Robinhood Launches Layer-2 Blockchain for Stock Trading in Europe

In a groundbreaking move that signals a deeper convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology, Robinhood has officially launched its own layer-2 blockchain aimed at revolutionizing stock trading in Europe. The announcement was made during the company’s high-profile “To Catch a Token” event held in Cannes, where CEO Vlad Tenev introduced a suite of crypto-financial products designed to position Robinhood as a global fintech leader.

The centerpiece of the launch is Robinhood’s new proprietary layer-2 blockchain, initially powered by Arbitrum but set to transition to its own infrastructure in the coming months. This blockchain is tailored specifically for the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), with a particular focus on U.S. equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The platform enables European users to trade over 200 tokenized stocks and ETFs 24 hours a day, five days a week, with no commission fees. Token holders will be eligible for dividend payments, a significant feature that mimics the benefits of traditional equity ownership.

Robinhood is also expanding access to private equity by introducing tokenized shares of high-profile private companies, including OpenAI and SpaceX. This offering is expected to open up previously exclusive investment opportunities to a broader range of retail investors across Europe. The move is being touted as a key step in democratizing financial markets and reducing the barriers to entry for small investors.

The platform’s capabilities go beyond just tokenized equities. Robinhood also announced the launch of crypto perpetual futures trading in the European Union. The feature allows leveraged trading on major digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, with leverage capped at three times the principal. The derivatives are facilitated through Robinhood’s recently acquired exchange partner and are expected to roll out to eligible users before the end of the summer.

In addition, U.S. users are gaining access to new crypto staking services, with support for Ethereum and Solana. This allows users to earn rewards by locking up their tokens on the network, a growing trend in decentralized finance that provides passive income for long-term holders.

This suite of product launches comes at a time when Robinhood is aggressively expanding its footprint in both crypto and global financial markets. The company has seen a surge in its stock price following the announcement, reflecting growing investor confidence in its multi-pronged growth strategy.

The long-term goal, according to Robinhood executives, is to create a fully integrated blockchain-based financial platform that merges the convenience of self-custody with the reliability of regulated markets. Features such as after-hours trading, real-time settlement, and on-chain transparency are central to this vision.

Robinhood’s strategic pivot is also a direct challenge to traditional brokerage models and signals a broader industry shift toward tokenized assets. As regulators across Europe remain relatively open to digital innovation under new frameworks, the company appears well-positioned to become a dominant player in the evolving world of blockchain-based finance.