Robinhood Markets is reportedly preparing to launch a blockchain-powered platform that would give retail investors in Europe access to US securities, including equities. According to individuals familiar with the matter, the initiative is likely to materialize through a partnership with an existing digital asset firm, although the final structure and collaborators are still under discussion.
Sources close to the development have indicated that blockchain networks such as Arbitrum, which functions as a layer-two protocol on Ethereum, and Solana, known for its high-speed and low-cost transactions, are both being considered for integration. One of the individuals noted that while talks are ongoing, no binding agreement has yet been reached.
Representatives from Robinhood’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California have refrained from commenting on the initiative. Similarly, Offchain Labs, the entity behind Arbitrum, and the Solana Foundation have not responded to inquiries related to the potential collaboration.
Tokenised Securities Attract Institutional Momentum
The move aligns with a growing industry trend towards tokenised representations of traditional financial assets. Global financial institutions have shown increasing interest in blockchain technology for its potential to reduce the costs of traditional trading infrastructure while offering improved transparency and standardisation across markets.
A study by the Global Financial Markets Association estimates that distributed ledger technologies could deliver annual savings of approximately US$20 billion in global clearing and settlement processes. The momentum around tokenisation has already attracted attention from other players, with Coinbase Global also expressing intent to expand into tokenised securities.
Robinhood Expands European Capabilities
Although Robinhood’s European Union user base currently only has access to cryptocurrency trading, the firm took a significant regulatory step forward by acquiring a brokerage license in Lithuania last month. This approval enables the company to offer broader investment services, including stock trading, across EU member states.
Additionally, Robinhood signed a deal in June last year to acquire crypto exchange Bitstamp. Upon completion, this acquisition would provide Robinhood with the ability to offer crypto-linked derivatives under Bitstamp’s MiFID multilateral trading facility (MTF) license, potentially enhancing its regulatory reach and service offerings in the region.
Leadership Signals Long-Term Digital Asset Strategy
Robinhood’s Chief Executive Officer Vlad Tenev has previously shared the company’s interest in integrating tokenised securities into mainstream finance. In a podcast appearance earlier this year, Tenev suggested that digital representations of US securities could help solidify the country’s competitive position in global capital markets. He also remarked that investing in US companies remains challenging for many overseas investors, and tokenisation could simplify that process.
Robinhood’s exploration of blockchain integration reflects broader interest from financial powerhouses in this emerging space. Major asset managers such as BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Apollo have already launched tokenised investment funds. BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), launched in 2023, has reportedly attracted over US$2 billion in assets, illustrating the strong institutional appetite for tokenised finance.
With a regulatory foothold in Europe and plans to expand its blockchain infrastructure, Robinhood appears poised to play a significant role in shaping the cross-border accessibility of US securities in a tokenised future.