Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD) has announced a significant milestone in its expansion strategy by entering into an agreement to acquire Bitstamp Ltd., a globally recognized cryptocurrency exchange. The acquisition, valued at approximately $200 million in cash, is set to close in the first half of 2025. It is still subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Founded in 2011, Bitstamp operates in multiple regions, including Luxembourg, the U.K., Slovenia, Singapore and the United States, and holds more than 50 active licenses and registrations globally. Shares of HOOD have gained 6.5% in response to the announcement. Accelerating Global Expansion The acquisition of Bitstamp will propel Robinhood's cryptocurrency division, Robinhood Crypto, into new international markets. Bitstamp's extensive regulatory compliance and global footprint will enable Robinhood to swiftly expand its presence across the EU, the U.K., the United States and Asia. This strategic move aligns with Robinhood's broader goal to become a comprehensive financial services provider by leveraging Bitstamp's established market position and regulatory approvals. In March, HOOD launched its trading app in the U.K. Using the Robinhood app, all U.K. customers can access more than 6,000 global companies listed on the U.S. markets. The trading platform offers a wide range of services to U.K. customers, including a 5% interest on uninvested cash, trading outside of market hours, zero trading commission and no foreign exchange fees on trades. Hence, the deal to acquire Bitstamp is part of its global expansion initiatives. Entering the Institutional Market A key highlight of the deal is ...