Robinhood Launches IPO Access in UK, Allowing Retail Investors to Subscribe to New US Stocks at Offer Price

Robinhood has announced the launch of IPO Access in the UK, enabling British retail investors to submit subscription requests for new US stocks at the official offer price before they begin trading. Users can apply through their general investment accounts, with prospectuses and SEC filings for each available IPO provided in-app for investors to review before deciding whether to subscribe. Robinhood stated it is partnering with a UK public offering platform provider to facilitate access to eligible initial public offerings. The service was first launched in the US in 2021, and Robinhood said it has since participated in over 50 IPOs, opening access to millions of US customers. Jordan Sinclair, President of Robinhood UK, said bringing IPO Access to the UK reflects the company's goal of offering British retail investors the same opportunity to invest in the next generation of innovative listed companies. This launch marks the latest step in Robinhood's UK expansion. Last year, the company acquired the exchange Bitstamp for $200 million, and in August of this year, it opened cryptocurrency trading to eligible UK customers via Bitstamp, supporting the buying and selling of over 50 cryptocurrencies within its main UK investment app, alongside stocks, ISAs, options, and futures. In July of this year, Robinhood launched the Robinhood Chain mainnet and provided eligible users with 24/7 trading of tokenized stock products. Robinhood noted that IPO subscriptions are commission-free, but cautioned that participating in IPO investments carries significant risks, with stock prices potentially experiencing high volatility, particularly in the early stages of listing.