The landscape of digital finance is evolving rapidly, and Robinhood is at the forefront of this transformation. In a bold move to redefine access to global markets, the fintech giant has announced a major expansion of its services in the European Union (EU). At the Robinhood Presents: To Catch a Token event in Cannes, France, CEO and chairman Vlad Tenev unveiled a suite of new financial products designed to bridge traditional investing with blockchain innovation.
This strategic shift marks Robinhood’s evolution from a crypto-focused platform into a comprehensive investment hub—offering tokenized U.S. stocks, crypto perpetual futures, staking options, and AI-driven insights—all under one intuitive app.
Tokenized U.S. Stocks Now Available in the EU
Eligible European investors can now gain exposure to over 200 U.S. equities and ETFs through Robinhood Stock Tokens. These digital representations of real-world assets allow users to trade shares like Apple, Tesla, or S&P 500 ETFs without owning the underlying stock directly.
What sets this offering apart is its cost-efficiency: Robinhood applies zero commissions and adds no extra spreads on trades. This makes it one of the most accessible gateways for EU residents to participate in the U.S. stock market.
Stock token holders will also receive dividend payments directly within the app, ensuring a seamless experience that mirrors traditional brokerage services. The tokens are initially being issued on Arbitrum, a high-performance Ethereum Layer-2 (L2) network known for fast transactions and low fees.
Looking ahead, Robinhood is building its own L2 blockchain based on Arbitrum technology. This custom chain will be optimized specifically for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and support features such as:
- 24/7 trading availability
- Seamless cross-chain bridging
- Self-custody capabilities
By leveraging blockchain infrastructure, Robinhood aims to deliver faster settlements, enhanced transparency, and greater control for users—hallmarks of decentralized finance (DeFi) now applied to mainstream investing.
Crypto Perpetual Futures Launch Across Europe
In another significant development, Robinhood has rolled out crypto perpetual futures for eligible customers in the EU. These derivative contracts offer continuous exposure to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Solana (SOL), and XRP—with up to 3x leverage.
Perpetual futures do not have an expiration date, allowing traders to maintain long or short positions indefinitely. This flexibility appeals to both active traders and those seeking hedging strategies in volatile markets.
All orders are routed through Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange, following Robinhood’s $200 million acquisition of the Luxembourg-based crypto exchange earlier in June 2025. That purchase brought more than 50 regulatory licenses and registrations worldwide, significantly accelerating Robinhood’s ability to offer compliant crypto services across jurisdictions.
The full rollout of perpetual futures is expected by the end of summer 2025, giving European users unprecedented access to leveraged crypto trading via a trusted, regulated platform.
Staking Comes to U.S. Customers
While crypto staking has been available to EU and EEA users since last year, Robinhood is now extending this feature to eligible U.S. customers, starting with Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL).
Staking allows users to earn passive income by locking up their crypto to help secure proof-of-stake blockchains. With rising interest in yield-generating opportunities, this move aligns with growing investor demand for accessible DeFi-like returns without complex technical setups.
To incentivize early participation, Robinhood is offering a limited-time 1% deposit boost for users who transfer crypto into their accounts. If total deposits reach $500 million, the bonus will double to 2%—a compelling reward that encourages community engagement and platform adoption.
Introducing Cortex: AI-Powered Investment Insights
Later this year, Robinhood plans to launch Cortex, an AI-driven investing assistant designed to simplify market analysis. A select group of users will gain early access to curated insights, trend identification, and real-time event-driven analytics.
“Cortex is built to help customers quickly understand price movements and market shifts,” said Tenev. By processing vast amounts of data—from social sentiment to macroeconomic indicators—the tool aims to empower retail investors with institutional-grade intelligence.
This integration of artificial intelligence underscores Robinhood’s commitment to making sophisticated financial tools accessible to everyday users.
Strategic Acquisitions Fuel Growth
Robinhood’s aggressive expansion isn’t happening in isolation. The company has strengthened its position through key acquisitions:
- Bitstamp ($200 million): A regulated European crypto exchange with deep liquidity and compliance infrastructure.
- WonderFi ($179 million): Operator of regulated crypto platforms in North America, enhancing Robinhood’s reach and operational resilience.
These moves reflect a broader strategy: combining regulatory compliance with cutting-edge technology to create a unified financial ecosystem.
Johann Kerbrat, General Manager and SVP of Robinhood Crypto, emphasized the mission: “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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are tokenized stock tokens?
Tokenized stock tokens represent ownership in real U.S. stocks but exist as digital assets on a blockchain. They enable 24/7 trading, instant settlement, and dividend payouts—all within the Robinhood app.
Are Robinhood Stock Tokens safe?
Yes. These tokens are backed 1:1 by actual shares held in custody and comply with EU financial regulations. They’re issued on secure blockchain networks like Arbitrum.
Can I trade crypto futures with leverage on Robinhood?
Yes. Eligible EU users can access crypto perpetual futures with up to 3x leverage. Orders are executed via Bitstamp’s regulated exchange infrastructure.
Is staking available for U.S. customers?
Yes. U.S.-eligible users can now stake Ethereum and Solana directly through the Robinhood app and earn rewards over time.
When will Cortex be available to all users?
Cortex will launch later in 2025. Initial access will be granted to a small group before expanding widely.
How does Robinhood’s L2 blockchain benefit users?
The upcoming L2 chain will support faster transactions, lower fees, self-custody options, and seamless interoperability—key advantages for tokenized asset trading.
The Bigger Picture: Democratizing Global Finance
Since launching crypto trading in 2018, Robinhood has steadily expanded its footprint. Recent additions like micro futures contracts for BTC, SOL, and XRP—launched on June 27—allow traders with smaller capital to enter the derivatives market.
Now, with tokenized stocks, staking, AI analytics, and leveraged crypto products, Robinhood is becoming a true all-in-one investment platform powered by crypto.
Core keywords naturally integrated throughout: Robinhood, crypto futures, stock tokens, tokenized assets, Ethereum, Solana, blockchain, staking.
As financial boundaries blur between traditional markets and blockchain-based systems, platforms like Robinhood are leading the charge in making advanced tools accessible, intuitive, and globally inclusive.