"Robinhood's Crypto Surge: $70B Volume, 700% Revenue Boost"

Robinhood, a popular commission-free brokerage platform, reported a significant surge in crypto trading volume during the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching $70 billion. This figure represents a remarkable 400% increase compared to the previous year, indicating a strong and continuing interest in cryptocurrency trading among its users. The firm's transaction-based revenues also witnessed a substantial boost, with crypto trading generating $358 million, a 700% increase from the previous year.

During the same period, Robinhood expanded its crypto offerings in the United States and launched Ethereum staking services in the European Union. This expansion aligns with the growing demand for crypto services and the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a viable investment option. The firm's commitment to expanding its crypto offerings is a testament to the potential of the crypto market and the opportunities it presents for investors.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan highlighted the contrasting sentiments between institutional and retail investors in the crypto market. While institutional investors maintain a highly bullish sentiment towards crypto, retail investors have been more pessimistic, particularly due to the poor performance of altcoins compared to Bitcoin. Despite the current retail pessimism, Hougan remains optimistic about the long-term prospects for altcoins, citing potential regulatory clarity and the role of stablecoins as factors that could drive future growth in the crypto market.

The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January 2025 recorded a higher-than-anticipated annual increase, reaching 3%. This rise, coupled with a monthly increase of 0.5%, reflects the ongoing inflationary pressures in the US economy. The increase in CPI was driven by rising costs in shelter, energy, and food, marking the largest annual CPI rise since June 2024.

Bitpanda, a leading European crypto platform, received approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to extend its crypto operations into the UK. This expansion allows Bitpanda to offer the largest selection of over 500 crypto tokens available on the market, as well as tailored financial products such as staking and crypto indices for UK investors. This move reinforces Bitpanda's position as a leader in compliant and secure crypto investment solutions in Europe.

Crypto.com also received regulatory approval to offer crypto services across all European Economic Area (EEA) member states, enhancing its market presence