Top 10 Ethereum Staking Statistics and Trends in 2026

This table consolidates the top 10 benchmarks from our analysis, providing a streamlined executive summary of Ethereum’s staking sector as of 2026.

1. Over 35.9 Million Ethereum is Currently Being Staked

Current data from the hildobby Dune dashboard shows 35,859,802 ETH is now staked. This represents approximately 28.91% of the total circulating supply. This volume secures the network through 1,100,000 active validators, ensuring reliable decentralized security for all Ethereum protocol participants.

Staking participation maintains a steady upward trajectory, growing from 32,000,000 ETH in early 2025. This trend reflects increasing institutional confidence and the popularity of liquid restaking protocols. Net inflows remain positive despite occasional withdrawal spikes observed during late 2025 cycles.

2. Ethereum Staking Yields Average Around 3.3% APY

Ethereum staking currently generates a 2.84% annual yield through consensus layer rewards. This percentage is mathematically linked to the number of active validators. As total stake increases, the base reward rate gradually decreases to ensure sustainable network issuance.

Total returns frequently exceed 3.3% after including MEV and transaction priority fees. These additional incentives provide stakers with extra income during periods of high network congestion. This tiered reward structure remains a primary driver for long-term institutional capital allocation.

3. ETH Staking Net Flows Remain Consistently Positive

The provided data from Dune illustrates a major shift in net staking flows, which have turned negative as of late 2025. While early October saw massive spikes exceeding 1,000,000 ETH, the trend has sharply reversed into consistent net outflows.

Daily activity shows that principal withdrawals and reward claims frequently exceed incoming deposits. Since late November, the black line representing the 2 week net flow has remained below 0, indicating more ETH is leaving the protocol than entering.

By early January 2026, net flows reached a local low near -600,000 ETH. This suggests a period of notable unstaking or profit taking by participants, marking a departure from the high growth phase observed during the previous quarterly cycle.

4. Lido Maintains 24.2% Market Share for ETH Staking

Ethereum staking remains concentrated among 10 major entities that control over 60% of the total network. Liquid staking protocols and centralized exchanges dominate this market, providing accessible entry points for various types of institutional and retail investors.

1. Lido: Holds 8,721,598 ETH, representing a 24.2% market share within the staking ecosystem.
2. Binance: Operates as the largest exchange provider with 3,289,104 ETH, commanding 9.1% of the market.
3. ether.fi: Ranks 3 with 2,148,329 ETH, capturing 6.0% share through popular liquid restaking services.
4. Coinbase: Manages 1,840,952 ETH, which accounts for 5.1% of all active Ethereum network validators.
5. Figment: Operates as a leading staking pool with 1,480,352 ETH, representing 4.1% of the supply.
6. Kraken: Secures 1,347,650 ETH for its users, maintaining a 3.7% share of the total staked.

5. Ethereum Economic Security Remains Above $110 Billion

Ethereum’s economic security reached a massive peak above $150 billion in early 2025 thanks to staking and ETH's price pump. This metric, representing the total USD value of all staked ETH, currently fluctuates around $112 billion as of January 6, 2026, ensuring high protocol level defense.

Since 2021, the network’s security value grew greatly from near 0 to over $100 billion. Despite recent market volatility causing a 25% dip from all-time highs, the current valuation remains 4 times higher than levels recorded during early 2023.

6. Grayscale Leads in ETH Staking Rewards Payouts

Spot Ethereum ETFs underwent a massive transformation in late 2025 when regulatory barriers regarding staking began to dissolve. While initial US launches excluded yield, recent approvals allow funds to participate in network validation and generate passive rewards for shareholders.

• Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF (ETHE): Distributed its 1st staking reward of 0.083178 USD per share to investors on January 6, 2026.
• Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH): Successfully activated native staking in October 2025, becoming the 1st US mini trust to offer yield.
• WisdomTree Physical Ethereum (ETHW): Operates in Europe with staking enabled, currently generating a net staking yield of approximately 1.13% annually.
• 21Shares Ethereum Staking ETP: Manages 316,000,000 EUR in assets with an accumulating distribution policy that automatically reinvests all earned staking rewards.
• CoinShares Physical Staked Ethereum: Offers a 0.0% management fee structure while passing through 100% of the staking rewards to the fund holders.
• VanEck Ethereum ETN: Provides exposure to native staking yields up to 5% while maintaining physical backing through regulated institutional crypto custodians.

Institutional adoption of staking enabled ETPs continues to grow as investors seek 3% to 5% additional annual returns. Market leaders like BlackRock and Fidelity are actively pursuing similar capabilities to stay competitive against Grayscale’s early mover advantage in 2026.

7. Ethereum Validator Exit Queue Reaches Record Lows

Ethereum’s validator exit queue plummeted to 32 ETH on January 6, 2026, marking a 99.9% collapse from its 2,670,000 ETH September peak. This reduction eliminates selling pressure, as wait times for full withdrawals now average just 1 minute.

Meanwhile, the entry queue surged to 1,300,000 ETH, driven by BitMine’s aggressive staking of 659,219 tokens. Institutional demand from staking enabled ETFs further fuels this backlog, signaling a massive shift toward long term network security and rewards.

This historic shift indicates that validator selling pressure has dried up entirely across the ecosystem. With 975,088 active validators securing 35,670,000 ETH, the empty exit queue confirms that participants are choosing yield generation over liquidating their assets.

8. CEXs Control Big Ethereum Staking Market Share

Centralized exchanges remain a primary gateway for retail and institutional Ethereum staking. CEXs manage 8,488,728 ETH, providing simplified access to rewards while handling the technical complexities of validator management for millions of users across the global crypto market.

1. Binance: Leads the CEX category with 3,289,104 ETH, commanding a 38.74% share of exchange-based staking.
2. Coinbase: Maintains the 2nd position with 1,840,952 ETH, representing 21.69% of the centralized staking market.
3. Kraken: Secures 1,347,650 ETH for its users, accounting for a substantial 15.87% share of the sector.
4. OKX: Holds 529,390 ETH in its staking wallets, capturing 6.24% of the total exchange staking volume.
5. Bitcoin Suisse: Manages 432,984 ETH for its clients, representing 5.10% of the centralized provider ecosystem.
6. Upbit: Supports the network with 389,248 ETH, rounding out the top 6 with a 4.59% marketshare.

While Binance maintains a dominant lead, the rise of liquid staking protocols continues to challenge the market share of centralized providers. Recent data shows a shift as users seek more decentralized alternatives to traditional exchange-based staking models.

9. Ethereum Restaking Market Exceeds $16 Billion

The Ethereum restaking ecosystem has reached a total value locked of $16,257,000,000 as of early 2026. This metric represents the combined capital efficiency of major protocols that allow users to repurpose their staked ETH to secure additional decentralized services and layers.

Current data confirms that 4,650,055 ETH is currently being utilized within restaking frameworks to provide cryptoeconomic security for Actively Validated Services. This volume highlights a massive institutional appetite for maximizing yield through multi-layered security protocols across the entire Ethereum network.

• Eigenlayer: Dominates the sector with 15,258,000,000 USD in TVL and 4,364,467 ETH, commanding a 93.9% market share.
• Symbiotic: Ranks 2 with 897,000,000 USD in TVL and 256,533 ETH, representing a 5.5% share of the restaking market.
• Karak: Manages 102,000,000 USD in TVL and 29,055 ETH, capturing approximately 0.6% of the total restaked asset volume.

Recent 2026 trends indicate a shift toward capital efficiency despite challenges from low incremental rewards below 1%. Many developers now prioritize sustainable economic models for Actively Validated Services (AVS) platforms to ensure that restaking remains viable for larger institutional ETH treasuries.

Protocol upgrades like Fusaka and Glamsterdam will further maximize restaking efficiency by improving data availability for secondary networks. These advancements ensure that Ethereum remains the primary hub for shared security, driving further integration between DeFi and staking.

10. The USA and Germany Lead Ethereum Node Distribution

The geographical distribution of Ethereum nodes reveals a considerable concentration within Western markets, which ensures high-speed connectivity but also raises questions about regional decentralization. Currently, 12,277 execution layer nodes and 8,059 consensus layer nodes are distributed globally to maintain the network's integrity.

• United States: Holds the 1st position with 3,203 execution nodes (26.09%) and 2,380 consensus nodes (29.53%).
• Germany: Ranks 2nd globally, contributing 1,418 execution nodes (11.55%) and 1,281 consensus nodes (15.90%).
• China: Maintains a strong presence in the execution layer with 1,955 nodes, representing 15.92% of that total.
• Finland: Shows high consensus participation with 503 nodes, accounting for 6.24% of the consensus layer market.
• France: Supports the network with 459 consensus nodes (5.70%) and 402 execution nodes (3.27%).
• United Kingdom: Rounds out the top tier with 511 execution nodes (4.16%) and 339 consensus nodes (4.21%).

While the top 3 nations control over 50% of the network's physical infrastructure, a long tail of 90+ other countries helps mitigate localized risks. This broad participation from nations like Singapore, Japan, and Canada ensures that Ethereum remains a resilient and globally accessible protocol.

What is Ethereum Staking?

Ethereum staking involves locking up assets to support network consensus via Proof of Stake. Participants operate nodes to validate transactions and secure the blockchain. This process replaced traditional mining, offering a more energy efficient method for maintaining protocol integrity.

The system utilizes a slashing mechanism to penalize malicious behavior or prolonged downtime. By bonding capital, users demonstrate a financial commitment to the network's honesty. This cryptoeconomic design ensures that attacking the protocol becomes prohibitively expensive for any individual entity.

This transition was finalized during The Merge on September 15, 2022, which officially replaced mining with staking. However, it was the Shanghai (Shapella) Upgrade on April 12, 2023, that truly completed the ecosystem by finally enabling the withdrawal of staked assets and accumulated rewards.

Beyond simple rewards, staking introduces unique liquid derivatives and restaking opportunities. These financial layers allow capital to remain productive across the decentralized finance ecosystem. Consequently, staking serves as the foundational base layer for Ethereum's entire economic and security architecture.

How Does Ethereum Staking Work?

ETH staking functions through a consensus mechanism where participants lock assets to validate transactions, secure the network, and earn protocol-issued rewards.

There are several primary ways to stake:

• Solo Staking: Users operate dedicated hardware and deposit 32 ETH to earn full rewards while maintaining complete control over their validator keys.
• Staking as a Service: Third-party providers manage the technical infrastructure and hardware requirements for users who provide 32 ETH and keep their keys.
• Pooled Staking: Participants contribute any amount of ETH to a collective pool, making staking accessible for those with less than 32 ETH.
• Liquid Staking: Users receive a tradeable token representing their staked ETH, allowing them to remain liquid while earning ongoing network staking rewards.
• Centralized Exchanges: Platforms like Binance or Coinbase manage the entire process for users, providing a simplified interface at the cost of decentralization.
• Liquid Restaking: This involves taking liquid staking tokens and depositing them into protocols like EigenLayer to secure additional services for extra yield.

How Much Will You Earn Staking Ethereum?

Staking returns depend on network activity, total ETH staked, and market valuation. While the current 3.3% APR provides steady accumulation, the ultimate USD profitability fluctuates based on Ethereum’s price performance and the broader demand for block space today.

To calculate potential earnings, use our staking calculator, which takes into account deposit size, APY, and duration. For example, staking $10,000 at 5% APY for 1.5 years would result in $750 in interest, bringing the total to $10,750, though LSDs would show this as price appreciation rather than direct payments.

Bullish Scenario: Ethereum Price Surges Toward $5,000

If market sentiment remains positive and institutional demand via ETFs continues, a move toward $5,000 would exponentially amplify the dollar value of earned rewards and the underlying principal.

• Principal Appreciation: A move from $3,220 to $5,000 represents a 55% gain on the original principal investment.
• Yield Value: A 3.3% yield on 1 ETH results in 0.033 ETH annually, which would be valued at $165.
• Portfolio Growth: Compounding rewards at higher price points leads to exponential total portfolio growth over a 12 month period.

Bearish Scenario: Market Correction Drops Below $2,500

During periods of reduced network utility or macro headwinds, Ethereum's price may retract. While the ETH-denominated yield remains consistent, the fiat valuation of those rewards would decrease accordingly.

• USD Revenue Decline: A price drop to $2,500 would reduce the USD value of monthly rewards by approximately 22%.
• Reduced Activity: Lower transaction fees during quiet markets can push the total staking APR toward a base 2.8% level.
• Unrealized Losses: Stakers may face temporary unrealized losses on their principal despite accumulating more total ETH tokens every day.

Pros and Cons of Ethereum Staking

While Ethereum staking offers a solid way to earn passive rewards and secure the network, investors must weigh the technical and market-driven trade-offs. The table below outlines the primary benefits and limitations inherent in the current staking infrastructure.

2026 Forecast For Ethereum Staking

Mike Silagadze, CEO of Ether.fi, told CoinDesk that 2026 will be defined by "crypto-native neobanking products." He argues these services, combining yield and self-custody, will drive adoption faster than ETFs by exposing everyday users to organic onchain financial activity and utility.

Jesus Perez, CEO of Posidonia 21 Capital, anticipates Ethereum exceeding $5,000 during 2026. He credits the upcoming "Fusaka and Glamsterdam" upgrades for boosting processing power, positioning the network as the "holy grail" for institutional settlement across major European financial markets.

Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget, emphasizes that price recovery depends on supply remaining "locked for longer periods." He notes that over 30% of supply being staked is considerable, but capital must stop exiting the ecosystem to sustain long-term momentum.

Alex Carchidi of The Motley Fool predicts that Ethereum will benefit from a "winner-takes-most dynamic" in 2026. He believes the network’s role as a settlement layer for tokenized real-world assets will force institutions to move massive capital onto the chain.

Risks of Staking Ethereum

While staking offers consistent passive rewards, participants must navigate several technical and economic risks that could impact their total returns and principal security.

Understanding these pitfalls is essential for risk management:

• Slashing Penalties: Validators face partial or total stake forfeiture for malicious acts like double-signing or severe protocol rule violations.
• Smart Contract Risk: Liquid staking and restaking protocols rely on code that may contain undiscovered vulnerabilities or potential exploit vectors.
• Liquidity Constraints: Standard unstaking requires waiting through network queues, potentially preventing immediate exits during high-stress market volatility or crashes.
• Price Volatility: The USD value of your principal can drop drastically, potentially outweighing the 3.3% ETH-denominated yield earned annually.
• Counterparty Vulnerability: Using centralized exchanges introduces custody risk, where platform insolvency or regulatory shutdowns could block access to your funds.
• Operational Complexity: Solo stakers risk losing rewards due to hardware failures, internet outages, or improper node software configuration and maintenance.
• Inactivity Leaks: Prolonged validator downtime during a network-wide emergency can trigger automated balance deductions to encourage protocol recovery and stability.

Our Tip: Always prioritize safety over maximum yield by using diverse client software and audited protocols to mitigate the risk of catastrophic slashing events.

Final Thoughts

Ethereum staking remains the most critical pillar of the network's decentralized future, providing essential security while offering investors sustainable, protocol-native rewards.

As institutional adoption matures through 2026, the transition from speculative experimentation to operational necessity will likely drive deeper liquidity into the staking ecosystem.

Strategic participants must continue balancing yield optimization with risk management to maneuver the growing sectors of restaking, liquid derivatives, and global regulatory frameworks successfully.