Key Takeaways:
Robinhood launched zero-fee crypto trading in the UK on Aug. 10, offering more than 50 digital assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Hyperliquid through its Bitstamp UK subsidiary.
Jordan Sinclair, head of Robinhood's UK business, said a new generation of British investors views digital assets as an important part of a diversified portfolio, and the launch marks a step toward establishing the company as an integrated investment platform in the UK.
The service carries no trading, custody or account maintenance fees. Customers pay a 0.1 percent foreign exchange fee on currency conversions, with some weekend conversions at 0.3 percent. The rollout follows Robinhood's registration with the Financial Conduct Authority on July 31. Crypto assets held through the service are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service.
The UK expansion comes as Robinhood's crypto transaction revenue fell 38 percent year over year to $100 million in Q2 2026, even as total revenue rose 32 percent to $1.31 billion. Prediction-market revenue reached $156 million in the quarter. The company also introduced Cortex Digests for Crypto, an AI feature that synthesizes breaking news, market data and technical indicators to explain price movements in plain language.
Robinhood is simultaneously pushing its blockchain business through Robinhood Chain, an Arbitrum-based layer-2 network that has recorded more than $18 billion in decentralized exchange trading volume and over $840 million in total value locked since its July 1 launch. UK developers can build applications on the network, extending Robinhood's reach beyond retail trading into DeFi infrastructure.
HOOD shares traded at $94.52 on Aug. 10, up 1.32 percent, and remain about 45 percent above their year-to-date low. The company reported $369 billion in total platform assets in Q2, with Gold subscribers up 39 percent and net deposits of $21.7 billion. Management lowered its full-year 2026 operating expense range to $2.675 billion to $2.775 billion and authorized a $1.37 billion buyback.
The UK launch precedes a new crypto authorization regime. Applications open in September 2026, with the framework taking effect in October 2027. Robinhood's current FCA registration will not replace the authorization required under that future system.
According to Barchart data, the consensus rating on Robinhood is "Moderate Buy" with a mean price target of $121, implying roughly 30 percent upside from current levels. The zero-fee model directly challenges UK competitors that charge opaque pricing and wide spreads, potentially accelerating user acquisition in a market where Robinhood previously had limited crypto exposure.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
