Online brokerage giant Robinhood announced a series of major cryptocurrency-related initiatives on June 30, including:
- Tokenized stocks built on Arbitrum's Layer 2 network
- Plans to develop "Robinhood Chain", a custom Layer 2 blockchain optimized for real-world assets (RWA)
- Free OpenAI and SpaceX tokenized shares for eligible EU users
Tokenized Stocks on Arbitrum
Robinhood will roll out tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs for EU users, powered by Arbitrum. Key features:
- 200+ U.S. equities & ETFs
- 24/5 trading hours (weekdays)
- Zero commission (other fees may apply)
- Dividend support
- Blockchain-based settlement enables seamless cross-border investing
This move allows European investors to access U.S. markets with lower barriers and higher liquidity.
Robinhood Chain: A Dedicated L2 for RWAs
The company is developing its own Layer 2 blockchain using Arbitrum’s tech stack, with features tailored for tokenized assets:
✅ 24/7 trading
✅ Self-custody support
✅ Cross-chain interoperability
Expected launch: Late 2025 or early 2026 (exact date TBD).
👉 Why Arbitrum? Low fees, high speed, and Ethereum compatibility make it ideal for RWA expansion
Expanded Crypto Offerings
Robinhood also introduced:
- Perpetual futures trading in the EU
- ETH & SOL staking in the U.S.
CEO Vlad Tenev stated these efforts aim to "make crypto a pillar of the global financial system."
Free OpenAI & SpaceX Tokenized Shares
Robinhood is gifting €5 worth of tokenized private stocks (OpenAI/SpaceX) to EU users who meet eligibility criteria.
🔹 First-of-its-kind: These represent ownership in pre-IPO companies.
🔹 Promo ends: July 7, 2025
HOOD Stock Hits All-Time High
The announcements propelled Robinhood shares (HOOD) to a record $93.63**, up **12.7%** in a single day. Market cap now stands at **$82.6 billion.
Arbitrum’s ARB token also surged, peaking at $0.384** before stabilizing around **$0.3412.
FAQ
Q: How do I claim free OpenAI/SpaceX shares?
A: Eligible EU users can claim via Robinhood’s promo page before July 7, 2025.
Q: Will Robinhood Chain replace Arbitrum?
A: Eventually, yes. Tokenized stocks will migrate to Robinhood’s L2 after launch.
Q: Are tokenized stocks regulated?
A: Yes, they comply with EU financial laws and mirror traditional securities.
👉 Explore how Robinhood is bridging crypto and traditional finance