SharpLink CEO Says Ethereum Is a Reserve Asset for Wall Street, Not a Repeat of FTX Collapse

Joseph Chalom, Co-CEO of SharpLink Gaming, has declared that the firm views Ethereum (ETH) as a long-term reserve asset rather than a speculative token subject to short-term dumping. SharpLink has accumulated over $3.7 billion worth of ETH and emphasizes that its ETH holdings are for accumulation—not trading. Chalom argues that this trend—corporate treasuries holding ETH—marks a “white swan event,” offering structural value rather than echoing the FTX fallout.

Sep 12, 2025 - 15:13
SharpLink CEO Says Ethereum Is a Reserve Asset for Wall Street, Not a Repeat of FTX Collapse

Market Context

Increasing numbers of publicly listed companies are adding ETH to their balance sheets, reflecting growing belief in its utility for stablecoins, tokenization, and lowering transaction risk. This shift is being framed by some market-participants as a transforming moment in how crypto assets are perceived—moving from speculative plays toward core infrastructure in institutional finance. Concerns about corporate treasuries echo fears from past collapses (like FTX), but SharpLink and others are arguing for transparency and restraint to avoid similar pitfalls.
 


Technical Details with Attribution

  • SharpLink holds 837,230 ETH, roughly 0.69% of circulating ETH supply, valued at over $3.7 billion.
     
  • The company consistently discloses its ETH balance, entry prices, staking rewards, and ETH-per-share metrics in weekly reports, to ensure transparency.
     
  • Ethereum is being used in SharpLink’s strategy for powering stablecoins, tokenization platforms, and reducing trading risk and capital requirements in transactions.
     
  • Chalom contrasted ETH with Bitcoin, noting ETH is harder to pitch but carries programmability and infrastructure potential that may deliver multiple-fold impact.
     

Analyst Perspectives 

Analysts find SharpLink’s strategy credible, highlighting that ETH’s utility in tokenization, DeFi, and settlement could support its elevation as an institutional reserve asset. However, they warn that large treasuries come with risks: potential regulatory scrutiny, pressures to sell in downturns, or overvaluation concerns. The success of this thesis hinges in part on investor education, sustained usage, and proper governance.
 


Global Impact Note

If SharpLink’s model gains traction, it may inspire more public companies globally to hold ETH as part of their reserves. This could shift how institutions view crypto—less as speculative risk, more as foundational infrastructure. Broader adoption could influence regulatory frameworks, tokenization of assets, and the incorporation of programmable finance in global capital markets.