Ethereum Validator Entry Queue Nearly Doubles Exit Queue as Staking Demand Surges

Ethereum Staking Queue Flips After Six Months

Ethereum’s staking dynamics have shifted sharply, with the validator entry queue now almost double the exit queue—a reversal not seen in the past six months. The change suggests renewed confidence in Ethereum as more ETH is being locked into staking rather than withdrawn.

According to Ethereum Validator Queue data, roughly 745,619 ETH is currently waiting to enter the validator set, representing an estimated 13-day wait time. In contrast, about 360,518 ETH is queued for exit, with an eight-day wait.

Source: https://www.validatorqueue.com/

The crossover occurred on Saturday when both queues hovered around 460,000 ETH. Since then, the entry queue has accelerated rapidly, while analysts suggest the exit queue may be trending toward zero.

Analysts Point to Bullish Historical Patterns

Abdul, head of DeFi at layer-1 blockchain Monad, noted on X that the last time Ethereum’s entry and exit queues flipped—back in June—Ether doubled in price shortly afterward.

“2026 is going to be a movie,” Abdul wrote, hinting at a potentially strong long-term setup for ETH.

Ethereum traded above $2,800 in June before reaching a new all-time high of $4,946 on Aug. 24. As of Monday, ETH was trading around $3,018.

Why Validator Queues Matter

Ethereum operates as a proof-of-stake network, requiring validators to lock up ETH to help secure the blockchain.

• Staking (entry queue) is often interpreted as long-term confidence, as ETH is locked and unavailable for immediate sale.

• Unstaking (exit queue) can signal potential sell pressure, as ETH becomes liquid again.

A growing entry queue combined with a shrinking exit queue typically reflects improving sentiment and reduced near-term supply risk.

Exit Queue Could Drop to Zero

In a Dec. 24 post, Abdul described the validator exit queue as a leading indicator for predictable ETH supply flows entering the market.

He estimated that around 5% of Ethereum’s total supply has changed hands since July, largely due to large-scale unstaking events.

This includes Kiln, a major staking service provider, which initiated an orderly exit of all its Ethereum validators in September following the exploit of digital asset investment platform SwissBorg.

Abdul added that:

• Roughly 70% of the unstaked ETH has been absorbed by BitMine

• BitMine now holds approximately 3.4% of the total ETH supply

“At its current rate, the validator exit queue will reach zero on Jan. 3, after which I expect sell pressure on ETH to subside,” Abdul said.

Digital Asset Treasury Firms Accumulate and Stake ETH

Several analysts have pointed to large digital asset treasury companies as a key driver behind the surge in validator entries.

Crypto commentator Dylan Grabowski, host of the Smart Economy Podcast, highlighted firms like BitMine aggressively accumulating and staking Ether.

Blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain reported that BitMine staked 342,560 ETH—worth roughly $1 billion—over a two-day period.

This accumulation aligns with a broader trend of corporate and treasury players treating ETH as a yield-bearing, long-term asset rather than a purely speculative token.

Pectra Upgrade and DeFi Unwinding Add Momentum

Others believe Ethereum’s upcoming Pectra upgrade has also contributed to renewed staking demand.

Ignas, the pseudonymous co-founder of DeFi Creator Studio Pink Brains, suggested the upgrade improves the staking experience by:

• Increasing maximum validator limits

• Making restaking easier for large ETH balances

Ignas also pointed to DeFi deleveraging as a contributing factor, noting that rising Aave borrow rates may have forced leveraged stETH strategies to unwind—pushing ETH back into spot staking.

Conclusion: Validator Shift Signals Strengthening ETH Fundamentals

The sudden expansion of Ethereum’s validator entry queue—paired with a shrinking exit queue—signals a meaningful shift in network sentiment. Institutional staking, treasury accumulation, and protocol upgrades appear to be reinforcing Ethereum’s role as a long-term settlement and yield layer.

If exit queues do fall to zero as projected, Ethereum could see reduced sell pressure and tighter circulating supply—conditions that historically have supported stronger price performance.

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