- Ethereum staking exit queues hit an all-time high of 46 days amid growing withdrawal demand.
- Cardano offers liquid staking with no exit queues and keeps ADA in users’ wallets for better liquidity.
- Cardano’s staking model gains popularity as Ethereum faces liquidity and delay challenges in its system.
Ethereum’s staking exit queue has surged to a new all-time high, currently sitting at 46 days for users to reclaim their ETH. This comes after a steady rise in Ethereum’s network activity, leading to longer wait times for those looking to unstake their assets.
Consequently, many Ethereum users face a notable delay before they can access their funds, a challenge that has raised concerns in the Ethereum community.
Ethereum Faces Growing Backlog
Notably, the latest data revealed that the Ethereum staking exit queue reached its peak on September 11, 2025, marking the longest wait time for unstakers in Ethereum’s history. The chart highlighted a sharp increase in exit wait times, climbing from a few days earlier this year to over 46 days.
The surge in wait times suggests a growing backlog of ETH withdrawals. These could signal a slowdown in the Ethereum staking ecosystem’s capacity to accommodate requests.
Ethereum’s design for staking, while innovative, has faced challenges regarding liquidity and the speed of withdrawals. As more users participate in staking, the demand for exiting the system is exceeding the network’s ability to process those exits promptly.
Consequently, many ETH holders are now finding themselves waiting weeks or even months before they can access their staked assets.
Cardano’s Liquid Staking Solution
In contrast, Cardano’s liquid staking model offers a seamless alternative. Unlike Ethereum’s system, Cardano allows users to stake their $ADA without any entry or exit queues. This liquid staking design ensures that users’ assets remain in their wallets, always accessible and available for immediate use. Cardano’s staking solution addresses the liquidity issue that Ethereum users face, providing a more flexible and user-friendly staking experience.
More so, the key difference lies in the architecture of the two networks. While Ethereum requires users to lock up their funds in staking contracts, Cardano’s liquid staking allows users to maintain full control over their assets. The $ADA tokens remain in the wallet, making it easy for users to exit their staking position at any time without waiting in long queues.
Growing Popularity of Liquid Staking
Meanwhile, Cardano’s staking model has been gaining attention from those dissatisfied with Ethereum’s increasingly congested exit process. With a user-friendly design that prioritizes liquidity and flexibility, Cardano’s liquid staking may attract a larger share of stakers who are looking for a more efficient way to participate in blockchain networks.
As Ethereum continues to deal with its backlog of exit requests, it remains to be seen whether other networks, like Cardano, can capture a larger portion of the staking market. However, Cardano’s approach to liquid staking could offer a compelling advantage, particularly for those who prioritize liquidity and control over their staked assets.
