Ethereum News Today: SharpLink appoints BlackRock ex-digital assets head as co-CEO boosts Ethereum holdings to 36% of target

SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBET) has appointed Joseph Chalom, formerly BlackRock’s head of digital assets strategy, as co-chief executive officer, effective immediately. The move, announced on July 25, 2025, positions the company as one of the largest corporate holders of Ethereum (ETH), with current reserves totaling 360,807 ETH—36% of its 1 million ETH target. The appointment aligns with growing institutional interest in Ethereum and follows SharpLink’s May 2025 launch of its Ethereum treasury initiative [1].

Chalom, who spent 20 years at BlackRock, played a pivotal role in the firm’s digital assets strategy, including the launch of the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) in 2024. ETHA, the first U.S. Ethereum spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, now manages over $10 billion in assets [1]. He also contributed to BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) and tokenized fund (BUIDL). His expertise in institutional adoption of digital assets is seen as a critical asset for SharpLink, which aims to expand its Ethereum treasury holdings.

Rob Phythian, SharpLink’s current CEO, will transition to president over the next quarter while remaining on the board of directors [1]. Joseph Lubin, SharpLink’s chairman and Ethereum co-founder, praised Chalom’s impact on institutional adoption, calling his appointment a “validation” of the company’s ETH treasury strategy. Lubin emphasized that Chalom’s background at BlackRock, alongside his prior work at Coinbase—where he facilitated partnerships with Nasdaq, Coinbase, and Circle—demonstrates a unique ability to bridge institutional finance and decentralized infrastructure [1].

Chalom highlighted the strategic alignment between his vision and SharpLink’s goals, noting: “I see a powerful opportunity to help shape the future of financial infrastructure and decentralized finance. SharpLink’s commitment to aligning its strategic direction with the Ethereum ecosystem reflects a bold and forward-thinking vision” [1]. The company, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has solidified its position as a publicly traded entity leveraging Ethereum as its primary treasury reserve asset.

The appointment underscores Ethereum’s increasing relevance in corporate treasury strategies, particularly as institutional investors seek diversified holdings in digital assets. SharpLink’s aggressive ETH purchasing plan, combined with Chalom’s track record in structuring ETFs, signals a broader trend of institutional players deepening their engagement with blockchain-based assets.

Source: [1] [title: BlackRock’s head of digital assets joins Ethereum treasury company SharpLink] [url: https://invezz.com/news/2025/07/25/blackrocks-head-of-digital-assets-joins-ethereum-treasury-company-sharplink/]