In a major announcement at its “To Catch a Token” keynote event in Cannes, Robinhood revealed an ambitious expansion into blockchain infrastructure and tokenized finance.
The online brokerage and fintech leader is developing its own Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain, initially leveraging the Arbitrum network.
Robinhood aims to launch a permissionless Layer 2 chain in 2026, with development underway.
The strategic move positions Robinhood as more than a trading platform, it now seeks to become a major infrastructure player in the Web3 ecosystem, bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized technologies.
Tokenized Stocks and ETFs Open New Avenues for European Traders
One of the most impactful announcements was Robinhood’s plan to launch access to over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETF tokens for its European user base.
These tokenized assets will allow eligible investors to receive dividend payments directly through the Robinhood app, offering a seamless, blockchain-based alternative to traditional equity trading.
By the end of 2025, Robinhood expects to expand the offering to over 2,000 tokenized securities.
The tokens will initially be hosted on Arbitrum, a popular Layer 2 Ethereum scaling solution, before transitioning to Robinhood’s own chain, creating a scalable and efficient path to tokenized equity trading.
Robinhood Blockchain to Launch on Arbitrum Stack, Then Transition
Robinhood’s upcoming blockchain will be built on Arbitrum’s tech stack, initially launching on Arbitrum One before migrating fully to its proprietary Layer 2.
The strategy enables Robinhood to enter the blockchain space quickly while building out its own infrastructure in parallel.
Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood Crypto’s VP and General Manager, confirmed the blockchain will be permissionless and is slated for release next year.
By building on Arbitrum, Robinhood can tap into an established ecosystem of developers and users, ensuring early compatibility, security, and scalability as it transitions to a standalone network.
Also Read: Robinhood to Launch Blockchain Platform for Tokenized U.S. Stocks in Europe
CEO Vlad Tenev Envisions Tokenization as a Financial Equalizer
Robinhood’s CEO, Vlad Tenev, underscored the transformative potential of tokenization during his keynote speech.
Tenev emphasized that tokenizing real-world assets, from public equities to private shares, could democratize finance and unlock investment opportunities previously limited to institutional players.
“Tokenization is going to open the door to a massive trading revolution,” he said, highlighting the possibilities of fractional ownership and borderless trading.
Notably, Robinhood announced it will offer tokenized shares of private tech giants OpenAI and SpaceX to its European users, marking a landmark first in the tokenization of high-profile, non-public firms.
Also Read: Robinhood Lists Pudgy Penguins, Popcat, and Peanut the Squirrel; Price Surges Past 4%, 16% & 2%
Robinhood Pushes Forward in Crypto Staking and Perpetual Futures
Beyond tokenized stocks, Robinhood is also expanding its crypto product offerings with staking and perpetual futures.
The recent development deepens Robinhood’s commitment to becoming a full-service crypto platform, competing directly with established DeFi protocols and centralized exchanges.
The company’s multi-pronged strategy, launching its own blockchain, expanding asset tokenization, and building out crypto-native financial tools, represents one of the boldest moves yet by a traditional fintech firm into Web3.
As Robinhood blends regulated brokerage services with blockchain innovation, it is poised to reshape how everyday investors access, trade, and interact with financial assets.
Also Read: Robinhood Agrees to Pay $29.75 Million to Settle FINRA Investigation Into Crypto Regulatory Failures