Robinhood Aims to Be the Nasdaq of Crypto

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The era of tokenized stocks is here — and Robinhood is leading the charge.

In a bold strategic move, Robinhood, Kraken, and Bybit have all recently announced their entry into the tokenized U.S. equities market. This marks a pivotal moment in financial convergence: the long-standing boundary between traditional stock trading and cryptocurrency is officially dissolving. Among them, Robinhood stands out with a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy that positions it not just as a broker, but as a full-stack crypto-native financial platform.

At its high-profile launch event in Cannes, France, Robinhood unveiled an ambitious crypto roadmap: tokenized stock trading, a proprietary Layer 2 blockchain, and crypto cashback via credit cards. The market responded swiftly — Robinhood’s stock surged 12.77%, hitting an all-time high.

👉 Discover how the fusion of stocks and crypto is reshaping finance — and where to get started.

Robinhood vs. xStocks: Two Visions for Tokenized Equities

The race to merge crypto and traditional markets features two distinct approaches. On one side is Robinhood — a digital brokerage expanding into crypto. On the other, Kraken — a native crypto exchange moving into U.S. equities through its xStocks platform.

While both aim to tokenize stocks, their technical and geographic strategies diverge sharply.

Robinhood has chosen Arbitrum as its underlying blockchain, prioritizing scalability and Ethereum compatibility. Its tokenized stock offerings are first rolling out in the European Union, serving over 400 million people across 30 European Economic Area countries.

In contrast, Kraken’s xStocks leverages the Solana network and targets non-U.S. retail investors, currently excluding EU markets. This creates a clear divide: Robinhood is building a regulated, EU-first infrastructure, while Kraken emphasizes speed and low fees through Solana’s high-performance chain.

This clash isn’t just technological — it’s ideological. Robinhood brings compliance, user experience, and mainstream trust to crypto. Kraken offers decentralization, speed, and native Web3 integration. Yet both signal a broader shift: high-growth private companies like OpenAI and SpaceX may soon issue tokenized shares, potentially shrinking the dominance of meme coins and speculative assets in favor of real-world value-backed tokens.

Robinhood’s New Crypto Strategy Matrix

Robinhood’s vision extends far beyond tokenized stocks. The company is constructing a vertically integrated ecosystem spanning trading, payments, infrastructure, and AI-driven analytics.

In Europe: The Crypto-First Frontier

Europe is Robinhood’s primary battleground. With services now live across 30 EEA countries, the company has rebranded its European app as a "crypto-driven all-in-one investment platform." Key offerings include:

This expansion capitalizes on MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation), the EU’s landmark crypto framework that provides clarity and legitimacy — something Robinhood is leveraging to build trust and scale rapidly.

In the U.S.: Enhancing the Crypto Experience

While Europe focuses on new product launches, the U.S. strategy centers on deepening engagement through enhanced services:

These upgrades transform Robinhood from a passive trading app into an active financial hub — one where crypto isn’t just an asset class, but the core engine of innovation.

The Crown Jewel: Robinhood’s Own Layer 2 Blockchain

The most strategically significant move? Robinhood is building its own Layer 2 blockchain, built on the Arbitrum tech stack.

This chain will serve as the backbone for:

If successful, this could become the foundation for digitizing the entire multi-trillion-dollar traditional finance (TradFi) ecosystem. By controlling both the application layer and the underlying infrastructure, Robinhood gains unprecedented control over user experience, compliance, and revenue flow.

Why Is Robinhood Going All-In on Crypto?

Robinhood’s pivot isn’t impulsive — it’s driven by profitability, market trends, and regulatory foresight.

Crypto Is Now Its Most Profitable Business

In Q1 2025, Robinhood generated $583 million in total trading revenue. Of that:

More importantly, crypto delivers far higher margins. According to tech investor Di Zheng, crypto order flow generates:

But it’s not just rebates. Robinhood earns from routing premiums and spread capture, making crypto not just popular with users — but extremely profitable at scale.

👉 See how platforms are turning crypto trading into sustainable revenue — and what comes next.

From Broker to Infrastructure Provider

Beyond profits, crypto allows Robinhood to evolve its business model.

Instead of merely matching buyers and sellers, it’s now building the rails — wallets, chains, staking protocols, AI tools — that power next-gen finance. This shift mirrors how Amazon evolved from bookseller to cloud infrastructure giant.

Tokenized stocks are just the beginning. The real prize? Becoming the Nasdaq of decentralized finance — a trusted gateway where real-world assets meet blockchain efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does "tokenized stocks" mean?

Tokenized stocks are blockchain-based representations of real shares in public companies (like Apple or Tesla). They allow 24/7 trading, faster settlement, and access for global investors without needing a traditional brokerage account.

Is Robinhood’s tokenized stock trading legal?

Yes — in supported regions like the EU. These tokens are issued through regulated financial entities and comply with local securities laws. They’re not decentralized tokens but regulated digital instruments.

Can I stake any cryptocurrency on Robinhood?

Currently, Robinhood supports staking for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). More assets may be added as regulatory clarity improves.

How does Robinhood make money from crypto?

Primarily through order flow rebates, spread capture, and routing fees. Unlike exchanges that charge explicit trading fees, Robinhood monetizes the volume and speed of transactions behind the scenes.

Will tokenized stocks replace traditional trading?

Not immediately. But they offer compelling advantages: global access, lower costs, and programmable features via smart contracts. Over time, they could become the preferred method for retail investors worldwide.

What’s the risk of investing in tokenized assets?

While backed by real securities, tokenized stocks depend on custodianship and smart contract security. Regulatory changes or platform failures could pose risks — though these are generally lower than speculative crypto assets.

The Bigger Picture: A New Financial Order

Robinhood’s crypto push is about more than short-term gains. It reflects a fundamental belief: the future of finance is on-chain.

By integrating crypto into every layer — from consumer apps to proprietary blockchains — Robinhood is positioning itself at the center of a financial revolution. Tokenized equities are merely the entry point.

What follows could be a complete reimagining of how we trade, invest, borrow, and own value — all powered by open, transparent, and efficient blockchain networks.

👉 Explore how blockchain is transforming traditional finance — and how you can be part of it.

The line between Wall Street and Web3 is blurring. And Robinhood isn’t just adapting — it’s trying to define what comes next.