Robinhood Expands Crypto Footprint with Tokenized Stocks Launch on Arbitrum and Plans for Own Blockchain
June 30, 2025 — Robinhood (NASDAQ: HOOD), the popular digital brokerage known for democratizing stock trading, announced a major expansion into cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The company debuted tokenized versions of U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs on the Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution Arbitrum, initially available for European users. Simultaneously, Robinhood revealed plans to develop its own blockchain network built upon the Arbitrum technology stack.
Launch of Tokenized Stocks on Arbitrum for European Users
Starting Monday, Robinhood users in the European Union gained access to over 200 tokenized U.S. equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on its platform. These tokenized stocks, issued on Arbitrum—a popular Ethereum Layer-2 protocol—offer continuous weekday trading hours, enhancing accessibility for crypto-savvy investors.
Robinhood describes this rollout as a step toward creating an "all-in-one investment app powered by crypto." By integrating tokenized assets, the platform aims to unify traditional and digital finance within a single ecosystem.
Developing a Proprietary Blockchain Network
Beyond leveraging Arbitrum’s infrastructure, Robinhood is actively building its own Layer-2 blockchain optimized specifically for tokenized assets. The forthcoming blockchain will support 24/7 trading, self-custody options for users, and cross-chain bridging capabilities, allowing seamless transfer of tokenized assets across different blockchain networks.
While Robinhood has yet to confirm an official launch date for its blockchain, insiders suggest it could go live later this year or early next year.
Introduction of Private Equity Tokens and Expanded Crypto Services
Robinhood also announced plans to introduce private equity tokens, starting with tokenized shares in high-profile companies such as OpenAI and SpaceX. This move opens doors for broader retail investor participation in assets that have traditionally been limited to institutional and accredited investors.
In addition, the U.S. platform will introduce crypto staking for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), enabling investors to earn rewards directly within the app. Complementing these offerings, Robinhood will add crypto rewards to its credit card program later this fall, allowing U.S. customers to automatically invest their cashback in digital assets.
For European users, Robinhood is launching perpetual futures contracts (“perps”), a highly popular derivative instrument among crypto traders. These trades will be processed via Bitstamp, a global crypto exchange acquired by Robinhood earlier for $200 million.
Strategic Vision and Market Impact
Chairman and CEO Vlad Tenev emphasized Robinhood’s commitment to expanding blockchain-based finance while working closely with regulators. “We will continue to work with regulators and bring the entire Robinhood ecosystem on-chain,” Tenev stated at the launch event held in Cannes, France.
Robinhood’s stock (HOOD) reacted positively to the news, surging over 8% to a record high of $91 during Monday’s trading session.
The company’s push into tokenized stocks reflects a broader industry trend. Major crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kraken, Gemini, and Coinbase are also venturing into asset tokenization, a sector anticipated to grow to $18.9 trillion by 2033, according to a report by Ripple and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Unlike many competitors who partner with existing tokenization platforms, Robinhood is developing its own tokenization engine internally, aiming for greater control and innovation in delivering blockchain-based financial products.
About Robinhood
Robinhood Markets, Inc. is a U.S.-based financial services company that offers commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies through its mobile app and website. Its recent expansion into blockchain technology and tokenized assets signals a transformative shift toward integrating traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi) principles.
Cryptocurrency Market Snapshot (June 30, 2025):
- Bitcoin (BTC): $108,982.81 (-0.80%)
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,550.76 (-1.84%)
- Solana (SOL): $150.34 (-2.90%)
For more information on Robinhood’s tokenized stock offerings and blockchain innovations, visit their official platform or the dedicated EU app section.
Reporter: Krisztian Sandor
Edited by: Stephen Alpher
Published on June 30, 2025, 3:00 PM ET
Updated June 30, 2025, 7:14 PM ET
This article was produced with information provided by Robinhood and CoinDesk.