Ethereum News Today: BlackRock's Joseph Chalom Joins Sharplink as Co-CEO to Optimize $1.3B Ethereum Treasury Amid 107.43% Price Surge

Joseph Chalom, the former BlackRock executive instrumental in developing the firm’s Ethereum and Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs), has joined Sharplink Gaming as co-CEO, signaling a strategic pivot in institutional Ethereum engagement. Effective July 24, 2025, Chalom will lead efforts to optimize Sharplink’s $1.3 billion Ethereum treasury through staking, restaking, and yield-generation strategies, aligning with the blockchain’s expanding role in tokenized finance [1]. His appointment follows a 20-year tenure at BlackRock, where he oversaw the creation of the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) and iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), products that together amassed over $10 billion in assets under management [3].

Sharplink’s Ethereum strategy is bolstered by Joseph Lubin, Ethereum co-founder and the company’s chairman, who highlighted Chalom’s “impact in unlocking institutional adoption of digital assets” as a validation of their treasury approach [4]. Chalom’s focus on Ethereum’s staking protocols and tokenized securities aims to leverage the blockchain’s infrastructure advancements, which are increasingly adopted by stablecoins and AI-driven financial systems. The firm plans to package Ethereum yield opportunities into its tradable equity (SBET), potentially broadening access for both retail and institutional investors [7].

The move underscores Ethereum’s growing centrality in institutional portfolios. Over 90 days, Ethereum’s price surged 107.43%, trading at $3,744.97 with a $452.06 billion market cap, despite a 42.69% decline in 24-hour trading volume [9]. Analysts note that while Ethereum’s resilience is evident, regulatory uncertainties and market volatility remain critical risks for crypto-native strategies [8]. Coincu analysts suggest that treasury strategies focused on yield generation could accelerate the integration of digital assets into traditional financial systems, though success hinges on navigating evolving regulatory frameworks [10].

Chalom’s expertise in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto, honed through partnerships with Nasdaq, Coinbase, and BNY Mellon, positions Sharplink to innovate within regulatory boundaries. His work on BlackRock’s BUIDL tokenized fund demonstrated a capacity to scale institutional-grade solutions on Ethereum. At Sharplink, Chalom will collaborate with President Rob Phythian to expand Ethereum holdings via strategic purchases and yield strategies, reflecting broader trends in tokenized finance [6].

The appointment marks a pivotal moment for Ethereum’s institutional adoption. By combining Chalom’s TradFi experience with Sharplink’s substantial Ethereum reserves, the firm aims to redefine blockchain’s role in global finance. However, challenges such as regulatory clarity and market stability will remain key determinants of the strategy’s success [2].

Source: [1] [SharpLink Welcomes BlackRock Digital Assets Pioneer Joseph Chalom as New 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’s Joseph Chalom Joins SharpLink Gaming as Co-CEO](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/SBET/sharp-link-welcomes-black-rock-digital-assets-pioneer-joseph-chalom-xn0j4nkpp0oh.html) [3] [Joseph Chalom Appointed Co-CEO of SharpLink Gaming, Inc.](https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Joseph+Chalom+Appointed+Co-CEO+of+SharpLink+Gaming%2C+Inc.+to+Drive+Digital+Finance+Innovations) [4] [Joseph Chalom Appointed Co-CEO of SharpLink Gaming, Inc.](https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Joseph+Chalom+Appointed+Co-CEO+of+SharpLink+Gaming%2C+Inc.+to+Drive+Digital+Finance+Innovations) [6] [Joseph Chalom’s Vision for Ethereum’s Role in Finance](https://www.marketsmedia.com/blackrock-digital-assets-pioneer-joseph-chalom-joins-sharplink/) [7] [Joseph Chalom’s Vision for Ethereum’s Role in Finance](https://www.marketsmedia.com/blackrock-digital-assets-pioneer-joseph-chalom-joins-sharplink/) [8] [BlackRock Executive Joins SharpLink Gaming as Co-CEO](https://www.ainvest.com/news/ethereum-news-today-blackrock-executive-joins-sharplink-gaming-ceo-80k-eth-weekly-purchase-2507/) [9] [Ethereum(ETH), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 18:54 UTC on July 26, 2025](https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688525aa5f41311c4c04fe60/) [10] [Ethereum Market Data and Institutional Strategy Outlook](https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688525aa5f41311c4c04fe60/)