Robinhood is redefining the future of digital finance with a bold new wave of innovations. At its flagship event To Catch a Token in Cannes, France, the financial platform unveiled a comprehensive expansion of its crypto and investment offerings—bringing tokenized stocks, perpetual futures, staking, and a proprietary Layer 2 blockchain into the spotlight. These advancements signal a strategic shift toward making global investing more accessible, seamless, and powered by blockchain technology.
Tokenized Stocks and ETFs: Bridging US Markets to European Investors
For the first time, eligible investors across the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) can gain exposure to US stock and ETF tokens directly through the Robinhood app. This launch transforms Robinhood’s European platform from a crypto-only app into a full-fledged, all-in-one investment hub.
The initial offering includes over 200 tokenized US equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), allowing EU users to trade major American companies with zero commissions or added spreads from Robinhood. While other fees may apply, this model significantly lowers barriers to entry for international investors.
Key benefits of Robinhood’s stock tokens:
- Dividend support: Token holders receive dividend payments directly in their app.
- 24/5 access: Trade outside traditional US market hours for greater flexibility.
- Real ownership representation: Each token is backed by actual shares held in custody.
Initially issued on Arbitrum, these tokens will eventually migrate to Robinhood’s own Layer 2 blockchain, currently under development. Built on Arbitrum’s technology stack, this custom L2 is purpose-built for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and optimized for high throughput, low latency, and seamless cross-chain interoperability.
“This blockchain will power 24/7 trading, enable self-custody, and allow frictionless bridging across ecosystems,” said Johann Kerbrat, GM and SVP of Robinhood Crypto. “We’re making crypto as easy to use as any mainstream financial tool.”
Crypto Perpetual Futures Now Live in the EU
Active traders in Europe now have access to crypto perpetual futures, a popular derivative instrument offering continuous exposure without expiry dates. Robinhood’s implementation includes up to 3x leverage, designed to balance risk and opportunity for retail investors.
What sets Robinhood apart is its simplified interface—engineered to demystify complex trading mechanics. Users can easily set position sizes, manage margin requirements, and monitor open positions with intuitive controls.
All perpetual futures orders are routed through Bitstamp’s dedicated futures exchange, ensuring deep liquidity and competitive pricing. The rollout will be fully completed for eligible EU customers by the end of summer 2025.
This move positions Robinhood as a serious contender in the competitive European crypto derivatives market, appealing to both novice and experienced traders seeking advanced tools within a user-friendly environment.
Crypto Staking Expands to US Customers
In a major upgrade for US-based investors, Robinhood has launched crypto staking for eligible customers. The service begins with support for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), two of the most widely held proof-of-stake blockchains.
By staking their assets, users contribute to network security and consensus while earning competitive reward rates in return—all without leaving the Robinhood app. The feature emphasizes ease of use: one-click staking, automatic reward compounding, and real-time yield tracking.
Staking has long been available to EU and EEA users; its introduction in the US marks a significant step toward feature parity across regions. However, availability varies by state due to regulatory constraints.
“Our goal is to bring powerful blockchain utilities into one intuitive platform,” Kerbrat added. “Staking isn’t just about rewards—it’s about participation in decentralized networks.”
Expanded Product Suite Enhances Trading Experience
Beyond core launches, Robinhood rolled out several enhancements to deepen user engagement and improve trading efficiency:
Instant Boost on Crypto Deposits
For a limited time, both US and EU users who transfer crypto from external wallets into Robinhood can earn a 1% deposit boost, payable in cash (US) or crypto (EU). If total net deposits across the platform exceed $500 million during the promotion period, the bonus doubles to 2%.
Note: Bonus funds are subject to vesting periods and eligibility rules.
Robinhood Gold Credit Card Rewards
Launching this fall, the Robinhood Gold Credit Card will let US cardholders earn cash back on all purchases—and automatically reinvest those rewards into crypto. Cardholders must maintain an active Robinhood Gold subscription.
Cortex for Crypto: AI-Powered Insights
Later in 2025, Robinhood Cortex, an AI-driven investing assistant, will debut for Gold members. It will deliver curated insights, trend analysis, and real-time event alerts directly on token detail pages—helping users understand price movements faster.
Smart Exchange Routing
Orders placed via Smart Exchange Routing are evaluated across multiple partner exchanges to secure the best available price. Soon, frequent traders will benefit from dynamic fee tiers based on their trailing 30-day volume.
Tax Lot Control
US users can now select specific tax lots when selling crypto—a crucial tool for cost-basis optimization and tax-efficient investing strategies.
Advanced Charts on Mobile
Coming in August, advanced charting capabilities from Robinhood Legend will roll out to mobile devices, starting with equities and expanding to crypto shortly after.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are stock tokens?
A: Stock tokens are blockchain-based representations of real-world stocks or ETFs. They allow investors to gain exposure to assets like Apple or S&P 500 ETFs with added benefits such as 24/5 trading and dividend distribution.
Q: Is staking available in all US states?
A: No. Crypto staking is not available in every state due to varying regulatory frameworks. Eligibility depends on your location and account status.
Q: How does perpetual futures trading work on Robinhood?
A: Perpetual futures are derivative contracts with no expiration date. Robinhood offers up to 3x leverage in the EU, with orders executed via Bitstamp’s futures exchange for reliable pricing and execution.
Q: Will Robinhood’s Layer 2 blockchain be open source?
A: While details are still emerging, Robinhood has indicated that its L2 will prioritize interoperability and developer accessibility—though final governance and access models have not yet been disclosed.
Q: Are tokenized stocks FDIC or SIPC insured?
A: No. Like other crypto products, tokenized stocks are not covered by FDIC or SIPC protection. Investors should be aware of associated risks before participating.
Q: Can I withdraw my deposit bonus immediately?
A: In the EU, bonus crypto cannot be traded or withdrawn for one year. In the US, bonuses may be subject to clawback under certain conditions—review full terms before depositing.
The Road Ahead: A Unified Financial Ecosystem
With these announcements, Robinhood is no longer just a commission-free brokerage—it’s evolving into a global financial ecosystem powered by blockchain. From tokenizing real-world assets to integrating AI-driven insights and decentralized staking, the platform is building bridges between traditional finance and Web3.
Core keywords driving this transformation include: stock tokens, Layer 2 blockchain, crypto staking, perpetual futures, tokenized assets, Robinhood Crypto, EU crypto expansion, and real-world asset tokenization.
As adoption grows, platforms like Robinhood are setting new standards for accessibility, innovation, and user-centric design in digital finance.
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