Digital asset platform OSL Group secured $300 million in an equity financing round to accelerate its global expansion.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.The Hong Kong-based, listed and licensed company ...

Personnel Change - BlackRock's head of digital assets leaves the company [1] - The individual joins SharpLink Gaming, the second-biggest Ethereum treasury company [1]

💥BREAKING:BLACKROCK’S HEAD OF DIGITAL ASSETS LEAVES THE COMPANY TO JOIN SECOND-BIGGEST ETHEREUM TREASURY COMPANY, SHARPLINK GAMING. ...

$15,000 ETHEREUM now that BlackRock is here.SharpLink (SBET) (@SharpLinkGaming):NEW: Joseph Chalom, former Head of Digital Assets Strategy @BlackRock, joins SharpLink as Co-CEOAfter two decades at BlackRock, where he helped launch IBIT ($87B+ AUM), ETHA ($10B+ AUM), and BUIDL (the first tokenized Treasury fund on Ethereum), @joechalom is now joining https://t.co/utOa76AhwE ...

Huge news out of SBET 📢SharpLink has appointed Joseph Chalom as Co-CEOJoseph is the former Head of Digital Assets Strategy at BlackRock and helped launch IBIT, ETHA and BUIDL.Incredible track record and another big vote of confidence for SBET https://t.co/cgGE6vWZ4C ...

Core Insights - SharpLink Gaming, Inc. has appointed Joseph Chalom, a former senior executive at BlackRock, as its new Co-CEO, effective July 24, 2025, bringing significant experience in digital finance and institutional adoption of digital assets [3][4][5] - Chalom's leadership is expected to enhance SharpLink's strategy in aligning with the Ethereum ecosystem, which is seen as a transformative opportunity for the company's future [6][10] Company Overview - SharpLink Gaming, Inc. is recognized as one of the largest corporate holders of Ether (ETH) and is a prominent advocate for Ethereum adoption [3][10] - The company has adopted Ether as its primary treasury reserve asset, providing investors with direct exposure to Ethereum, the second-largest digital asset [10][11] - SharpLink is focused on innovating the online gaming industry by developing scalable, secure, and transparent solutions [11] Leadership Transition - Rob Phythian, the current CEO, will transition to the role of President and remain on the Board of Directors [4] - Joseph Chalom has a distinguished 20-year career at BlackRock, where he held multiple senior leadership roles and was instrumental in the firm's entry into digital assets [7][8] Strategic Vision - Chalom's appointment is viewed as a validation of SharpLink's ETH treasury strategy and its vision for Ethereum's role in the digital economy [5][6] - The company aims to leverage Ethereum's unique value proposition to drive innovation in financial technologies [6]

Company Overview - SharpLink Gaming, Inc. is one of the world's largest corporate holders of Ether (ETH) and a prominent advocate for Ethereum adoption [1][8] - The company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker SBET [8] Leadership Changes - Joseph Chalom, a former senior executive at BlackRock, has been appointed as the new Co-Chief Executive Officer of SharpLink, effective July 24, 2025 [1] - Rob Phythian, the current CEO, will transition to the role of President and remain on the Board of Directors [2] Strategic Vision - Joseph Chalom's appointment is seen as a validation of SharpLink's ETH treasury strategy and its vision for Ethereum to drive transformative change in the digital economy [3] - Chalom expressed enthusiasm for shaping the future of financial infrastructure and decentralized finance, aligning SharpLink's strategic direction with the Ethereum ecosystem [4] Chalom's Background - Chalom has over 20 years of experience at BlackRock, where he led digital finance innovations and was instrumental in launching the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), which has over $10 billion in assets [1][5] - He held multiple senior leadership roles at BlackRock, including interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock Solutions [6] Industry Position - SharpLink is positioned as a leader in the online gaming sector, aiming to innovate and challenge outdated models through scalable, secure, and transparent solutions [9]

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Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nasdaq reported net revenue of $1.3 billion, a year-over-year increase of 12% [8] - Solutions revenues reached $991 million, representing a 10% year-over-year growth [8] - Annualized recurring revenue (ARR) grew 9% to $2.9 billion [9] - Operating income was $721 million, with a 24% growth in EPS [9][30] - Operating expenses increased just under 8% year-over-year, primarily due to the timing of the annual compensation cycle [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Capital Access Platforms generated 9% revenue growth and 6% ARR growth [11] - Financial Technology delivered 10% revenue growth and 11% ARR growth, with notable growth in Financial Crime Management Technology (19%) and Regulatory Technology (10%) [11] - Market Services achieved 21% net revenue growth [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nasdaq welcomed 38 new operating companies in Q2, achieving a 79% win rate and raising $3.6 billion [13] - The European listings business saw six new listings, with a total of €2 billion raised, representing a fivefold increase compared to the first half of 2024 [14] - Strong inflows of $20 billion in the quarter contributed to a record ETP AUM of $745 billion [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Nasdaq is focused on technology transformation, particularly in AI, to enhance operational efficiency and client services [10][25] - The company is committed to expanding its product offerings and enhancing its competitive position through strategic partnerships and innovations [17][27] - Nasdaq aims to leverage digital assets and stablecoin developments to improve capital market efficiencies [71][75] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy, despite macroeconomic uncertainties [10] - The sales pipeline remains robust, particularly in financial technology solutions, with expectations for continued growth into 2026 [28] - Nasdaq is well-positioned to navigate economic challenges and capitalize on strategic opportunities [28][44] Other Important Information - Nasdaq's efficiency program is on track, with approximately $130 million actioned out of a $140 million target by the end of Q2 [25] - The company generated free cash flow of $467 million in Q2, supporting dividends and share repurchases [42] - Nasdaq repurchased 1.2 million shares for approximately $100 million during the quarter [43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Opportunity set for Adjentic AI - Management highlighted distinct programs for AI in product development and business efficiency, focusing on enhancing automation and client support [48][52] Question: Sales momentum and pipeline dynamics - Management noted a healthy pipeline across FinTech, with significant growth in enterprise client signings expected to contribute to revenue in Q4 and 2026 [56][58] Question: Impact of tariff-driven volatility on customer conversations - Conversations normalized in May and June after initial elongation due to market uncertainties, with improved clarity around regulatory obligations aiding pipeline stability [62][64] Question: Digital ecosystem leverage and opportunities - Management discussed the potential for stablecoin and tokenization to enhance capital market efficiencies, emphasizing the importance of regulatory engagement [71][75] Question: Dynamics in the Index business - Management emphasized a strong focus on alpha generation through new product creation and partnerships, resulting in significant inflows and product adoption [78][80] Question: Strength in FinTech and capital markets - Management attributed strong ARR growth to broad-based demand across various segments, including significant upsells and new client signings [88]

Financial Performance - Nasdaq reported net revenue of $1,300,000,000, a year-over-year increase of 12% [5][27] - Solutions revenues reached $991,000,000, representing a 10% year-over-year growth [5][27] - Annualized recurring revenue (ARR) grew by 9% to $2,900,000,000 [6][28] - Operating income was $721,000,000, with a 24% growth in earnings per share (EPS) [6][27] - Operating expenses increased just under 8% year-over-year, primarily due to the timing of the annual compensation cycle [6][27] Business Line Performance - Capital Access Platforms generated 9% revenue growth and 6% ARR growth [8][29] - Financial Technology delivered 10% revenue growth and 11% ARR growth, with notable segments including 19% growth in Financial Crime Management Technology [8][29] - Market Services achieved a remarkable 21% net revenue growth [9][29] Market Dynamics - The U.S. economy shows solid fundamentals, with resilient labor markets and consumer spending [7] - European GDP growth remains muted, but expectations for recovery in consumer demand are improving [7] - Investment in technology transformation is driving momentum across sectors, particularly in banking and capital markets [7] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - Nasdaq is focused on expanding its product offerings and enhancing client relationships, particularly in the data and listings business [12][90] - The company is committed to innovation, with 33 new products launched during the quarter, over half of which were international [13][75] - Nasdaq's strategic partnership with Invesco remains strong, ensuring continued collaboration on index products [13][14] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in Nasdaq's ability to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties and deliver growth through cycles [25][41] - The company anticipates continued momentum in the second half of 2025, supported by a robust sales pipeline [25][41] - Nasdaq is well-positioned to support clients in managing risks and capturing strategic opportunities [25][41] Other Important Information - Nasdaq's gross leverage ratio improved to 3.2x, exceeding milestones set during the Adzenza acquisition [40] - The company generated free cash flow of $467,000,000 in the second quarter, supporting dividends and share repurchases [39][40] - Nasdaq's efficiency program is on track, with approximately $130,000,000 actioned out of a $140,000,000 target [22][38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Opportunity set for Adjentic AI - Management elaborated on the integration of AI across product development and business operations, highlighting efficiency gains and automation potential [44][46][48] Question: Sales momentum in FinTech - Management noted a healthy pipeline in FinTech, with significant growth expected from Tier one and Tier two clients in the upcoming quarters [50][54] Question: Trends in customer conversations in FinTech - Conversations normalized in May and June after initial delays due to regulatory uncertainties, leading to improved sales momentum [56][60] Question: Digital assets and market structure - Management discussed the potential for digital assets to enhance capital market efficiency and the importance of regulatory engagement [65][67][71] Question: Dynamics in the Index business - Management emphasized the focus on alpha generation and the successful launch of new products to drive investor interest [73][75] Question: Strength in FinTech and capital markets - Management attributed strong ARR growth to increased demand for connectivity services and successful upselling to existing clients [79][84] Question: Data and Listings business growth - Management highlighted strong demand for data products and an improving outlook for listings, driven by new issuances [86][90]