Crypto
Ethereum Validator Queues Hit Record High Post-Pectra Fork
The Ethereum network has seen significant changes in its validator queues and staking shifts after the Pectra fork. The entry queue reached an all-time high of 3.589 million ETH in May 2026, causing a wait time of 62 days and 8 hours.
This surge was largely due to the shift towards distributing staking rewards by US spot Ethereum ETFs, as well as corporate treasury staking by firms like BitMine Immersion Technologies, which staked an impressive 4.4 million ETH.
The exit queue has seen a complete reversal, dropping to zero ETH as of May 20, 2026, compared to its peak in September 2025 of 2.67 million ETH when Kiln withdrew 1.6 million ETH worth of validators.