Robinhood’s Crypto Leap: Still a Buy After a 150% YTD Surge?

Robinhood Markets, Inc. ( $Robinhood(HOOD)$ ) has been a standout performer in 2025, soaring 150% year-to-date to a current price of ~$30, driven by its bold announcement at a Cannes, France press conference to bring stocks, derivatives, and private equity on-chain through a new Layer 2 blockchain, dubbed Robinhood Chain. This ambitious plan aims to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) on a global scale, positioning Robinhood as a pioneer in the crypto-finance crossover. With the stock at a lofty valuation, investors are debating whether it’s still worth buying, what target price to aim for, and which crypto-finance stocks could match its rally. This report explores Robinhood’s tokenization strategy, its growth drivers, potential risks, and strategic investment approaches, comparing it to rivals like Coinbase and SoFi to guide your next move.

Robinhood’s Tokenization Ambition: A Game-Changer?

At the Cannes press conference, Robinhood unveiled plans to build Robinhood Chain, a Layer 2 blockchain designed to support tokenized stocks, derivatives, and private equity. This move aims to bring real-world assets (RWAs) on-chain, enabling 24/7 trading, fractional ownership, and global access without traditional intermediaries. The initiative builds on Robinhood’s existing crypto offerings, which include trading for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets, and its acquisition of Bitstamp for $200 million to expand its crypto footprint.

Key Features of Robinhood Chain

  • Tokenized Assets: Stocks, derivatives, and private equity will be represented as blockchain tokens, allowing seamless trading and settlement.

  • Global Scale: The platform targets international markets, with Europe as a key focus following Robinhood’s UK and EU expansion.

  • Layer 2 Efficiency: Built on Ethereum or a similar blockchain, Robinhood Chain promises low fees and fast transactions, competing with platforms like Polygon or Arbitrum.

  • Retail Focus: Robinhood’s commission-free model and user-friendly app could democratize access to tokenized assets, attracting its 23 million+ user base.

This strategy positions Robinhood to bridge traditional finance and crypto, potentially disrupting legacy exchanges like Nasdaq and NYSE. However, regulatory hurdles, technical challenges, and competition from established players like Coinbase pose significant risks.

Robinhood’s Stock Performance: A 150% YTD Surge

Robinhood’s stock has climbed from ~$12 at the start of 2025 to ~$30, a 150% YTD gain, reflecting investor enthusiasm for its crypto pivot. Key drivers include:

  • Crypto Market Rally: Bitcoin’s surge past $100,000 and Ethereum’s gains have boosted trading volumes on Robinhood’s platform, with crypto revenue up 161% in Q1 2025.

  • European Expansion: Robinhood’s UK launch and Bitstamp acquisition have expanded its global reach, with Europe contributing 10% of revenue.

  • Tokenization Hype: The Robinhood Chain announcement has fueled speculative buying, with analysts like J.P. Morgan setting a $35 target, citing its “disruptive potential.”

  • Retail Momentum: Robinhood’s 23 million funded accounts and commission-free model continue to attract young investors, driving user growth.

However, the stock’s forward P/E of 50x, compared to the S&P 500’s 22x, raises valuation concerns. Recent market volatility, driven by Middle East tensions and U.S.-China trade uncertainties, adds pressure, with the S&P 500 dipping 0.5% to 6,135.

Will Robinhood Keep Climbing or Pull Back?

The $30 level is a critical pivot, with technical and fundamental factors shaping its trajectory:

  • Bull Case: Tokenization Success: If Robinhood Chain gains traction, it could capture a slice of the $10 trillion RWA tokenization market by 2030, driving HOOD to $35-$40. Crypto Boom: Continued crypto market strength, with Bitcoin at $110,000, could boost trading volumes, supporting a rally to $50 in a bullish scenario. European Growth: Expansion in the UK and EU could double international revenue by 2026, adding upside.

  • Bear Case: Regulatory Risks: SEC approval for tokenized assets is uncertain, and delays could drag HOOD to $20-$25. Competition: Coinbase’s tokenized stock plans and SoFi’s fintech-crypto integration could steal market share. Market Volatility: Geopolitical tensions, like the Israel-Iran conflict pushing oil to $75 per barrel, or a hawkish Federal Reserve could trigger a 5-10% S&P 500 pullback to 5,800-6,000, impacting HOOD.

Social media sentiment on X is mixed, with some users calling HOOD “the next Coinbase” and others warning of a “bubble” at $30. The stock’s 150% YTD gain suggests a potential correction, but its long-term potential remains compelling.

Target Price Range for Robinhood

Analysts and market dynamics suggest a range of outcomes for HOOD’s stock price:

  • Bullish ($35-$50): Driven by successful Robinhood Chain rollout, crypto market strength, and European expansion. J.P. Morgan’s $35 target and Piper Sandler’s $40 target reflect optimism.

  • Base Case ($25-$40): Balances growth potential with valuation risks, likely if regulatory delays or competition slow progress. The $30 level is a pivot, with $25 as support and $40 as resistance.

  • Bearish ($20-$25): Triggered by SEC rejection, a crypto market dip, or broader market sell-off due to geopolitical or trade tensions.

Crypto-Finance Rivals: Who Could Catch Up?

Robinhood’s crypto-finance pivot puts it in a race with other players. Here are two contenders that could match or outpace its rally:

  • Coinbase ( $Coinbase Global, Inc.(COIN)$ ): Price: $299 YTD Gain: 20% Why It’s Hot: Coinbase’s tokenized stock service, pending SEC approval, mirrors Robinhood’s ambitions. Its diversified revenue—trading, staking, and USDC—offers stability, with a forward P/E of 30x. Analysts target $350-$400 if tokenized stocks launch successfully. Edge: Broader crypto exposure and established platform make it a safer bet than HOOD’s speculative pivot.

  • SoFi Technologies ( $SoFi Technologies Inc.(SOFI)$ ): Price: $10 YTD Gain: 15% Why It’s Hot: SoFi’s fintech-crypto integration, including banking, lending, and crypto trading, positions it as a diversified player. Its Galileo platform powers fintech apps, and analysts see $12-$15 targets if growth accelerates. Edge: Lower valuation (20x P/E) and diversified revenue make it a value play compared to HOOD’s 50x P/E.

Comparison Table

Coinbase offers a balanced crypto-finance play with lower valuation risks, while SoFi’s diversified model could appeal to value investors. Both could catch up to Robinhood’s rally if their crypto initiatives gain traction.

Trading and Investment Strategies

Short-Term Plays

  • Buy Robinhood on Dip: Enter at $25-$27, target $35, stop at $23. A 20-30% gain is possible if tokenization news drives momentum.

  • Buy Coinbase: Grab at $220, target $280, stop at $200. A 20-25% upside with lower valuation risk.

  • Options Straddle: Buy calls/puts on HOOD at $30 to profit from volatility around regulatory or crypto market news.

Long-Term Investments

  • Hold Robinhood: Buy at $25-$27, target $40 over 12 months, for 33-60% upside if Robinhood Chain succeeds.

  • Hold SoFi: Add at $10, target $15, for 50% growth with diversified fintech exposure.

  • Diversify with Crypto ETF ( $ProShares Bitcoin ETF(BITO)$ ): Buy at $25, target $30, for broad crypto exposure.

Hedge Strategies

  • VIXY ETF: Buy at $15, target $18, stop at $13, to hedge against market volatility from geopolitical or trade tensions.

  • SPY ETF Puts: Use puts at $614 to protect against a 5-10% S&P 500 pullback.

  • Gold ETF (GLD): Buy at $200, target $220, stop at $190, as a safe-haven hedge.

My Trading Plan

I’m cautiously optimistic about Robinhood’s long-term potential but wary of its 50x P/E and regulatory risks. I’ll buy HOOD at $25-$27, targeting $35-$40, with a $23 stop, betting on Robinhood Chain’s success. For diversification, I’ll add Coinbase at $220, targeting $280, with a $200 stop, leveraging its lower valuation and tokenized stock plans. I’m hedging with VIXY at $15, targeting $18, and keeping 20% cash to seize dips if geopolitical tensions (e.g., Israel-Iran conflict) or regulatory news shake markets. I’ll monitor SEC updates, crypto market trends, and European expansion progress for trading cues.

The Bigger Picture

Robinhood’s 150% YTD surge to $30, driven by its Robinhood Chain announcement and crypto-finance pivot, positions it as a potential disruptor in the $10 trillion RWA tokenization market by 2030. Its tokenized stock, derivatives, and private equity plans, combined with European expansion and a 23 million+ user base, fuel its growth story. However, a forward P/E of 50x, regulatory uncertainties, and competition from Coinbase and SoFi pose risks. Geopolitical tensions, like the Israel-Iran conflict pushing oil to $75 per barrel, and U.S.-China trade uncertainties add volatility, with a potential 5-10% S&P 500 pullback to 5,800-6,000. Investors should buy on dips to $25-$27 for long-term upside, consider shorting above $30 for quick gains, or diversify with Coinbase or SoFi for balanced crypto-finance exposure, hedging with VIXY or GLD to manage risks. The crypto-finance race is heating up—pick your winner carefully.

What’s your Robinhood strategy—buying the dip, shorting the peak, or betting on a rival? Share your thoughts below!

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  • AL_Ishan
    ·07-01
    $HOOD going full crypto degen mode and I’m kinda here for it 😂 If it dips back to $25, I might just YOLO in. Risky? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.
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  • JimmyHua
    ·07-01
    Impressive vision, but 50x PE feels rich. I’d rather wait for regulatory clarity before jumping in. Still, good to see fintechs pushing the envelope.👍
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  • Kristina_
    ·07-01
    Tokenizing stocks on-chain? That’s wild but super innovative. If HOOD pulls this off, it’s not just a broker—it’s a disruptor. Watching closely! 🚀🔗
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  • Merle Ted
    ·07-02
    Growth is wonderful and this company is a winner.
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  • 100 cross before 4rth of July

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