Ethereum Staking Reaches 43.8 Million ETH as Yields Fall to 2.63%

Ethereum staking reached a new high in Q3, with 43.8 million ETH locked to help secure the network, according to figures from Bitwise reported by The Block. That is nearly 36% of all ETH in circulation. The reported yield fell to 2.63% over the same period.

Solana also set a staking record: 440.5 million SOL was staked. The figures show growing participation in staking on both networks, but the available report does not provide a comparable Solana yield.

What does Ethereum’s record mean for stakers?

Staking means committing crypto to help validate transactions and secure a proof-of-stake network. In return, participants may earn rewards, though rates can change and staking can involve withdrawal delays or service-specific risks.

For ETH holders, the headline is a trade-off: more of the supply is being staked, but the reported yield is lower. A 2.63% rate is not a guaranteed return for every holder; actual rewards can differ based on how someone stakes and the terms of any provider they use.

How does Solana compare?

Solana’s 440.5 million staked SOL is a record in the figures cited, alongside Ethereum’s 43.8 million staked ETH. Those token totals are not directly comparable: the networks have different supplies, staking systems and reward rates, and the report excerpt supplies no matching Solana yield figure.

The specific contrast is useful for holders: record staking totals do not by themselves show which network offers better returns. They measure how much of each token is participating in staking, not the income an individual user can expect.

What should holders check before staking?

Anyone considering staking should check the current reward rate, whether funds can be withdrawn immediately, and whether a provider takes fees or adds other risks. For Ethereum in particular, the Q3 figure is a snapshot: the reported 2.63% yield may change, so it should not be treated as a fixed rate.