Bitstamp Facilitates Robinhood's Cryptocurrency Product Launch in the UK Ahead of FCA Licensing Window

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-10Last updated on 2026-08-10

Abstract

Robinhood Crypto, supported by its subsidiary Bitstamp, has launched in the UK, offering eligible customers access to over 50 cryptocurrencies with no trading, account, or custody fees (a 0.1-0.3% FX fee applies). Bitstamp UK, the registered crypto service provider with the FCA, facilitates the trades. The launch coincides with the introduction of an AI-powered news analysis tool, Cortex Digests, and follows the July mainnet launch of Robinhood Chain, an L2 solution, which has processed over $18B in DEX volume. Despite this crypto expansion, Robinhood's Q2 2024 crypto transaction revenue fell 38% year-over-year to $100M, surpassed for the first time by its Prediction Markets revenue of $156M, though overall company revenue grew 32% to $1.31B.

This week, Robinhood (HOOD) provided eligible UK clients with the ability to buy and sell over 50 cryptocurrencies within its main investment app.

Trading operations are conducted through Bitstamp, an exchange the company acquired last year for $200 million. UK retail investors can already access stocks, Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), options, and futures on this platform.

No Trading Fees, But Currency Conversion Fee Still Applies

Robinhood's offering has no trading commissions, account maintenance fees, or custody fees. However, users are charged a currency conversion fee.

UK users pay a foreign exchange fee of 0.1%, which rises to 0.3% on some weekends. The listed cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), XRP, and Hyperliquid (HYPE).

Jordan Sinclair, President of Robinhood UK Ltd and CEO of Bitstamp UK Ltd, stated: 'A new wave of British investors sees digital assets as an important part of a diversified portfolio.'

He added that the launch is 'another important step towards creating a one-stop investment platform for the UK.'

Bitstamp UK is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a cryptoasset service provider. Cryptocurrency held with Bitstamp UK is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service, so usual consumer protections will not be available.

Robinhood's UK entity was added to the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) cryptoasset company register on July 31, confirming its compliance with the regulator's anti-money laundering rules. Other US firms on the list include Ripple, BlackRock, and Revolut. According to earlier reports by Cryptopolitan,

Crypto Revenues Decline Amidst Growth in Prediction Markets

Robinhood is also launching Cortex Digests for crypto in the UK. This generative AI-powered tool analyzes the latest news, market data, and technical indicators to explain what's influencing an asset's price.

Robinhood Chain launched on the mainnet on July 1 after testing that began in February. It is a permissionless Layer 2 solution built on Arbitrum.

Robinhood states that the network has since processed over $18 billion in decentralized exchange (DEX) volume and surpassed $840 million in total value locked.

CEO Vlad Tenev said it is the fastest-growing Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible chain to reach 100 million transactions.

In results published on July 29, Robinhood reported its cryptocurrency transaction revenue for Q2 was $100 million, down 38% from a year earlier. Over the same period, prediction markets brought in $156 million, surpassing crypto for the first time.

Total net revenue rose 32% year-on-year to $1.31 billion. Net income of $573 million increased by 48% compared to Q2 2025.

'We achieved record revenue and set new highs for volumes across stocks, options, and event contracts,' CFO Shivo Verma said at the time.

As Cryptopolitan reported last year, just three months after the acquisition, Bitstamp surpassed Robinhood's own app in crypto trading volume, reaching $14.4 billion in August compared to Robinhood's $13.7 billion.

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Related Questions

QWhat new service did Robinhood launch in the UK this week and through which partner?

AThis week, Robinhood launched crypto trading for eligible UK customers in its core investment app. The trading operations are facilitated through Bitstamp, the exchange it acquired last year for $200 million.

QWhat are the fee structures for UK users trading crypto on Robinhood's new offering?

ARobinhood's UK offering has no trading fees, account fees, or custody fees. However, users are charged a foreign exchange (FX) fee of 0.1%, which rises to 0.3% on some weekends.

QWhat is Cortex Digests and how is it related to Robinhood's UK launch?

ACortex Digests is a generative AI-powered tool launched alongside Robinhood's crypto offering in the UK. It analyzes the latest news, market data, and technical indicators to explain what is affecting the price of a given asset.

QHow did Robinhood's cryptocurrency transaction revenue perform in Q2 compared to a year ago?

ARobinhood's cryptocurrency transaction revenue for Q2 was $100 million, which was 38% lower than the same period a year prior.

QWhat is the regulatory status of Bitstamp UK and what consumer protections are not available for crypto held there?

ABitstamp UK is registered with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a cryptoasset service provider. Cryptocurrency held with Bitstamp UK is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service, meaning these standard consumer protections are not available.

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