Robinhood launches layer-2 Chain and Arcus DEX

Financial services company Robinhood has officially launched its own layer-2 blockchain, Robinhood Chain, and integrated a new decentralized exchange called Arcus, which was developed in partnership with the team behind the dYdX protocol. The launch, announced on July 1, 2026, represents a significant push to bring tokenized stocks and perpetual futures trading to a retail audience.

Arcus will operate on Robinhood Chain, an Ethereum layer-2 network built using Arbitrum technology. The platform immediately launched spot trading for 95 tokenized stocks with zero fees. Access to perpetual futures trading, however, is currently in a private beta phase for institutional participants, with a public waitlist available for other users. A firm date for a broader public rollout has not been announced.

The dYdX Foundation clarified that Arcus is a distinct and independent product built on separate infrastructure and that the original dYdX blockchain remains unaffected and community-owned. dYdX founder Antonio Juliano has transitioned to a board role at Arcus, with Eddie Zhang, a former dYdX executive, serving as the new venture's CEO. Robinhood Crypto made an investment in Arcus, though...