In a bold declaration at its recent Cannes launch event, Robinhood unveiled an ambitious blueprint that goes far beyond commission-free trading. The fintech disruptor is now aiming to reshape the very foundation of global finance through blockchain technology and asset tokenization. At the heart of this vision lies Robinhood Chain, a purpose-built Layer2 network designed to bring real-world assets (RWAs) on-chain—starting with stocks, ETFs, and even private equity in high-profile companies like SpaceX and OpenAI.
This isn't just another product update. It's a strategic pivot toward becoming a full-stack financial platform that bridges traditional markets and decentralized finance. With coordinated rollouts across Europe and the U.S., Robinhood is positioning itself as a pioneer in the emerging era of tokenized investing, where ownership, liquidity, and access are redefined for the digital age.
Europe First: A Tokenized Gateway to Global Markets
Robinhood is treating Europe as the testing ground for its most innovative offerings—leveraging the region’s clearer regulatory environment under MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) and its underpenetrated user base.
Tokenized U.S. Stocks & ETFs on Arbitrum
Over 200 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs are now available as tokenized assets on Arbitrum, allowing European users to trade them seamlessly within the Robinhood app—just like cryptocurrencies. These tokens are backed 1:1 by real shares held in traditional custody, ensuring full asset backing while enabling near-instant settlement and 24/5 trading access.
Key features include:
- Real-time corporate actions: Dividends and stock splits are automatically reflected in users’ accounts.
- Phased expansion: Robinhood plans to scale to thousands of tokenized securities by year-end.
- Future self-custody: Initial reliance on centralized issuance will evolve into user-controlled wallets via Robinhood Chain.
👉 Discover how tokenized assets are transforming investment accessibility.
Perpetual Futures Powered by Bitstamp
In a major move following its $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp, Robinhood has integrated the exchange as the liquidity engine for its new perpetual futures offering in Europe. This enables leveraged crypto trading with institutional-grade execution.
The mobile-first design simplifies complex trading mechanics—using intuitive sliders for leverage, stop-loss, and take-profit settings—making advanced tools accessible to retail investors.
All-in-One Investment Super App
The European app formerly known as Robinhood Crypto has been rebranded simply as Robinhood, signaling its evolution into a unified investment hub combining:
- Cryptocurrencies
- Tokenized equities
- Derivatives (including perps)
Available across 31 European countries plus EEA nations, this consolidation strengthens Robinhood’s competitive edge in a fragmented market.
Private Equity Goes Public: SpaceX & OpenAI Tokens
One of the most groundbreaking announcements was the launch of tokenized private equity shares in SpaceX and OpenAI, available for pre-registration starting July 7. This initiative breaks down long-standing barriers that have confined private market access to accredited investors and institutions.
By fractionalizing ownership and issuing it as blockchain tokens, Robinhood democratizes entry into some of the world’s most valuable pre-IPO tech ventures—ushering in a new paradigm of inclusive wealth creation.
U.S. Market: Deepening the Ecosystem with AI, Staking & Smart Tools
While Europe serves as the innovation lab, the U.S. remains Robinhood’s core stronghold. Here, the focus is on enriching the user experience with advanced tools and deeper financial integration.
Staking for Everyone
Robinhood has rolled out native staking support for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), removing minimum balance requirements. To incentivize participation, users receive a limited-time 2% deposit bonus.
Beyond yield generation, CEO Vlad Tenev emphasized staking as a form of community-driven network security, aligning users with the broader ethos of decentralized systems.
Advanced Trading Tools Go Mobile
The professional-grade Legend trading platform, previously desktop-only, is expanding to mobile this summer. Features coming to smartphones include:
- Customizable technical indicators
- Advanced charting tools
- Depth-of-market order book visualization
This upgrade caters directly to active traders who demand sophisticated analytics on the go.
Smart Exchange Routing for Optimal Execution
To compete with institutional-grade platforms, Robinhood introduced Smart Exchange Routing, which scans multiple venues to find the best available price and deepest liquidity. For high-volume traders, all-in fees can drop as low as 0.1%, with no distinction between maker and taker rates—a significant improvement over legacy models.
AI-Powered Insights with Cortex
Exclusive to Robinhood Gold subscribers, the new AI assistant Cortex delivers personalized market intelligence by aggregating:
- Real-time token movements
- On-chain alerts
- Company earnings reports
- Regulatory filings
Rather than just alerting users to price changes, Cortex aims to explain why prices move—helping investors make informed decisions based on fundamental drivers.
Crypto Cashback with Rabbit Gold Card
The Rabbit Gold Card is getting a blockchain twist: users can now opt to receive cashback rewards in cryptocurrency instead of fiat. This feature blurs the line between everyday spending and digital asset management, embedding crypto deeper into daily financial life.
👉 See how seamless crypto integration is reshaping personal finance.
The Grand Vision: Robinhood Chain and the Future of Real-World Assets
All these initiatives converge on one strategic goal: Robinhood Chain, a Layer2 blockchain built on Arbitrum’s technology stack and tailored specifically for real-world asset tokenization.
A Three-Phase Roadmap to Full Decentralization
- Centralized Custody Phase: Traditional brokers hold underlying assets; Robinhood mints corresponding tokens.
- Hybrid Liquidity Phase: Integration with Bitstamp allows trading during off-market hours (e.g., weekends), creating true 24/5 availability.
- Self-Custody & Interoperability Phase: Users gain full control—able to withdraw tokens into personal wallets or use them across DeFi protocols via cross-chain capabilities.
This gradual transition ensures regulatory compliance while steadily increasing user autonomy—a balanced approach critical in today’s evolving legal landscape.
Beyond Stocks: The RWA Revolution
Robinhood Chain isn’t limited to equities. The long-term roadmap includes tokenizing diverse asset classes such as:
- Real estate
- Bonds
- Art and collectibles
- Carbon credits
By creating a compliant, scalable infrastructure for RWAs, Robinhood positions itself not merely as a participant but as a foundational player in what industry analysts project could become an $18.9 trillion tokenized asset market by 2033 (per Ripple and BCG).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are tokenized stocks?
A: Tokenized stocks represent ownership in real shares but exist as blockchain-based digital tokens. They offer benefits like faster settlement, fractional ownership, and extended trading hours.
Q: Is Robinhood Chain a public blockchain?
A: Yes—while initially controlled by Robinhood, it's designed to evolve into an open ecosystem where third-party developers can issue and manage tokenized real-world assets.
Q: Can I transfer my tokenized shares to external wallets?
A: Not yet. Currently, transfers are restricted within the Robinhood ecosystem, but self-custody and cross-chain functionality are planned for future phases.
Q: Are tokenized private equities like SpaceX safe investments?
A: While they increase accessibility, private market investments carry higher risk due to lack of liquidity and transparency. Users should conduct thorough due diligence.
Q: How does Robinhood ensure regulatory compliance?
A: Through partnerships with licensed broker-dealers for custody and ongoing engagement with regulators under frameworks like MiCA in Europe.
Q: Will these features come to other regions?
A: Yes—many U.S. upgrades are expected to expand internationally, including staking, AI insights, and smart routing tools.
With its blend of regulatory foresight, technological ambition, and mass-market appeal, Robinhood is no longer just a brokerage—it's building the architecture for a new financial system. As tokenization gains momentum, platforms that bridge trust, usability, and innovation will lead the charge. And right now, Robinhood appears poised to be one of them.