SharpLink Gaming said on December 17, 2025, that Rob Phythian had stepped down as co-chief executive and director1. The same release said its board had named Joseph Chalom sole chief executive officer, effective December 15, 2025, two days earlier, and elected him a director. RTTNews reported the change on December 17, 2025, too2. SharpLink called the change the completion of a planned leadership transition tied to its growth as an Ethereum treasury company.
Five leadership moves at SharpLink on the record since 2024
Every move CryptoLately has verified there, by the day it became public
Moves: The Moves Ledger, CryptoLately's record of verified leadership moves, Oct. 3, 2016 to Oct. 2, 2026.
Read the chart as a table
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb. 21, 2024 | Anderson left the board. Adrienne Anderson left the board of SharpLink |
| Feb. 21, 2024 | Gutkowski joined the board. Robert Gutkowski joined the board of SharpLink |
| May 27, 2025 | Lubin joined the board. Joseph Lubin joined the board of SharpLink |
| July 25, 2025 | Chalom became Co-CEO. Joseph Chalom was named Co-Chief Executive Officer of SharpLink |
| Dec. 17, 2025 | Phythian left as Co-CEO. Rob Phythian left as Co-Chief Executive Officer of SharpLink |
20 CEO exits on the record in 2025
CEO exits CryptoLately has verified, by year; 2026 through Oct. 2, 2026
- 2025: 20
- 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026
Moves: The Moves Ledger, CryptoLately's record of verified leadership moves, Oct. 3, 2016 to Oct. 2, 2026.
Read the chart as a table
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 18 |
The move
SharpLink's release listed milestones from the six months since it launched its ether treasury business on June 2, 2025. The company said it had accumulated 863,424 ETH. That more than doubled its ether-per-share figure1. It staked nearly all of that ether, earning 9,241 ETH in rewards. Institutional ownership rose from low single digits to more than 30% by the third quarter of 2025, the release said. Phythian described his own tenure. “It has been an honor to help build SharpLink and support the team through this transformational period. I'm proud of what the Company has accomplished, and I wish Joseph and the broader SharpLink team continued success as the Company scales its ETH treasury strategy,” Phythian said.
Before and after at SharpLink
Phythian ran SharpLink as chief executive before Chalom joined as co-chief executive on July 24, 20253. That plan called for Phythian to move to president the following quarter. Chalom instead became sole chief executive effective December 15, 2025, nearly five months later, a change SharpLink announced on December 171. Joseph Lubin, SharpLink's chairman, thanked Phythian for his role in the handoff. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Rob for his leadership and for helping guide SharpLink through a pivotal transition. With Joseph assuming full CEO responsibilities, we are focused on deepening ecosystem partnerships and staking operations and continuing to build long-term value for shareholders with our institutional-grade ETH treasury platform,” Lubin said. Chalom thanked Phythian too, and named his own priority. “I appreciate Rob's support during this important chapter. Our focus is clear: continue building the most trusted and productive Ethereum treasury platform and create long-term value for shareholders. I'm excited about the Ethereum opportunity ahead,” Chalom said.
What to watch
SharpLink's near-term test is whether Chalom keeps the pace the company set under the co-chief executive arrangement. The company staked close to 100% of its ether by December 14, 20251. Institutional ownership had already cleared 30% by then. Chalom's own words tie his mandate to growth in both categories. SharpLink's next quarterly report will carry fresh staking and institutional ownership figures. Those numbers will show whether the sole chief executive structure matched the plan the board described.
Sources
- SharpLink Gaming, Inc., "SharpLink Appoints Joseph Chalom as Sole CEO and Member of the Board; Rob Phythian Steps Down Following Company's Planned Transition," GlobeNewswire, December 17, 2025, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/17/3206930/0/en/SharpLink-Appoints-Joseph-Chalom-as-Sole-CEO-and-Member-of-the-Board-Rob-Phythian-Steps-Down-Following-Company-s-Planned-Transition.html
- RTTNews Staff Writer, "SharpLink Co CEO Rob Phythian Steps Down; Joseph Chalom Named Sole Replacement," RTTNews, December 17, 2025, https://www.rttnews.com/3604720/sharplink-co-ceo-rob-phythian-steps-down-joseph-chalom-named-sole-replacement.aspx
- SharpLink Gaming, Inc., "SharpLink Welcomes BlackRock Digital Assets Pioneer Joseph Chalom as Newly Appointed Co-CEO," GlobeNewswire, July 25, 2025, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/07/25/3121755/0/en/SharpLink-Welcomes-BlackRock-Digital-Assets-Pioneer-Joseph-Chalom-as-Newly-Appointed-Co-CEO.html