Robinhood has unveiled a public testnet for its own Ethereum-based layer two blockchain, signaling a deeper push into on-chain trading and tokenized assets. The new network, known as Robinhood Chain, is built using Arbitrum technology and is designed to support tokenized equities, exchange-traded funds, and other real-world assets within a blockchain environment.
The brokerage platform revealed that the testnet follows six months of private development and testing. Developers can now begin building publicly on the network ahead of a planned mainnet rollout later this year. Robinhood’s move reflects a broader shift among financial platforms that are seeking to bring more trading activity onto blockchain rails while offering users greater flexibility, including round-the-clock trading and self-custody through integrated crypto wallets.
Company executives have emphasized that the initiative is not solely about scaling Ethereum. Instead, the focus is on creating a programmable financial layer where assets can move seamlessly between traditional brokerage services and decentralized finance applications. Users of Robinhood Chain will eventually be able to bridge assets across networks and interact directly with DeFi protocols on Ethereum.
The launch comes amid renewed debate over the role of layer two networks in Ethereum’s long-term roadmap. As upgrades to Ethereum’s base layer have reduced transaction costs and improved efficiency, some projects are reassessing whether custom rollups remain necessary. The Ethereum Name Service, widely known as ENS, recently confirmed it would abandon plans for its own layer two network and instead deploy its next major upgrade directly on the Ethereum mainnet. Developers cited lower gas fees and changing scaling dynamics as key reasons behind the decision.
At the same time, institutional interest in blockchain infrastructure continues to accelerate. LayerZero Labs introduced a new blockchain called Zero, aimed at supportinghigh-performancee financial markets. Citadel Securities has backed the initiative through an investment in the network’s native token, joining other investors seeking to modernize trading and settlement systems using blockchain architecture. The project claims its design can separate transaction execution from verification using zero-knowledge proofs to enhance scalability.
Elsewhere, MegaETH has launched its public mainnet, promoting itself as a high-performance layer two network capable of processing significantly higher transaction volumes than Ethereum’s base layer. The debut adds momentum to ongoing discussions about how best to balance decentralization, scalability, and security within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Beyond network launches, the regulatory environment remains active. In the United Kingdom, Blockchain.com secured registration with the Financial Conduct Authority after previously withdrawing its application. In the United States, policy debates continue around digital asset oversight, including discussions on stablecoin regulation and the framework for broader crypto market structure.
Taken together, these developments illustrate a fast-evolving landscape in which retail platforms, institutional trading firms, and blockchain developers are racing to define the next phase of digital asset infrastructure. Robinhood’s testnet launch places it firmly within that competition, positioning the company not just as a brokerage app but as an emerging on-chain financial platform.
