Robinhood Acquires Indonesian Firms, Targets 17 Million Crypto Traders

Source: DefiPlanet Original Title: Robinhood Acquires Indonesian Firms, Targets 17 Million Crypto Traders Original Link:

Quick Breakdown

• Robinhood buys Buana Capital Sekuritas and PT MDD to enter Indonesia, home to 17 million crypto users.
• Deals secure brokerage and crypto licenses under OJK oversight, enabling immediate trading services.
• Pieter Tanuri, the firm’s owner, joins as advisor to guide compliance and operations.

Robinhood Markets enters Indonesia through two acquisitions, positioning the U.S. trading platform to serve 17 million crypto traders in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. The company agreed to acquire local brokerage Buana Capital Sekuritas and the licensed digital asset firm PT Multi Digital Data (PT MDD), subject to regulatory approvals from Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK). This move lets Robinhood launch stock, crypto, and derivatives trading right away, tapping a fast-growing market where crypto adoption outpaces many regions.

Strategic foothold in a high-growth market

Indonesia ranks among the world’s top crypto markets, with trading volumes reaching $35 billion annually and user numbers swelling amid mobile-first adoption. Robinhood’s entry mirrors its U.S. strategy of low-cost access but adapts to local rules requiring Indonesian-majority boards and domiciled staff. Owner Pieter Tanuri remains as a strategic advisor, bringing expertise in OJK compliance after building the firm into a key player. The deals close soon, with Robinhood eyeing further expansion in Southeast Asia amid global crypto surges under favorable policy environments.

Regulatory wins, revenue boost ahead

OJK approvals mark Robinhood’s first full Asian beachhead, building on its $1.27 billion Q3 2025 revenues fueled by crypto and prediction markets. Past U.S. fines for compliance lapses—$26 million from FINRA, $29.75 million to regulators—highlight risks, yet recent fixes show commitment to robust systems. Analysts see this as a catalyst for Robinhood’s global dominance, as it blends crypto with traditional assets in emerging markets.

Notably, Robinhood is executing a significant strategic pivot by deepening its involvement in event-based speculation following the exceptional success of its initial offerings in the sector. Driven by the rapid growth of these prediction markets, which have become one of the firm’s fastest-growing revenue streams, Robinhood announced plans to launch a dedicated futures and derivatives exchange and clearinghouse. This ambitious expansion involves acquiring the CFTC-regulated entity MIAXdx to secure the necessary infrastructure for the new derivatives exchange slated for 2026. This move positions Robinhood at the forefront of a broader industry trend, capitalizing on the widespread surge in prediction markets that is also attracting competitors such as certain compliant platforms.