Robinhood Introduces Arbitrum-Based Layer 2 and Plans for Tokenized Securities
In a groundbreaking move, Robinhood, the popular commission-free stock trading app, has announced plans to integrate traditional equities, perpetual futures, and staking into its blockchain-based ecosystem. This transformation is set to position Robinhood as a financial super-app, bridging the gap between traditional markets and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The company's strategy includes tokenizing over 200 U.S. stocks and ETFs, making them accessible to European investors for 24/7 trading, fractional ownership, and programmable finance features. This move democratizes access to markets previously inaccessible to retail investors, particularly for illiquid or private assets.
To strengthen its position in the crypto market, Robinhood has acquired Bitstamp, a European crypto exchange, combining institutional-grade crypto trading with a regulated and compliant framework. This acquisition secures regulatory footholds in Europe and Asia, giving Robinhood a competitive edge over pure crypto startups.
Robinhood's new ecosystem will support blockchain-native assets like SUI and expand into perpetual futures and staking to deepen crypto engagement and offer more diversified financial products. In the summer, eligible European customers can expect to access crypto perpetual futures with up to 3× leverage.
In the United States, Robinhood will begin rolling out staking services, starting with Ethereum and Solana. The company has also acquired Canadian digital-asset platform WonderFi, adding custody capabilities and exposure to decentralized-finance tooling.
The new Arbitrum-based ecosystem reflects Robinhood's ambitions to support its cross-border operations. The company aims to inherit Arbitrum's throughput and cost advantages while layering its own compliance and consumer-friendly interfaces on top. Access to the tokenized stocks will initially be provided on Arbitrum, with migration to Robinhood's forthcoming layer 2 once it becomes live.
Robinhood's layered approach, combining regulated tokenized equities, leveraged derivatives, and staking income, positions the firm to compete with established crypto exchanges. The success of Robinhood's strategy will depend on regulatory clarity, user trust in on-chain settlement, and the broker's ability to deliver a seamless experience.
With this strategic integration, Robinhood is betting that mainstream investors want a single gateway for both traditional and blockchain-native instruments. The company places itself firmly in the race to define the next phase of digital finance, aiming to underpin a future in which crypto technology supports the broader financial system rather than operating at its edges.
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