Ethereum may be setting the stage for a major rebound as on-chain signals point to renewed confidence among holders and institutions. New data shows validator deposits have finally outpaced withdrawals after months of higher exit activity — a shift many traders and analysts view as a potential supply-tightening catalyst that could help ETH push toward or above $4,000. Staking demand surges According to ValidatorQueue, the validator entry queue has climbed to roughly 788,310 ETH (about $2.3 billion at current prices) with an estimated activation wait time of 13 days and 16 hours. By contrast, the exit queue is much smaller at roughly 312,091 ETH (about $916 million) as of writing. This is the largest amount queued for staking since late November, and it marks the first time in six months that deposits have outstripped withdrawals — a pattern historically associated with bullish price action for Ethereum. Treasuries and big stakers leading the flow A major driver of the spike in entry-queue volume has been large treasury staking. LookOnChain data shows Ethereum-focused firm Bitmine staked 342,560 ETH (roughly $1 billion) on December 28 as it prepares to launch its Made in America Validator Network (MAVAN) in 2026. Large-scale staking by treasuries typically reduces ETH’s liquid supply, which can support upward price pressure. Network participation and upgrades ValidatorQueue also reports more than 983,060 active validators on the chain, with roughly 35.5 million ETH (about 29.29% of total supply) currently staked. The recent Pectra upgrade has smoothed the staking experience and raised validator limits, making it easier for large balances to restake and for institutions to participate. Price implications and historical context Analysts note that when validator entry queues have exceeded exits in the past — most recently in June 2025 — ETH saw sharp rallies, with prices doubling over a short span. Ethereum is currently testing the $3,000 area from a base above $2,930; if the renewed staking trend and demand persist, some market watchers say ETH could re-accelerate toward and potentially past $4,000 in 2026. Caveats On-chain staking flows are only one of many factors that influence price; macro conditions, liquidity, and market sentiment also matter. Still, the recent shift toward deposits over withdrawals, driven in part by large treasury staking, is a meaningful signal that traders will be watching closely. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

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