Institutional interest in Ethereum staking is experiencing significant growth despite Ether’s underperformance relative to Bitcoin in 2025. This rising demand is primarily fueled by new custody solutions and the emergence of liquid staking tokens like stETH.
Regulated custody providers including Komainu now support Lido’s stETH token, enabling institutions to participate in Ethereum staking while maintaining compliance. Liquid staking tokens effectively address traditional barriers such as capital lock-up periods and complex custody requirements, facilitating broader institutional engagement.
Staking activity remains robust even amid Ether’s 24% year-to-date price decline, with the Beacon Chain reaching an all-time high of 34.7 million ETH staked. This resilience highlights institutional confidence in Ethereum’s staking mechanisms independent of short-term price movements.
The expansion of custody options and liquid staking products is expected to accelerate Ethereum’s institutional adoption by reducing operational complexities and compliance risks associated with blockchain participation.