Nearly Half of ETH Staked — How a Tightening Float Is Reshaping Price, Supply & Volatility

Headline: Nearly Half of ETH Is Staked — What That Means for Price, Supply and Volatility Ethereum’s staking ecosystem has matured into a major structural force. The official Proof-of-Stake deposit contract now holds 77.85 million ETH — about 46.59% of the total supply and worth roughly $256 billion — according to on-chain trackers. Rather than a sudden lockup, this stake base expanded steadily: deposits are up 38.4% year-over-year, reflecting sustained inflows driven first by improved validator economics and later by growing institutional participation (Santiment/X). Why that matters: removing nearly half of ETH from liquid circulation materially reduces sell-side pressure, which tends to soften downside volatility during pullbacks. At the same time, a smaller float can mute explosive upside in short-term demand surges — fewer coins available to meet sudden buying interest. The buildup has been gradual, with deposits accelerating mainly during strong price runs instead of via abrupt surges. Stakers have signaled strategic intent: many are chasing yield, security, and long-duration exposure rather than quick flips. Over the short term, that tight supply has supported price stability; over the long term, it strengthens ETH’s scarcity narrative. Validator growth has tracked this trend. Active validators increased to roughly 977,000–1.04 million from about 890,000 at the end of 2023, pointing to rising confidence and deeper network participation (Beaconcha.in). Historically, surges in validator entries have often preceded upward price momentum — and the recent pattern of expanding entry queues and depressed exit activity preceded ETH’s move into the $3,300–$4,500 range during 2025–2026 (ValidatorQueue). But risks remain. Exit dynamics are a wild card: if staking yields compress or macro stress forces liquidity needs, exits could be delayed and clustered, potentially reintroducing volatility. In short, staking has removed a large portion of supply and changed how Ethereum reacts to market shocks, but it does not eliminate cyclical risk. Sources: Santiment/X; Beaconcha.in; ValidatorQueue Disclaimer: AMBCrypto’s content is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk; do your own research before making decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news