Ethereum’s validator data is starting to tell an interesting story. For the first time in six months, more ETH is lining up to be staked than unstaked. At first glance, that might sound like background noise. In reality, it’s one of those signals that tends to matter more with a bit of patience.
Expert Abdul pointed out that the validator entry queue has now moved above the exit queue, something that last happened in June. Not long after that flip, ETH went on to double. That doesn’t mean history will repeat itself exactly, but it does give this shift some context.
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What you'll learn 👉
What’s Actually Happening in the Validator Queue
Right now, around 745,619 ETH is waiting to be staked. At current prices, that’s roughly $2.2 billion worth of Ether, with an average wait time of about 13 days. The exit queue, by comparison, sits closer to 360,528 ETH, or around $1.06 billion.
Historical data reveals that this is the longest waiting line for ETH staking since November 30. Network statistics indicate a high number of over 983,000 active validators with 29.3% of the total ETH staking. In essence, 35.5 million ETH are pegged in the system.
The important part isn’t just the numbers. It’s the behavior behind them. When validators are more willing to lock up ETH than pull it out, it usually means they’re comfortable holding through volatility rather than looking for a quick exit. As Defignas put it, this kind of shift tends to ease sell-side pressure.
Update:
— Abdul (@0x_Abdul) December 28, 2025
ETH validator entry queue is now bigger than the exit queue, for the first time in six months
The last time this happened in June, ETH doubled in price shortly after
2026 going to be a movie https://t.co/GWMCjxfigo pic.twitter.com/3dMttYpB4B
Why Traders Pay Attention to This Signal
This isn’t the first time Ethereum has seen this kind of flip. Data from TradingView shows that similar moves in March and June were followed by rallies of around 90% and 126%. In both cases, the price reaction didn’t happen instantly.
The signal came first. The move followed later. That’s why this setup often gets overlooked. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t scream “pump.” It shows up quietly, usually before momentum becomes obvious on the chart.
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What This Could Mean for ETH Going Forward
If the pattern holds, Ethereum could be laying groundwork for a stronger phase into 2026. More ETH being staked means less circulating supply. Together with the constant activity taking place on-chain and the better fee dynamics, the overall picture becomes clear.
There are estimates that the ETH price could move towards the $5,000 mark if all these factors are met in 2026. The results are yet to be seen in the markets as indicated by the number of validators getting in at such an early stage.
For now, this isn’t about immediate price spikes. It’s about structure, positioning, and patience. And historically, Ethereum has rewarded those who paid attention when signals like this quietly flipped.
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