Robinhood has begun rolling out cryptocurrency trading to eligible customers in the United Kingdom, allowing users to buy and sell more than 50 digital assets through its main investment application.
The service is being provided through Bitstamp UK Ltd, the British subsidiary of cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp. The launch adds crypto trading to Robinhood’s existing UK offering, which includes equities, options, futures and a stocks and shares Individual Savings Account (ISA).
Robinhood said the rollout would begin during the week of August 10, 2026. The company described the launch as an expansion of its “all-in-one” investment platform, giving UK customers access to multiple asset classes through a single application.
The initial cryptocurrency offering includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Hyperliquid, among more than 50 supported digital assets. Robinhood said the list would provide customers with access to a broad selection of crypto markets alongside its traditional investment products.
Zero Trading Fees
The new service is launching with zero trading fees, according to Robinhood. Customers will also not be charged account maintenance or cryptocurrency custody fees.
However, the service is not entirely free of charges. Robinhood said UK customers would pay a 0.10% foreign-exchange fee. That fee will increase to 0.30% for conversions completed during a specified weekend period, running from 17:00 Eastern Time on Friday to 17:00 Eastern Time on Sunday.
The company positioned the pricing structure as a lower-cost alternative to some existing UK cryptocurrency platforms. Robinhood said certain incumbent platforms use less transparent pricing models and wider spreads, which can reduce customers’ returns even where an explicit trading commission is not charged.
The effective cost of trading may therefore depend on the exchange rate applied, the spread between buy and sell prices, and any foreign-exchange conversion required for a transaction. As with other digital-asset services, customers will also remain exposed to market volatility and the possibility of losing some or all of their investment.
Bitstamp UK Provides Trading Service
Crypto trading on the Robinhood UK platform is being offered through Bitstamp UK Ltd, which is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority as a cryptoasset service provider. The FCA Register shows Robinhood U.K. Ltd as registered for certain cryptoasset activities from July 31, 2026, although registration should not be interpreted as a general endorsement of a firm or its products.
The FCA’s current cryptoasset registration framework operates primarily under the UK’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing rules. Businesses providing certain cryptoasset services in the UK must register with the regulator before beginning activities within scope of the Money Laundering Regulations.
The FCA has made clear that registration under the existing regime is limited in scope. It does not mean that cryptoassets are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or that customers automatically receive protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Robinhood’s launch disclosure similarly states that cryptocurrency held through Bitstamp UK is not covered by the FSCS or FOS. The company also warned that buying and selling cryptocurrency involves a risk of losing the principal invested.
The regulatory position is relevant because the UK is preparing a broader cryptoasset regime. The FCA has said the new framework is expected to come into force on October 25, 2027, following the introduction of legislation and an application period for firms seeking authorisation under the future regime.fca.org+1
Robinhood Seeks Broader Crypto Expansion
The UK launch follows Robinhood’s acquisition of Bitstamp, a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011. Robinhood announced the completion of the acquisition in June 2025, describing the transaction as a way to accelerate its international cryptocurrency expansion and establish its first institutional crypto business.
Bitstamp operates across several jurisdictions and has offices in Luxembourg, the UK, Slovenia, Singapore and the United States. Robinhood said the exchange held more than 50 active licences and registrations globally at the time of the acquisition, with retail and institutional customers across Europe, the UK, the US and Asia.
The acquisition gave Robinhood access to Bitstamp’s spot-exchange infrastructure, institutional customer base, trading technology and application programming interface connectivity. Bitstamp also provides services including crypto-as-a-service, institutional lending and staking.
Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood’s general manager for crypto, said the acquisition would help the company expand outside the United States and serve institutional customers. Bitstamp Chief Executive JB Graftieaux said the combination would bring the exchange’s platform and expertise into Robinhood’s wider ecosystem while maintaining a focus on compliance, security and customer service.
For the UK, the Bitstamp connection allows Robinhood to add cryptocurrency without presenting crypto as a separate standalone platform. Customers can access the new service within the same app used for shares, options, futures and ISA investments.
Jordan Sinclair, president of Robinhood U.K. Ltd and general manager of Bitstamp UK Ltd, said a new generation of UK investors viewed digital assets as part of a diversified portfolio. He described the launch as another step toward Robinhood’s goal of becoming an all-in-one investment platform in the UK.
AI Market Information and Blockchain Plans
Robinhood is also introducing Cortex Digests for Crypto to support the UK launch. The generative artificial intelligence feature analyses breaking news, market data, technical indicators and Robinhood’s proprietary insights before presenting an explanation of potential price drivers in plain English.
The company said the tool is intended to provide market context and help customers make more informed decisions. It does not remove the risks associated with crypto trading, and information generated by an AI tool should not be treated as a guarantee of future performance or as personalised financial advice.
Robinhood also said UK developers could build on Robinhood Chain, a Layer 2 blockchain built on the Arbitrum platform. According to the company, the network is designed for financial services and tokenised real-world assets. Robinhood said that, since its global launch on July 1, the chain had generated more than $18 billion in decentralised-exchange trading volume and exceeded $840 million in total value locked.
The company separately cautioned that Robinhood Chain is not provided by Robinhood U.K. Ltd, is not authorised or regulated by the FCA and does not provide access to UK financial-services protections.
Robinhood said customers would have access to educational material through Robinhood Learn and its Help Centre, as well as 24-hour support through in-app chat.
The UK rollout increases competition among platforms offering retail access to cryptocurrencies at a time when regulators are strengthening oversight of the sector. While the service offers commission-free trading and access to more than 50 assets, customers will need to consider foreign-exchange charges, price volatility and the absence of FSCS and FOS protection before using it.