Robinhood Expands Crypto Offerings With Layer-2 Blockchain On Arbitrum

Robinhood Markets, a prominent brokerage platform, has made significant strides in the cryptocurrency space by announcing the development of a layer-2 blockchain. This move is part of a broader strategy to expand its crypto offerings and transform its trading app into a comprehensive digital assets hub. The announcement, made on June 30, 2025, coincided with the surge in the Arbitrum (ARB) token, fueled by speculation of a partnership between the two entities. Robinhood confirmed that it is building a layer-2 blockchain on Arbitrum, which will facilitate the tokenization of real-world assets.

The new layer-2 blockchain is just one of the many services and solutions Robinhood has unveiled. The platform aims to make crypto the backbone of the global financial system, as stated by Robinhood's chairman and chief executive officer, Vlad Tenev. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make crypto more accessible to a wider audience, moving away from its traditional engineering-centric roots.

In addition to the layer-2 blockchain, Robinhood has launched tokenized U.S. stocks and exchange-traded fund tokens in the European Union. This expansion targets over 400 million people across 30 EU and European Economic Area countries, transforming the company’s European app from a crypto-only offering to an all-in-one platform. Johann Kerbrat, general manager and senior vice president of Robinhood Crypto, emphasized the company's goal of making crypto as easy to use as possible, bringing powerful tools into one intuitive platform.

Access to the over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs will initially be via Arbitrum before transitioning to Robinhood’s own layer-2 blockchain. EU customers will also gain access to crypto perpetual futures with up to 3x leverage, which Robinhood plans to roll out to eligible customers this summer. Additionally, the platform is introducing crypto staking in the U.S., starting with Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL).

Robinhood's recent efforts to become a leading platform for crypto include the acquisition of Bitstamp and WonderFi, a Canadian crypto firm. These strategic moves underscore the company's commitment to expanding its crypto offerings and solidifying its position in the digital assets market. The layer-2 blockchain and the suite of new products and services are expected to further enhance Robinhood's capabilities in the crypto space, making it a more attractive option for users seeking a comprehensive digital assets platform.