Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood Markets, has publicly urged the United States to take a leading role in shaping cryptocurrency policy, emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity to enable key features like staking and tokenized stocks. In a statement on social media platform X on January 15, 2026, Tenev highlighted that staking remains one of the most requested features on the Robinhood app but is still unavailable to customers in four U.S. states—California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin—due to regulatory gridlock.
Tenev specifically called for the passage of a crypto market structure bill, stating, "It’s time for the US to take the lead on crypto policy." He expressed support for Congress's efforts and offered to assist both the Senate Banking Committee GOP and the Senate Banking and Housing Democrats to "get it over the line." The proposed legislation seeks to define when crypto tokens are securities or commodities, providing the industry with long-sought legal clarity.
The CEO's comments come amid ongoing legislative delays. On the same day, the Senate Banking Committee postponed its planned markup of the sweeping crypto market structure bill. This decision followed Coinbase's withdrawal of support for the latest version of the bill, with CEO Brian Armstrong citing "too many issues," including a de facto ban on tokenized equities, DeFi prohibitions, and amendments that would eliminate rewards on stablecoins.
Tenev argued that the current regulatory stalemate is hindering innovation and market access in the U.S., noting that features like "Stock Tokens" are available to Robinhood customers in the European Union but not in its home market. He emphasized that clear legislation is needed to protect consumers while unlocking financial innovation. Robinhood's recent acquisitions, such as Bitstamp and WonderFi, underscore the company's commitment to expanding its crypto footprint.
Analysts suggest that successful regulatory progress could significantly impact the broader crypto industry, particularly benefiting networks like Ethereum and Solana, which are central to staking and decentralized finance. The push aligns with a perceived industry momentum under revised SEC directives following the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
