Robinhood Acquires Bitstamp for $200 Million to Expand Global Crypto Reach

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The cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve as traditional fintech platforms deepen their digital asset ambitions. Robinhood, the popular trading app known for democratizing stock and crypto access, has taken a bold step toward global expansion with its $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp, one of the oldest and most regulated cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.

This strategic move underscores Robinhood's intent to strengthen its international presence, diversify its product offerings, and navigate an increasingly complex U.S. regulatory environment.

Strategic Acquisition to Fuel International Growth

On June 6, Robinhood announced its plan to acquire Bitstamp in an all-cash transaction valued at $200 million. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Barclays Capital is serving as Robinhood’s exclusive financial advisor, while Galaxy Digital Partners is advising Bitstamp.

👉 Discover how this acquisition could reshape the future of global crypto trading.

Bitstamp, founded in 2011, operates across key financial jurisdictions including Luxembourg, the UK, Slovenia, Singapore, and the U.S. It holds a strong compliance record—being one of only four crypto firms approved by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the past year—and was the first European exchange to receive in-principle approval from Singapore’s Monetary Authority. Notably, it has also been favored by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin for certain transactions.

By integrating Bitstamp’s infrastructure and regulatory licenses, Robinhood aims to expand into over 50 countries where Bitstamp is already registered. This could open the door to 400,000 to 500,000 new crypto users, according to Fortune magazine estimates.

Bernstein analysts highlight that the acquisition will allow Robinhood to offer a broader range of cryptocurrencies—from 15 in the U.S. and 30+ in Europe to over 85 available on Bitstamp. More importantly, it grants Robinhood access to global liquidity pools, improving trade execution and platform economics.

Expanding Product Offerings with Institutional Appeal

Beyond geographic reach, the acquisition brings significant product enhancements. Bitstamp offers services that Robinhood currently lacks or limits in the U.S., such as staking, stablecoin support, institutional custody, prime brokerage, and advanced trading tools.

These capabilities are critical for attracting institutional investors, a segment Robinhood has been eager to grow. In May 2024, Robinhood Crypto launched staking for European customers and introduced localized apps—early signs of a broader institutional push.

"Bitstamp’s established reputation and compliance framework make it an ideal partner," said Johann Kerbrat, Head of Robinhood Crypto. "We’re not just buying an exchange—we’re acquiring trust, global reach, and a foundation for institutional-grade services."

CoinGecko data shows Bitstamp recorded nearly $200 million in daily trading volume and 1.21 million monthly visits as of June 11, ranking it 41st globally. While its dominance has waned from earlier days when it ranked among the top three exchanges, its regulatory pedigree remains valuable.

Navigating U.S. Regulatory Uncertainty

One of the most compelling drivers behind the acquisition is the uncertain U.S. regulatory climate. In May 2024, Robinhood received a Wells Notice from the SEC—a formal indication that the agency may pursue enforcement action over its crypto offerings.

Kerbrat expressed frustration during a recent Unchained podcast interview:

“Despite engaging with the SEC 16 times and only listing 15 compliant assets—without offering staking—we still received a Wells Notice. The lack of regulatory clarity is precisely why we’re accelerating our expansion into regulated markets like the EU.”

Architect Partners, an investment banking firm, noted that acquiring Bitstamp allows Robinhood to diversify regulatory risk. Even if U.S. regulators impose restrictions, Robinhood can continue growing through its European and Asian arms.

This strategy aligns with other crypto firms seeking offshore resilience. Ripple previously acquired a stake in Bitstamp in 2023 to bolster its global payment infrastructure.

However, Bitstamp is not immune to regulatory pressure—it has suspended services in Canada, limited ETH staking for U.S. users, and faced account freezes by India’s Financial Intelligence Unit.

Q&A: Addressing Key Questions About the Acquisition

Q: Why did Robinhood choose Bitstamp over other exchanges?
A: Bitstamp offers a rare combination of longevity, compliance credentials, and multi-jurisdictional licensing. Its reputation for working within regulatory frameworks makes it a safer bridge into international markets than newer or less-regulated platforms.

Q: Will Robinhood users gain access to more cryptocurrencies?
A: Yes—eventually. While integration will take time, the goal is to expand from 15 U.S.-listed cryptos to over 85, including altcoins currently unavailable on Robinhood.

Q: Does this acquisition include Bitstamp’s wallet or staking services?
A: Yes. Bitstamp offers staking for major coins like ETH and BTC, along with custodial solutions for institutions—services Robinhood plans to leverage internationally.

Q: How will this affect Robinhood’s stock performance?
A: Though JMP Securities raised Robinhood’s price target to $30 citing growth potential, some analysts caution that Bitstamp’s minimal profitability may limit near-term financial impact. Still, shares have surged over 89% year-to-date, reflecting investor confidence in its crypto pivot.

Accelerating Crypto Innovation Amid Market Shifts

Robinhood has aggressively expanded its crypto offerings in 2024:

These efforts paid off in Q1 2024:

👉 See how Robinhood’s crypto momentum compares to other major platforms.

However, April data revealed a sharp downturn: crypto trading volume dropped 57% month-over-month to $10.1 billion amid cooling retail interest—though still up 173% YoY. Stock trading activity also fell 43%.

Despite volatility, Robinhood remains bullish on crypto’s long-term role. The company recently approved a $1 billion stock buyback program, set to begin in Q3 2024 and span two to three years.

Final Outlook: A Global Vision Amid Challenges

Robinhood’s acquisition of Bitstamp marks a pivotal shift—from a U.S.-centric retail app to a global financial platform with serious crypto ambitions.

Core keywords naturally integrated throughout this article include:

While challenges remain—including integration complexity and Bitstamp’s declining market share—the strategic value lies in regulatory access, product diversification, and institutional credibility.

👉 Learn what this means for the future of decentralized finance and user control.

As the crypto market matures and regulation intensifies worldwide, Robinhood’s bet on Bitstamp may prove to be less about immediate returns—and more about securing a seat at the global financial table.