Key takeaways

• Ether queued for unstaking hits $12 billion, with a 44-day waiting period.
• Institutional reserves and ETF holdings have grown 116% since July, reducing fears of a large ETH sell-off.

The Ethereum network is facing its largest-ever exit queue, as more than 2.6 million ETH, worth roughly $12 billion, now await withdrawal. Investors appear to be realizing profits after a strong year for Ethereum, where the price has climbed nearly 97% over the past 12 months.

Ethereum exit queue at $12B
The validator exit queue has surged to record levels, creating a wait time of around 44 days. Validators play a key role in securing the blockchain, and this scale of withdrawals has sparked debate about its impact on Ethereum’s price and staking ecosystem.

While some analysts warn that a portion of these funds could be sold once released, others argue that not all validators are planning to liquidate. Many are simply rotating strategies or preparing for new opportunities.

At the same time, Ethereum’s staking entry queue has slowed. Around 512,755 ETH, worth about $2.3 billion, are waiting to be staked—down from nearly 960,000 ETH earlier this month. This decline signals weaker short-term demand for staking.

Institutional demand offsets exit pressure
Despite growing concerns about withdrawals, institutional activity continues to provide stability. Strategic reserves and ETH-focused ETFs have expanded holdings by more than 116% since July, reaching 11.7 million ETH in total.

Much of this accumulation is being staked through platforms and services, reinforcing long-term confidence. Both HashStaking and GeekStake report rising institutional engagement, as treasuries and funds look to earn consistent yields while holding ETH.

Staking ETFs may change the outlook
Another factor shaping the market is the potential launch of ETH staking ETFs. Analysts suggest that some of the capital leaving staking now may be preparing to re-enter through these new products once they gain approval.

While the SEC’s final deadline is April 2026, optimism is building for an earlier decision. Some experts believe approvals could come as soon as October 2025, which would further institutionalize Ethereum staking.

What this means for Ethereum
Although the current exit queue is unprecedented, strong institutional accumulation and the possibility of staking ETFs are balancing out fears of mass selling. Platforms like HashStaking and GeekStake remain central to this trend, offering both retail and institutional investors accessible ways to participate in Ethereum staking without needing to run validator infrastructure.

The long-term picture still points toward sustained growth in Ethereum’s staking economy, even as short-term volatility and profit-taking create temporary uncertainty.