Robinhood expands perpetual futures in Europe, eyes UK crypto launch

• European investors can now trade perpetual futures tied to gold, silver, crude oil, and euro-dollar pairs with up to 10x leverage and 24/7 trading availability
• Robinhood launched 'Robinhood Earn' in the US, allowing users to lend USDG stablecoin for an estimated 7% annualized return with insurance coverage through Lloyd's of London
• The company expanded into Canada through its WonderFi acquisition and received a capital markets services license in Singapore as part of its international growth strategy

Summary

Robinhood Markets Expands European Operations and UK Crypto Access

Robinhood announced multiple expansion initiatives on July 1, targeting European and international markets as part of its diversification strategy beyond trading activity.

Key Developments:

The company is expanding perpetual futures trading in Europe beyond cryptocurrencies to include commodities (gold, silver, crude oil), ETFs, and forex pairs like EUR/USD. These contracts offer up to 10x leverage and 24/7 trading for eligible European investors. Perpetual futures—contracts without expiration dates—have gained attention after the CFTC approved their trading on U.S. exchanges in May.

Robinhood plans to launch crypto trading in the UK, building toward an all-in-one investment platform for the region. The company also entered Canada following its WonderFi acquisition and secured a capital markets services license in Singapore.

New Product Launch:

Robinhood Earn, a lending product for eligible U.S. users, allows customers to lend their USDG stablecoin through a self-custody wallet at an estimated 7% annualized return. The offering includes insurance coverage for cyberattacks and smart-contract exploits through Lloyd's of London and RELM.

Market Context:

Robinhood serves over 28 million customers across 38 countries and has been expanding financial services to reduce dependence on trading revenue. The company posted strong first-quarter transaction revenue driven by crypto market volatility.

Implications:

These moves position Robinhood to capitalize on international crypto demand and diversified derivatives trading, particularly as regulatory frameworks evolve globally. The expansion demonstrates the company's aggressive international growth strategy amid competitive fintech markets.