TLDR
- Robinhood wants to offer 24/7 tokenized stock trading with blockchain features.
- Vlad Tenev believes tokenized stocks could prevent trading disruptions like 2021.
- Robinhood plans 24/7 trading and self-custody of tokenized equities soon.
- Regulatory clarity is key for Robinhood’s tokenized stocks to reach U.S. markets.
Five years after the GameStop trading restrictions, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev is pushing for tokenized stocks to trade onchain 24/7. Tenev’s vision focuses on transforming how equity settlements are done, claiming that traditional methods are structurally fragile.
In light of the 2021 GameStop saga, which saw Robinhood and other brokers halt trading in heavily-shorted stocks, Tenev argues that blockchain technology can provide a more durable solution to avoid similar disruptions in the future.
🚨 BREAKING: Robinhood to enable 24/7 trading and "self-custody" with tokenized stocks.
IT'S HAPPENING…!!! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/aGtcmF8fVE
— Real World Asset Watchlist (@RWAwatchlist_) January 28, 2026
Robinhood has already taken steps toward this vision by offering tokenized stocks to European users, allowing for 24/5 trading. The next step is to expand the offering to include 24/7 trading and integrate decentralized finance (DeFi) features.
The goal is to provide users with not only faster settlement times but also more flexibility and self-custody options. Tenev envisions a world where stocks are represented as onchain tokens, allowing for near-instant settlement, continuous trading, and fractional ownership.
Tokenized Stocks as a Solution to Traditional Settlement Issues
Tenev has long been a vocal critic of traditional equity settlement processes, particularly the multi-day cycles that can create significant collateral requirements during periods of market volatility. The issue was highlighted during the GameStop trading halt, which exposed the risks of outdated financial infrastructure.
According to Tenev, slow settlement times combined with high trading volumes and market volatility can lead to massive collateral requirements, trading restrictions, and a poor customer experience.
Tokenization of stocks offers a solution by allowing trades to settle in near-real-time, removing the need for brokerages to post large collateral amounts during times of market stress. In his view, this system reduces systemic risks and makes markets more resilient. Moreover, tokenized stocks provide benefits such as fractional ownership and the ability to trade continuously, features that are not available in traditional markets.
Robinhood’s Expansion Plans and DeFi Integration
Robinhood is already offering tokenized stock trading in Europe, with plans to extend these offerings further. Since June 2025, European users have been able to trade more than 2,000 U.S.-listed equities through tokenized stocks on the Arbitrum One blockchain.
The current offering includes 24/5 trading, but the company is planning a significant upgrade to allow for 24/7 trading. Additionally, Robinhood is considering the integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) features, such as self-custody of tokenized shares, which would give users more control over their assets.
The company is also working on its own Layer 2 blockchain, called Robinhood Chain, which would support the scale needed to make these tokenized equities more accessible. DeFi integration could open up new financial activities for users, including lending and using tokenized stocks for other onchain applications. Robinhood aims to provide an innovative and flexible solution for users who want to interact with the financial markets outside traditional hours.
Regulatory Challenges and the Need for Clear Guidelines
For tokenized equities to gain widespread adoption in the U.S., Tenev emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity. He pointed to the Clarity Act, a proposed piece of legislation, as a potential turning point for establishing clear rules surrounding tokenized securities.
With this legislation, Tenev believes that the market would have a stable regulatory environment, ensuring that tokenized stocks are treated with the same level of security and oversight as traditional assets.
Despite progress in the U.S., Robinhood’s focus is still on ensuring compliance with both U.S. and European regulations. Recent guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission has made it clear that tokenized securities will still be subject to federal securities laws.
Tenev expressed confidence that regulatory clarity would encourage institutional adoption and prevent the kind of trading restrictions seen during the 2021 GameStop event. By securing the future of tokenized equities through legislation, Robinhood aims to ensure that disruptive market events are avoided.
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