Robinhood debuts Layer 2 mainnet for tokenized stock trading

RWA Signal Insight
StocksRobinhood has officially launched its Ethereum Layer 2 mainnet, Robinhood Chain, built using Arbitrum technology to facilitate institutional-grade financial services. This network serves as the foundation for the company's new tokenized stock trading and decentralized perpetual futures offerings. The platform enables eligible users in over 120 countries to trade tokenized equities that function as debt securities issued by Robinhood Assets (Jersey) Limited. These tokens provide economic exposure to underlying shares and can be utilized as collateral within decentralized finance lending pools. Key infrastructure partners including Alchemy, BitGo, and Chainlink support the network, while Uniswap serves as the primary public liquidity protocol. This expansion represents a significant shift for Robinhood, moving beyond traditional brokerage services into on-chain, AI-native financial infrastructure. By integrating tokenized assets directly into a permissionless blockchain, the company aims to bridge the gap between traditional equity markets and decentralized finance, though the products remain restricted in the U.S., U.K., and several other major jurisdictions.
Key points
- Robinhood Chain launched as an Arbitrum-based Ethereum Layer 2 network for real-world assets.
- New tokenized stock tokens allow 24/7 trading and collateral usage in DeFi protocols.
- Uniswap and Lighter serve as primary liquidity and perpetual futures trading venues respectively.
- Products are available in 120+ countries but restricted in the U.S., U.K., and others.
Background
Robinhood is a prominent financial services company known for pioneering commission-free stock trading through its mobile application. The firm has increasingly pivoted toward blockchain technology, leveraging its Robinhood Wallet to provide users with self-custody options and access to decentralized finance protocols.