Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD) is a financial services company that pioneered commission-free trading through a mobile-first platform. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Robinhood was founded by Vlad Tenev and Baiju Bhatt with the stated mission of democratizing access to the financial markets. The platform rapidly gained popularity for its intuitive interface and zero-commission trades, disrupting traditional brokerage models and attracting millions of retail investors.
The company’s core offerings include equity and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading, options trading, and cryptocurrency trading through its Robinhood Crypto business. In addition to zero-fee trades, Robinhood provides fractional shares, enabling users to invest in high-priced stocks with minimal capital. Cash management services are available via the Robinhood Cash Card, a debit card that integrates with brokerage accounts to earn interest on uninvested cash balances. For more active traders, the Robinhood Gold subscription offers enhanced margin borrowing, access to professional research reports, and larger instant deposit limits.
While Robinhood primarily serves retail customers across the United States, it has explored international expansion in Europe and Asia. The company operates under regulatory oversight from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Robinhood has also taken steps to enhance its educational resources and customer support following periods of rapid growth and heightened market volatility.
Leadership at Robinhood Markets remains closely tied to its founders, with Vlad Tenev serving as Chief Executive Officer and Baiju Bhatt as a board member. The executive team includes seasoned professionals overseeing operations, compliance, engineering, and product development. Through continuous platform enhancements and an expanding suite of financial tools, Robinhood aims to maintain its position as a leading innovator in the retail brokerage industry.
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