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Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev has addressed the growing curiosity surrounding the possibility of adding Bitcoin to the company’s balance sheet. During an interview with Anthony Pompliano, Tenev shared insights into the company’s stance on cryptocurrencies and the operational considerations involved.
Robinhood CEO Opens Up On BTC to Balance Sheet
Tenev revealed that discussions around holding Bitcoin have surfaced occasionally, mainly because Robinhood is increasingly involved in cryptocurrency transactions. “We already have to do the work of accounting for crypto, and it’s essentially on the balance sheet anyway,” Tenev explained. He highlighted the operational necessity of holding certain coins for business purposes.
Meanwhile, he also touched upon how it would affect the company to hold BTC as a treasury asset. While the idea of showcasing Robinhood as a crypto-forward company is enticing, Tenev acknowledged potential drawbacks. “If you are a public market investor looking at Robinhood, adding Bitcoin could complicate the picture. Robinhood stock is already highly correlated with Bitcoin without us holding it on the treasury,” he said.
Pompliano referenced examples from the market, noting that while some companies like MicroStrategy have turned BTC into a central treasury asset, others, like Tesla, have taken a more passive approach. Thus, Robinhood has not ruled out the possibility entirely but remains cautious about balancing its core business identity with such moves.
I sat down with Robinhood CEO @vladtenev to discuss the company’s growth, their new crypto product, whether they will put bitcoin on their balance sheet, how financial markets are evolving, changes in regulation, and the future of the company.
YouTube: https://t.co/CcvzTrI5qV… pic.twitter.com/u79l0pE9bS
— Anthony Pompliano 🌪 (@APompliano) December 23, 2024
When asked about broader crypto adoption, Tenev reiterated his belief in the convergence of public equities and cryptocurrency. “The worlds of public equities and crypto will increasingly merge and become one,” he stated, envisioning a future where traditional assets operate seamlessly on blockchain rails.
He emphasized the efficiency of such a system, adding, “You don’t need transfer agents or central clearing houses—all of that is replaced by software.” Tenev also underscored the regulatory hurdles stalling widespread adoption of innovations like tokenized stocks. “The technology exists; it’s the regulatory clarity that’s missing,” he remarked.
Robinhood’s foray into crypto trading has already proven significant, with the platform managing $38 billion in crypto assets under custody as of November 2024. However, Tenev’s comments suggest a careful approach to integrating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin into Robinhood’s broader financial strategy.