Ethereum continues to attract attention by reaching a record amount of funds locked in staking. More than 35 million ETH are currently in this system.
Record ETH Staking Level
According to recent data, the total amount of locked ETH has exceeded 35 million, which accounts for 28.3% of the total supply. This amount exceeds $84 billion at current market prices. Since the shift to proof-of-stake, the data show significant growth in locked funds.
Growth of Institutional Interest
Major companies are gradually allocating capital to Ethereum to broaden their treasury portfolios and earn staking rewards. For example, SharpLink Gaming holds 176,271 ETH, confirming the growing interest in this cryptocurrency. While most companies still prefer Bitcoin, some view Ether similarly.
Ethereum's Role in DeFi and Challenges
Ethereum not only leads in staking but also plays an important role in decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and enterprise solutions. However, concerns about centralization have arisen as three major organizations control nearly 40% of all validators. The concentration of power among validators raises potential risks for the network. Discussions on improving decentralization are scheduled for late July.
Thus, the growth of actual staking highlights both the strengths and challenges of Ethereum. Time will tell how decentralization and governance will evolve within this platform.
