Robinhood completes $200 million acquisition of crypto exchange Bitstamp

Robinhood has completed the acquisition of Bitstamp for $200 million — a deal designed to better position the crypto and stock trading platform for expansion outside of the U.S.

The popular trading app first announced the proposed acquisition of Bitstamp in June 2024. Just under a year later, Robinhood hit its target of closing the deal in the first half of 2025, which was subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Founded in 2011 as a European-focused alternative to the now-defunct Mt. Gox, Bitstamp is the oldest running crypto exchange, with over 85 tradable assets and more than 50 licenses and registrations globally. The deal brings its retail customers in the EU, UK, U.S., and Asia under the Robinhood umbrella and introduces the firm to institutional crypto clients for the first time.

"Bitstamp is now part of Robinhood, adding a globally-scaled crypto exchange and our first-ever institutional crypto business," Robinhood co-founder and CEO Vlad Tenev posted on X. "Our work is just beginning."

In a  statement on Monday, Robinhood said Bitstamp has earned institutional trust over 14 years for its reliable execution, deep liquidity, and robust API access, along with services like institutional lending and staking, while Bitstamp's core spot exchange strengthens its global crypto offering with "robust products." 

"The acquisition of Bitstamp is a major step in growing our crypto business. Bitstamp's highly trusted and long-standing global exchange has shown resilience through market cycles," Robinhood Crypto General Manager Johann Kerbrat said in the statement. "Combining our broad retail presence with Bitstamp's global institutional infrastructure will create a seamless, 24/7 trading experience — offering deep liquidity and expanded market access," Kerbrat added on X.

'Bitstamp by Robinhood'

Bitstamp's existing team joins forces with Robinhood as part of the deal to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, the firms said. It also retains its own brand identity for the time being, albeit now styled as "Bitstamp by Robinhood."

"As the world's longest-running cryptocurrency exchange, Bitstamp is known as one of the most-trusted and transparent crypto platforms worldwide," Bitstamp CEO JB Graftieaux said. "Bringing Bitstamp's platform and expertise into Robinhood's ecosystem will give users an enhanced trading experience with a continuing commitment to compliance, security, and customer-centricity."

Barclays Capital Inc. served as the exclusive financial advisor to Robinhood, and Galaxy Digital Partners LLC served as the exclusive financial advisor to Bitstamp for the acquisition.

Crypto MA on the rise

Crypto trading represents a growing share of Robinhood's revenues as its aggressive push into the sector aims to challenge incumbents like Coinbase. Robinhood plans to build a global financial ecosystem across asset classes, including equities, crypto, tokenized securities , stablecoins , and prediction markets — leveraging blockchain rails to drive operating efficiency.

Last month, Robinhood also announced an agreement to acquire the Kevin O'Leary-backed WonderFi in an all-cash deal valued at around $179 million to expand into the Canadian crypto exchange market.

That reflects a sharp rise in mergers and acquisitions across the crypto industry this year, fueled by a more positive regulatory environment under the Trump administration in the U.S., market consolidation, and a drive to scale infrastructure. Recent high-profile deals include Coinbase's record $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit, Kraken's $1.5 billion purchase of NinjaTrader, and Ripple's $1.25 billion takeover of Hidden Road.