Robinhood Pushes Deeper Into Crypto With Own Blockchain, Tokenized Stock Launch

Robinhood is significantly expanding its crypto offerings, aiming to become a central hub for diverse financial instruments. The brokerage announced a multifaceted strategy including the development of its own blockchain network and the launch of tokenized stock trading.

Initially available to European users, Robinhood’s new platform offers access to over 200 U.S. equities and ETFs, enabling 24/7 weekday trading. This launch transforms the company’s EU crypto app into an “all-in-one investment app powered by crypto.” This initiative is part of a broader trend in the industry, with asset tokenization projected to reach a market size of $18.9 trillion by 2033 (Ripple and BCG report).

Central to Robinhood’s strategy is its development of a proprietary layer-2 blockchain network, built using Arbitrum technology. This network is designed to facilitate 24/7 trading, self-custody, and seamless cross-chain bridging of tokenized assets. While a launch date remains undisclosed, sources suggest a potential release later this year or early next year. Robinhood’s approach differs from competitors who often partner with specialized asset tokenization providers; instead, Robinhood is building its own internal tokenization engine.

Further expanding its crypto services, Robinhood is introducing perpetual futures for European users, leveraging its acquisition of Bitstamp to facilitate trading. For U.S. users, the company has implemented crypto staking for ETH and SOL, enabling users to earn rewards within the app. Later this fall, Robinhood will also integrate crypto rewards into its credit card program, enabling automatic investment of cashback into digital assets.

Robinhood’s CEO, Vlad Tenev, envisions crypto as the foundation of the future global financial system. The company’s aggressive expansion into tokenized assets and other crypto services positions it as a major player in the evolving digital asset landscape, aiming to democratize access to a wider range of financial instruments.