The <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/ethereum-network-burned-over-2-4-billion-in-eth-in-87-days/">Ethereum network</a> is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in unstaking activity, pushing the withdrawal queue to an all-time high of 12 days and 18 hours. This backlog represents a significant 733,621 Ethers (ETH) awaiting withdrawal, valued at approximately $2.76 billion. The current unstaking period is a notable 50% higher than the previous record set earlier in 2024. Cathie Wood, CEO and founder of ARK Invest, has weighed in on the situation, attributing this extended queue to two primary factors.
<h2>Robinhood's Promotion and Institutional Aggression</h2>
[embed]https://twitter.com/CathieDWood/status/1948980431031857354[/embed]

According to Cathie Wood, one key contributor to the prolonged unstaking period is Robinhood's new 2% deposit promotion, launched in July 2025. This incentive encourages eligible customers, particularly those with a year-long gold subscription, to transfer their cryptocurrency holdings to Robinhood, potentially including previously staked ETH.

More significantly, Wood points to the "aggression of treasury companies and VC firms" as a major driver. She explains that venture capitalists and other investors are strategically shifting staked Ether into specialized Treasury companies, known as Digital Asset Trusts (DATs), with the aim of amplifying their returns once staking lockups expire. These DATs, often structured as penny stock companies, provide traditional finance (TradFi) investors with exposure to leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum without the complexities of directly holding the digital assets.
<h3>Major Corporate Players Lead the Trend</h3>
Prominent examples of this trend include Joseph Lubin's SharpLink Gaming (SBET) and Tom Lee's Bitmine Immersion (BMNR), which Wood highlights as flagship corporate holders of Ether. Notably, these entities have reportedly allocated more Ether to their treasuries than even the Ethereum Foundation itself. This institutional appetite, combined with platform-specific incentives, illustrates a complex interplay of forces contributing to the current extensive Ethereum unstaking queue. As more ETH becomes available for withdrawal, the market will closely watch its impact on supply dynamics.

Ethereum Unstaking Period Hits All-Time High; Cathie Wood Points to Robinhood and Treasury Firms

Ethereum unstaking hits 12+ days (ATH). Cathie Wood blames Robinhood promo & VCs shifting ETH to treasury firms.

Ethereum Unstaking Period Hits All-Time High; Cathie Wood Points to Robinhood and Treasury Firms

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