Ethereum staking has surged to a record-breaking 35 million ETH, representing approximately 28.3% of the circulating supply. This significant milestone is underpinned by heightened investor confidence following the SEC’s clarification that staking does not constitute a securities transaction. The network now supports over 1.1 million active validators.
The substantial increase in staked ETH directly influences the network’s tokenomics, adjusting Ethereum’s issuance rate. Even if the entire ETH supply were staked, the protocol’s design ensures a maximum inflation cap of 1.51%, presenting a distinct contrast to Bitcoin’s proof-of-work model.
Facilitating broader participation, liquid staking protocols such as Lido and institutional services like Galaxy Digital have expanded access. Despite the Ethereum price dipping to around $2,500, the total value of staked ETH is estimated at roughly $90 billion. Corporate treasury adoption is also growing, highlighted by SharpLink Gaming staking 167,000 ETH (valued at approximately $418 million).
This trend signals a maturation of Ethereum as the leading proof-of-stake blockchain, manifesting in enhanced network security through greater decentralization, altered supply dynamics reducing available liquid ETH, and reinforced institutional confidence in the ecosystem.