TLDR
- The Ethereum validator entry queue is now nearly double the exit queue for the first time in six months.
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Over 745,000 ETH are waiting to be staked, while only 360,000 ETH are attempting to exit the network.
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BitMine has contributed significantly to the surge in the entry queue by staking large amounts of Ether.
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Ethereum’s Petcra upgrade may have improved the staking experience, influencing increased validator activity.
Ethereum’s staking dynamics have shifted, as the validator entry queue now stands almost double the exit queue. For the first time in six months, more Ether is waiting to be staked than withdrawn from the network. As of the latest data, roughly 745,619 Ether (ETH) are in the entry queue, requiring a wait time of nearly 13 days. In contrast, the exit queue has about 360,518 ETH, with a wait of just 8 days.
This significant shift in validator activity has sparked discussions within the Ethereum community about what this means for Ether’s future price and network dynamics.
Factors Driving the Ethereum Entry Queue Surge
The primary reason for the sudden increase in the entry queue appears to be the actions of digital asset treasury companies, such as BitMine. The company has been actively acquiring large amounts of Ether and staking them, contributing to the substantial growth in the entry queue. As of the latest reports, BitMine staked 342,560 ETH worth around $1 billion in just two days. This level of staking activity suggests a growing confidence in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake network and its long-term value.
Source: Validator Queue
Along with institutional investment, another possible factor driving the surge could be the Ethereum network’s recent upgrades, such as the Petcra upgrade.
Ethereum’s continuous improvements to its staking and validator experience may have encouraged more users to lock up their Ether, rather than withdraw it from the network. Ethereum’s Petcra upgrade, which focuses on improving user interaction with the staking process, could be making it easier for large-scale validators to participate in staking, thus contributing to the entry queue’s rapid rise.
Exit Queue Could Reach Zero Soon
Despite the growing entry queue, the exit queue has been shrinking steadily. Some analysts believe that the exit queue will hit zero by January 3, 2026, signaling the end of a period of significant selling pressure on Ether. Since July 2025, the exit queue has been under sell pressure, as many Ethereum holders have unstaked their Ether.
One notable example is Kiln, a staking service provider, which initiated an “orderly exit” of its Ether validators after a security incident in September 2025.
Abdul, the head of DeFi at Monad, suggested that the exit queue’s decline might lead to a reduction in selling pressure on ETH. He noted that roughly 70% of the unstaked ETH since July has been absorbed by large digital asset treasuries like BitMine. This shift in supply dynamics could help stabilize the price of Ether and reduce any downward pressure caused by excessive staking withdrawals.
Ethereum’s Price Reaction and Outlook
The change in the staking queue is not only significant from a network perspective but could also have a notable impact on Ether’s price. Historically, such shifts in the validator entry and exit queues have been followed by significant price movements. Abdul referenced the last time the queues flipped in June 2025, when Ether’s price nearly doubled, rising from $2,800 to a new all-time high of $4,946 by August 2025.
While there is no guarantee that this trend will repeat, the growing interest in staking and the reduction in sell pressure could lead to positive price action for Ethereum in 2026.
The upcoming months could see further developments in Ethereum’s staking dynamics. With the validator exit queue nearing zero, Ethereum’s staking landscape could stabilize, encouraging more long-term holders to lock up their Ether for staking. This shift could increase scarcity on the market, leading to potential upward pressure on the price.
