The financial technology landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, and Robinhood is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution. With the recent unveiling of tokenized US stocks, a proprietary Layer-2 blockchain, and expanded crypto services across Europe and the United States, the fintech giant is redefining how investors interact with digital and traditional assets.
At the Robinhood Presents: To Catch a Token event in Cannes, France, CEO Vlad Tenev announced a suite of groundbreaking offerings designed to bridge the gap between conventional finance and decentralized ecosystems. These innovations not only enhance accessibility but also signal a broader industry trend toward asset tokenization and 24/7 financial markets.
Tokenized US Stocks for EU Investors
One of the most significant announcements was the launch of Robinhood Stock Tokens, enabling eligible European Union customers to gain exposure to over 200 US equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through blockchain-based tokens.
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This move effectively transforms Robinhood’s EU app from a crypto-only platform into a comprehensive investment hub powered by decentralized infrastructure. Each stock token represents ownership of the underlying asset and will be issued initially on Arbitrum, a leading Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution.
Key benefits include:
- Zero commissions or spreads from Robinhood (subject to other potential fees)
- 24-hour market access
- Direct dividend payments within the app
- Full platform support for seamless trading
Tenev emphasized that these tokens are designed to make international investing frictionless. “With tokenized stocks, our European app transitions from being a crypto-only app to an all-in-one investment app powered by crypto,” he said.
This development aligns with growing demand for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization—a trend projected to reach $16 trillion by 2030 according to industry analysts.
Building a Custom Layer-2 Blockchain
While initial token issuance will occur on Arbitrum, Robinhood is developing its own Layer-2 blockchain tailored specifically for tokenized assets. Built using Arbitrum’s open-source framework, this new chain aims to optimize performance for financial applications.
Core features of Robinhood’s L2 blockchain will include:
- Support for 24/7 trading cycles
- Seamless cross-chain bridging
- Self-custody capabilities
- High throughput for real-time settlement
By controlling its blockchain infrastructure, Robinhood gains greater flexibility in governance, security, and user experience—critical advantages as it scales globally.
Crypto Perpetual Futures Now Live in Europe
In addition to stock tokens, Robinhood has rolled out crypto perpetual futures for eligible EU users. These derivative contracts offer continuous exposure to major cryptocurrencies with up to 3x leverage, catering to both novice and experienced traders.
Designed for simplicity, the platform features intuitive controls for setting position size and managing margin requirements—reducing the complexity typically associated with derivatives trading.
All orders are executed through Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange, following Robinhood’s $200 million acquisition of the Luxembourg-based crypto exchange earlier this year. That strategic purchase granted Robinhood more than 50 regulatory licenses worldwide, accelerating its international expansion.
The full rollout of perpetual futures is expected by summer 2025, starting with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH).
US Customers Gain Access to Crypto Staking
Robinhood has also launched crypto staking for eligible US customers, beginning with Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). This feature allows users to earn rewards by participating in network validation—a core function of proof-of-stake blockchains.
Staking was previously available to all users in the EU and EEA, and its introduction in the US marks a key milestone in Robinhood’s efforts to democratize access to decentralized finance (DeFi) tools.
To incentivize early participation, Robinhood is offering a limited-time 1% deposit boost on crypto transfers into the app. Users can double this to 2% if total deposits reach $500 million during the promotion period.
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Introducing Cortex: An AI-Powered Investing Assistant
Later this year, Robinhood plans to launch Cortex, an AI-driven assistant designed to deliver personalized investment insights. Early testers will receive curated market trends, event-based analysis, and real-time explanations of price movements.
“This is designed to help customers quickly understand price movement and market shifts in real time,” Tenev explained. By integrating artificial intelligence into its platform, Robinhood aims to lower the knowledge barrier for new investors while enhancing decision-making for seasoned ones.
Strategic Acquisitions Fuel Growth
Robinhood’s rapid expansion into crypto has been fueled by strategic acquisitions. In June, it completed the purchase of WonderFi, a Canadian firm operating regulated crypto platforms, for $179 million. Combined with the Bitstamp acquisition, these moves have significantly strengthened Robinhood’s compliance framework and global reach.
Additionally, in late June, Robinhood introduced micro futures contracts for BTC, SOL, and XRP—allowing traders to enter positions with minimal capital requirements. This product lowers entry barriers and appeals to retail investors seeking exposure without large upfront investments.
Making Crypto Accessible to Everyone
Since launching crypto trading in 2018, Robinhood has steadily grown its footprint in the digital asset space. Today, it stands as one of the most influential gateways for mainstream users entering crypto.
“Crypto was built by engineers for engineers, and has not been accessible to most people,” said Johann Kerbrat, General Manager and SVP of Robinhood Crypto. “We’re onboarding the world to crypto by making it as easy to use as possible—with the goal of bringing powerful tools into one intuitive platform.”
This philosophy underpins every new feature: simplification without sacrificing functionality.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are Robinhood Stock Tokens?
A: Robinhood Stock Tokens are blockchain-based representations of US stocks and ETFs that allow EU customers to gain exposure to American equities with zero commissions from Robinhood, 24/7 access, and direct dividend payouts.
Q: On which blockchain are the stock tokens issued?
A: Initially issued on Arbitrum, Robinhood plans to transition these tokens to its own custom Layer-2 blockchain optimized for real-world asset tokenization.
Q: Can US users buy tokenized stocks?
A: Not currently. The stock token offering is available only to eligible customers in the European Union at launch.
Q: What is crypto staking on Robinhood?
A: Crypto staking allows users to earn rewards by locking up ETH and SOL to support their respective networks. It's now available for eligible US customers.
Q: Are perpetual futures available in the US?
A: No—perpetual futures are currently being rolled out only in the EU. US availability has not been announced yet.
Q: What is Cortex?
A: Cortex is an upcoming AI-powered investing assistant that will provide real-time market insights, trend analysis, and event-driven commentary directly within the Robinhood app.
By merging traditional finance with cutting-edge blockchain technology, Robinhood is crafting a future where investing is borderless, continuous, and accessible to all. As tokenization gains momentum and AI enhances user experience, platforms like Robinhood are setting new standards for what modern financial apps can achieve.