Coinbase isn’t playing small ball. The crypto world pegs it as the top Ethereum validator, controlling 11.42% of all staked ETH as of March 2025.
That’s 3.84 million ETH, valued at $6.8 billion. Running 120,000 validators, Coinbase stands as the largest single node operator on the network.

Compare that to Lido, the biggest collective staking outfit, which holds 27.3% of staked ETH—over 9 million coins—but splits it across multiple operators. Coinbase’s concentrated grip is what’s turning heads.
Why Decentralization Hangs in the Balance
Ethereum’s built on a promise: no single entity calls the shots. The shift to proof-of-stake in 2022 aimed to spread power wider.
Yet, Coinbase’s 11% stake has some crying foul. A Twitter user on X stated: “We need more distributed validation.” Ethereum educator Sassalnoted Lido’s operators each hold far less individually, spotlighting Coinbase’s outsized role.
The fear? One player with this much clout could sway network security or governance. It’s not a hypothetical—11.42% isn’t just influence; it’s a chunk of Ethereum’s heartbeat.
Coinbase’s Ethereum Power
Coinbase isn’t sitting idle. They’ve spread validators across Japan, Singapore, Ireland, Germany, and Hong Kong.
This move aims to dodge outages and meet local rules. They’ve also mixed in execution clients like Nethermind and Erigon, cutting dependence on one system. It’s a nod to resilience.

Their Validator Performance Report brags a 99.75% uptime and participation rate, with zero slashing or double-signing incidents.
Funds are safe, rewards keep flowing. But does reliability justify the centralization risk?
The market’s giving a thumbs-up—for now. Ethereum recent price jump, synced with Coinbase’s performance report, hinting at investor confidence. A 12.3% jump in seven days doesn’t lie. But the crypto crowd’s not sold.
Some see Coinbase’s stake as a stabilizing force while Ethereum matures. Others warn it’s a governance time bomb.
One analyst quipped, “Transparency is good, but decentralization is better.” The divide’s real, and it’s growing.

This 11% stake is a tightrope. Coinbase’s prowess—$6.8 billion in ETH, 120,000 validators—shows strength.
Yet, it clashes with Ethereum’s decentralized dream. Lido’s model, pooling stakes across operators, might tempt users seeking balance.
The community’s watching, vocal on X and beyond. Coinbase’s moves to diversify and perform don’t silence the core question:
Can one entity hold this much sway without tipping the scales? The answer’s unfolding, and it could redraw Ethereum’s map.