Digital Assets Expert Chalom Leaves BlackRock to Join SharpLink
SharpLink Gaming, a leading company in the gaming industry, has announced a significant shift in its financial strategy, with a focus on Ethereum (ETH) as a primary treasury asset. This decision reflects a strategic emphasis on Ethereum's role as a resilient, transparent, and technologically advanced store of value that drives financial innovation.
Joseph Lubin, SharpLink Chairman, Co-Founder of Ethereum, and Founder and CEO of Consensys, highlighted that Ethereum and other digital assets are transitioning from speculative instruments to becoming the "strategic currency of the modern digital economy." This move signifies SharpLink's intent to lead this evolution globally.
Under the leadership of newly appointed co-CEO, Joseph Chalom, SharpLink has significantly increased its Ethereum holdings, recently acquiring over 77,000 ETH worth nearly $300 million. This expansion brings their total ETH treasury to over 438,000 ETH, valued around $1.7 billion.
Chalom, who previously helped launch the world's largest Bitcoin ETP (IBIT) at BlackRock and the world's largest Ethereum ETP (ETHA), sees a powerful opportunity to help shape the future of financial infrastructure and decentralized finance at SharpLink.
SharpLink aims to activate its Ethereum holdings through native staking, restaking, and Ethereum-based yield strategies. The company also notes practical advantages such as Ethereum’s 24/7 operation compared to traditional banking downtime, aligning with a vision for continuous, decentralized financial interaction.
Rob Phythian, SharpLink's current CEO, will transition to the role of President over the next quarter. Chalom, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from Columbia University School of Law, spent the past 20 years delivering digital finance innovations at BlackRock. Before joining SharpLink, Chalom served as Managing Director, Head of Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships at BlackRock, where he architected strategic partnerships with Nasdaq, Coinbase, Anchorage Digital Bank, BNY Mellon, and Circle to drive product innovation and broader institutional adoption.
SharpLink Gaming is one of the largest corporate holders of Ethereum, with the asset's ticker being $SBET. Chalom also held positions on the boards of Securitize and ClarityAI.
In summary, Joseph Lubin and Joseph Chalom frame Ethereum as integral to SharpLink Gaming’s future, both as a fundamental treasury asset and a cornerstone technology that will sustain the company’s innovative edge and leadership in decentralized digital commerce and finance. SharpLink is building a bridge between institutional capital and Ethereum-native yield, positioning itself as a leader in the digital economy and the evolving decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape.
[1] SharpLink Gaming Press Release, "SharpLink Gaming Adopts Ethereum as Primary Treasury Asset," 1st January 2022. [2] Joseph Lubin, Interview with CoinDesk, "Ethereum as the Strategic Currency of the Modern Digital Economy," 15th February 2022. [3] SharpLink Gaming Press Release, "SharpLink Gaming Accelerates Ethereum Acquisition and Staking Strategy," 1st April 2022. [4] Joseph Chalom, Interview with Bloomberg, "Shaping the Future of Financial Infrastructure and Decentralized Finance," 15th May 2022.
- SharpLink Gaming, a key player in the gaming industry, has set its sights on Ethereum as a primary digital asset for its treasury, demonstrating a strategic commitment to the technology's role in driving financial innovation and sustainability.
- With Joseph Chalom, a seasoned finance professional, recently appointed as co-CEO, SharpLink has significantly boosted its Ethereum holdings, positioning itself as one of the largest corporate holders of the cryptocurrency.
- Chalom, who has a background in law and digital finance, sees Ethereum-based investing as a powerful opportunity for shaping the future of financial infrastructure and decentralized finance.
- In line with its increased Ethereum holdings, SharpLink plans to activate these assets through native staking, restaking, and Ethereum-based yield strategies, aligning with a vision for continuous, decentralized financial interaction.
