Robinhood Launches ETH & SOL Staking Despite Past SEC Crackdowns

Key Insights:

• Robinhood launches ETH and SOL staking for eligible U.S. users.
• Stock and ETF tokens are now available to EU users via Arbitrum.
• Bitstamp acquisition boosts Robinhood’s global crypto licenses.

Robinhood has launched Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking services for eligible users in the United States. The company announced the move via its official X account. It comes after last year’s launch of staking features in the EU and EEA.

With this update, Robinhood aims to strengthen its offerings in the digital asset space. It allows users to earn rewards through staking mechanisms tied to two of the largest proof-of-stake blockchains.

The firm offers a limited-time 1% deposit boost to incentivize crypto deposits for users transferring assets into the Robinhood app. If the total amount of crypto transferred reaches $500 Million, eligible users can receive a 2% deposit boost instead.

This promotional offer applies to U.S. and EU customers. It reinforced the platform’s efforts to increase crypto activity across its user base.

Robinhood Strengthens Crypto Infrastructure Through Acquisitions

Alongside staking services, Robinhood has also expanded its crypto trading capabilities. On June 27, the company introduced micro futures contracts for Bitcoin (BTC), Solana (SOL), and XRP.

These contracts are designed for traders seeking exposure to digital assets through derivatives with lower capital requirements. Launching these micro futures contracts marks another step in the firm’s broader strategy to diversify its crypto offerings.

Meanwhile, Robinhood has completed two strategic acquisitions to enhance its crypto trading infrastructure. In early June, the company finalized its $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp, one of the world’s longest-operating crypto exchanges.

This acquisition brings over 50 licenses and registrations to Robinhood’s portfolio, extending its regulatory reach across multiple jurisdictions. Additionally, the firm has acquired WonderFi. It’s a Canadian operator of regulated crypto trading platforms, in a $179 Million deal.

Both acquisitions are expected to support Robinhood’s global crypto initiatives and improve access to regulated digital asset services. In Europe, Robinhood has rolled out crypto perpetual futures to eligible customers.

These derivatives offer continuous exposure to selected cryptocurrencies and include up to 3x leverage. All orders will be routed through Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange.

According to the company, a full rollout of the perpetual products is expected by the end of summer 2025. This development adds another layer to the firm’s derivative product suite and complements its expansion into tokenized assets.

Robinhood Expands in Europe with Tokenized U.S. Stocks on Arbitrum

Further deepening its presence in Europe, Robinhood has introduced tokenized versions of U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These “Robinhood Stock Tokens” are available to eligible EU users and are issued on the Ethereum Layer-2 network, Arbitrum.

With this initiative, the European version of the Robinhood app transitions from a crypto-only service to a broader investment platform.

Over 200 tokenized U.S. equities and ETFs will be accessible through the platform. Also, the token holders will receive dividend payments directly within the app.

Robinhood is not applying any commission or additional spreads to the tokenized products. However, access remains limited to qualified users. These tokens offer 24/7 trading and aim to remove time-zone barriers associated with traditional stock markets.

Robinhood is building its own Layer-2 blockchain based on Arbitrum to support this transition. The new blockchain infrastructure is explicitly designed to handle tokenized real-world assets.

It will feature self-custody options, seamless bridging, and around-the-clock trading capabilities. This infrastructure development aligns with the firm’s long-term goal of providing continuous and scalable digital asset product support.

AI-Driven Investing Assistant Set to Launch Later in 2025

Robinhood also plans a derivative, tokenization, and staking option, and an AI-based investing assistant called Cortex. Cortex is scheduled to be released to a limited number of users towards the end of the year.

The app will provide investors with up-to-date market information and filtered commentary. It will also provide trend analysis to help them quickly grasp market changes and price fluctuations.

It was announced with other product changes and indicated how the company will still consider combining technology and finance. The AI assistant also hopes to augment their trading tools and offer a better user experience throughout the platform.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and provides no financial, investment, or other advice. The author or any people mentioned in this article are not responsible for any financial loss that may occur from investing in or trading. Please do your research before making any financial decisions.