Ethereum News Today: BlackRock Veteran Joseph Chalom Joins SharpLink as Co-CEO to Shift Firm to Ethereum Treasury Strategy

Joseph Chalom, a former executive at BlackRock and a key architect of the firm’s digital asset initiatives, has been appointed co-CEO of SharpLink Gaming, Inc., marking a significant strategic shift toward Ethereum (ETH) as the company’s core treasury asset. SharpLink, which rebranded in May 2025 and now holds 360,807 ETH—surpassing even the Ethereum Foundation in holdings—aims to leverage Chalom’s expertise to activate its treasury through staking, restaking, and yield optimization strategies. Chalom’s tenure at BlackRock included pivotal roles in launching products like the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA), as well as the tokenization fund BUILD [2]. His appointment underscores SharpLink’s commitment to Ethereum’s post-merge proof-of-stake ecosystem, emphasizing decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and on-chain activity to drive utility beyond speculative trading [3].

The move positions SharpLink as the largest corporate holder of ETH, with its holdings representing approximately 0.2% of the total supply. This strategic alignment with Ethereum’s ecosystem could influence on-chain governance and activity, as the company seeks to integrate the asset into traditional investment frameworks. Chalom’s leadership, combined with SharpLink’s hybrid model—a publicly traded equity tied to its Ethereum treasury—could attract institutional investors seeking exposure to crypto-native yields while mitigating volatility through diversified strategies [3]. ConsenSys CEO Joe Lubin, who joined SharpLink’s board as chairman, described the hire as a “massive” endorsement of Ethereum’s long-term viability [3].

Ethereum’s market dynamics reflect growing institutional confidence. The cryptocurrency trades at $3,743.30, with a market cap of $451.86 billion, having surged by 107.82% over 90 days despite a 42.63% decline in 24-hour trading volume [3]. Chalom’s prior work at BlackRock, including the launch of the ETHA ETF, significantly bolstered Ethereum’s credibility, aligning with broader institutional adoption. The Coincu research team notes that his involvement signals potential for a stronger digital finance framework driven by institutional entities, with historical trends suggesting that increased Ethereum adoption could reinforce regulatory norms, market trust, and technological advancements [3].

SharpLink’s strategy to transform from a performance marketing firm to a corporate ETH treasury manager highlights evolving institutional participation in blockchain ecosystems. While the company has not disclosed specific timelines for deploying staking or yield strategies, its focus on Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model aligns with broader industry confidence in the asset’s utility. This approach could stabilize Ethereum’s price by reducing circulating supply and enhancing demand through active usage in DeFi and staking applications [3]. Analysts observe that SharpLink’s equity structure, blending traditional finance with blockchain-native assets, introduces complexities around token price fluctuations impacting corporate valuation, though it also presents opportunities to bridge traditional and decentralized finance [3].

Chalom’s departure from BlackRock in June 2025 reflects a broader trend of institutional leaders shifting from passive investment vehicles to active engagement with protocol development and token economics. While BlackRock remains a leader in crypto ETPs, its former executives are increasingly involved in direct blockchain stewardship, mirroring similar moves by major financial institutions expanding their digital asset divisions [3]. SharpLink’s rebranding and strategic pivot signal a maturing market where active asset management and yield maximization drive value creation, potentially accelerating Ethereum’s integration into traditional investment frameworks [3].

The appointment raises critical questions about regulatory and market dynamics. SharpLink’s model could democratize access to crypto-native yields for institutional investors, but regulatory clarity on corporate token holdings remains a risk factor. For Ethereum, the shift underscores growing institutional recognition of its utility, potentially boosting demand through active utilization in staking and DeFi applications [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/)