Robinhood, the fintech platform known for democratizing financial markets, made headlines on June 30, 2025, with a major product launch event in Cannes, France—Robinhood Presents: to Catch a Token. The event marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital finance, as Robinhood unveiled a comprehensive suite of new offerings that bridge traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems.
At the core of these innovations lies a bold vision: transforming Robinhood from a retail investment app into a global, blockchain-powered financial super app. With initiatives spanning stock tokenization, crypto staking, AI-driven insights, and its own Layer 2 blockchain—Robinhood Chain—the company is positioning itself at the forefront of the real-world asset (RWA) revolution.
This article explores Robinhood’s latest advancements, their implications for investors, and how they align with broader trends in financial technology.
🌍 Tokenized Stocks and ETFs in the European Union
One of the most significant announcements was the launch of tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs for eligible customers in the European Union. This move represents one of the first large-scale integrations of traditional equities into decentralized finance (DeFi), setting a precedent for global RWA adoption.
Eligible users can now invest in over 200 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs through blockchain-based tokens. These digital assets offer several key benefits:
- Zero commission trading (though other fees may apply)
- 24/5 market access, enabling trading outside traditional U.S. market hours
- Direct dividend distribution within the Robinhood app
- Built on Arbitrum, ensuring low-cost and fast transactions
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The initial deployment occurs on Arbitrum, but Robinhood has confirmed that these tokenized securities will eventually migrate to its upcoming Layer 2 blockchain: Robinhood Chain, which is being purpose-built for real-world asset settlement.
This transition signals Robinhood’s long-term commitment to decentralization while maintaining regulatory compliance in major markets.
Upcoming: Crypto Perpetual Futures in Europe
In addition to tokenized stocks, Robinhood is preparing to introduce crypto perpetual futures contracts in the EU. Designed for eligible traders seeking leveraged exposure, these derivatives will offer up to 3x leverage and continuous trading without expiration dates.
To reduce complexity often associated with derivatives trading, Robinhood has developed an intuitive interface that simplifies position sizing and margin management. Orders will be routed through Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange, ensuring reliable execution and liquidity.
The feature is expected to roll out fully by late summer 2025.
🇺🇸 Crypto Staking Launches in the United States
Expanding its crypto services, Robinhood announced the upcoming availability of staking for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) for eligible U.S. customers. This marks a major step in offering yield-generating opportunities directly within the app.
Staking allows users to earn rewards by helping secure proof-of-stake blockchains. By integrating staking natively, Robinhood enhances its value proposition beyond simple trading, encouraging longer-term engagement with digital assets.
Notably, this service will also be available to users across the European Economic Area (EEA), creating a unified staking experience globally.
🔧 Enhanced Crypto Trading Features
Beyond core product launches, Robinhood introduced a series of upgrades aimed at improving the overall trading experience:
Instant Crypto Deposit Rewards
For a limited time, users in the U.S. and EU who deposit crypto into their Robinhood accounts receive a 1% bonus. If total deposits reach $500 million, the reward will double to 2%, incentivizing early participation.
Robinhood Gold Crypto Credit Card
The Robinhood Gold credit card offers cashback across all purchase categories. Starting in fall 2025, users can automatically convert rewards into cryptocurrency, seamlessly integrating crypto into everyday spending.
Cortex: AI-Powered Investment Insights
Later this year, Robinhood will launch Cortex, an AI-driven investment assistant. Available first to Robinhood Gold members, Cortex delivers real-time market analysis, trend detection, and event-based insights directly on token detail pages—helping users make informed decisions faster.
Smart Exchange Routing
Robinhood’s new smart routing system evaluates multiple partner exchanges to ensure users get the best available price for their trades. Soon, all routed orders will qualify for volume-based fee tiers—meaning higher traders enjoy lower rates based on their past 30-day activity. API support is coming soon.
Tax Lot Selection
U.S. users can now view and select specific tax lots when selling crypto—a crucial tool for tax optimization. This feature empowers investors to use strategies like tax-loss harvesting or FIFO/LIFO accounting with greater precision.
Advanced Charts on Mobile
Highly anticipated advanced charting tools, currently available on desktop via Robinhood Legend, are coming to mobile devices. The rollout begins with stocks and expands to cryptocurrencies in August 2025.
🌐 Introducing Robinhood Chain: A Blockchain for Real-World Assets
The centerpiece of Robinhood’s strategy is Robinhood Chain, a permissionless Layer 2 blockchain currently under development. Built using Arbitrum’s Orbit stack, it’s designed specifically for the issuance, trading, and settlement of real-world assets (RWAs)—from public equities and private securities to global financial instruments.
Key features include:
- 24/7 trading capabilities
- Seamless cross-chain bridging
- Self-custody support
- Regulatory-compliant infrastructure
- Optimized throughput for high-frequency asset transfers
Once live, Robinhood Chain will serve as the foundational layer for all tokenized products, enabling fast, low-cost, and secure transactions while maintaining alignment with financial regulations.
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This initiative places Robinhood alongside institutional players like BlackRock and Securitize in advancing the tokenization of traditional finance—but with a consumer-first approach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are tokenized stocks?
A: Tokenized stocks are blockchain-based representations of real company shares. They allow investors to gain exposure to equities like Apple or Tesla without owning the underlying stock directly, enabling faster settlement and extended trading hours.
Q: Is crypto staking available to all users?
A: Staking for Ethereum and Solana will be available to eligible users in the U.S. and EEA. Eligibility depends on account status, location, and regulatory requirements.
Q: When will Robinhood Chain launch?
A: While no official date has been set, Robinhood confirmed development is underway with plans for a phased rollout starting later in 2025.
Q: Are there risks with perpetual futures?
A: Yes—perpetual futures involve leverage, which amplifies both gains and losses. They are suited for experienced traders who understand margin requirements and liquidation risks.
Q: How does smart exchange routing benefit me?
A: It ensures your orders are executed at the best possible price across multiple exchanges, improving fill rates and reducing slippage—especially beneficial during volatile markets.
Q: Can I use tax lot selection for all crypto sales?
A: Yes—U.S. customers can choose which cost basis to apply when selling crypto, giving greater control over capital gains reporting.
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Final Thoughts
Robinhood’s latest wave of innovation reflects a strategic pivot toward becoming a hybrid financial platform—merging traditional investing with blockchain-native capabilities. From tokenized stocks in Europe to staking in the U.S. and the development of its own Layer 2 chain, Robinhood is building the infrastructure for a more accessible, efficient, and inclusive financial system.
As real-world asset tokenization gains momentum, platforms like Robinhood play a crucial role in bringing institutional-grade financial products to everyday investors.
By focusing on usability, compliance, and seamless integration, Robinhood isn’t just following trends—it’s helping define the future of finance.
Core Keywords: tokenized stocks, Robinhood Chain, crypto staking, real-world assets (RWA), Layer 2 blockchain, crypto perpetual futures, AI investment assistant, tax lot selection