Robinhood has announced its agreement to acquire global crypto exchange Bitstamp for approximately $200 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Barclays and Galaxy Digital Partners were exclusive financial advisors to Robinhood and Bitstamp, respectively.
Founded in 2011, Bitstamp operates in multiple regions including Luxembourg, the UK, Slovenia, Singapore and the US. The exchange holds more than 50 active licenses and registrations worldwide, which could be a key reason for the move toward accelerated regulatory hurdles as Robinhood looks to expand its offering. This acquisition will significantly expand Robinhood Crypto’s global footprint, bringing in customers from the EU, UK, US and Asia.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev told CNBC last month, following the SEC’s Wells Notice, that it had struggled to comply with U.S. regulations.
“We attempted to create a so-called special purpose broker-dealer for trading crypto assets… Unfortunately, a clear path forward with the SEC never emerged, and they have not reciprocated our efforts.”
The acquisition aims to strengthen Robinhood’s position in the crypto market and attract institutional customers with a new product offering. Bitstamp’s institutional services – including white-label solutions, institutional lending and staking – will be integrated into Robinhood’s ecosystem, creating a comprehensive suite of crypto products. Additionally, Bitstamp’s core exchange, which contains more than 85 tradable assets, will further enhance Robinhood’s crypto offering.
Johann Kerbrat, General Manager of Robinhood Crypto, emphasized that the acquisition is a strategic move to grow their crypto business, leveraging Bitstamp’s established reputation and resilient market presence. JB Graftieaux, CEO of Bitstamp, emphasized that the integration will enhance users’ trading experience while maintaining its strong commitment to compliance, security and customer focus.
The acquisition is expected to introduce Robinhood’s first institutional business, leveraging Bitstamp’s platform and expertise. This strategic combination positions Robinhood to expand its footprint beyond the US and welcome institutional customers, fostering collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing across continents.