(Bloomberg) -- Robinhood Markets Inc. is launching a closed-end fund to give US retail investors exposure to private companies.The retail-trading platform said it filed an initial registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, beginning the process to offer public shares of the fund, dubbed Robinhood Ventures Fund I, according to a statement Monday.With many companies staying private for longer and valuations skyrocketing, retail investors have largely been stuck on the sidelines with f ...

Core Insights - Robinhood Markets Inc. is launching a closed-end fund named Robinhood Ventures Fund I to provide US retail investors access to private companies [1][2] - The initiative aims to democratize investment opportunities that have traditionally been available only to wealthy individuals and institutions [2] - The fund will focus on a concentrated portfolio of private companies at the forefront of their industries, pending SEC approval for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RVI [3] Company Strategy - Robinhood has prioritized giving retail investors access to private equity, which has been restricted in the past [2] - The firm previously announced plans to offer tokenized equities in Europe and provided a limited giveaway of equity tokens for companies like OpenAI and SpaceX [2] Market Context - Many companies are remaining private longer, leading to skyrocketing valuations and leaving retail investors with limited options to participate in this growth [2] - The CEO of Robinhood highlighted the unfairness of retail investors being locked out of private company investments for decades [2]

Group 1 - Robinhood Markets is expanding its offerings by filing plans for a new closed-end fund aimed at providing everyday investors with access to privately held companies [4] - The retail trading platform has submitted an initial registration statement for this fund [4]

Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD) is moving to expand retail investor access to private companies through the launch of Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI), a closed-end fund that has filed an initial registration statement on Form N-2 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund will be managed by Robinhood Ventures DE, LLC, a newly created, wholly owned subsidiary of the company. The initiative aims to give individual investors exposure to firms before they go public, an opportunity historically ...

Group 1 - Trade Republic, a German online broker, has partnered with Apollo Global Management and EQT to provide retail investors access to private markets, which have traditionally been available only to institutions and wealthy individuals [4] - The partnership aims to democratize investment opportunities for retail clients, allowing them to invest in asset classes that were previously out of reach [4] - This initiative reflects a growing trend in the fintech industry to broaden access to private market investments for a wider audience [4]

Group 1 - Futu Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:FUTU) is recognized as a top high-growth international stock, with JPMorgan raising its price target from $200 to $270 while maintaining an Overweight rating [1] - Bank of America Securities and Barclays also expressed bullish sentiments, with Bank of America giving a Buy rating and Barclays increasing the price target from $176 to $232, while keeping an Overweight rating [2] - The company reported stronger-than-expected Q2 results, driven by growth in assets under management and new customer additions, indicating positive underlying operating trends [3] Group 2 - Futu Holdings Limited is headquartered in Hong Kong and provides digitalized financial services, including securities brokerage and wealth management products [3]

Core Insights - The article discusses Robinhood's strategic event, Hood Summit, aimed at engaging its most active retail traders and showcasing new platform features to retain and attract this valuable customer segment [3][5][19]. Group 1: Event Overview - Hood Summit is Robinhood's second annual conference designed for its most engaged customers, featuring activities like go-kart racing and a keynote address by CEO Vlad Tenev [5][6][17]. - The event attracted a diverse group of individual investors, including various age demographics and trading styles, highlighting the broad appeal of Robinhood's platform [2][4]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - Robinhood's focus on active traders is crucial for its business model, as these customers generate significant transaction-based revenue, which amounted to $539 million in Q2 2025 [20]. - The company aims to transition from being perceived as a platform for novice investors to one that caters to more advanced trading needs, introducing features like multiple accounts and futures trading [19][21]. Group 3: Customer Engagement - The event allowed Robinhood to gather feedback directly from users about desired platform features, reinforcing the company's commitment to customer-centric development [5][18]. - Active traders, who often start as novice investors, become more valuable over time, leading to increased engagement and revenue for Robinhood [20]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Robinhood faces competition from established brokerages like Charles Schwab and Fidelity, which offer more advanced trading tools that could attract sophisticated investors away from Robinhood [10][11][12]. - The introduction of new features is part of Robinhood's strategy to retain these valuable customers and enhance its market position [21].

Core Insights - Robinhood Markets, Inc. reported select operating data for August 2025, showing significant year-over-year growth in various metrics [1][4]. Group 1: Customer and Asset Metrics - Funded Customers at the end of August were 26.7 million, a decrease of approximately 10,000 from July 2025, but an increase of about 2.4 million year-over-year [4]. - Total Platform Assets at the end of August reached $304 billion, reflecting a 2% increase from July 2025 and a 112% increase year-over-year [4]. Group 2: Deposits and Trading Volumes - Net Deposits in August amounted to $4.8 billion, representing a 19% annualized growth rate compared to July 2025 Total Platform Assets [4]. - Over the last twelve months, Net Deposits totaled $61.6 billion, with an annual growth rate of 43% relative to August 2024 Total Platform Assets [4]. - Equity Notional Trading Volumes were $199.2 billion, down 5% from July 2025 but up 107% year-over-year [4]. - Options Contracts Traded were 195.5 million, remaining roughly flat compared to July 2025 and up 33% year-over-year [4]. Group 3: Crypto and Margin Metrics - Robinhood App Crypto Notional Trading Volumes were $13.7 billion, down 18% from July 2025 but up 154% year-over-year [4]. - Bitstamp Exchange Crypto Notional Trading Volumes were $14.4 billion, reflecting a 21% increase from July 2025 [4]. - Margin balances at the end of August were $12.5 billion, up 10% from July 2025 and up 127% year-over-year [4]. Group 4: Cash and Revenue Metrics - Total Cash Sweep balances at the end of August were $34.1 billion, up 1% from July 2025 and up 50% year-over-year [4]. - Total Securities Lending Revenue in August was $53 million, down 13% from July 2025 but up 165% year-over-year [4].

Group 1 - Robinhood Markets reported total platform assets of $303.9 billion, an increase from $298.0 billion in July and a significant rise from $143.6 billion a year earlier [4] - Equity notional trading volumes decreased by 5% month-over-month to $199.2 billion, but showed a remarkable increase of 107% compared to August 2024 [4] - The number of options contracts traded was approximately [4]

Core Insights - Robinhood Markets, Inc. reported select monthly operating data for August 2025, highlighting growth in funded customers and total platform assets while experiencing fluctuations in trading volumes and net deposits [1][3]. Customer Metrics - Funded customers remained stable at 26.7 million in August 2025, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 10% from 24.3 million in August 2024 [2][3]. - The growth in funded customers was impacted by the escheatment of around 180 thousand low-balance accounts [3]. Asset Growth - Total platform assets reached $304 billion, reflecting a 2% increase from July 2025 and a significant 112% increase year-over-year [2][3]. - Net deposits for August 2025 were $4.8 billion, showing a 19% annualized growth rate compared to July 2025 [3]. Trading Activity - Equity notional trading volumes were $199.2 billion, down 5% from July 2025 but up 107% year-over-year [2][3]. - Options contracts traded were 195.5 million, remaining roughly flat compared to July 2025 and up 33% year-over-year [2][3]. - Crypto trading volumes on the Robinhood app were $13.7 billion, down 18% from July 2025 but up 154% year-over-year [2][3]. Margin and Cash Sweep - Margin balances at the end of August were $12.5 billion, up 10% from July 2025 and up 127% year-over-year [3]. - Total cash sweep balances were $34.1 billion, reflecting a 1% increase from July 2025 and a 50% increase year-over-year [3]. Revenue Metrics - Total securities lending revenue for August was $53 million, down 13% from July 2025 but up 165% year-over-year [3].