Robinhood operates a commission-free trading platform for retail investors, offering access to stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrency, and futures through mobile and desktop applications. The company positioned itself around removing traditional barriers to market participation, including trading commissions and account minimums, claiming to have made investing accessible to millions of users. The platform includes extended trading hours described as 24/5 availability for hundreds of popular stocks and ETFs.
The technical infrastructure spans retail brokerage operations, mobile and web application development, cryptocurrency trading systems, options and futures trading capabilities, and charting and data visualization tools. The company has developed named features including Robinhood Legend for advanced charting and Robinhood Learn as an educational resource. The platform operates across multiple asset classes simultaneously, requiring integration of distinct regulatory frameworks and trading mechanics for equities, derivatives, and digital assets.
Co-founded by Vlad Tenev and Baiju Bhatt, Robinhood is headquartered in the United States and operates within the financial services and fintech sectors. The company's stated mission centers on democratizing finance, positioning the platform as an alternative to traditional brokerage models that historically served primarily high-net-worth individuals. The business model eliminated commission fees on trades, a structure the company claims to have pioneered in retail stock trading, fundamentally altering competitive dynamics in the retail brokerage industry.