Robinhood is a financial services company that offers commission-free trading of stocks, options, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies via a user-friendly mobile app. Founded in 2013, Robinhood aims to democratize finance by making investing accessible to everyone, particularly young, tech-savvy individuals. The platform allows users to trade without paying fees, and it offers features like margin trading and crypto trading through its Robinhood Gold premium service.
Robinhood has been a disruptor in the investment industry, challenging traditional brokerages, but has faced controversies, including during the GameStop short squeeze in 2021 and concerns over its business model of payment for order flow. It went public in 2021 through a direct listing. Despite challenges, it remains a leader in retail investing, especially for beginner traders.