Joseph Chalom Jumps from BlackRock to Sharplink Gaming as Co-CEO: A Strategic Shift in Crypto Leadership
- Who Is Joseph Chalom and Why Does His Move Matter?
- What Will Chalom Bring to SharpLink Gaming?
- How SharpLink's ETH Treasury Strategy Stands Apart
- The Market Reaction: SBET Token Performance
- Chalom's BlackRock Legacy and New Challenges
- FAQs: Understanding the SharpLink-Chalom Move
In a major power move shaking up the crypto and gaming industries, Joseph Chalom—the architect behind BlackRock's most successful crypto-tradfi hybrid products—has left the asset management giant after 20 years to join SharpLink Gaming as co-CEO. This seismic career shift signals SharpLink's aggressive push to position ethereum at the heart of global finance through its massive ETH treasury strategy. Here's why this leadership shakeup matters.
Who Is Joseph Chalom and Why Does His Move Matter?
Joseph Chalom isn't just another executive changing jobs—he's the brains behind BlackRock's most disruptive crypto products. During his two-decade tenure, he spearheaded the creation of the world's largest Bitcoin ETP, Ethereum's premier institutional product (EthA), and the groundbreaking tokenized money market instrument Buidl. His July 25, 2025 tweet announcing the move sent shockwaves through crypto circles: "After helping lead BlackRock's digital asset strategy, I'm joining @sharplinkgaming to build Ethereum into global finance's backbone."
What Will Chalom Bring to SharpLink Gaming?
Chalom's mission is crystal clear: leverage SharpLink's war chest of 360,809 ETH (the second-largest corporate ETH treasury) to accelerate Ethereum's dominance. "I'm joining to help build Ethereum into the central nervous system of global finance," he stated. His arrival triggers a leadership reshuffle—current CEO Robert Phythian transitions to Chairman, while Chalom co-pilots the company's ambitious plan to bridge traditional and on-chain liquidity.
Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin (who serves as SharpLink's Chairman) emphasized the hire's significance: "Few executives have Joseph's track record in institutional crypto adoption. His joining validates our ETH treasury strategy to transform the digital economy."
How SharpLink's ETH Treasury Strategy Stands Apart
While most ICO-era projects dumped their ETH reserves, SharpLink plays the long game:
- 360,809 ETH currently staked (92.8% of treasury)
- Only 52.56 ETH held in liquid wallets
- Generates passive income through liquid staking tokens (LSETH)
- Targets accumulating 1M ETH—potentially surpassing Ethereum Foundation's reserves
The company recently demonstrated commitment by executing a 10,000 ETH OTC deal from Ethereum Foundation's early reserves. Unlike competitors selling ETH for operations, SharpLink treats it as productive collateral.
The Market Reaction: SBET Token Performance
SharpLink's stock (SBET) shows interesting dynamics:
| Date | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Early July 2025 | $37.36 | Local high |
| July 26, 2025 | $22.00 | -41% from peak |
Notably, Injective Protocol recently tokenized SBET shares, creating new on-chain exposure opportunities. Market analysts at BTCC suggest this could increase liquidity as Chalom's hiring news circulates.
Chalom's BlackRock Legacy and New Challenges
Before this move, Chalom forged key institutional partnerships with:
- Nasdaq (market infrastructure)
- Coinbase (custody solutions)
- Circle and BNY Mellon (stablecoin integration)
- Anchorage Digital (institutional-grade security)
Now at SharpLink, he must prove crypto-native companies can outperform traditional finance giants at their own game—using Ethereum as the ultimate financial Lego set.
FAQs: Understanding the SharpLink-Chalom Move
Why did Joseph Chalom leave BlackRock after 20 years?
Chalom sought to build Ethereum's financial infrastructure beyond traditional finance constraints—SharpLink's massive ETH treasury and gaming-metaverse convergence offered unique opportunities.
How does SharpLink's ETH treasury compare to others?
At 360,809 ETH, it's second only to Ethereum Foundation's reserves among known corporate holdings, with plans to reach 1M ETH through strategic accumulation.
What happens to SharpLink's current leadership?
Founder Robert Phythian becomes Chairman focusing on long-term strategy, while Chalom handles daily operations as co-CEO alongside existing management.
