Ethereum (ETH) validator unstaking requests have spiked, creating a significant backlog in the withdrawal queue. Data from Validatorqueue.com reveals that around 521,000 ETH, valued at approximately $1.9 billion, is currently awaiting unstaking. This surge has resulted in waiting times stretching to 8-9 days, the longest seen since early 2024. The increased unstaking activity is likely driven by the recent ETH price rally, which has seen a 162% rebound since April. This has prompted some holders to secure profits. Concurrently, demand for ETH staking has also risen. Approximately 359,500 ETH (around $1.3 billion) is queued to join the network as new validators, with an estimated waiting time of 6 days. This influx of new capital may be attributed to regulatory easing and growing institutional interest in Ethereum. This combination of profit-taking and new investment is creating a dynamic and congested environment for Ethereum validators. ```