KEYTAKEAWAYS
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Robinhood will launch a Layer 2 blockchain and offer tokenized U.S. stocks to EU users, combining zero-fee trading and on-chain dividends.
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Circle applies for a U.S. bank charter to custody USDC reserves, aiming to boost institutional trust and regulatory compliance.
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Polygon and GSR unveil Katana, a DeFi Layer 2 chain focused on low-risk yield strategies and institutional-grade applications.
CONTENT
ROBINHOOD TO LAUNCH LAYER 2 BLOCKCHAIN AND TOKENIZED STOCKS FOR EU USERS
Online brokerage Robinhood plans to allow EU customers to trade U.S. stocks and ETFs on-chain as “Robinhood Stock Tokens.” These assets will offer zero commission and dividend distribution via Robinhood’s app.
The company is also developing its own Layer 2 blockchain—Robinhood Chain—built on Arbitrum technology to enhance trading speed and efficiency.
Analysis:
Robinhood’s entry into the EU tokenized equities market marks a major step toward real-world asset (RWA) adoption.
By combining zero-fee trading, on-chain dividends, and a custom Layer 2 chain, Robinhood lowers the barrier to traditional asset access while leveraging blockchain advantages.
This move could accelerate institutional RWA adoption and reshape the tokenized securities infrastructure globally.
CIRCLE APPLIES FOR U.S. BANK CHARTER TO CUSTODY USDC RESERVES
Stablecoin issuer Circle has applied for a U.S. national bank charter, which would allow it to custody USDC reserves and manage crypto assets for institutions.
The proposed entity, First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A., would be regulated by the OCC but will not accept deposits or issue loans like traditional banks.
Analysis:
Securing a national bank charter would solidify Circle’s institutional credibility and reinforce USDC’s leadership in the stablecoin market.
It paves the way for stronger regulatory alignment and enhances Circle’s capabilities in custody and compliance—key factors in expanding USDC’s role in DeFi, cross-border payments, and global fintech adoption.
POLYGON LABS AND GSR LAUNCH KATANA: A DEFI-FOCUSED LAYER 2 BLOCKCHAIN
Polygon Labs and market maker GSR have launched Katana, a DeFi-centric Layer 2 chain. Katana features curated financial apps and utilizes the VaultBridge protocol to route assets back to Ethereum’s Morpho protocol for low-risk lending.
Yield generated is returned to Katana to boost rewards for core DeFi apps.
Analysis:
Katana’s curated approach and capital efficiency model aim to solve DeFi’s fragmentation and unsustainable yields. By targeting low-risk, consistent returns and institutional-grade applications, Katana could attract high-net-worth and risk-averse users.
If it continues to secure high-quality projects and maintain security and UX at scale, Katana may evolve into a key DeFi infrastructure within the Ethereum ecosystem.
