit remains low. This suggests strong confidence in the network among validators and stakers. The low exit queues also reflect improvements in the staking infrastructure. Solutions such as liquid staking and professional validator services mitigate risks for both retail and institutional participants, thereby enhancing the safety and accessibility of staking ETH.
BitMine Drives Large-Scale Staking
BitMine, identified as the largest known Ether treasury holder, has significantly influenced recent staking flows. The company commenced staking ETH on December 26. Subsequently, on January 3, it added 82,560 ETH, valued at approximately $260 million, to the entry queue.
BitMine has now staked a cumulative total of 659,219 ETH, which is valued near $2.2 billion at current prices. The firm's holdings amount to over 4.1 million ETH, representing roughly 3.4% of the total supply and worth approximately $13 billion. With minimal exit demand and large holders locking up supply, Ether’s liquid float is diminishing, contributing to tighter near-term market conditions.
Ethereum ETFs Record Inflows
In the past year, the Ethereum ETF experienced an eighth consecutive day of inflows. Reports indicate that all US-listed ETH ETFs, including those from Grayscale, BlackRock, and Fidelity, collectively attracted inflows totaling $639.6 million. This figure marks the fourth largest overall inflow streak since their inception.
Despite a minor dip in net outflows observed in October 2025, trading activity across Ethereum ETFs has remained robust. The funds generated $2.31 billion in trading volume, consistent with the high levels seen in recent months.
Ethereum is currently trading at $3,357, reflecting a 6.9% increase over the past 24 hours, according to available data. While prices have seen a slight moderation, Tom Lee of BitMine has predicted that Ethereum could reach $12,000 by the end of the year.