Robinhood Takes on Coinbase, Launches Its Own Ethereum Layer 2 Chain
Robinhood Takes on Coinbase, Launches Its Own Ethereum Layer 2 Chain
Robinhood has launched the public testnet of its own Ethereum Layer 2 network, Robinhood Chain, built on Arbitrum technology, marking a full-scale move to capture the tokenized real-world asset (RWA) market.
On February 11 (local time), cryptocurrency-focused media outlet Cointelegraph reported that Robinhood introduced the Robinhood Chain testnet using Arbitrum technology to bring tokenized real-world assets and digital assets on-chain. Developers can now access the network’s access points and documentation, and it is compatible with existing Ethereum (ETH) developer tools. Robinhood explained that the chain is designed for 24/7 trading, seamless bridging, and self-custody, as well as financial-grade use cases such as tokenized asset platforms, lending markets, and perpetual futures exchanges.
Johann Kerbrat, Vice President and General Manager of Crypto and International at Robinhood, said the launch of the testnet lays the foundation for an ecosystem that will define the future of real-world asset tokenization. Kerbrat added that developers will be able to leverage decentralized finance liquidity within the Ethereum ecosystem. Robinhood aims to launch the mainnet later this year and plans to introduce testnet-only assets such as tokenized equities and further strengthen integration with the Robinhood Wallet in the coming months.
This move signals a strategic shift for Robinhood beyond simply providing crypto trading services toward operating its own on-chain infrastructure. The company has already detailed its real-world asset strategy by announcing plans to tokenize approximately 500 U.S. stocks and spot ETFs on Arbitrum. The trend of exchanges seeking to directly control not only user interfaces but also underlying on-chain transmission networks aligns with broader developments across the crypto trading industry.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev has expressed the view that blockchain technology’s real-time settlement capabilities could help prevent trading halts. In January, Tenev stated that tokenized stocks could help avoid trading suspension incidents. Although Robinhood previously faced criticism from regulators and the public over system outages and its order flow payment model during periods of extreme market volatility, the company appears to be aiming to enhance its technical credibility through this infrastructure buildout.
Infrastructure competition among cryptocurrency exchanges is intensifying. Coinbase is already operating its own Layer 2 network, Base, and has signaled plans to launch tokenized stocks, while Kraken is developing a network called Ink to build an integrated on-chain ecosystem. As Robinhood rolls out financial-grade services through its own chain, the push by exchanges to secure both user touchpoints and technical foundations is expected to accelerate further.
Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and no responsibility is assumed for investment losses resulting from reliance on this content. The information provided should be interpreted for informational purposes only.
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