Robinhood Agrees to Acquire Bitstamp for $200 Million, Demonstrating Intent to Challenge Binance and Coinbase

Robinhood Markets has agreed to acquire crypto exchange Bitstamp for about $200 million in cash, as the trading platform accelerates its expansion into digital assets and signals greater competition for Coinbase and Binance.
“Acquiring a global exchange will significantly accelerate Robinhood Crypto’s expansion around the world,” Bitstamp said in a statement. “Bitstamp has over 50 active licenses and registrations around the world and will bring Robinhood customers from the EU, UK, US, and Asia.”
The exchange has around 500 employees and has offices in Luxembourg, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Bitstamp acquisition would put Robinhood in direct competition with Coinbase and Binance.
The new deal, expected to close in the first half of 2025, puts Robinhood in direct competition with crypto trading giants Coinbase and Binance.
“The acquisition of Bitstamp will accelerate our global expansion,” John Kerblatt, the company’s vice president and general manager, told Reuters.
Amid its recent success and rapid growth, the trading business has also come under regulatory scrutiny. Robinhood disclosed that it received a Wells Notice from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 6, which could be a precursor to upcoming enforcement action from the regulator.
The SEC alleges that Robinhood Crypto violated Sections 15(a) and 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Robinhood said it was “disappointed” by the action because it had tried “in good faith” for years to work with the SEC and comply with evolving U.S. regulations.