Ernest Oppetit, CPO and Co-founder, Kiln.
Discover top fintech news and events!
Subscribe to FinTech Weekly's newsletter
Read by executives at JP Morgan, Coinbase, Blackrock, Klarna and more
Robinhood’s continued expansion into crypto, particularly its move toward a new category of crypto infrastructure products like staking, tokenized assets, and prediction markets, marks a clear inflection point for the industry. For years, mainstream fintech platforms approached digital assets cautiously, often limiting exposure to the technology broadly. What’s happening now is different. Robinhood is embracing the underlying infrastructure that powers onchain finance, marking a pivotal step toward expanding the crypto products on its balance sheet.
This shift reflects a broader evolution in how mainstream institutions are approaching digital assets. Crypto has matured into an integral part of an institution's financial infrastructure as opposed to a purely speculative asset.
Why staking, and why now?
Robinhood’s decision to add staking services can be understood in the context of the evolving regulatory landscape. For years, uncertainty surrounding U.S. regulation kept major consumer platforms on the sidelines when it came to participating directly in activities like staking. However, recent regulatory clarity is changing that dynamic.
Clearer guidelines around the regulatory treatment of protocol staking have helped distinguish compliant staking activities from securities offerings, reducing uncertainty around participation in proof-of-stake networks. This shift enables fintechs like Robinhood to offer users access to protocol staking on assets they already hold, in a way designed to align with the custody and control conditions outlined by regulators.
In proof-of-stake networks, staking is a core mechanism that secures the network and distributes rewards. As regulations mature, staking will become an expectation for both consumers and investors.
The growing demand for yield among retail users
Another driving force behind institutional adoption is an increasingly sophisticated retail investor base. Today’s retail investors understand that idle assets carry opportunity costs, whether in traditional finance or onchain.
This creates a demand for yield, which is particularly pronounced in crypto. Consumers are increasingly asking, "Why shouldn't my assets be generating a return for me?" Consequently, platforms that do not offer yield-earning opportunities risk being perceived as failing to maximize value for their users.
This demand for value is not limited to crypto-native users. Robinhood’s audience, many of whom are new to digital assets, is being introduced to the concept of onchain yield for the first time.
Global expansion and tokenized assets
Robinhood’s global strategy also signals a broader vision. Its expansion into European markets, including the introduction of tokenized equities, highlights how quickly the lines between traditional finance and blockchain-based systems are blurring.
Tokenized stock offerings are particularly notable because they showcase the flexibility of blockchain infrastructure. By tokenizing assets, platforms can enable faster settlement times, have deeper integration with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, and house the potential for new forms of yield generation. Additionally, tokenization enables a new investing audience to obtain “owners’ equity” in privately held companies, like OpenAI and SpaceX, without needing to be qualified purchasers or accredited investors.
Successfully delivering these products across borders requires a deep understanding of local regulations, as well as strong custody solutions and onchain capabilities. It’s not enough to simply “add crypto” to a platform's product offerings. Fintechs must develop enterprise-grade systems to ensure reliability and compliance.
What it takes to stake securely at scale
Staking presents significant infrastructure challenges. Security, compliance, uptime, and performance must be managed closely since failure in any of these areas could have far-reaching consequences and risk credibility. Reporting, auditability, and compliance controls are essential for any platform working with regulated entities. Institutions must maintain trustworthiness and provide their users with the ability to stake securely at scale.
For platforms like Robinhood, offering staking provides critical blockchain infrastructure that is a crucial step as the industry matures.
Heading into 2026
As we enter a new year, it’s clear that more fintechs and traditional institutions will follow Robinhood’s lead. The conversation around crypto has shifted as the industry has matured. It’s become an essential service offering that requires security and scalability to earn the trust of users.
Staking, tokenization, and onchain yield are rapidly becoming standard components of traditional financial platforms. The winners will be those who invest early in secure, compliant, and scalable infrastructure, and who understand that the true value of crypto lies in the systems that underpin it.
