Key Takeaways
- Robinhood launched tokenized U.S. stocks, crypto futures, and staking across the EU and U.S. in 2025.
- The platform is building Robinhood Chain to support 24/7 trading and asset self-custody.
- Tokenized stocks offer price tracking and dividends but no voting rights or direct ownership.
- Crypto futures and staking expand Robinhood’s appeal to both active and passive crypto users.
Robinhood changed the game of retail investing in 2015 with one idea: commission-free trading. From the start, the platform focused on democratizing investing by breaking down traditional barriers and giving everyday people access to financial markets.
Over time, it expanded beyond stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to include options and cryptocurrency, reflecting its broader push into digital assets.
Now, the company is taking its strategy further. It has launched a new range of tools and services aimed at both retail and advanced traders. These updates reflect a shift toward crypto-native finance and signal Robinhood’s plans to compete in a fast-moving market.
This article explores Robinhood’s offerings, including tokenized stocks, crypto futures, staking options, and the launch of its own layer-2 blockchain. It explains what these offerings mean for investors in the EU and U.S., how they work, the risks involved, and how Robinhood compares to Coinbase.
Robinhood’s New Offerings You Need to Know: A Quick Overview
In mid-2025, Robinhood introduced a full slate of crypto-driven features that mark a clear shift toward blockchain-based finance.
- Tokenized U.S. stocks (EU only): European users can now trade tokenized versions of over 200 top U.S. stocks like Apple, Nvidia, Apple, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and Microsoft. These tokens offer zero commission fees and dividend payouts.
- Robinhood Chain (layer-2): Built on Arbitrum technology, Robinhood is developing its own Layer-2 blockchain to support tokenized trading. While the initial stock tokens are hosted on Arbitrum, the upcoming Robinhood Chain aims to lower costs, enable 24/7 trading, and allow asset self-custody.
- Crypto perpetual futures (EU only): Robinhood offers crypto perpetual futures to eligible users in Europe. These contracts let users trade assets like Bitcoin at any time, with no expiration, directly in the app.
- Crypto staking (ETH and SOL): U.S. users can now stake Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) through the app, joining EU users who already had access. This gives users the ability to earn passive income in crypto without managing complicated decentralized finance (DeFi) tools.
- Shift toward crypto-native finance: These new launches show Robinhood’s move toward a blockchain-based model. By adding tokenized stocks, staking, futures, and its own blockchain, the company is turning crypto into a core part of everyday investing.
Robinhood’s Blockchain Strategy: Why It Matters
Robinhood is shifting its trading system onto blockchain to speed up trades. The strategy includes:
- Always-on trading: Stocks trade only 6.5 hours a day. With tokenized assets, Robinhood can extend that to 24/7. Vlad Tenev said the EU might get 24/7 stock trading first, calling it a shame if the U.S. falls behind.
- Faster and cheaper settlement: Blockchain enables near-instant trade settlement, as Robinhood pointed out in its SEC filing. Without clearinghouses, costs drop. Arbitrum also helps keep fees low and speeds high.
- Fractional and global access: Assets on-chain can be split and traded anywhere. Robinhood already offers fractional stock tokens. A user could buy 0.1 of a share at 2 AM without needing a U.S. broker.
- Blending with crypto: Tokenized stocks could work in DeFi if investors use them as collateral or trade on these platforms.
What Tokenized Stocks Mean for Investors
Tokenized stocks give investors new ways to access the market, offering the following:
- Trade flexibility: Investors can respond to global events any time during the week without waiting for U.S. market hours.
- Access to private firms: Robinhood plans to launch tokens linked to companies like OpenAI and SpaceX for users in Europe, opening a door that was once limited to VCs.
- Dividend payouts: Token holders may receive dividend-linked payments, depending on how the underlying assets are structured in the special-purpose vehicle.
- No wallet required: Users trade directly in the Robinhood app without managing crypto wallets or private keys.
- Low-cost model: Commission-free trading and efficient blockchain execution help users avoid typical brokerage and spread fees.
The Hidden Risks of Tokenized Stocks
Tokenized stocks offer access and convenience, but they also come with limits investors should know:
- No voting rights: Token holders cannot vote on company matters.
- No direct ownership: Assets are held through a special-purpose vehicle, not by the user.
- Limited liquidity: Trading may slow down during off-hours.
- Regulatory uncertainty: Rules can vary and may confuse new users.
How Staking Expands Robinhood’s Crypto Offerings
Robinhood now lets users earn passive income through Ethereum and Solana staking, available in both the U.S. and EU. The rollout simplifies what has traditionally been a complex process.
- In-app staking: Users can stake ETH or SOL directly from their Robinhood wallet. No technical knowledge or DeFi experience needed.
- Passive income made easy: Staking allows users to earn rewards without trading. It suits long-term holders who prefer accumulating assets quietly.
- No third-party wallets: Robinhood handles delegation, validator selection, and compounding, minimizing barriers for new users.
This feature keeps Robinhood competitive with platforms like Coinbase and Kraken. By folding staking into its existing app, Robinhood caters to passive investors who want to stay in the ecosystem without needing outside tools.
What Crypto Perpetual Futures Mean for Investors in EU
Crypto perpetual futures give experienced traders more tools to manage exposure and profit from price movements. Robinhood now offers these products in the EU.
- Around-the-clock trading: Unlike stocks, these contracts trade 24/7.
- Leverage up to 3x: EU users can amplify positions with margin, going long or short on digital assets, with liquidity partly supported by Bitstamp.
- No expiry: Perpetual contracts remain open as long as the margin is maintained.
- In-app access: Trades happen inside the Robinhood interface, with position management designed for retail use.
While only EU users have access for now, U.S. platforms like Coinbase offer similar offerings under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)’s oversight. Futures bring a layer of control and strategy to Robinhood’s crypto offerings that was previously missing.
Are Crypto Futures Risky?
These contracts are powerful, but they carry elevated risk, especially for beginners.
- Volatility and leverage: A 10% market swing can liquidate a 3× leveraged position quickly.
- 24/7 exposure: No pause button. Positions can move sharply while traders sleep.
- Complex mechanics: Margin calls, funding rates, and liquidation thresholds are not always intuitive.
- Limited guardrails: Regulatory rules vary by region, and investor protections differ.
Futures are best used by those who understand risk. While Robinhood simplifies the user interface, it does not eliminate the need for trading discipline.
How Robinhood Compares to Coinbase
Both Robinhood and Coinbase have entered the same crypto-native race from opposite directions. Robinhood started with traditional equities and now adds blockchain tools. Coinbase began with crypto and is building toward tokenized finance. Each platform plays to its strengths, shaped by different regulatory strategies and user bases.
| Features |
Robinhood |
Coinbase |
| Core origin |
Equities-first platform |
Crypto-native platform |
| Blockchain project |
Robinhood Chain (future) |
Base blockchain (2023) |
| Tokenized equities |
Proposal submitted to SEC |
In development |
| Futures offering |
EU only |
U.S. approved by CFTC |
| Unique strengths |
Commission-free tokenized stocks |
DeFi, NFTs, large token support |
| Traditional products |
Stocks, ETFs, options available |
Focused on crypto only |
Regulatory Landscape for Tokenized Assets and Futures in EU and US
The legal framework shapes what platforms can offer and where.
- In the EU: The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) provides a unified structure for crypto services. Robinhood operates under a license from Lithuania, covering tokenized stocks, staking, and futures across the EEA.
- In the U.S.: Rules remain fragmented. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved tokenized equities. Robinhood’s proposal aims to define them as real shares.
- Futures oversight: Coinbase received CFTC approval to offer crypto perpetuals. Robinhood has not yet pursued this in the U.S.
- GENIUS Act (2025): The new federal law regulates stablecoins and hints at broader crypto legislation. It reflects a shift toward clearer policy but doesn’t yet cover tokenized stocks.
Europe remains the testbed. U.S. rollout will depend on how regulators respond to proposals like Robinhood’s.
Conclusion
Robinhood now offers tokenized stocks, crypto futures, and staking. These tools give users more ways to trade and earn directly in the app, without needing extra platforms.
Its new blockchain, Robinhood Chain, will support faster trades, 24-hour access, and self-custody. This marks a clear shift toward crypto-based investing.
There are still limits, like no voting rights or full ownership. But Robinhood is moving fast to bring digital assets into everyday trading.
FAQs
Tokenized stocks on Robinhood are blockchain-based versions of public U.S. companies and select private firms like SpaceX. They reflect price movements and dividends but do not carry voting rights. These assets are available to eligible users in the EU, with trading support on Arbitrum. U.S. access depends on future SEC approval.
Dividends from tokenized stocks are reflected as cash payouts inside the Robinhood app. While the underlying asset may pay a dividend, users receive equivalent distributions in fiat or stablecoins, not on-chain tokens. Timing depends on the issuer and may not exactly match traditional payout schedules.
U.S. users can stake Ethereum and Solana from $1, with Robinhood managing delegation and compounding for 3–8% APY. Robinhood takes a 15% commission on staking rewards, which slightly reduces net yields compared to direct DeFi staking.
Robinhood is developing its own Layer 2 blockchain. It will support tokenized assets, reduce fees, and offer users the option of self-custody. While Arbitrum hosts the current tokens, Robinhood Chain will run independently and is designed specifically for real-world assets.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Dr. Lorena Nessi is an award-winning journalist and media technology expert with 15 years of experience in digital culture and communication. Based in Oxfordshire, UK, she combines academic insight with hands-on media practice.
She holds a PhD in Communication, Sociology, and Digital Cultures, and an MA in Globalization, Identity, and Technology.
Lorena has taught at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Oxford. She is a former producer for the BBC in London, with additional experience creating television content in Mexico and Japan.
Her research focuses on digital cultures, social media, technology, capitalism, and the societal impact of blockchain innovation.
She has written extensively on digital media and emerging technologies, with her work featured in both academic and media platforms. Her Web3 expertise explores how blockchain technologies shape culture, economics, and decentralized systems.
Outside of work, Lorena enjoys reading science fiction, playing strategic board games, traveling, and chasing adventures that get her heart racing. A perfect day ends with a relaxing spa and a good family meal.
Easy 
