### Ethereum Validator Queue Hits Record 54-Day Wait as Staking Surges

18 hours ago

### Ethereum Validator Queue Hits Record 54-Day Wait as Staking Surges — Image source: Unblock Media

Ethereum validator entry delays reach 54 days amid unprecedented institutional staking demand.
Nearly 30% of Ethereum’s total supply is staked, driven by major investors.

On January 24, 2026, AInvest reported that Ethereum’s validator entry queue hit a record high of 54 days—the longest in over a year—as institutional interest in staking intensifies. Over 3.1 million ETH currently await activation, reflecting the increasing participation of large-scale investors in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model.

This upsurge in staking activity has propelled participation to unprecedented levels. Nearly 30% of Ethereum’s circulating supply is now staked, with 976,509 active validators securing the network by staking over 36.3 million ETH. Staking annual percentage rates hover around 2.8%, according to AInvest.

The current staking boom is largely fueled by institutional operators significantly increasing their ETH holdings. BitMine, an Ethereum treasury firm, has staked 1,838,003 ETH, valued at $5.9 billion as of January 19, 2026, bringing its total controlled holdings to over 4.2 million ETH—approximately 3.5% of Ethereum’s circulating supply. Similarly, Grayscale, the first U.S. Ethereum exchange-traded product to offer staking rewards, has contributed to the rapid surge by staking a substantial portion of its ETH. SharpLink Gaming (SBET), a publicly traded company that transitioned its treasury to ETH in June 2025, has already accrued 11,600 ETH in staking rewards since adopting this strategy.

Technical developments within the network have also facilitated staking growth. The Ethereum Pectra upgrade, rolled out in May 2025, raised the maximum validator stake from 32 ETH to 2,048 ETH and introduced automatic reward compounding, streamlining the staking process for larger entities. These enhancements have reduced operational hurdles, enabling institutional players to stake higher amounts more efficiently.

However, the rapid locking up of large amounts of ETH in staking contracts is shrinking the liquid supply available in the market. While some analysts argue this may support Ethereum's price, others warn of network centralization risks stemming from the dominance of a few key participants.

As of January 24, 2026, 15:08 UTC, Ethereum (ETH) trades at $2,961.998, marking a 1.58% increase in the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.