Former BlackRock Executive: Ethereum Is the Infrastructure of Wall Street
Joseph Chalom, former head of digital assets at BlackRock and now CEO of SharpLink, has stated that Ethereum has become the core infrastructure for institutional finance. According to Chalom, Ethereum is the only blockchain network that meets Wall Street’s standards of trust, security, and liquidity — making it the backbone of the future financial system.
Why Institutions Trust Ethereum
Chalom explained that Ethereum combines three crucial elements for institutional adoption: trust, security, and liquidity. These factors, he says, are non-negotiable for global finance players seeking a reliable blockchain layer to support tokenization, settlement, and decentralized finance integration.
Ethereum currently hosts the majority of stablecoins, tokenized assets, and active smart contracts, giving it a clear dominance among programmable blockchains.
Ethereum as a Productive Asset
Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily functions as a store of value, Ethereum also serves as a productive asset. Through staking, holders earn around 3% annual yield, creating a more dynamic ecosystem that appeals to both traditional investors and DeFi users.
SharpLink, Chalom’s company, has already staked more than $3 billion worth of ETH, exploring restaking strategies in collaboration with Consensys, Linea, and EigenLayer. These initiatives aim to enhance capital efficiency and security within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Bridging DeFi and TradFi
Chalom emphasized that the distinction between decentralized and traditional finance is rapidly fading. In his words:
“Over time, we’ll stop differentiating between DeFi and TradFi — there will only be finance. And the foundation of that finance will be Ethereum.”
This vision aligns with Ethereum’s ongoing evolution into a global settlement layer for both digital-native and regulated financial products.
Ethereum’s Role in Institutional Finance
From tokenized U.S. Treasuries to corporate debt and digital fund shares, Ethereum is increasingly viewed as the trusted infrastructure for the next generation of financial markets. Its programmable design, combined with regulatory-compliant scaling solutions, positions it as the primary network for institutional-grade blockchain adoption.
As more major players — from JPMorgan to BlackRock spin-offs — continue integrating Ethereum-based solutions, the line between blockchain innovation and traditional finance continues to blur, solidifying Ethereum’s role as the foundation of global digital finance.
