Robinhood’s bold move into the cryptocurrency space has sent shockwaves through financial markets. The fintech platform, known for democratizing stock trading, has now set its sights on becoming a dominant force in digital assets. After unveiling an ambitious crypto-focused roadmap, Robinhood’s stock (HOOD) surged to a record high—marking a pivotal moment in its evolution from a retail trading app to a full-fledged financial ecosystem.
The announcement, made on June 30, 2025, revealed a suite of next-generation offerings designed to bridge traditional finance and decentralized technologies. These include a proprietary Layer 2 blockchain built on Arbitrum, tokenized stocks, perpetual futures trading in Europe, and native crypto staking services for U.S. users. Investors responded swiftly: HOOD shares jumped approximately 11% to $92, cementing a new all-time high and extending a monthly gain of over 34%.
This strategic pivot underscores Robinhood’s long-term vision—to make cryptocurrency accessible, seamless, and integrated into everyday investing.
A New Era of Financial Integration
At the heart of Robinhood’s transformation is its plan to launch a custom Layer 2 blockchain powered by the Arbitrum network. This move leverages Ethereum’s robust security while solving one of its biggest pain points: scalability.
By building on Arbitrum—a leading Layer 2 scaling solution—Robinhood aims to deliver faster transactions, lower fees, and enhanced user control. The new blockchain will support the tokenization of real-world assets, enabling fractional ownership and 24/7 trading without market closures.
Key features of the upcoming platform include:
- 24/7 trading: No more waiting for market open hours.
- Seamless cross-chain bridging: Move assets effortlessly between networks.
- Self-custody options: Users retain full control over their digital assets.
These upgrades signal a major shift toward decentralization, giving users more autonomy while maintaining the simplicity Robinhood is known for.
Tokenized Stocks: Bridging Wall Street and Web3
One of the most anticipated elements of the rollout is the introduction of tokenized stocks. Starting with over 200 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs available on the Arbitrum network, eligible European customers will soon be able to trade these digital representations without commission fees or hidden spreads.
This innovation allows investors to access American equities in a decentralized environment—opening doors for global participation in U.S. markets. During a live demonstration at an event in Cannes, France, CEO Vlad Tenev executed a transaction for a tokenized OpenAI stock, showcasing real-time functionality and proving the viability of asset tokenization.
Tokenized stocks are not just about accessibility—they represent a fundamental reimagining of how value moves across borders and ecosystems. By anchoring them on a secure, scalable blockchain, Robinhood is laying the groundwork for frictionless global finance.
Expanding Crypto Derivatives in Europe
In addition to tokenized assets, Robinhood is expanding its derivatives offerings with the upcoming launch of crypto perpetual futures in Europe. Set to roll out by summer’s end, these contracts will allow traders to maintain leveraged positions indefinitely—with up to 3x leverage available.
Orders for this new product will be routed through Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange, ensuring deep liquidity and reliable execution. This integration reflects Robinhood’s strategy of partnering with established crypto institutions to deliver robust, regulated services.
Perpetual futures are especially popular among active traders due to their flexibility and capital efficiency. By bringing this tool to European users, Robinhood is positioning itself as a serious player in the competitive crypto derivatives market.
Staking Goes Mainstream: Rewards for U.S. Investors
For U.S. customers, Robinhood has introduced native staking services for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). This allows investors to earn passive income by helping secure proof-of-stake blockchains—without needing technical know-how or third-party platforms.
Staking rewards are automatically distributed, making it easy for everyday users to participate in network validation and benefit from crypto’s yield-generating potential. This feature aligns with Robinhood’s mission to simplify complex financial tools and bring them to the mainstream.
Johann Kerbrat, General Manager and SVP of Robinhood Crypto, emphasized the importance of accessibility:
“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.”
His vision highlights a critical trend: the next wave of crypto adoption won’t come from developers alone—it will be driven by user-friendly platforms that lower barriers to entry.
Core Keywords Driving Adoption
This strategic expansion positions Robinhood at the intersection of several high-growth trends in fintech and digital assets. The core keywords defining this shift include:
- Crypto staking
- Layer 2 blockchain
- Tokenized stocks
- Perpetual futures
- Arbitrum network
- Ethereum scalability
- Decentralized finance (DeFi)
- Real-world asset tokenization
These terms reflect both technological innovation and shifting consumer demand. By integrating them naturally into its product suite, Robinhood avoids keyword-driven gimmicks while delivering genuine utility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Robinhood’s Layer 2 blockchain?
Robinhood’s Layer 2 blockchain is built on the Arbitrum network to enhance Ethereum’s speed and reduce transaction costs. It supports tokenized assets and enables 24/7 trading with self-custody options.
Are tokenized stocks real shares?
No. Tokenized stocks are digital representations of real equities but do not confer ownership rights like traditional shares. They allow trading exposure without direct stock ownership.
Can I stake any cryptocurrency on Robinhood?
Currently, staking is available only for Ethereum and Solana. More cryptocurrencies may be added in the future based on regulatory approval and network compatibility.
Is perpetual futures trading available in the U.S.?
Not yet. The initial launch of crypto perpetual futures is targeted at European markets. U.S. availability will depend on regulatory developments.
How does Arbitrum improve Ethereum?
Arbitrum increases Ethereum’s scalability by processing transactions off-chain and settling final results on the mainnet—resulting in faster speeds and lower fees.
Will there be fees for tokenized stock trading?
No commission fees or added spreads will apply for eligible European users trading tokenized U.S. stocks on the Arbitrum network.
The Future Is Converged Finance
Robinhood’s latest roadmap isn’t just about adding new features—it’s about redefining what a financial platform can be. By merging traditional investing with decentralized infrastructure, it’s creating a hybrid model that could become the standard for next-generation fintech.
With crypto staking, perpetual futures, tokenized assets, and a scalable Layer 2 foundation, Robinhood is no longer just an app for buying stocks. It’s evolving into a unified gateway for global finance—one where borders blur, markets never close, and powerful tools are within reach of every investor.
👉 Join the financial revolution—experience seamless access to crypto and beyond.