In a move that reshapes the global crypto landscape, Robinhood has entered into an agreement to acquire Bitstamp, one of the world’s longest-standing crypto exchanges. The deal, reportedly valued at over $200 million, gives Robinhood more than just an institutional gateway—it delivers licensing, banking infrastructure, and user trust in 50+ countries.
Coming just weeks after Robinhood’s crypto division became the first firm to receive a MiCA license in Lithuania, this acquisition reflects a clear strategic pivot: Robinhood is not just scaling crypto—it’s building an end-to-end global fintech stack.
And in a market where super apps, embedded finance, and multi-rail orchestration are rapidly becoming the norm, this move places Robinhood in direct competition with European giants like Revolut, which has long pursued a similar playbook.
The Deal That Repositions Robinhood
Bitstamp isn’t just any exchange. Founded in 2011, it holds multiple high-value licenses, including:
- A BitLicense in New York
- EU-wide Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registrations
- A long-standing reputation for compliance and institutional-grade custody
With the acquisition, Robinhood gains immediate access to:
- Institutional trading infrastructure
- Established fiat on/off ramps
- A customer base across Europe, Asia, and the US
This isn’t just a scale play—it’s an infrastructure acquisition. A fast track to becoming a global crypto-native financial institution.
From Lithuania to Everywhere: Building on MiCA Rails
Earlier this month, Robinhood Europe UAB became the first entity to receive a MiCA license in Lithuania, cementing its status as a regulated crypto asset service provider under the EU’s sweeping new framework.
That license allows Robinhood to:
- Offer crypto custody and exchange services across all EU member states
- Operate under a single passport without needing national-level approvals
- Comply with capital requirements and AML standards on par with banks
Now, by acquiring Bitstamp, Robinhood connects that European compliance layer with a broader global crypto ecosystem—bridging MiCA’s regulatory clarity with Bitstamp’s market infrastructure.
Revolut vs. Robinhood: The New Fintech Face-Off
For years, Revolut has been the benchmark for scaling a financial super app in Europe—combining personal banking, crypto, investing, and payments in one mobile-native experience.
Robinhood, by contrast, built its base in equities and options before entering the crypto space. But this latest move signals a new trajectory: Robinhood is now actively competing to own the crypto rails, the banking rails, and the customer interface.
| Feature |
Revolut |
Robinhood + Bitstamp |
| Crypto Services |
Retail-focused, some DeFi features |
Institutional-grade, multi-market reach |
| EU Licensing |
EMI, VASP |
MiCA-licensed CASP (Lithuania) |
| Stock Trading |
Yes (via partner brokerage) |
Native, with strong US user base |
| Super App Strategy |
Yes, with broad financial features |
Emerging, powered by infrastructure |
Final Word from Obtained.com
Robinhood’s acquisition of Bitstamp signals something bigger than an M&A headline. It shows that fintech players are no longer content to build front ends. They want control of the payment stack, the custody layer, the banking infrastructure, and the global compliance rails.
At Obtained.com, we work with fintechs, EMIs, crypto platforms, and acquirers who want to operate at that level:
- Structuring regulated acquisitions in crypto and payments
- Navigating MiCA, EMI, and CASP licensing across the EU
- Integrating global rails across SWIFT, SEPA, card networks, and blockchain
- Designing strategic infrastructure that blends fintech, banking, and crypto
If you're planning your next expansion—let’s talk rails, licensing, and readiness.
Book a consultation with our team today.
