**Ethereum Validators Surge Over 30% in a Year**

Ethereum is seeing a boom in validators, with numbers jumping over 30% in the past year. As of June 2024, Ethereum boasts over one million validators, up from 824,300 in September 2023, according to Flipside Crypto.

**Key Drivers:**

- **Institutional Interest:** Institutions are diving into Ethereum, driven by advancements in restaking and liquid staking.

- **Liquid Staking:** Offers immediate liquidity and capital efficiency, attracting more participants.

**Staked Ether Growth:**

- **Shanghai Upgrade:** Enabled unstaking for the first time since Ethereum's transition to Proof-of-Stake.

- **Ethereum ETFs:** Boosted interest, pushing staked Ether past 34.7 million.

**Polygon Joins the Trend:**

- **Staking Activities:** Polygon’s staking wallets grew by 36.4% over the past year, though validator numbers remained stable due to a cap.

This cross-chain growth indicates a robust interest in staking, despite potential for reduced returns.