Move Strengthens Institutional Offerings and Marks Entry Into Europe, UK, and Asia

Robinhood Markets, Inc. has completed its previously announced $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp, the world’s longest-operating cryptocurrency exchange, as part of a broader strategy to expand its crypto business into international markets and reinforce its institutional trading capabilities.

Announced on June 2, the all-cash deal gives Robinhood access to Bitstamp’s extensive regulatory licenses, an established institutional client base, and a deeper global footprint. The transaction, originally agreed upon in June 2024, closed with no changes to the financial terms.

Bitstamp is now part of @RobinhoodApp

Together, we’re combining 14 years of trusted crypto expertise with Robinhood’s global vision – expanding access and building the future of crypto, together.

More here 👇https://t.co/Po2NxE971C

— Bitstamp by Robinhood (@Bitstamp) June 2, 2025

Institutional Reach and Global Expansion

Founded in Luxembourg in 2011, Bitstamp serves more than 5,000 institutional clients and approximately 50,000 retail users, with the majority of its trading volume driven by institutional activity. Its global presence, particularly in Europe, the UK, and parts of Asia, significantly broadens Robinhood’s reach beyond its primarily U.S.-based crypto services.

Robinhood said the acquisition enhances its international expansion strategy, complementing its existing retail offerings with a strong foundation in licensed crypto operations abroad. The integration of Bitstamp is already underway, including its connection to Robinhood Legend and the company’s Smart Exchange Routing system, both of which optimize trading efficiency for institutional partners.

Regulatory Advantages and Revenue Impact

Through the acquisition, Robinhood gains over 50 licenses and registrations, simplifying access to regulated markets and reducing time-to-market for new offerings. This is seen as a key strategic move, particularly as global regulatory standards tighten, and the demand for compliant crypto platforms increases.

In terms of financial performance, Bitstamp generated $95 million in revenue over the 12 months ending April 30, 2025. For comparison, Robinhood’s crypto division reported $252 million in revenue in just the first quarter of 2025, underscoring its rapid growth in digital assets.

Robinhood expects to record approximately $65 million in Bitstamp-related costs during the remaining seven months of 2025, reflecting both integration expenses and ongoing operational investments.

Robinhood Expands in Canada with WonderFi Deal

In a parallel effort to scale its crypto footprint, Robinhood agreed to acquire Canadian-based crypto platform WonderFi for approximately $179 million on May 13, 2025. The deal is intended to strengthen Robinhood’s presence in the Canadian market, which has emerged as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction with increasing institutional and retail participation.

These back-to-back acquisitions demonstrate Robinhood’s commitment to becoming a global crypto leader, capable of servicing both retail and institutional users across a diversified regulatory and geographical landscape.

Future M&A Still on the Table

Johann Kerbrat, General Manager of Robinhood Crypto, told CNBC that the company remains open to additional acquisitions if they can accelerate growth by “at least 18 months or two years.”

“We have a lot of great reason to believe this is a great acquisition,” Kerbrat said. “If we can find a way to accelerate, it’s something we’ll definitely look at.”

This signals that Robinhood is likely to continue seeking strategic acquisitions to rapidly scale its crypto infrastructure and product offerings, especially in markets where organic entry may be slower or more capital-intensive.

Market Response and Share Price Movement

Following the acquisition announcement, Robinhood’s stock (HOOD) closed trading on June 2 at $67.98, up 2.77%, with a further 0.44% increase in after-hours trading, according to Google Finance. The positive investor sentiment reflects confidence in Robinhood’s crypto growth strategy and its ability to diversify revenue streams beyond traditional brokerage services.

Tokenization: The Next Frontier

Looking ahead, Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev has outlined a strategic vision that includes tapping into the tokenization of real-world assets, particularly private equity and illiquid investments. Speaking during the company’s Q1 2025 earnings call, Tenev described tokenization as a “huge unlock” for both companies and retail investors.

“I think that will unlock a ton of economic value for the crypto industry in the U.S.,” Tenev said.

By enabling fractional ownership and faster secondary transactions, tokenized assets could allow users to purchase digital shares of prominent private firms — such as OpenAI or SpaceX — in near real time. This aligns with Robinhood’s mission to “democratize finance for all” and could help bridge the gap between traditional finance and Web3 innovation.

Conclusion

With its $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp finalized, Robinhood has taken a significant step toward becoming a global crypto powerhouse. The move enhances its international presence, institutional capabilities, and regulatory readiness, all while setting the stage for further innovation in areas like tokenization and cross-border trading.

As Robinhood continues to build out its crypto ecosystem through acquisitions and platform upgrades, its evolving strategy signals a long-term bet on the integration of regulated finance and blockchain technology — and its potential to reshape how users invest, trade, and interact with digital assets worldwide.