Robinhood launches tokenized stocks in Europe, letting EU users trade U.S. shares including OpenAI and SpaceX

Robinhood is breaking new ground in its global crypto push — and this time, it’s giving retail investors access to names that were once off-limits.

The company announced Monday that it has launched tokenized versions of over 200 U.S. stocks and ETFs for customers in the European Union. That means EU users can now trade shares of companies like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft — 24 hours a day, five days a week, without paying commissions.

Robinhood Unveils Tokenized Shares of OpenAI and SpaceX in EU Crypto Push

But the bigger story? Robinhood is also rolling out tokenized equity tied to two of the most sought-after private companies in tech: Sam Altman’s OpenAI and Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Neither company is publicly listed, and retail investors have historically been shut out of any exposure. That’s now changing.

“To mark the launch, Robinhood is giving 5 euros worth of OpenAI and SpaceX tokens to every eligible user in the European Union who onboards to trade stock tokens by July 7. The company has allocated $1 million worth of OpenAI and $500,000 worth of SpaceX for the campaign,” CNBC reported.

Speaking at the company’s product showcase in Cannes, Robinhood’s head of crypto, Johann Kerbrat, said the move is about leveling the playing field.

“We wanted to make sure we were giving access,” he said. “What we discussed on stage was how to address the inequality between people who’ve historically had access to these kinds of companies — and everyone else. That’s the really exciting part: Now everyone will be able to get it.”

The tokens are being issued in partnership with blockchain firm Arbitrum and are available through Robinhood’s EU crypto app. The platform plans to add thousands more stock tokens by year’s end, and eventually shift trading hours to 24/7 by building its own blockchain infrastructure.

CEO Vlad Tenev told the audience, “Tokenization is going to open the door to a massive trading revolution.”

The announcement sent Robinhood shares to a record high, with the stock jumping nearly 10% on Monday.

This marks Robinhood’s first major step into tokenized private equity — a category that’s seen growing interest, especially outside the U.S., where regulatory hurdles are lower. Tokenized equities blend stock-like assets with the flexibility of crypto trading, offering around-the-clock access and lower fees for international users. Several platforms are now exploring similar offerings, with crypto exchange Kraken launching its own version last month.

Robinhood isn’t stopping at tokenized stocks. The company is adding crypto perpetual futures for EU customers, allowing them to make leveraged trades without expiration dates. It’s also rolling out staking features for U.S. users, a move that comes after the SEC softened its stance, stating that not all staking offerings qualify as securities.

The bigger picture? Robinhood is making a clear bet that the future of retail investing will be global, on-chain, and unrestricted by traditional gatekeepers.

And with OpenAI and SpaceX on the menu, that future just got a lot more interesting.

Robinhood Markets, founded in 2015 by Vlad Tenev and Baiju Bhatt, is the parent company behind the popular Robinhood app. Initially launched as a platform for commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, and options, the app has since expanded to include cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Bitcoin SV (BSV), Dogecoin (DOGE), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Ethereum Classic (ETC). Over the years, Robinhood has expanded its offerings, aiming to transition from a trading app to a full-fledged financial services provider.

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