Ethereum News Today: BlackRock ex-digital assets head Chalom joins SharpLink as co-CEO, leading $145M Ethereum acquisition amid 90-day 107.82% surge

Joseph Chalom, formerly BlackRock’s head of digital assets, has joined SharpLink Gaming as co-CEO, signaling a strategic pivot toward Ethereum-centric treasury management. The move, effective July 24, 2025, positions Chalom to lead a $145 million Ethereum acquisition plan, leveraging his experience in launching crypto ETFs and tokenization initiatives. SharpLink, now holding 360,807 ETH—a figure exceeding the Ethereum Foundation’s reserves—plans to activate its treasury through staking, restaking, and yield optimization, shifting from passive asset storage to generating crypto-native returns [3]. Chalom’s appointment underscores growing institutional confidence in Ethereum’s role as foundational infrastructure for global finance, aligning with the network’s post-merge transition to proof-of-stake mechanics.

Chalom’s career at BlackRock included pivotal roles in launching the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA), and the BUILD tokenization fund. His transition to SharpLink reflects broader trends of institutional leaders moving from traditional finance to active blockchain engagement. The firm’s hybrid model—combining a publicly traded equity with a corporate ETH treasury—aims to attract investors seeking stable yields amid volatility. ConsenSys CEO Joe Lubin, now SharpLink’s board chairman, described the appointment as a “massive” endorsement of Ethereum’s long-term viability, citing the company’s 0.2% stake in the total Ethereum supply as a catalyst for on-chain governance [3]. By deploying its treasury via DeFi applications and staking, SharpLink aims to reduce circulating supply and enhance ETH utility, a strategy analysts suggest could stabilize its price [3].

The market response to Chalom’s leadership has been mixed. While Ethereum’s 90-day price surge of 107.82% and $451.86 billion market cap highlight its resilience, a 42.63% drop in 24-hour trading volume raises questions about liquidity. SharpLink’s rebranding in May 2025 and Chalom’s appointment signal Ethereum’s growing institutional adoption, yet challenges remain. Token price fluctuations could impact corporate valuations, and regulatory clarity on corporate token holdings remains uncertain [3]. Analysts from the Coincu research team note that Chalom’s involvement may accelerate Ethereum’s integration into traditional frameworks, potentially bolstering regulatory norms and technological advancements [3]. However, the firm has not disclosed timelines for implementing staking or yield strategies, emphasizing the need for transparency.

Chalom’s vision for Ethereum includes “shaping the future of financial infrastructure and decentralized finance,” a goal that aligns with the network’s evolving role in institutional capital markets. SharpLink’s $145 million ETH purchase, executed via Galaxy Digital, is part of a broader strategy to demonstrate corporate treasury innovation. The firm’s approach—activating its treasury through active participation in DeFi—could inspire other businesses to adopt blockchain for strategic financial operations, signaling a shift toward digital asset integration in traditional business models. As the market awaits further details on treasury management execution, Chalom’s leadership at SharpLink remains a focal point for Ethereum’s institutional trajectory [3].

Source:

[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/)