Ethereum has seen a remarkable increase in the number of wallets, exceeding 175.5 million as interest in staking remains high, even amidst market volatility. Recent data from Santiment highlights this growth, noting that the number of non-empty Ethereum wallets has reached an all-time high, with 5.16 million wallets created in 2026 alone.
Despite a drop in price to nearly $2,800 over the weekend due to rising geopolitical tensions affecting risk assets, Ethereum rebounded modestly to surpass $3,000 by midweek. The analytics firm observed that the ongoing enthusiasm for staking is leading to a significant reduction in the amount of ETH held on centralized exchanges, which may alleviate selling pressure and provide price support in the long run. This is critical as many holders are currently situated near their breakeven points, indicating a potential for market absorption and base-building.
In corporate developments, BitMine Immersion Technologies, recognized as the largest corporate holder of ETH, added 40,302 ETH to its treasury, bringing its total holdings to over 4.24 million ETH, which constitutes approximately 3.52% of all ETH in circulation. The company has also staked over 2 million ETH, transforming a significant portion of its treasury into yield-generating assets. This rapid staking activity has led to increased pressure on the Ethereum network, resulting in a waiting period of 54 days for new validators seeking to participate in staking.
Furthermore, a report indicated that various companies have acquired more than 1 million ETH, valued at around $3.5 billion. The number of publicly disclosed firms holding ETH has grown by 40%, with these corporate assets now representing roughly 5% of the total circulating supply of Ethereum. This trend underscores the increasing institutional interest in Ethereum and the broader implications for the cryptocurrency landscape.
As the Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve, the interplay between staking, wallet growth, and corporate adoption will be crucial to watch for both market participants and analysts. The ongoing developments signal a robust foundation for Ethereum as it navigates the complexities of the current market environment.
