Robinhood is no stranger to disrupting financial markets, but its latest wave of announcements made at the “Robinhood Presents: To Catch a Token” event in Cannes, France, signals the company’s boldest move yet into the world of blockchain-powered finance. From tokenized stocks and staking to perpetual futures and its own Layer 2 blockchain, Robinhood is transforming into a one-stop-shop for both traditional and crypto-savvy investors. These changes don’t just mark a shift in Robinhood’s business model, they have the potential to reshape how retail investors interact with the broader financial ecosystem.
Here’s a breakdown of everything Robinhood announced, what it means, and why it’s so significant.
Tokenized Equities Launch in the EU
One of the most groundbreaking announcements from Cannes was Robinhood’s launch of over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs exclusively for European Union (EU) investors. These tokenized equities offer 24/5 trading access and come with the ability to receive dividends directly through the app.
This development is massive. For the first time, everyday European investors can gain fractionalized access to major U.S. equities like Apple, Tesla, and even private firms like OpenAI and SpaceX via the blockchain. Tokenization allows these assets to be split into smaller, more affordable units, making high-value stocks more accessible than ever before.
Initially, these tokenized equities are being issued on Arbitrum, a popular Ethereum Layer 2 solution. However, Robinhood has confirmed that the tokens will eventually migrate to its own proprietary Layer 2 blockchain, signaling the start of its transition from platform to protocol.
Robinhood’s Proprietary Layer 2 Blockchain
Robinhood’s announcement of a forthcoming Layer 2 blockchain marks a significant step toward technological independence. Built on Ethereum, this chain will eventually host Robinhood’s tokenized equities, crypto trading, and other on-chain services.
Why is this important? By building its own blockchain, Robinhood can lower transaction fees, increase settlement speed, and optimize the user experience all while reducing reliance on third-party infrastructure. This not only gives the company more control over its operations but also positions it as a serious player in the blockchain infrastructure race, competing with networks like Base and Polygon.
In the long run, this blockchain could also become a platform for developers, institutions, or partners looking to issue financial assets in a secure, regulated, and high-performance environment.
Perpetual Futures for EU Users
Another major announcement was the launch of crypto perpetual futures (or “perps”) for EU customers. These advanced derivatives products allow users to speculate on the price of cryptocurrencies with no expiry date, and they’re increasingly popular among professional and retail traders alike.
What makes this particularly strategic is that the futures will be routed through Bitstamp—an exchange Robinhood recently acquired. This move not only utilizes existing regulatory licenses and liquidity but also strengthens the synergy between Robinhood’s acquisition strategy and product roadmap.
By launching perpetuals in the EU first, Robinhood is capitalizing on the region’s clearer regulatory framework for crypto derivatives, setting a precedent for what could eventually expand into other regions.
ETH and SOL Staking for U.S. Users
Back in the U.S., Robinhood finally rolled out long-anticipated staking support for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). Eligible U.S. users can now stake their assets directly through the app and earn passive income.
This feature puts Robinhood on par with major competitors like Coinbase and Kraken in offering crypto yield products. More importantly, it shows the company is not backing down from the staking conversation, even as the SEC continues to scrutinize such services.
For users, this means an easier and more secure way to participate in blockchain networks without needing to leave the Robinhood ecosystem. For Robinhood, it opens a new stream of revenue and boosts user engagement by adding long-term incentives to hold crypto on the platform.
Crypto Rewards with the Robinhood Gold Card
Starting this fall, Robinhood Gold Credit Card holders in the U.S. will be able to automatically convert their cashback rewards into cryptocurrency. This feature adds a whole new layer of utility to the Gold Card and further connects Robinhood’s traditional finance offerings with its crypto ambitions.
While crypto rewards aren’t a completely new concept, Robinhood’s execution is especially streamlined. Users won’t need to transfer funds or make manual purchases—the app will handle everything on autopilot. It’s yet another way Robinhood is lowering the barrier to crypto adoption, particularly among users who are already using its traditional financial products.
Why These Moves Are a Big Deal for Robinhood
These announcements collectively represent a major transformation for Robinhood. Rather than simply being a brokerage for stocks and crypto, the company is evolving into a comprehensive financial ecosystem built on blockchain rails.
Expansion and Differentiation
With the rollout of tokenized equities, derivatives, and staking, Robinhood is no longer just a trading app, it’s a one-stop financial hub for both traditional and crypto-native users. This diversified offering sets it apart from competitors and could drive substantial growth in new markets.
First-Mover Advantage
Robinhood is one of the first major platforms to offer scalable, blockchain-based access to both public and private equities. That kind of innovation gives it a strong competitive edge as tokenization becomes more mainstream.
Investor Confidence
Following the Cannes announcements, Robinhood’s stock surged to new highs. That momentum reflects market confidence in the company’s strategy and potential to lead in this next wave of fintech evolution.
New Revenue Streams
The introduction of perpetuals, staking, and tokenized trading opens up multiple new revenue opportunities, from trading fees to blockchain infrastructure monetization.
Impact on the Broader Crypto Ecosystem
While these moves are huge for Robinhood, they also carry wider implications for the entire crypto space.
Mainstreaming Tokenization
Robinhood has millions of users and significant brand recognition. By offering tokenized assets through such a well-known platform, it brings legitimacy and visibility to blockchain-based investing like never before.
Democratizing Finance
Tokenization enables fractional ownership, breaking down barriers that previously kept retail investors out of elite asset classes like private equity or expensive U.S. stocks.
Merging TradFi and DeFi
With cross-chain bridges, staking, and self-custody options in the pipeline, Robinhood is helping blur the lines between traditional finance and decentralized finance—creating a hybrid financial future.
Setting Industry Standards
Robinhood’s adoption of tokenization and its investment in proprietary infrastructure may force other fintechs and exchanges to follow suit, driving further innovation across the industry.
Global Reach
With access to over 30 EU/EEA countries and a rapidly expanding global user base, Robinhood could unlock billions in new capital inflow and reshape how financial assets are accessed worldwide.
Conclusion
Robinhood’s Cannes event wasn’t just a product showcase, it was a declaration of intent. The company is signaling that it intends to lead the convergence of traditional finance and crypto by offering cutting-edge, blockchain-powered tools to users across the globe. Whether through tokenized equities, staking, derivatives, or its own blockchain infrastructure, Robinhood is betting big on a future where finance is more open, more accessible, and fully on-chain.
