Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Staking Surge Driven by $4.3B Whale's Strategic Awakening

A major Ethereum whale, who received 1 million ETH during the Ethereum Initial Coin Offering (ICO), has reactivated after an eight-year dormancy, signaling renewed interest in the cryptocurrency. The wallet, which originally received the tokens for $310,000 through three separate addresses, now holds assets valued at approximately $4.3 billion. Following its reactivation, the whale moved 150,000 ETH—worth around $645 million—to a new wallet for staking. After this transfer, the whale still holds 105,000 ETH, valued at $451.5 million, across two wallets. Analysts from Lookonchain noted that the activity indicates a strategic shift, although the remainder of the whale's holdings has not been disclosed [1].

The movement by the ICO-era whale aligns with broader trends of institutional and retail accumulation of Ethereum. Over the past two days, approximately 218,750 ETH—worth nearly $942.8 million—has been purchased by whales and financial institutions. Among the most notable participants is Bitmine, associated with Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, who recently became a vocal Ethereum advocate. Bitmine acquired 69,603 ETH—worth about $300 million—from BitGo and Galaxy Digital. Additionally, five newly created wallets acquired 102,455 ETH, valued at $441.6 million, through FalconX. This surge in buying activity suggests a growing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value proposition [1].

Simultaneously, the Ethereum staking entry queue has reached its highest level since early 2023, standing at 860,369 ETH, or roughly $3.7 billion. According to Everstake, a staking protocol, the increase reflects a resurgence in institutional participation and renewed confidence in Ethereum’s infrastructure. With Ethereum’s price hovering near $4,321 and relatively low gas fees, staking has become increasingly attractive to both retail users and corporate treasuries. Over 70 treasury participants now hold 4.7 million ETH, with most of it allocated to yield-generating strategies. This marks a shift from recent months, where concerns over mass validator exits had briefly spiked the staking exit queue above 1 million ETH [2].

Ethereum currently has 35.7 million ETH locked in staking contracts, representing about 31% of the total supply. The balance between staking entry and exit queues has improved since July, with both sides moving closer to equilibrium. This stability suggests a healthier staking environment and growing demand for yield generation on Ethereum’s base layer. Corporate treasuries, in particular, are increasingly allocating capital to Ethereum staking, with some analysts projecting that this trend will continue as more institutional players enter the market. The convergence of favorable market conditions, rising prices, and institutional adoption is reinforcing Ethereum’s position as a key asset class for yield generation [2].

The recent activity has also drawn attention to Ethereum’s staking yields, which are outpacing traditional financial instruments. Analysts have noted that Ethereum staking returns are surpassing those of traditional bonds and banking products, making it a compelling option for passive income in 2025. Some predictions suggest that Ethereum could deliver a 15x return on investment by the end of the year, driven by growing institutional interest and expanding validator networks. Additionally, Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin has speculated that the asset could see a 100x increase over time, positioning it as the backbone of future decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract infrastructure [3].

Source:

[1] $4.3 Billion Ethereum ICO Whale Awakens, Stakes ... (https://u.today/43-billion-ethereum-ico-whale-awakens-stakes-150000-eth-details)

[2] Ethereum Staking Queue Hits $3.7B, Highest Level Since 2023 (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ethereum-staking-queue-hits-3-070904650.html)

[3] Ethereum Staking Yields Outpace TradFi — Analysts Call ... (https://coincentral.com/ethereum-staking-yields-outpace-tradfi-analysts-call-eth-a-15x-roi-play/)