Airdrop Army

Robinhood’s crypto wing just flipped the switch on a major upgrade, now letting European users move over 20 different digital assets. They’re calling this the answer to “top customer requests” as demand spikes across the region. So now, crypto like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and USD Coin (USDC) are ready for withdrawals and deposits, all from that same Robinhood app.

But Robinhood’s not just playing a numbers game. This move is really about giving users control and simplifying the decentralized finance (DeFi) world. Johann Kerbrat, their crypto VP, said users wanted this feature, and now they’ve got it. The expansion aligns with their push into Europe, where they launched back in December, opening the gates to trade 25-plus digital currencies. Europe’s got a hungry market, and Robinhood’s all-in, eyeing revenue from the region.

Tussling with Europe’s New Crypto Rules

But Europe’s tightening the screws on crypto with new laws, and Robinhood’s expansion isn’t happening in a vacuum. The region’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is reshaping how companies like Robinhood operate, so things are heating up. This legislation’s focusing on stablecoins, anti-money laundering rules, and making sure customers don’t get the short end of the stick. Some countries like Germany and France have even rolled out stricter licenses.

Still, Robinhood’s playing it cool. Kerbrat said they’re no strangers to dealing with regulators because they’ve been in talks from day one. “We’re a big player, and we know how to handle regulators,” he said, which is why they haven’t hit any major speed bumps yet.

Security First, Even After the $3.9M Settlement

But let’s not forget Robinhood’s past issues. They just agreed to shell out $3.9 million after blocking customers from pulling their crypto for four years. Even with that on their record, Robinhood’s making security a cornerstone of their strategy. Most of the assets are tucked away in cold storage, and they’ve got crime insurance backing them up to stop phishing attacks. They’re also scanning transactions and educating users to keep the bad actors at bay, keeping things locked down as they grow their crypto empire.