Stock and cryptocurrency trading platform Robinhood has officially launched its public mainnet, Robinhood Chain, after months of testing. The company also announced plans to introduce crypto trading services for residents in the United Kingdom, signaling a broader push into decentralized finance and international markets.
Robinhood Chain goes live
Robinhood Chain, a layer 2 blockchain built on Arbitrum, went live on Wednesday, roughly four months after entering testnet in February. The company describes the network as “AI-native and purpose-built for real-world assets.” The launch positions Robinhood among a growing number of platforms seeking to bridge traditional finance with blockchain-based products.
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Alongside the mainnet launch, Robinhood introduced tokenized stock products, now available through its wallet app to users in more than 120 countries. CEO Vlad Tenev had previously called tokenized stocks “inevitable” in January, arguing they could prevent trading freezes that sometimes occur on traditional exchanges.
Expansion into UK crypto trading
Robinhood confirmed plans to launch crypto trading in the UK soon, though the company did not provide a specific timeline. The move comes as the UK continues to develop its regulatory framework for digital assets under the Financial Conduct Authority’s oversight. Entering the UK market would put Robinhood in direct competition with established platforms like Coinbase and Binance, as well as local players.
New DeFi products and stablecoin lending
The company also unveiled Robinhood Earn, a decentralized product that allows users to lend USDG, a dollar-backed stablecoin, through a self-custody wallet at an estimated 7% annual percentage yield. This product is part of Robinhood’s strategy to offer yield-generating services within the decentralized finance ecosystem, attracting users seeking alternatives to traditional savings accounts.
Competitive market and recent challenges
Robinhood’s entry into the layer 2 space places it against established networks like Base, the Coinbase-backed blockchain, which is the second-largest L2 by total value secured at approximately $11 billion. Base recently experienced two back-to-back outages in June due to a sequencer bug, highlighting the technical challenges that can arise in this rapidly evolving sector.
Despite the positive news around the blockchain launch, Robinhood faces headwinds. The company announced a 10% workforce reduction in recent weeks as part of a restructuring effort. Its crypto transaction revenue dropped nearly 50% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, falling from $252 million to $134 million. Robinhood shares rose about 8% on the day of the mainnet announcement, reflecting cautious investor optimism.
Why this matters
Robinhood’s move to launch its own blockchain and expand crypto trading internationally signals a strategic pivot toward deeper integration with decentralized finance. For users, this could mean more accessible tokenized assets and yield-generating products, but also introduces questions about regulatory compliance and market volatility. The company’s ability to deal with these challenges while maintaining user trust will be critical as it competes with both traditional finance and native crypto platforms.
Conclusion
Robinhood’s public mainnet launch and UK expansion plans represent significant steps in its evolution from a trading app to a broader financial ecosystem. The company is betting on tokenized assets and DeFi services to drive future growth, even as it contends with declining crypto revenue and workforce reductions. The coming months will reveal whether these initiatives can restore momentum and attract a new wave of users.
FAQs
Q1: What is Robinhood Chain?
Robinhood Chain is a layer 2 blockchain built on Arbitrum, designed for real-world assets and AI-native applications. It launched publicly in July 2026 after a testnet phase.
Q2: When will Robinhood offer crypto trading in the UK?
Robinhood has announced plans to launch crypto trading for UK residents soon, but no specific date has been confirmed.
Q3: What is Robinhood Earn?
Robinhood Earn is a decentralized finance product that lets users lend USDG stablecoins through a self-custody wallet, earning an estimated 7% annual percentage yield.
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