The Rising Case for Brokerages and Tokenized Assets in a 24/7 Trading World

The financial markets are undergoing a seismic shift as 24/7 trading and tokenized assets redefine traditional infrastructure. Brokerages and blockchain platforms are now at the forefront of this evolution, leveraging regulatory clarity, technological innovation, and liquidity solutions to capture a rapidly expanding market. With the Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization market surging to $27.6 billion by mid-2025 and projected to reach trillions by the end of the decade, the strategic positioning of firms like Robinhood and Ethereum/Solana-based platforms is critical to understanding the next phase of market infrastructure.

Regulatory Shifts: A Green Light for Tokenization

Regulatory bodies are actively reshaping the landscape to accommodate tokenized assets and continuous trading. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has signaled that certain staking activities and tokenized securities may not fall under traditional securities laws, while Nasdaq has proposed systems to enable tokenized equity securities and ETPs. These developments are not merely procedural—they represent a paradigm shift toward blockchain integration. For instance, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce's proposed conditional exemption for distributed ledger technology (DLT) could allow firms to issue, trade, and settle securities on decentralized networks, reducing friction for innovators.

The repeal of the Special Purpose Broker Dealer (SPBD) framework further underscores this trend, enabling traditional broker-dealers to custody crypto assets and participate in tokenized markets. This regulatory alignment is critical for firms like Robinhood, which are building tokenized asset ecosystems on top of existing financial infrastructure.

Brokerages as Pioneers: Robinhood's Tokenized Vision

Robinhood has emerged as a trailblazer in tokenized assets and 24/7 trading. The platform launched over 200 U.S. stock and ETF tokens for European users in 2025, offering 24/5 trading with zero commissions and dividend eligibility. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to transition its EU app into a blockchain-powered investment platform. Robinhood's custom Layer 2 blockchain, built on the Arbitrum stack, is optimized for real-world asset settlement and cross-chain bridging. By enabling self-custody of tokenized assets, the company is challenging traditional exchanges like the NYSE, which rely on centralized liquidity pools.

Robinhood's expansion into crypto staking for U.S. customers—starting with Ethereum and Solana—further cements its role in the tokenized ecosystem. The platform's Q2 2025 earnings revealed a 98% year-over-year increase in crypto trading revenue, driven by tokenized equities and European expansion. With plans to engage regulators on tokenized securities in Q4 2025 and expand into the Asia-Pacific region in 2026, Robinhood is positioning itself as a global leader in decentralized finance.

Ethereum and Solana: The Backbone of Continuous Trading

Ethereum and Solana are pivotal to enabling 24/7 trading through their high-throughput, low-cost networks. Ethereum's ERC-4626 standard for tokenized vaults has transformed yield optimization into a programmable asset management system, while its stablecoins (e.g., USDC, USDT) provide liquidity for real-time transactions. Solana, with its Proof of History (PoH) consensus mechanism, processes up to 3,700 transactions per second—far outpacing Ethereum's 15 TPS. This scalability is critical for platforms like xStocks, which offers 24/7 tokenized stock trading with fractional ownership and instant settlement.

Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols on both chains are also addressing liquidity challenges. Aave and Compound provide variable interest rates and flash loans, while Solana-based platforms like SolFlash X enable arbitrage across decentralized exchanges. These innovations are not just theoretical; they are being adopted by institutions like JPMorgan's Onyx network, which uses permissioned DeFi to facilitate interbank transactions.

Liquidity Challenges and Strategic Solutions

Despite the promise of 24/7 trading, liquidity remains a hurdle. Thin markets during off-peak hours can lead to wider bid-ask spreads and volatile pricing. To mitigate this, brokerages and platforms are adopting hybrid models. For example, tokenized RWAs—such as real estate and private equity assets—provide yield-bearing opportunities that sustain liquidity across time zones. Robinhood's tokenization of OpenAI and SpaceX investments exemplifies how traditional assets can be reimagined for continuous trading.

Algorithmic trading and AI-powered tools are also playing a role. Platforms like Trade Ideas and QuantConnect use machine learning to optimize liquidity management, while Robinhood's Cortex AI assistant offers real-time insights for traders. These solutions are essential for maintaining market integrity in a 24/7 environment.

Conclusion: Strategic Positioning for the Future

Brokerages and blockchain platforms that embrace tokenization and 24/7 trading are poised to dominate the next phase of market infrastructure. Robinhood's Layer 2 blockchain and tokenized asset suite, combined with Ethereum and Solana's scalability, illustrate how innovation and regulation can coexist. As liquidity challenges are addressed through DeFi and AI, the barriers to global, continuous trading will erode, creating opportunities for both institutional and retail investors. The firms that adapt fastest—by integrating blockchain, navigating regulatory frameworks, and prioritizing liquidity—will define the future of finance.