Robinhood has launched over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs for EU customers, available on the Arbitrum Layer 2 blockchain. These tokens provide 24/5 trading, zero commissions (though other fees may apply), dividend support, and exposure to major U.S. equities like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft. The platform plans to expand to 2,000 tokenized offerings by the end of 2025 and has introduced tokenized shares of private companies like OpenAI and SpaceX, a first for broader retail access in the EU. Self-custody options for these tokens, enabling integration with DeFi platforms like MetaMask, are planned for the future.
Robinhood is rolling out crypto perpetual futures for eligible EU customers, offering up to 3x leverage with no expiration dates. These derivatives are routed through Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange, following Robinhood’s $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp. The rollout began in June 2025 and is expected to be fully available by the end of summer 2025, with a user-friendly interface to simplify trading.
In the U.S., Robinhood has introduced staking for Ethereum and Solana, allowing users to earn rewards by supporting blockchain network operations. This feature, already available in the EU, is now accessible to eligible U.S. customers through an intuitive app-based interface. EU and EEA users also have access to staking.
Robinhood is developing its own Ethereum-based Layer 2 blockchain, built on Arbitrum’s technology, optimized for tokenized real-world assets. Expected to launch in 2026, it will support 24/7 trading, self-custody, and seamless cross-chain bridging. Initially, tokenized stocks are issued on Arbitrum, but they will migrate to Robinhood’s blockchain once operational.
With a MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license, Robinhood Crypto has expanded to 31 EU countries, serving over 400 million people across 30 EU and EEA countries. This expansion transforms its EU app into an all-in-one investment platform, combining crypto trading, tokenized stocks, and perpetual futures. Additional features include smart exchange routing, advanced charting tools (expanding to crypto in August 2025), and tax lot management for U.S. users to optimize crypto trades.
Additional offerings include a 1% deposit boost (up to 2% if platform-wide deposits exceed $500M) for crypto transfers in the U.S. and EU from May 28 to July 7, 2025, and a forthcoming crypto cash-back credit card for U.S. customers. Robinhood’s stock (HOOD) surged over 8% to a record $90.49, reflecting investor confidence, with a 290% increase in 2025 and $255 billion in assets under custody.
These moves position Robinhood as a leader in blending traditional finance with blockchain, though U.S. users face regulatory hurdles for tokenized stocks and perpetual futures, pending approvals. Robinhood’s announcements on June 30, 2025, signal a bold pivot toward integrating traditional finance with blockchain technology, with significant implications for its users, the financial industry, and the crypto ecosystem.
Offering over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs (with plans for 2,000 by year-end) on Arbitrum for EU customers lowers barriers to U.S. market exposure. 24/5 trading, zero commissions (though other fees apply), and fractional ownership make investing more accessible, especially for retail investors in the EU. Tokenized shares of private companies like OpenAI and SpaceX are a game-changer, giving retail investors rare access to high-growth, pre-IPO firms. This could disrupt traditional venture capital and private equity models, though regulatory scrutiny may intensify due to valuation and liquidity risks.
Planned self-custody options for tokenized assets, enabling use in DeFi platforms like MetaMask, could bridge traditional and decentralized finance. This may drive adoption of DeFi protocols but raises concerns about security, custody risks, and regulatory compliance. Tokenized stocks are limited to the EU due to U.S. regulatory restrictions (e.g., SEC oversight). This highlights a fragmented global regulatory landscape, potentially limiting U.S. user access and complicating Robinhood’s expansion strategy.
Offering crypto perpetual futures with up to 3x leverage via Bitstamp’s exchange appeals to sophisticated traders, increasing engagement and trading volume. The user-friendly interface could attract novice traders, but leverage introduces higher financial risks. By integrating futures post-Bitstamp acquisition, Robinhood competes directly with crypto exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. This could pressure competitors to lower fees or enhance offerings, benefiting consumers but squeezing margins.
Perpetual futures are heavily regulated in the U.S., and their EU-only rollout reflects caution. U.S. approval delays could hinder Robinhood’s ability to scale this offering globally, impacting revenue potential. Staking for Ethereum and Solana in the U.S. and EU provides retail investors with low-effort yield opportunities, potentially increasing platform retention and crypto adoption. However, staking rewards are volatile and subject to network risks (e.g., slashing).
Simplifying staking through an app interface lowers the technical barrier, bringing crypto’s yield-generating features to a broader audience. This could accelerate mainstream crypto use but may strain blockchain networks if participation surges. Staking is under scrutiny in the U.S. (e.g., SEC v. Coinbase), with debates over whether it constitutes a security. Robinhood’s U.S. rollout risks future regulatory crackdowns, potentially limiting growth.
Building an Ethereum-based Layer 2 blockchain with Arbitrum’s tech (launching 2026) gives Robinhood control over transaction costs, speed, and user experience for tokenized assets. This could reduce reliance on third-party chains and enhance scalability. Migrating tokenized stocks to its own blockchain aims to create a sticky ecosystem, encouraging users to stay within Robinhood’s platform. However, cross-chain bridging complexities could frustrate users if not executed seamlessly.
A custom blockchain optimized for real-world assets positions Robinhood against competitors like Coinbase and Kraken, who lack proprietary chains. However, development delays or technical issues could erode trust. Operating a blockchain invites regulatory oversight (e.g., MiCA compliance in the EU, potential SEC scrutiny in the U.S.). Adoption depends on developer support and DeFi integration, which may take years to mature.
Expanding to 31 EU/EEA countries with a MiCA license taps a 400-million-person market, diversifying revenue beyond the U.S. The all-in-one app (crypto, tokenized stocks, futures) strengthens Robinhood’s position as a global fintech leader. MiCA compliance gives Robinhood a first-mover advantage in the EU’s regulated crypto market, potentially outpacing U.S.-based competitors constrained by regulatory uncertainty.
Features like the 1% deposit boost (up to 2%) and advanced tools (e.g., charting, tax lot management) incentivize user activity, potentially increasing assets under custody ($255B as of June 2025). However, promotional costs could pressure short-term profitability. EU-centric features highlight U.S. regulatory constraints, potentially frustrating U.S. users and pushing them to unregulated platforms, which could harm Robinhood’s domestic market share.
Robinhood’s stock (HOOD) surged 8% to $90.49, reflecting investor optimism about its crypto pivot. The 290% stock rise in 2025 suggests strong market confidence, but volatility remains if regulatory or execution risks materialize. Combining traditional finance (stocks, ETFs) with crypto (staking, futures, tokenized assets) blurs lines between CeFi and DeFi, pressuring legacy brokers and crypto exchanges to innovate. This could accelerate the tokenization trend across industries.
While features enhance accessibility, they introduce risks like leverage losses, staking penalties, and blockchain vulnerabilities. Robinhood must prioritize education and security to maintain trust. The EU focus positions Robinhood against European fintechs (e.g., Revolut) and global crypto exchanges. Success hinges on seamless execution and regulatory navigation, especially as MiCA evolves.
Robinhood’s initiatives reshape retail investing and crypto, challenging traditional finance while embracing blockchain. The EU expansion and proprietary blockchain signal long-term ambition, but regulatory hurdles, technical challenges, and user risks could temper growth. The company’s ability to balance innovation with compliance will determine its success in this transformative phase.
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