Ethereum News Today: BlackRock's Chalom Joins SharpLink as Co-CEO to Drive Ethereum Treasury Strategy

Joseph Chalom, former BlackRock executive renowned for spearheading the launch of the iShares Bitcoin Trust and iShares Ethereum Trust ETFs, has been appointed co-CEO of SharpLink Gaming, Inc. effective July 24, 2025 [2]. This leadership shift underscores SharpLink’s strategic pivot to Ethereum-centric treasury management, positioning the firm as a key player in institutional crypto adoption. The company, now holding 360,807 ETH—surpassing even the Ethereum Foundation in holdings—aims to leverage its substantial stake through staking, restaking, and yield optimization strategies [1]. Chalom’s appointment, which includes an annual salary of $750,000 and equity incentives, marks his transition from institutional finance to a blockchain-focused entity actively engaging with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols [2].

SharpLink’s rebranding from a performance marketing firm to an Ethereum treasury entity reflects a broader trend of institutional leaders transitioning from passive crypto investment vehicles to active protocol development. Chalom’s expertise in tokenization, demonstrated through BlackRock’s BUILD fund and ETF initiatives, is expected to accelerate Ethereum’s integration into traditional finance frameworks. Joseph Lubin, SharpLink’s chairman and co-founder of Ethereum, emphasized that Chalom’s move validates the platform’s long-term viability, stating, “His decision to join SharpLink is a resounding validation of our ETH treasury strategy” [3]. The firm’s hybrid model—a publicly traded equity tied to Ethereum holdings—could attract investors seeking crypto-native yields while mitigating volatility through diversified strategies, according to analysts [3].

Ethereum’s recent market performance highlights its growing institutional relevance. The asset traded at $3,751.71 on July 26, 2025, with a 0.74% 24-hour increase and a 109.33% rise over three months [3]. Coincu research suggests Chalom’s appointment may further catalyze institutional adoption, particularly as Ethereum’s post-merge proof-of-stake mechanics gain traction. SharpLink’s 0.2% stake in Ethereum’s total supply grants it influence over on-chain governance, though the firm has yet to disclose specific timelines for deploying staking or yield strategies [5]. This aligns with a broader industry shift, as former BlackRock executives increasingly engage in direct blockchain stewardship, mirroring similar moves by major financial institutions expanding their digital asset divisions [3].

The appointment introduces regulatory and market complexities. SharpLink’s equity structure, blending traditional finance with blockchain-native assets, exposes it to risks tied to Ethereum’s price volatility. Analysts note that the hybrid model could bridge traditional and decentralized finance but requires regulatory clarity on corporate token holdings [3]. For Ethereum, the shift underscores its evolving role as a functional asset rather than a speculative one, with potential demand boosts from active utilization in staking and DeFi applications [3]. Chalom’s leadership, paired with SharpLink’s strategic repositioning, aims to democratize crypto-native yields for institutional investors, reflecting a maturing market where yield maximization drives value creation [3].

Sources:

[1] [SharpLink Welcomes BlackRock Digital Assets Pioneer Joseph Chalom as Newly Appointed Co-CEO](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/07/25/3121755/0/en/SharpLink-Welcomes-BlackRock-Digital-Assets-Pioneer-Joseph-Chalom-as-Newly-Appointed-Co-CEO.html)

[2] [BlackRock veteran Joseph Chalom named co-CEO of ...](https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/blackrock-veteran-joseph-chalom-named-coceo-of-sharplink-gaming-93CH-4153268)

[3] [Just In: BlackRock Veteran Becomes Co-CEO of Top ...](https://u.today/just-in-blackrock-veteran-becomes-co-ceo-of-top-corporate-eth-holder)

[5] [SharpLink Gaming's Strategic Shift: Leveraging Chalom's ...](https://www.ainvest.com/news/sharplink-gaming-strategic-shift-leveraging-chalom-fintech-expertise-unlock-ethereum-driven-growth-2507/)