Ethereum has hit a major benchmark: nearly 30% of its total supply is now staked. This signals rising trust in the network and growing interest in long-term participation. With more ETH being locked into validator nodes, Ethereum’s transition to a proof-of-stake system appears to be thriving.
Since Ethereum completed its shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, staking has become essential to its security and operation. In this system, holders “stake” their ETH to help validate transactions and maintain the network in return for rewards.
What This Means for Ethereum’s Future
Having 30% of all ETH staked shows that users are confident in Ethereum’s future. Staking locks ETH for extended periods, which indicates that many investors believe in the long-term value of their holdings. This reduces circulating supply and may also create upward price pressure over time.
Additionally, a high staking rate can improve network security. The more ETH staked, the more difficult and expensive it becomes to attack or manipulate the blockchain.
UPDATE: Nearly 30% of all $ETH is now staked. pic.twitter.com/AgtqKjcTdH
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) January 20, 2026
Is There a Risk of Centralization?
While the milestone is positive, some experts warn of growing centralization. A significant portion of ETH is staked through large platforms and liquid staking providers like Lido and Coinbase. If a few entities control too much staked ETH, it could undermine the decentralized nature of the network.
Nonetheless, this 30% figure is a sign of maturity for Ethereum. It suggests that users are actively contributing to the ecosystem and that staking is now a core feature of ETH’s role in the crypto landscape.