Ethereum Staking Reaches 36 Million ATH, But Caution Remains

Ethereum Staking Reaches 36 Million ATH, But Caution Remains – Here’s Why!

Ethereum staking has achieved a significant milestone, hitting an all-time high of 36 million ETH staked. However, despite this positive indicator, the market sentiment remains cautious amid rising Layer-1 competition. This article explores the current state of Ethereum staking, its implications for the market, and the challenges posed by rival blockchain platforms.

Key Takeaways

Ethereum's staking has reached an all-time high of 36 million ETH, representing about 30% of its total supply.
Approximately 140,000 ETH have been withdrawn from exchanges, indicating potential supply constraints.
Other Layer-1 blockchains, like Solana and Monero, are also reaching new milestones, complicating Ethereum’s dominance.
Ethereum's dominance (ETH.D) is facing resistance and could influence its market breakout.
The current market is characterized by increased competition, making it a critical time for investors.

Ethereum

The Current Landscape of Ethereum Staking

The competition among Layer-1 blockchains is heating up like never before. Unlike previous market rallies that were often driven by hype—where small updates could trigger quick price surges—this current cycle is distinctly focused on attracting real investment capital to the forefront. Ethereum (ETH) is a central player in this evolving landscape.

On the blockchain, the situation looks promising, with Ethereum’s staking hitting an impressive milestone of 36 million ETH locked—approximately 30% of its total supply. Moreover, there are around 2.4 million ETH waiting in the validator queue.

Ethereum
Source: ValidatorQueue

Evidently, confidence in Ethereum's network is on the rise. To back this claim, it’s worth noting that about 140,000 ETH have recently been withdrawn from exchanges, leading to a decrease in Ethereum’s exchange reserves to 16.44 million. When assessed together, these indicators suggest a potential supply shock brewing beneath the surface.

The effects are visible with ETH's price having increased by 7%. Yet, taking a broader perspective, Ethereum isn’t the only blockchain achieving record-breaking stats. This brings up an essential question: Could a decline in ETH.D (Ethereum's market dominance) affect the impact of this staking surge?

Ethereum Staking Milestone: Are There Risks Ahead?

While Ethereum’s staking achievement is notable, it doesn’t yet translate into a clear bullish trend.

A glance at other Layer-1 blockchains reveals that many are also hitting new heights. For instance, the value of real-world asset (RWA) tokens on Solana (SOL) has exceeded $1 billion for the first time, indicating strong long-term capital inflows. Concurrently, Monero (XMR) has hit $800 per coin—marking a 28% weekly increase and a market cap of $15 billion. All of this is happening amid Ethereum’s fluctuating dominance.

ETH.D
Source: TradingView (ETH.D)

From a technical standpoint, ETH.D is approaching a significant resistance level. The chart indicates that the index has been stabilizing in the range of 12% to 13% for over eight weeks. A breakout above the 13% threshold would be noteworthy since Ethereum hasn’t reached that level since late Q3 2025.

Additionally, the heightened competition among Layer-1 platforms means that Ethereum’s staking records alone may not guarantee a competitive advantage, particularly as other platforms are experiencing similar growth. Notably, Solana is leading with a noteworthy 16% gain thus far in 2026, making ETH.D a crucial metric to observe for any potential breakout for Ethereum.

Concluding Insights

Despite Ethereum staking reaching an impressive all-time high, the market remains cautious due to increasing competition among Layer-1 blockchains. The ultimate impact of Ethereum's staking success and its dominance will depend on various factors, notably the performance of competing platforms and the overall market dynamics. Investors should stay informed and vigilant as this landscape continues to evolve.