Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) experienced a significant surge in its stock price, climbing over 10% in intraday trading. The jump followed a series of major announcements related to new cryptocurrency and blockchain-based product launches across its U.S. and European platforms.
These launches include the introduction of tokenized U.S. stocks for European users, the rollout of perpetual futures trading with leverage, and the availability of cryptocurrency staking for U.S. customers. This strategic expansion underscores Robinhood's deepening commitment to integrating traditional finance with blockchain technology.
Tokenized Stocks Debut in the European Union
Robinhood has introduced tokenized versions of U.S. stocks and ETFs to its user base in the European Union. This new offering provides access to over 200 different assets, all available for trading 24 hours a day, five days a week.
The tokens are initially being issued on Arbitrum, a layer-2 scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain. A key benefit for users is that they will receive any dividend payouts directly within the Robinhood app, mirroring the experience of traditional stock ownership. The company has stated its intention to eventually migrate these tokenized assets to its own proprietary blockchain later in the year.
This move represents a significant evolution for Robinhood's EU platform, transforming it from a basic cryptocurrency service into a comprehensive digital investment application.
Perpetual Futures Trading Launches with Leverage
In a major expansion of its derivative offerings, Robinhood announced the launch of perpetual futures trading for its eligible customers in the EU. This new product allows users to gain leveraged exposure to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, with leverage of up to 3x.
All order routing for these perpetual futures will be handled through Bitstamp, a cryptocurrency exchange that Robinhood acquired in a recent $200 million deal. The full rollout of this feature is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2025, featuring a user-friendly interface designed to simplify position and margin management.
This entry into the derivatives market distinguishes Robinhood from many of its competitors and aligns with a growing regional demand for sophisticated, around-the-clock trading tools. The acquisition of Bitstamp was a key strategic move, providing Robinhood with over 50 regulatory licenses to support this global ambition.
Ethereum and Solana Staking Arrives for U.S. Customers
Robinhood has expanded its cryptocurrency services for U.S.-based users by launching staking capabilities for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). This feature allows customers to earn passive income on their crypto holdings directly within the Robinhood app, eliminating the need for external wallets or complex technical setups.
Staking rewards will be automatically calculated and credited to users' accounts. The company has indicated plans to add staking support for more cryptocurrencies later this year. This launch capitalizes on recent shifts in U.S. regulatory policy that have created a more favorable environment for certain digital asset services.
The introduction of staking is part of a broader suite of crypto features Robinhood has been rolling out, which recently included micro futures for assets like BTC, SOL, and XRP. 👉 Explore more strategies for earning with crypto assets
The Vision Behind the Expansion: Robinhood Chain
A central pillar of these announcements is the development of the "Robinhood Chain," a new layer-2 blockchain being built using Arbitrum's technology. This blockchain is intended to serve as the foundational infrastructure for the company's long-term vision of a fully on-chain financial ecosystem.
The Robinhood Chain will support core functions like trading, bridging assets between different networks, and self-custody of digital assets. The company describes the project as an effort to make powerful crypto infrastructure "invisible" to the end-user—fully functional but operating seamlessly in the background.
The ultimate goal is to migrate Robinhood's entire financial ecosystem, including traditional assets like stocks, onto this blockchain, thereby democratizing access and increasing market efficiency.
Market Context and Competitive Landscape
Robinhood has been methodically building its crypto and blockchain capabilities since 2018 through strategic acquisitions and internal development. Recent purchases, like the acquisition of Canadian crypto platform WonderFi for $179 million, highlight its focus on global growth.
The company identifies asset tokenization—the process of converting real-world assets into digital tokens on a blockchain—as a major long-term growth driver. While competitors like Kraken and Gemini also offer similar services, Robinhood's latest moves signal a strong commitment to capturing a leading position in this emerging field. Industry projections suggest the total market for tokenized real-world assets could reach a massive scale by 2033.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Robinhood's stock to jump over 10%?
The surge was a direct response to the company announcing several major new products, including tokenized stock trading in Europe, perpetual futures, and crypto staking services in the U.S. The market viewed these launches as positive for future growth.
What are tokenized stocks on Robinhood?
Tokenized stocks are digital representations of real U.S. stocks and ETFs issued on a blockchain. EU-based Robinhood users can trade them 24/5. Holders are entitled to receive dividends, just like traditional shareholders.
Can U.S. users access perpetual futures on Robinhood?
No, the perpetual futures product with leverage has been announced specifically for eligible customers within the European Union. U.S. users gained access to new staking features for Ethereum and Solana instead.
What is the Robinhood Chain?
The Robinhood Chain is a new layer-2 blockchain the company is developing using Arbitrum's technology. It is designed to power the future of its platform, ultimately aiming to host its entire financial ecosystem for trading and self-custody.
Is staking on Robinhood available for cryptocurrencies other than ETH and SOL?
Currently, staking is only available for Ethereum and Solana for U.S. customers. However, Robinhood has stated it plans to expand staking support to more cryptocurrencies later this year.
How does Robinhood's expansion compare to its competitors?
Robinhood's simultaneous launch of multiple advanced products—like perpetual futures and a proprietary blockchain—positions it aggressively against other crypto-native exchanges, signaling a deep commitment to becoming a unified hub for both traditional and digital finance. 👉 Get advanced methods for managing a diversified portfolio