Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD): From Meme Stocks to Financial Ecosystem
Summary Robinhood Markets , Inc., founded in 2013 by Vladimir Tenev and Baiju Bhatt, remains committed to its mission of democratizing finance for all . The company’s commission‑free trading platform has attracted millions of younger investors, enabling access to stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Since its IPO in July 2021, Robinhood has evolved from a disruptive brokerage into a diversified fintech ecosystem. As of late 2025, Robinhood boasts over 24 million funded accounts and continues to expand internationally, with its UK launch and plans for broader European entry. The company’s growth trajectory is supported by strong financial results, product diversification, and a push into new verticals such as banking and prediction markets. Business Model and Revenue Streams Commission‑free trading remains the core attraction, but Robinhood now generates revenue from: Transaction fees and order flow. Interest on cash balances. Subscription services (Robinhood Gold, now with 3....