- Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev sees blockchain enabling 24/7 trading, fractional ownership, and seamless cross-border transactions.
- SEC easing enforcement signals a friendlier approach, boosting Robinhood’s ambitions for blockchain-powered securities.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev reaffirms his vision for cryptocurrency as the foundation of a more efficient financial system.
Ahead of the White House Crypto Summit on the 7th of March, he emphasized blockchain’s potential to revolutionize traditional markets.
Key innovations include 24/7 trading, fractional ownership, and seamless cross-border transactions, showcasing blockchain’s transformative capabilities.
Source: X
His remarks come as the Trump administration signals a departure from restrictive regulatory approaches, paving the way for broader crypto adoption in the United States.
Washington shifts gears—and crypto might be the winner
For years, U.S. securities laws have hindered crypto integration with real-world assets like stocks and commodities.
Conflicting classifications by agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have created a fragmented regulatory landscape.
As a result, access to tokenized assets has been restricted, often limiting participation to institutional investors. The landscape is now changing.
With the SEC dropping enforcement cases against firms like Coinbase and Uniswap, and the agency under new leadership, Tenev sees a path forward. He said,
“We’re hoping that the new administration will bring in a lot more clarity and we’ll finally get some legislation for crypto, which has been sorely needed”.
The White House’s upcoming summit is expected to provide further direction, with reports suggesting President Trump may announce a Bitcoin [BTC] reserve strategy as part of a broader digital asset framework.
Robinhood is prepared—but is the government ready?
Tenev argues that blockchain technology offers advantages over traditional financial systems, particularly in its ability to operate continuously without intermediaries.
Also, he highlighted its potential to support trading beyond the limitations of stock markets by saying,
“Crypto by its nature is 24/7. It’s running on blockchain technology that doesn’t close on weekends.”
Robinhood has taken steps in this direction by introducing 24/7 stock trading on its platform.
Traditional market structures still rely on clearinghouses and central authorities, but crypto eliminates these limitations.
With regulatory support, firms like Robinhood could integrate traditional assets into decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.
Fractionalization also plays a vital role in this transformation, as blockchain technology divides assets into smaller, more accessible units.
Tenev highlighted that, with regulatory approval, small teams could recreate Robinhood’s platform for tokenized stocks and commodities. He said,
“You get fractionalization for free, which was a complex build.”
Bridging traditional and decentralized finance
Robinhood’s expansion into institutional crypto markets reflects this strategic shift. The company recently finalized a $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp, gaining access to a global trading network spanning over 50 countries.
Tenev sees this move as a step toward breaking down barriers between traditional finance and DeFi, increasing liquidity and accessibility.
Regulatory clarity is crucial for this transition.
Under the previous administration, the SEC’s approach—characterized by enforcement actions rather than clear guidelines—created uncertainty for crypto businesses. Tenev said that both consumers and businesses benefit from well-defined rules,
“Regulation by enforcement is fundamentally bad for the country.”
With the new administration promising a structured regulatory framework, Robinhood is positioning itself to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Built on crypto or stuck in the past?
Tenev envisions a future where blockchain underpins not only speculative digital assets but also securities, commodities, and other real-world investments.
He challenges the inconsistency in current regulations, questioning why investors can freely trade memecoins while restrictions remain on companies like SpaceX.
“There’s no reason why you should be able to invest in a memecoin freely as much as you want, but SpaceX and OpenAI are too risky.”
As the industry awaits concrete policy developments, Robinhood is preparing for an expansion of crypto listings. With SEC investigations into its crypto division now closed without enforcement action, the company is poised to accelerate its offerings.
Tenev’s confidence in blockchain technology suggests Robinhood will continue to push for a financial system where crypto plays a central role.
The upcoming White House Crypto Summit marks a pivotal moment in this transition. Key industry leaders, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Strategy (previously MicroStrategy) founder Michael Saylor, are set to attend.
Their discussions could influence the regulatory landscape for years to come. If reports of a national Bitcoin reserve strategy are accurate, it would represent one of the most significant government endorsements of digital assets to date.
