Robinhood Launches Ethereum Layer 2 Testnet for Tokenized Stocks

Robinhood has opened the public testnet for Robinhood Chain, its proprietary Ethereum Layer 2 network designed to migrate core financial infrastructure on-chain.

The initiative signals a structural shift from brokerage platform to blockchain-based financial stack.

The testnet marks the first operational phase of a broader plan to support tokenized real-world assets, with an emphasis on enabling continuous trading of U.S. equities and ETFs through on-chain infrastructure.

Built on Arbitrum Nitro to Scale Retail Finance

Robinhood Chain is an Ethereum Layer 2 built using the Arbitrum Nitro technology stack from Arbitrum. The design leverages Ethereum’s base-layer security while targeting higher throughput and lower transaction costs, characteristics required for retail-scale participation.

The network is specifically optimized for real-world asset tokenization, with the primary objective of enabling 24/7 trading of tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs. By shifting settlement and asset representation onto blockchain rails, the platform aims to reduce friction while expanding accessibility across jurisdictions.

Infrastructure Partnerships Signal Ecosystem Depth

To support tokenized asset functionality, Robinhood has partnered with Chainlink as its primary oracle provider. Chainlink will power pricing feeds and data verification required for compliant and functional tokenized securities markets.

Additional early infrastructure partners include Alchemy and LayerZero, strengthening the chain’s connectivity and development framework. These integrations indicate that the project is structured for broader composability rather than a closed ecosystem model.

To accelerate developer engagement, Robinhood has committed $1 million toward the 2026 Arbitrum Open House program, incentivizing builders to deploy applications and tools directly on the new network.

Testnet Access Now Live, Mainnet Planned for 2026

During the current testnet phase, developers have access to network endpoints, documentation, and standard Ethereum tooling. Over the coming months, functionality will expand to include test-only stock tokens and deeper integration with the Robinhood Wallet.

A full mainnet launch is scheduled for later in 2026. Once live, retail customers will be able to interact directly with applications built on Robinhood Chain, marking a transition from backend experimentation to user-facing infrastructure.

European Rollout Anchors Tokenization Strategy

The initial tokenized stock offerings are focused on European customers. This strategy follows Robinhood’s acquisition of Bitstamp and its Lithuanian brokerage license, which provides regulatory access within the European Union.

By leveraging EU licensing frameworks, the company positions itself to offer compliant tokenized securities to international investors, expanding access to U.S. equity markets through blockchain infrastructure.

Strategic Implications for On-Chain Finance

The launch represents a strategic pivot from facilitating crypto trading to operating foundational blockchain infrastructure for financial assets. Chief Executive Officer Vlad Tenev has indicated that tokenized securities could expand global participation in U.S. markets by lowering structural barriers for overseas investors.

If successfully deployed at scale, Robinhood Chain could position the company as both brokerage and protocol operator, embedding traditional financial assets directly into Ethereum’s expanding Layer 2 ecosystem.

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