Robinhood Launches Blockchain Network Amid Tokenization Ambitions

Retail brokerage Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) shares surged after the company launched its proprietary blockchain network, Robinhood Chain.

The move positions Robinhood to compete more directly with crypto-native platforms on infrastructure while extending its retail-focused tokenization strategy beyond last year's European stock token debut.

Chief Executive Officer Vlad Tenev framed the launch as the opening salvo in what he called a global tokenization supercycle, arguing that representing ownership of real-world assets such as stocks and bonds as digital tokens on a blockchain represents the most viable path toward modernizing the US financial system.