Key Highlights Ethereum staking hits 36 million ETH, reducing supply pressure Institutions double reserves, driving record market inflows ETH price eyes $5,000 after whales and funds boost holdings Ethereum Hits Records as Institutions and Whales Drive 2025 Rally Ethereum is reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of the global financial system. New data from CryptoQuant shows the network is hitting multiple all-time highs in September 2025, with institutional demand, staking activity, and transaction volumes all surging to unprecedented levels. Crypto funds have doubled their Ethereum reserves since April 2025, now holding 6.5 million ETH. Large whale addresses controlling between 10,000 and 100,000 ETH together manage more than 20 million ETH — underscoring deep-pocketed investor confidence. A recent surge in buying also saw BitMine acquire 46,255 ETH worth $201 million, lifting its holdings to 2.126 million ETH valued at $9.24 billion. This purchase made the former mining company the largest corporate Ethereum holder. Analysts note that while this wave of institutional participation signals strong long-term support, much of the “smart money” is already deployed, leaving less room for short-term explosive gains. Record Staking and Network Activity Another milestone is Ethereum’s staking boom. More than 36.15 million ETH is now staked, reducing circulating supply and bolstering trust in the network’s security. The staking queue recently surpassed $3.6 billion, marking a record high. Daily smart contract interactions have exceeded 12 million calls, cementing Ethereum’s dominance as the leading programmable blockchain. These numbers highlight its role as the backbone of decentralized finance and next-generation applications. On August 24, 2025, Ethereum touched a new all-time high of $4,956 on Binance before consolidating around the $4,400–$4,500 range. Analysts see resistance at $5,200 but note that falling exchange inflows suggest declining selling pressure — a bullish signal. Joseph Lubin, founder of Consensys, remains optimistic about Ethereum’s long-term trajectory, predicting it could become the foundation of the global financial system. He argues that Wall Street adoption could increase Ethereum’s value 100-fold and even position it as a rival to Bitcoin as the primary monetary base. With institutional inflows, whale accumulation, record staking, and expanding use cases, Ethereum’s 2025 rally is shaping up to be its most significant yet — and the question now is how much higher it can go.
