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Robinhood Makes Major Crypto Move with Bitstamp Acquisition
In a significant development for the cryptocurrency industry, Robinhood has announced the purchase of Bitstamp, the world’s oldest crypto exchange, for $200 million in cash. This strategic acquisition marks a pivotal milestone in Robinhood’s expansion, enabling the US-based trading platform to extend its cryptocurrency services across Europe, the UK, and Asia.
Robinhood Secures a Solid Foothold in Global Crypto Markets
Headquartered in Luxembourg, Bitstamp is one of the most established digital asset exchanges, holding more than 50 regulatory licenses globally. With a client base serving over 5,000 institutional and 50,000 retail customers, Bitstamp has built a robust reputation for reliability and compliance. The bulk of its trading volume comes from institutional clients, underscoring its credibility among high-volume traders.
The acquisition deal was first agreed upon in June 2024, with Robinhood Markets finalizing the transaction without any change to the previously agreed price. The company officially confirmed the acquisition on June 2nd.
Expanding Robinhood’s Crypto Presence Beyond the US
With this acquisition, Robinhood is set to dramatically broaden its crypto offerings. According to the company’s latest announcement, Bitstamp integration will connect Robinhood users to markets in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Asia, supporting the firm’s ambition for global expansion in crypto trading.
Financial reports reveal that Bitstamp recorded $95 million in revenue for the twelve-month period ending April 30. In comparison, Robinhood’s own crypto segment generated $252 million in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This synergy is expected to boost Robinhood's growth trajectory in the rapidly evolving global digital asset ecosystem.
Integration and Forward-Looking Plans
Robinhood has already begun the process of integrating Bitstamp with its infrastructure, connecting the exchange to Robinhood Legend and its advanced Smart Exchange Routing service. The company forecasts approximately $65 million in costs related to Bitstamp for the remaining seven months of 2025, reflecting its commitment to a seamless merger and expansion.
Further strengthening its international reach, Robinhood agreed in May 2024 to acquire Canadian crypto platform WonderFi for roughly $179 million. This move aligns with the company’s broader strategy to solidify its presence in important crypto markets such as Canada.
Potential for More Crypto Acquisitions
In an interview with CNBC, Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood’s Crypto General Manager, indicated the company remains open to further acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of accelerating growth and capitalizing on strategic opportunities in the crypto sector. Kerbrat noted that if smart deals can give Robinhood a significant lead in the next 18 to 24 months, the company will actively consider them.
On the day of the Bitstamp announcement, Robinhood (NASDAQ: HOOD) shares surged by 2.77% to close at $67.98, with an additional 0.44% uptick in after-hours trading, as per Google Finance.
Next Steps: Real World Asset Tokenization
Looking to the future, Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev has set his sights on the burgeoning field of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Speaking during the company’s Q1 earnings call, Tenev outlined ambitious plans to tokenize private equity shares, which could revolutionize secondary markets and unlock major economic value for the American crypto and investment industry. He envisions a world where investors can purchase tokenized shares of prominent private firms like OpenAI and SpaceX instantly through digital asset platforms, democratizing access to previously illiquid assets.
This latest series of moves underscores Robinhood’s commitment to leadership in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem—bolstering its role in digital asset trading and setting the stage for innovations in blockchain-based finance.
Source: cointelegraph
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