Robinhood Launches Staking, Tokenized Stocks, and Blockchain

TLDR

• Is CeFi summer a thing? Because it just became one with Robinhood’s announcements today.
• Robinhood is releasing tokenized stocks and perps in Europe.
• US users will now have access to staking.
• Robinhood chain is on the way.

Robinhood is shaking up the investing scene again, launching new features that combine the best of crypto and traditional investing. From tokenized stock assets to advanced blockchain infrastructure and expanded cryptocurrency functionality, Robinhood is paving the way for the future of accessible finance. 

Whether you’re a crypto newbie or a seasoned trader, the game-changing updates announced at “Robinhood Presents: To Catch a Token” clarify one thing — access to investing just got smarter, faster, and simpler. Also…a lot prettier. But that’s a matter of opinion. Let’s get after it.

The New Era of Investing With Robinhood 

Here’s the official video, now on YouTube. We highly recommend giving it a watch.

If you’ve been following the crypto and trading industries, you know Robinhood isn’t just another app anymore. It’s an innovative hybrid, blending user-friendly design with cutting-edge crypto tools. 

By adopting blockchain tech and introducing stock tokenization (to European users only), Robinhood is bridging the gap between traditional assets and decentralized finance. 

What Are Tokenized Stocks? 

Robinhood Stock Tokens are democratizing access to US stocks and ETFs. With zero commissions, dividend support, and 24/7 access, European users now have the opportunity to trade tokenized versions of US equities without barriers. 

Speaking of barriers, this is a powerful use of blockchain tech. International barriers, particularly in the realm of finance, have long prevented retail traders from accessing the US and other markets. That’s now officially coming to a close. Some of you, especially if you’re new to crypto, may not realize just how big of a deal this is — we assure you, it’s massive.

Currently, over 200+ US stocks and ETFs are available for European customers through these stock tokens. Each one represents real underlying equity tracked by blockchain tech. They come with all the perks of the actual stock, including dividend payments directly in the app. 

Layer 2 Blockchain Plans 

For all of you hardcore DeFi people out there — this one is for you. It takes a bit to genuinely excite us these days, as there has been a recent surge in amazing developments in the crypto space over the last few months. And we think this is one of the neatest things we’ve heard in a while. 

With its own Robinhood Layer 2 blockchain in development, based on the Arbitrum network, the platform is building an ecosystem primed for trading tokenized real-world assets 24/7. 

Why is this a big deal? 

• Say goodbye to traditional delays in asset transfers. 
• Self-custody ensures better user control over investments. 
• Bridging blockchain assets will be seamless, increasing accessibility and transparency.
• As big fans of this chain, our experience has been fast and cheap transactions. It’s a pleasure to use.

The short version: Robinhood is combining crypto expertise with traditional financial stability to create a trading system that works for everyone on one of the best DeFi ecosystems around.

Perpetual Futures for Active Crypto Traders 

Perps! You can’t be a proper crypto degenerate without perpetual futures trading.

Robinhood is expanding crypto trading tools with perpetual futures, a type of derivative that lets users maintain exposure to an asset indefinitely. 

Available to European customers only (for now), perpetual futures feature:

• Up to 3x leverage options
• Simplified margin management for hassle-free investing 
• Collaboration with Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange for secure, efficient order routing 
• Go long or short, the choice is yours.

These intuitive designs simplify futures trading, making it more accessible for users who’ve been intimidated by complex platforms. 

Crypto Staking for US 

Crypto staking is another major launch in the US. Starting with Ethereum and Solana, eligible users can now contribute to blockchain ecosystems while earning competitive rewards. 

Why stake with Robinhood?

• User-friendly interface that simplifies staking, even for beginners 
• Opportunities for greater rewards compared to traditional methods 
• The chance to directly contribute to the operational health of blockchain networks 

Staking benefits users’ crypto portfolios and incentivizes broader participation and technical health across blockchain platforms. The more people who stake, the more decentralized crypto becomes, which is a good thing.

Why Crypto Users Should Care

Some of you may be thinking, “I don’t see what the big deal is…” 

Robinhood’s rapid expansion demonstrates a clear focus on making investing simpler and more accessible worldwide. And these updates aren’t just about keeping up with market trends. 

They’re about building a stronger foundation where traditional and decentralized financial systems blend seamlessly. 

Whether you’re exploring tokenized stocks, staking crypto for the first time, or fine-tuning your futures trading skills, Robinhood’s intuitive approach ensures you’ll feel empowered every step of the way.

Lastly, it’s about options. From Robinhood to SoFi, DeFi to TradFi, Kraken to Coinbase — crypto users have more possibilities than ever before. And each of these opportunities has its own pros and cons. 

Choices used to be made for us. Now we have a plethora of opportunities, and figuring out which one to go with is the hard part — when just a few years ago, the hard part was trying to get money onto an exchange that wasn’t about to be shut down.

What Option Will You Go With? 

Investing isn’t just about the assets you hold. It’s about the tools and community supporting you. Robinhood’s new suite of products has something for everyone, from beginner investors to advanced traders. 

Kraken has reintroduced staking to the US and is now offering tokenized stocks to European users. It also has a new peer-to-peer platform to compete with CashApp and Venmo. Coinbase bought Derrbit. SoFi is relaunching its crypto suite later this year. Things are really heating up. We’re ready. Are you?