The Defiant - DeFi Podcast

Vlad Tenev on Robinhood’s Bold Move into Crypto, DeFi, and Ethereum L2s

Jul 8, 2025
Vlad Tenev, Co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, dives into the revolutionary world of tokenized stocks and the rollout of an Ethereum Layer 2 using Arbitrum technology. He discusses how Robinhood is set to offer tokenized U.S. stocks in the EU, pushing boundaries in fintech. Tenev also tackles regulatory challenges and the potential of crypto to serve as a backbone for global finance, all while emphasizing a human-centric approach to engagement and innovation in decentralized finance.
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INSIGHT

Tokenized Stocks Unlock Trading Flexibility

  • Tokenized US stocks in Europe offer 24-5 trading with blockchain tech under the hood.
  • Full blockchain integration in stocks can unlock 24-7 trading and DeFi capabilities like lending and swaps.
INSIGHT

Tokenized Private Shares for Access

  • Tokenized private company shares can democratize access for retail investors in the US.
  • This can evolve into a primary market, making startup funding easier and faster globally.
INSIGHT

Robinhood’s Custom Ethereum L2 Chain

  • Robinhood's own Ethereum Layer 2 chain uses Arbitrum tech but is a separate Layer 2.
  • The chain is optimized for real world assets, not just crypto, to enable better control and customization.
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