Ethereum News Today: Joseph Chalom Joins SharpLink as Co-CEO to Expand Ethereum Treasury and Institutional Engagement

Joseph Chalom, the former BlackRock executive renowned for pioneering the firm’s Ethereum and Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs), has joined SharpLink Gaming as Co-CEO, effective July 24, 2025. His appointment marks a strategic pivot for the company, which holds one of the largest corporate Ethereum treasuries, as it seeks to deepen institutional engagement with the Ethereum ecosystem [1]. Chalom, who oversaw the development of the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA)—the largest Ethereum ETP with over $10 billion in assets—and the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), brings extensive experience in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto. At SharpLink, he will focus on activating the firm’s Ethereum holdings through staking, restaking, and yield-generation strategies to enhance shareholder value [2].

SharpLink’s ETH treasury, valued at $1.3 billion, is among the largest in corporate holdings. The firm plans to expand its reserves through strategic purchases and yield strategies, leveraging Ethereum’s infrastructure to drive institutional capital into onchain financial ecosystems [3]. Joseph Lubin, SharpLink’s Chairman and co-founder of Ethereum, emphasized Chalom’s role in validating the firm’s vision: “Few executives have had the kind of impact Joseph has had in unlocking institutional adoption of digital assets. His decision to join SharpLink is a resounding validation of our ETH treasury strategy.” [4].

Chalom’s expertise in digital assets includes steering partnerships with Nasdaq, Coinbase, and BNY Mellon during his 20-year tenure at BlackRock. His work on the BUIDL tokenized fund, built on Ethereum, demonstrated his ability to scale innovative financial technologies. As Co-CEO, Chalom will collaborate with Rob Phythian, now President, to position SharpLink as a bridge between institutional capital and Ethereum-native yield opportunities [5]. The firm’s strategy aligns with broader trends in institutional finance, where Ethereum’s technical advancements—such as restaking protocols and tokenized securities—are gaining traction [6].

The appointment signals confidence in Ethereum’s evolving role in finance. Chalom highlighted the blockchain’s growing importance, stating, “Ethereum is becoming the foundation of global finance,” as stablecoins, tokenized assets, and AI agents increasingly migrate to the network [7]. SharpLink aims to package institutional-grade Ethereum yield into its tradable equity (SBET), potentially attracting both retail and institutional investors. Analysts note that Chalom’s arrival could accelerate corporate crypto adoption, though success will depend on navigating regulatory uncertainties and market volatility [8].

Ethereum’s current price of $3,744.97, with a $452.06 billion market cap, reflects a 107.43% surge over 90 days despite a 42.69% drop in 24-hour trading volume [9]. The Coincu research team suggests that treasury strategies like SharpLink’s may influence regulatory landscapes and redefine traditional financial engagement with ETH [10].

Sources:

[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)

[5] [SharpLink Appoints Ex-BlackRock Executive as Co-CEO](https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604881605)

[6] [Ethereum Price Forecast: SharpLink Poaches Former BlackRock Executive](https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/ethereum-price-forecast-sharplink-poaches-former-blackrock-executive-amid-eth-comeback-202507251911)

[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/)