Ethereum staking reaches record 43.8 million ETH as yields decline, Bitwise reports
Ethereum staking expanded for a sixth consecutive quarter to hit an all-time high of 43.8 million ETH, representing 35.9% of total supply, even as annualized yields slipped to 2.63% and validator counts shrank amid post-upgrade consolidation.
Staked Ether reached a record 43.80 million ETH in the third quarter of 2026, representing 35.9% of the cryptocurrency's total supply, according to a report from asset manager Bitwise. Net staking inflows added 1.99 million ETH during the period, up from 1.44 million ETH in the second quarter and marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive net inflows.[1][2][3][6]
The surge in staking participation coincided with falling returns for network validators. Ethereum's annualized staking yield dropped to 2.63% from 2.81% in the prior quarter. Simultaneously, the network's active validator count decreased from roughly 1.1 million to 881,000 as operators consolidated validator records under the Pectra upgrade without reducing the total underlying ETH.[2][3][6]
Bitwise also documented staking dynamics across competing layer-1 networks. Solana saw a record 440.5 million SOL staked, representing 69% of its total supply, while its gross staking yield dipped to 5.99% from 6.38% and its validator count declined under cost pressure from 696 to 659. In addition, NEAR maintained a 46% staking ratio at a 4.87% yield, while Hyperliquid had 436 million HYPE staked at 2.24%.[2][4][5]
Beyond staking, the report observed substantial shifts in onchain activity. Ethereum processed 199.32 million transactions during the quarter, up 35.3% year over year following capacity increases from the Fusaka upgrade, though average daily fees and MEV fell from 331 ETH to 198 ETH. Onchain traditional market activity accelerated elsewhere, with tokenized equity trading volume on Solana climbing 45% to $6.93 billion and daily Stock Token volume on Robinhood Chain surging 22-fold over the quarter.[1][2][6]
Key facts
- Ethereum staking reached an all-time high of 43.80 million ETH in Q3 2026, accounting for 35.9% of the total circulating supply.
- Net staking inflows added 1.99 million ETH in Q3 2026, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive net inflows.
- Ethereum's annualized staking yield declined to 2.63% in Q3 2026 from 2.81% in Q2 2026.
- Ethereum's validator count fell from approximately 1.1 million to 881,000 due to operator consolidation under Pectra.
- Solana staking reached a record 440.5 million SOL, representing 69% of supply, while its gross staking yield dropped from 6.38% to 5.99%.
- Ethereum transactions increased 35.3% year over year to 199.32 million in Q3 2026, while average daily fees and MEV fell to 198 ETH.
- Tokenized equity volume on Solana rose 45% to $6.93 billion, and daily Stock Token trading volume on Robinhood Chain increased 22-fold over the quarter.
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Cointelegraph@CointelegraphPost on X 路
馃毃 UPDATE: Ethereum staking hits a record 43.8M ETH, or 35.9% of supply, while staking yields and validators fall, per Bitwise report. https://t.co/VlJaVHBF13
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Wu Blockchain@WuBlockchainPost on X 路
Bitwise: Ethereum Staking Hits Record 43.8M ETH, Accounting for 35.9% of Total Supply, Up for Sixth Consecutive Quarter Bitwise's Q4 2026 Staking Report shows that Ethereum staking reached an all-time high of 43.8 million ETH, representing 35.9% of total supply and marking six consecutive quarters of growth. Ethereum's staking yield declined from 2.81% to 2.63%. Solana's staking ratio stood at 69%, with yields falling from 6.38% to 5.99%, while NEAR's staking ratio reached 46%, with a yield of 4.87%. The report also highlighted that tokenized stock trading volume on Solana rose 45% to $6.93 billion, while daily tokenized stock trading volume on Robinhood Chain increased 22-fold during the quarter.
Open source - TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X 路
THE BLOCK: Ethereum staking keeps breaking records, but the yield keeps shrinking. Bitwise's latest report puts active stake at 43.8 million ETH, or 35.9% of supply, while the average annualized yield fell to 2.63% in Q3 from 2.81% in Q2. https://t.co/xv2tPPyihf
Open source - CO
Cointelegraph@CointelegraphPost on X 路
馃毃 BIG: Ethereum staking hit a record 43.8M $ETH, locking up 35.9% of supply, while 69% of SOL was staked by the end of Q3, Bitwise reports. https://t.co/FlbCNJ9wG3
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The BlockArticle 路
Ethereum staking hits record as yields fall and Solana activity grows: Bitwise A record 43.8 million ETH, nearly 36% of supply, was staked in Q3 as yields fell to 2.63%. Solana staking hit a record 440.5 million SOL.
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BlockNews@blocknewsdotcomPost on X 路
馃毃 UPDATE: Ethereum staking reaches a NEW ALL-TIME HIGH of 43.8 MILLION $ETH, representing 35.9% of total supply, according to Bitwise. Despite record staking participation, both staking yields and validator counts are declining. More than one-third of Ethereum's supply is now staked!
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