Robinhood Markets (Nasdaq: HOOD) surged to an all-time high of $92.35 on June 30, marking a pivotal moment in the fintech platform’s evolution. This record-breaking performance followed a sweeping announcement of new cryptocurrency products and blockchain innovations designed to expand its reach across both the U.S. and European markets.
The Menlo Park-based trading platform has officially launched over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for customers in the European Union (EU). This strategic move underscores Robinhood’s ambition to bridge traditional finance with decentralized technology—making stock ownership more accessible, affordable, and efficient through blockchain innovation.
Tokenized Stocks: Redefining Ownership and Accessibility
Tokenization is transforming how investors interact with financial assets. By converting shares of traditional stocks into digital tokens on a blockchain, Robinhood enables fractional ownership, reduces transaction costs, and increases trading speed. These tokenized assets represent real equity in U.S.-listed companies but are structured to be more liquid and accessible to retail investors.
For this rollout, Robinhood has chosen Arbitrum, a leading Ethereum-based Layer 2 scaling solution, to issue these stock tokens. Leveraging Arbitrum allows Robinhood to benefit from faster transactions, lower fees, and enhanced security—all critical factors when serving a global user base.
Steven Goldfeder, co-founder and CEO of Offchain Labs—the team behind Arbitrum—praised the integration:
"Robinhood's launch on Arbitrum today is exactly the future that I envisioned... Robinhood is utilizing Arbitrum's technology to grow its core business, expand into new markets, and offer 400 million EU customers a trading experience that's on par with the one U.S. users know and love."
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Building the Future: Robinhood’s Own Blockchain Initiative
Beyond relying on existing networks like Arbitrum, Robinhood is also developing its own proprietary blockchain infrastructure. This initiative signals a long-term commitment to controlling the full stack of its crypto operations—ensuring scalability, compliance, and seamless integration with its existing app ecosystem.
While details about the internal blockchain remain limited, the development aligns with broader industry trends where major financial platforms seek greater autonomy over their decentralized systems. A custom blockchain could allow Robinhood to optimize transaction throughput, reduce dependency on third-party networks, and introduce native financial instruments tailored specifically for its user base.
Expanding Crypto Offerings in Europe: Perpetual Futures Now Live
In addition to tokenized stocks, Robinhood has introduced crypto perpetual futures for eligible EU customers. These derivatives offer up to 3x leverage and track the spot prices of major cryptocurrencies—without expiration dates.
Unlike traditional futures contracts that settle on a fixed date, perpetual futures allow traders to maintain positions indefinitely, making them ideal for both short-term speculation and longer-term hedging strategies. The launch positions Robinhood as a competitive player in the European crypto derivatives market—a space previously dominated by specialized exchanges.
This expansion reflects growing demand for advanced trading tools among retail investors who are increasingly comfortable navigating complex financial products.
U.S. Investors Gain Access to Crypto Staking
Robinhood hasn’t overlooked its domestic audience. In a parallel move, the platform rolled out crypto staking to eligible U.S. customers. Initially supporting Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), staking allows users to earn passive income by locking up their holdings to support network security and operations.
Staking rewards vary based on network conditions and participation levels, but they provide a compelling incentive for holders to keep their assets within the Robinhood ecosystem rather than moving them to external wallets or competing platforms.
Importantly, staking is now available to all Robinhood customers across the EU and European Economic Area (EEA), creating a unified offering that spans continents.
Johann Kerbrat, GM and SVP of Robinhood Crypto, emphasized the platform’s mission:
“Crypto was built by engineers for engineers, and has not been accessible to most people. 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.”
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Core Keywords Driving Growth
This expansion is not just technological—it's strategic. The core keywords defining Robinhood’s current momentum include:
- Robinhood crypto
- tokenized stocks
- crypto staking
- perpetual futures
- blockchain innovation
- Ethereum Layer 2
- Arbitrum
- EU crypto regulation
These terms reflect both user search intent and the underlying trends fueling Robinhood’s market success. By aligning product development with high-demand services, Robinhood strengthens its SEO visibility while delivering tangible value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are tokenized stocks?
A: Tokenized stocks are digital representations of traditional equities issued on a blockchain. They allow for fractional ownership, faster settlement, and 24/7 trading—making stock investment more accessible globally.
Q: Is Robinhood’s crypto staking available in the U.S.?
A: Yes, eligible U.S. customers can now stake Ethereum and Solana directly through the Robinhood app, earning rewards over time.
Q: What is a perpetual future in crypto?
A: A perpetual future is a type of derivative contract that mimics spot pricing but doesn't expire. It allows traders to use leverage (up to 3x on Robinhood) and maintain open positions indefinitely.
Q: Which blockchain is Robinhood using for tokenized stocks?
A: Robinhood is issuing tokenized stocks on Arbitrum, an Ethereum Layer 2 network known for low fees and high scalability.
Q: Can EU users access the same features as U.S. users?
A: Many features are now harmonized—EU users have access to crypto staking, perpetual futures, and tokenized stocks, ensuring a consistent experience across regions.
Q: Is Robinhood building its own blockchain?
A: Yes, Robinhood is developing a proprietary blockchain to support future tokenization efforts and enhance control over its decentralized infrastructure.
Conclusion: A New Era for Fintech Innovation
Robinhood’s latest moves represent more than just product updates—they signal a fundamental shift toward integrating traditional finance with decentralized technologies. From tokenized stocks on Arbitrum to staking and leveraged derivatives, the platform is rapidly evolving into a comprehensive financial hub.
By focusing on accessibility, regulatory compliance, and user experience, Robinhood is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of digital investing. As adoption grows and blockchain infrastructure matures, these innovations could redefine how millions interact with markets worldwide.
With its stock hitting record highs and its roadmap full of transformative projects, Robinhood isn’t just riding the crypto wave—it’s helping to create it.