Robinhood is rapidly scaling its real-world asset (RWA) initiative in Europe, bringing tokenized versions of nearly 500 U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to the Arbitrum blockchain. The move deepens the brokerage’s push into digital asset markets, giving EU investors 24-hour access to synthetic versions of U.S. equities.
Nearly 500 Tokenized Stocks and ETFs
According to data from Dune Analytics, Robinhood has tokenized 493 assets to date, representing a total market value of more than $8.5 million. The cumulative minting activity has exceeded $19.3 million, offset by around $11.5 million in token burns- a sign of active trading and ongoing demand.
Over the past few days, the firm deployed another 80 stock tokens, adding to its growing on-chain catalog. The portfolio now spans leading U.S. companies, ETFs, commodities, and even U.S. Treasurys. Stocks account for roughly 70% of the total, while ETFs make up about 24%. The remainder consists of smaller allocations to commodities and crypto-related ETFs.
The latest batch of listed tokens includes companies such as Galaxy (GLXY), Webull (BULL), and Synopsys (SNPS), according to research analyst Tom Wan. “Robinhood EU users now have a wider range of U.S. Stocks, Equities, and ETFs, thanks to Tokenization,” Wan said in a post on X.
How Robinhood’s Tokenized Assets Work
Robinhood launched its tokenization platform in June, built as a layer-2 blockchain on Arbitrum. The project is designed to allow European users to trade synthetic versions of U.S. financial instruments around the clock, an experience that mirrors traditional stock investing but runs on decentralized rails.
However, the tokens are not backed by actual shares. Instead, they are blockchain-based derivatives that track the prices of publicly traded U.S. securities. Each token represents an exposure to the underlying stock or ETF’s value, rather than direct ownership.
The structure is regulated under the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II), providing a legal framework for these digital assets to function similarly to traditional financial derivatives.
Robinhood says users can begin investing with as little as one euro ($1.17) and that the platform charges no hidden fees, other than a 0.1% foreign exchange cost. The company touts 24-hour market access and low barriers to entry as key advantages over conventional stock markets, which operate only during business hours.
Regulatory Scrutiny in the EU
Despite its growing adoption, Robinhood’s tokenization push has caught the attention of European regulators. In July, the Bank of Lithuania, which oversees Robinhood’s EU operations, asked the company to clarify the structure and underlying mechanics of its tokenized products.
Co-founder and CEO Vlad Tenev responded by saying the company “welcomes the review” and views it as part of a broader effort to bring regulatory clarity to tokenized financial instruments in Europe. The company maintains that all products are compliant with EU financial laws and are designed to protect retail investors while expanding market access.
Industry observers note that this regulatory engagement could set an important precedent for other platforms exploring tokenized securities under European law.
A Broader Crypto and RWA Strategy
The expansion on Arbitrum is part of a larger crypto and RWA strategy at Robinhood. In May, the company acquired Canadian crypto trading platform WonderFi for $179 million, marking a significant step in its international expansion.
Just weeks later, Robinhood introduced micro futures contracts for Bitcoin (BTC), XRP, and Solana (SOL), extending its crypto derivatives lineup. These products allow traders to take smaller, leveraged positions in major digital assets, further blurring the line between traditional and crypto markets.
The firm is also lobbying for clearer tokenization rules in the United States. Robinhood has reportedly submitted a proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) calling for a unified national framework for real-world assets. Such a framework, the company argues, would help streamline the development of compliant tokenized securities while protecting investors.
Tokenization as the Next Frontier
Robinhood’s latest initiative underscores how traditional financial institutions are increasingly embracing blockchain technology to modernize access to real-world assets. Tokenization allows fractional ownership, around-the-clock trading, and instant settlement, features that could reshape how global investors interact with U.S. equities.
While challenges remain around regulation and investor protection, Robinhood’s expanding footprint on Arbitrum suggests that tokenized markets may soon become a core part of the retail investing landscape.
If successful, the brokerage’s European experiment could pave the way for similar offerings in other jurisdictions, positioning Robinhood as one of the first major players to merge mainstream stock trading with blockchain infrastructure.
