Robinhood (HOOD) Stock Surges on New Crypto Innovations: Tokenized Stocks, Perpetual Futures, and Staking

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Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) is making headlines with a bold leap into the future of finance. The company’s stock soared over 10% to $91.72 in midday trading on June 30, 2025, following a wave of strategic product launches that signal a major shift toward blockchain-powered financial services. These developments—spanning tokenized U.S. stocks, perpetual futures, and staking capabilities—are not just technical upgrades; they represent a comprehensive vision to merge traditional investing with decentralized infrastructure.

With this expansion, Robinhood is no longer just a retail brokerage app. It's evolving into a full-stack digital investment platform that bridges the gap between conventional assets and next-generation blockchain technology.

Tokenized U.S. Stocks Now Live in the EU

In a significant move, Robinhood has launched tokenized versions of over 200 U.S. stocks and ETFs for users in the European Union. These digital tokens are initially built on Arbitrum, a high-performance Ethereum layer-2 network, enabling fast and low-cost transactions around the clock—five days a week, 24 hours a day.

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This innovation allows EU investors to gain exposure to American equities without relying on traditional clearing systems. Crucially, token holders receive dividend payouts directly within the Robinhood app, mirroring the experience of owning physical shares. While trades are commission-free, standard network and gas fees may still apply.

The long-term plan is even more ambitious: Robinhood is building its own dedicated blockchain—also leveraging Arbitrum’s technology stack—to support trading, cross-chain bridging, and self-custody. This proprietary chain aims to make crypto infrastructure “invisible” to users while ensuring full functionality behind the scenes.

By migrating these tokenized assets to its own blockchain later in 2025, Robinhood positions itself at the forefront of asset tokenization—a trend projected to grow into an $18.9 trillion market by 2033.

Perpetual Futures Launch for European Traders

Robinhood has also rolled out perpetual futures contracts for eligible EU customers, marking its official entry into advanced derivatives trading in Europe. Users can now trade Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) with up to 3x leverage, offering new opportunities for hedging and speculation.

All perpetual futures orders are routed through Bitstamp, a well-established crypto exchange that Robinhood acquired for $200 million earlier this year. This acquisition has significantly strengthened Robinhood’s regulatory footprint, granting it access to more than 50 global financial licenses.

Designed with simplicity in mind, the platform features an intuitive interface that demystifies margin management and position tracking. With perpetuals set to become widely available by late summer 2025, Robinhood is lowering the barrier to entry for retail traders interested in leveraged products.

“You didn’t think we’d just announce new products, did you? The Robinhood Chain is currently being built on @arbitrum to power the future of asset ownership.”
— Robinhood (@RobinhoodApp)

This launch reflects growing demand for 24/7 trading tools and aligns with increasing regulatory clarity across Europe. As competitors remain cautious, Robinhood’s aggressive move establishes it as a pioneer in bringing sophisticated crypto derivatives to mainstream audiences.

U.S. Users Gain Access to Ethereum and Solana Staking

In another major update, Robinhood has extended staking support for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) to U.S. customers—bringing them in line with European users who already enjoyed this feature. Now, American investors can earn passive income directly within the app without needing external wallets or complex setups.

Rewards are automatically credited, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. This development comes amid shifting regulatory attitudes in the U.S., where certain digital assets are increasingly viewed through a clearer compliance lens.

“You’ve been asking for this. $ETH and $SOL staking are now available to U.S. customers.”
— Robinhood (@RobinhoodApp)

Staking is just one part of Robinhood’s broader strategy to enhance crypto utility. The company recently introduced micro futures for BTC, SOL, and XRP and plans to add crypto cashback rewards to its upcoming credit card. Each step reinforces Robinhood’s goal: to become a unified hub where traditional finance and digital assets coexist seamlessly.

Strategic Expansion and Market Impact

Since entering the crypto space in 2018, Robinhood has steadily expanded its footprint through acquisitions and infrastructure development. Its $179 million purchase of WonderFi in May 2025 opened doors to the Canadian market, further fueling its global ambitions.

Asset tokenization remains central to Robinhood’s long-term growth strategy. By converting real-world assets into digital tokens, the company aims to democratize access to markets historically limited by geography, cost, or complexity.

As rivals like Kraken and Gemini introduce similar offerings, Robinhood’s integrated approach—combining stocks, ETFs, derivatives, and staking under one roof—sets it apart. Investors appear to be taking notice: the surge in HOOD stock reflects strong confidence in this new direction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are tokenized stocks?
A: Tokenized stocks are digital representations of traditional equities recorded on a blockchain. They allow for faster settlement, extended trading hours, and potential integration with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

Q: Is staking available for all Robinhood users?
A: Currently, Ethereum and Solana staking is available to both U.S. and EU customers. Support for additional cryptocurrencies is expected later in 2025.

Q: How does Robinhood’s perpetual futures differ from traditional futures?
A: Perpetual futures do not have an expiration date and allow traders to maintain leveraged positions indefinitely, provided margin requirements are met. Robinhood offers up to 3x leverage on BTC and ETH for EU users.

Q: Are there fees for trading tokenized stocks?
A: Robinhood does not charge commissions on tokenized stock trades. However, standard network fees (such as gas fees on Arbitrum) may apply.

Q: Will tokenized stocks be available outside the EU?
A: While currently limited to EU users, Robinhood has indicated plans for broader international rollout as regulatory frameworks evolve.

Q: What is the Robinhood Chain?
A: The Robinhood Chain is a proprietary blockchain under development, built using Arbitrum’s technology stack. It will support tokenized assets, self-custody, trading, and bridging—aiming to bring Robinhood’s entire financial ecosystem on-chain.

The Road Ahead

Robinhood’s latest moves underscore a clear vision: to lead the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology. With tokenized stocks, perpetual futures, staking, and its upcoming blockchain initiative, the company is no longer just facilitating trades—it's redefining how value moves in the digital age.

As adoption grows and regulations mature, platforms like Robinhood will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of inclusive, borderless finance.

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