Lead
A former BlackRock executive, Joseph Shalom, now CEO of the Ethereum-focused treasury firm SharpLink, described Ethereum as “infrastructure for Wall Street,” highlighting its security and liquidity. He argued that Ethereum is the only blockchain traditional finance can trust for digitizing financial markets and sees it as long-term infrastructure for global finance.
Key Developments
- Joseph Shalom, ex-BlackRock and current CEO of SharpLink, emphasized Ethereum’s role beyond crypto-native use cases.
- He called Ethereum the only blockchain traditional players can rely on for financial digitization due to its security and liquidity.
- Shalom framed Ethereum as long-term infrastructure for global finance, not merely a network for crypto assets.
“Ethereum is ‘infrastructure for Wall Street.’ It’s the only blockchain traditional players can trust in digitizing finance thanks to security and liquidity.”
“We view Ethereum as long-term infrastructure for global finance, not just a blockchain for crypto assets.”
Why It Matters
Shalom’s remarks underscore the growing perception of Ethereum as a foundational layer for institutional adoption and financial market digitization. With its established network effects, deep liquidity, and mature developer ecosystem, Ethereum remains central to initiatives around on-chain settlement, tokenized assets, and programmable finance.
Industry Context
- Ethereum’s position: As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities have made it a leading venue for decentralized finance and tokenization initiatives.
- Security and liquidity: Institutional interest often hinges on robust security guarantees and reliable market depth—factors Shalom highlights as differentiators for Ethereum.
- Competition: While other Layer-1 networks are building for finance, Shalom’s comments reflect a view that Ethereum’s track record and liquidity profile set it apart for traditional institutions.
Looking Ahead
If this institutional narrative continues, more real-world financial instruments could migrate on-chain, with Ethereum likely at the core. Market participants will watch for further corporate integrations, regulatory clarity, and infrastructure improvements that support large-scale adoption.
For more on the Ethereum ecosystem, visit ethereum.org.