Robinhood successfully operates over 2,000 tokenized US stock tokens in European markets with full functionality.
Current SEC leadership and proposed CLARITY Act create favorable conditions for US equity tokenization adoption.
Blockchain-based real-time settlement eliminates systemic risk that forced 2021 trading restrictions on investors.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev marked the fifth anniversary of the GameStop trading crisis by advocating for blockchain-based equity tokenization.
The 2021 incident forced brokers to halt meme stock purchases due to outdated settlement infrastructure. Tenev believes tokenization can eliminate such restrictions through real-time settlement capabilities.
He pointed to regulatory progress under current SEC leadership as crucial for implementation.
Settlement Infrastructure Remains Core Problem
The GameStop crisis exposed fundamental weaknesses in traditional equity market infrastructure. Clearinghouse rules required massive cash deposits during the two-day settlement period between trades.
Tenev explained the situation involved complex risk-management rules designed to mitigate settlement risks. These systems collapsed when unprecedented trading volume hit concentrated stock positions.
The CEO described how brokers faced impossible capital requirements within hours. He noted the combination of slow financial infrastructure with extreme volatility created massive problems.
His team worked continuously for 72 hours to resolve immediate problems. The company raised over $3 billion to strengthen capital reserves during the chaos.
Tenev stated he vowed to improve both Robinhood’s resilience and the overall system. His advocacy helped reduce settlement times from two days to one day.
He called this achievement the most consequential accomplishment of the Gensler SEC era. However, the CEO emphasized that T+1 settlement still creates delays extending over weekends.
Current infrastructure cannot support modern trading demands or investor expectations. Tenev wrote that in a world of 24-hour news cycles, T+1 remains far too long.
Traditional markets have resisted faster settlement due to entrenched legacy systems. A fundamental technological shift has become necessary for market stability.
Tokenization Offers Real-Time Settlement Solution
Blockchain technology provides the infrastructure upgrade traditional markets lack. Tenev explained that tokenization converts assets like stocks into tokens living on blockchains.
These tokens settle transactions instantly through blockchain’s native capabilities. Real-time settlement eliminates the risk accumulation that caused the GameStop crisis.
The CEO emphasized that moving equities on-chain allows them to benefit from blockchain settlement properties.
No lengthy settlement period means much less systemic risk and reduced pressure. Customers can freely trade how they want and when they want. These capabilities demonstrate practical advantages beyond just settlement speed.
Robinhood already operates tokenized equities in European markets successfully. The platform offers over 2,000 tokens representing U.S.-listed stocks to European traders.
The company plans to enable 24/7 trading and decentralized finance access soon. Investors will gain self-custody options with possibilities for lending and staking.
Major U.S. exchanges and clearinghouses have announced tokenization initiatives recently. Tenev stated that without regulatory clarity, such efforts remain ineffective.
Current SEC leadership is embracing innovation and facilitating experimentation with tokenization. Congress is considering the CLARITY Act to establish permanent regulatory frameworks.
The CEO emphasized that legislation ensures subsequent commissions cannot reverse achieved progress. He concluded by stating that working with the SEC on tokenization guidelines can prevent future restrictions.
The combination of supportive regulators and congressional action creates a unique opportunity. Real-time settlement through tokenization could finally become reality for U.S. retail investors.
The post Robinhood CEO Advocates Blockchain Tokenization to Prevent GameStop-Style Trading Halts appeared first on Blockonomi.
OpenAI Seeks $100 Billion in Funding, Amazon to Invest $50 Billion
TLDR
OpenAI is seeking to raise up to $100 billion in a new funding round.
Amazon is considering a $50 billion investment, making it the largest investor.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is leading talks with OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
The deal could push OpenAI’s valuation to as high as $830 billion.
Amazon continues investing heavily in AI despite recent corporate layoffs.
OpenAI is looking to raise up to $100 billion in new funding, with Amazon considering a $50 billion stake. If successful, this deal could be one of the largest private tech investments in history. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is leading the talks with OpenAI’s Sam Altman, but details of the deal are still subject to change.
Amazon’s Major Investment in OpenAI
Amazon’s involvement in OpenAI would mark a major shift in its AI investment strategy. Sources close to the discussions indicate that the structure of the deal is still being worked out. Should it happen, Amazon’s $50 billion investment would make it the largest stakeholder in this funding round.
Despite recent corporate layoffs, Amazon continues to pour large sums into artificial intelligence. The company recently cut 16,000 jobs while also committing billions to AI infrastructure. This includes custom AI chips and AI models, making OpenAI a crucial piece of its broader AI strategy.
OpenAI’s New Funding and Potential Valuation
The new round of funding could push OpenAI’s valuation to as high as $830 billion. OpenAI is seeking contributions from other large investors to complete the funding round. Companies such as SoftBank, Thrive Capital, Khosla Ventures, and MGX are already involved.
OpenAI’s growing financial needs stem from the massive costs associated with developing AI systems like ChatGPT. The company is also exploring new revenue streams, including advertisements. This move is crucial to offset the increasing expenses tied to building and maintaining powerful AI models.
As OpenAI seeks massive funding, it is also considering the possibility of going public. The company has not set a timeline for an IPO but is evaluating its options. In addition to the funding talks, OpenAI is negotiating large-scale deals, such as the $38 billion agreement with Amazon Web Services.
These developments come as OpenAI explores new technologies, such as Amazon’s custom AI chips. This partnership could further cement Amazon’s dual play in the AI market, as it continues to invest in both OpenAI and its rival, Anthropic.
The post OpenAI Seeks $100 Billion in Funding, Amazon to Invest $50 Billion appeared first on Blockonomi.
Crypto Custodian Copper Looks Into IPO After BitGo’s Market Debut
TLDR
Copper is reportedly exploring the possibility of an initial public offering as institutional interest in cryptocurrency grows.
Major banks like Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup are involved in Copper’s discussions about a potential IPO.
Copper offers institutional-grade custody, settlement, and collateral management services for digital assets.
The company has partnered with Cantor Fitzgerald and Coinbase to provide tailored solutions for institutional clients.
BitGo’s recent IPO highlights the growing role of cryptocurrency infrastructure companies in traditional financial markets.
Digital asset custodian Copper is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO) following BitGo’s recent debut on the New York Stock Exchange. The move signals increasing institutional interest in cryptocurrency infrastructure companies. Sources close to the discussions revealed that Copper is exploring its options, with major banks such as Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup involved in the process.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Copper has declined to confirm whether it plans to pursue an IPO. A company spokesperson stated that the firm is not planning a public listing at this time. However, the spokesperson refrained from commenting on whether the custodian is in the early stages of talks regarding a potential IPO.
Copper’s Role in the Crypto Space
Copper provides institutional-grade services in custody, settlement, and collateral management for digital assets. The company aims to help financial institutions store and transfer digital assets securely, reducing counterparty risks. Backed by Barclays, Copper has built a reputation for offering tailored solutions to meet the needs of institutional clients.
@CopperHQ Group CEO Amar Kuchinad on what banks are lacking when it comes to technology, workflows and security if they want to embrace crypto.
The full interview is also available on my YouTube and podcast platforms.
— Henri Arslanian (@HenriArslanian) January 21, 2026
The firm’s services have been crucial to growing institutional adoption of cryptocurrency. Last year, Cantor Fitzgerald selected Copper as one of its custodians for Bitcoin, alongside Anchorage Digital. Additionally, Copper partnered with Coinbase to facilitate off-exchange settlements for institutional clients, reinforcing its position in the market.
Rising Institutional Demand for Crypto Infrastructure
The increasing demand for cryptocurrency infrastructure reflects the growing institutional interest in digital assets. The landscape has changed significantly, driven by evolving regulations in the United States. Many financial institutions are now looking for secure ways to store and manage digital assets as they enter the market.
The potential IPO of Copper would follow BitGo’s recent market debut. BitGo priced its IPO at $18 per share and raised more than $200 million, although its stock has since seen volatility. The company’s IPO highlights the expanding role of digital asset firms in traditional financial markets.
Several other crypto companies are reportedly exploring public listings. Firms like Kraken, a major crypto exchange, and Ledger, a hardware wallet provider, are considering similar moves. As more digital asset companies pursue public markets, the sector continues to gain traction among investors.
The post Crypto Custodian Copper Looks Into IPO After BitGo’s Market Debut appeared first on Blockonomi.
Sony Innovation Fund has committed an additional $13 million to Startale Group, the co-developer of the Soneium blockchain platform. This investment represents the first tranche of Startale’s Series A funding round.
The capital injection brings Startale’s total disclosed funding to $20 million, following a $3.5 million seed round from Sony in 2023 and a $3.5 million seed extension from UOB Venture Management and Samsung Next in 2024.
Partnership Expansion Drives Infrastructure Development
The latest funding deepens the collaboration between Sony and Startale Group, which began over a year ago. Sony Block Solutions Labs Pte. Ltd., the joint venture behind Soneium, serves as the operational foundation for this partnership.
The continued investment signals Sony’s confidence in Startale’s execution capabilities and strategic vision for blockchain infrastructure.
Soneium has achieved notable growth since its mainnet launch in January 2025. The Ethereum Layer 2 network has processed over 500 million transactions and attracted 5.4 million active wallets.
More than 250 decentralized applications currently operate on the platform, establishing Soneium as a prominent player in the Layer 2 ecosystem.
The Startale App functions as the primary access point to Soneium’s ecosystem. It integrates wallet functionality with asset management and application access. Startale USD (USDSC) provides a unified settlement layer that connects applications, users, and payment systems across the network.
Startale Group announced the investment through its official social media channels, stating that Sony Innovation Fund’s follow-on investment reinforces “the long-term shared vision between Sony and Startale to build infrastructure for onchain entertainment.”
The company added that Startale will continue strengthening Soneium as “a creator-centric platform for creator-led value and participatory fan experiences in the AI era.”
Startale Group is proud to announce a $13M follow-on investment from Sony Innovation Fund, reinforcing the long-term shared vision between @Sony and Startale to build infrastructure for onchain entertainment. pic.twitter.com/BNsHhUqxm7
— Startale (@StartaleGroup) January 29, 2026
Entertainment and AI Integration Shape Future Direction
The partnership addresses evolving challenges in the entertainment industry as generative AI transforms content creation and distribution.
Sony’s entertainment and technology expertise combines with Startale’s blockchain infrastructure capabilities. This collaboration aims to develop new models for intellectual property-led platforms and creator-centric monetization.
Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group, emphasized the strategic nature of the relationship. “Startale has been an important partner to Sony since the early days of Soneium,” Watanabe said.
He explained that their vision is “to bring the world on-chain, and Sony’s continued support strengthens our ability to deliver the infrastructure required to realize that vision at global scale.”
Kazuhito Hadano, CEO of Sony Ventures Corporation, described Startale’s comprehensive approach to blockchain development. “Startale is a company working across the blockchain space, from infrastructure to applications,” Hadano noted.
He highlighted the team’s global perspective and focus on “enabling new value flows built on on-chain technologies,” adding that Sony looks forward to “continuing to support Startale’s challenges and ambitions going forward.”
The funding will support Startale’s vertically integrated approach to on-chain infrastructure development. This includes expanding Soneium’s capabilities and enhancing the ecosystem’s application layer.
The partnership demonstrates institutional commitment to building entertainment-native blockchain platforms that bridge traditional media and decentralized technologies.
The post Sony Innovation Fund Invests $13 Million in Startale Group to Advance Soneium Blockchain appeared first on Blockonomi.
MP Materials (MP) Stock Drops as Company Slams “Misleading” Price Protection Report
TLDR
MP Materials (MP) dropped over 8% in pre-market trading Thursday after Reuters reported the Trump administration withdrew minimum price guarantees for critical minerals.
MP Materials rejected the report as “inaccurate and misleading,” confirming its Department of War contract and Price Protection Agreement remain fully active.
The stock experienced sharp swings this week, falling 10% Monday after rival USA Rare Earth received government funding before recovering Tuesday.
Analysts rate MP stock a Strong Buy with a $76.13 average price target, representing 13.6% potential upside.
MP Materials runs the only large-scale rare earth mining facility in North America and is building a new Texas manufacturing plant.
MP Materials stock dropped more than 8% in pre-market trading Thursday. A Reuters article claimed the Trump administration backed away from guaranteeing minimum prices for critical minerals projects.
The company fired back quickly. MP Materials labeled the report “inaccurate, misleading, and inconsistent with the facts.”
The rare earth producer said its binding contract with the U.S. Department of War stays in full effect. The Price Protection Agreement from last year also remains unchanged.
MP Materials stated nothing about its contract has been modified. The government’s obligations under the deal haven’t changed either.
Turbulent Trading Week
This week has tested investor nerves. Shares crashed over 10% Monday after the government granted major funding to competitor USA Rare Earth.
Markets worried that a well-funded rival could damage MP’s prospects. But Tuesday brought a reversal as investors reconsidered the situation.
The stock bounced back when traders realized demand can support multiple North American suppliers. Defense contracts and clean energy needs continue driving rare earth demand.
MP Materials holds the top position as America’s rare earth producer. The company runs the Mountain Pass facility in California, the only large-scale rare earth operation in North America.
A new manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas is under development. This expansion aims to create rare earth metals, alloys, and magnets domestically.
What Reuters Got Wrong
The Reuters piece cited funding limits and pricing challenges as reasons for the policy change. A minimum price guarantee would shield revenue when rare earth prices drop.
Losing this potential protection adds uncertainty about future price support. But the reported policy shift doesn’t touch MP’s current contracts or operations.
The company operates independently of any speculated policy changes. Its existing agreements provide the framework for ongoing business.
The financial snapshot shows mixed results. Revenue fell 11.8% over three years while margins remain negative.
Operating margin sits at negative 79.53%. Net margin stands at negative 50.55%.
Liquidity tells a better story. The current ratio of 8.05 and quick ratio of 7.51 show strong short-term financial position.
The Altman Z-Score of 4.48 indicates solid overall financial health. Institutional investors own 72.35% of shares, showing significant institutional confidence.
TipRanks reports analysts maintain a Strong Buy consensus. Eleven Buy ratings came in during the last three months.
The average analyst price target hits $76.13. That implies 13.6% upside from current trading levels.
Long-term demand drivers remain intact. Defense spending, electric vehicle production, and renewable energy projects all require rare earth materials.
The company’s monopoly on large-scale North American rare earth production provides strategic value. The Texas facility expansion could strengthen this position further when completed.
The post MP Materials (MP) Stock Drops as Company Slams “Misleading” Price Protection Report appeared first on Blockonomi.
Nvidia (NVDA) Stock Gains as Big Tech Spending Spree Fuels Chip Demand
TLDR
Microsoft spent $37.5 billion on AI infrastructure in Q2, with most going to chips
Meta projects $135 billion in 2026 capex, doubling last year’s investment
Both companies say AI demand outpaces their computing supply
China greenlit Nvidia H200 chip sales to ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent
Nvidia stock hit highest close since early November
Nvidia shares reached their highest closing price since early November on Wednesday. The stock dipped 0.7% after hours but continues trading near recent highs.
The rally comes as major technology companies announce bigger-than-expected AI spending plans. Microsoft and Meta both revealed investments that caught Wall Street off guard.
Microsoft’s fiscal second quarter capital expenditures totaled $37.5 billion. That beat the Street’s $36.7 billion estimate. Roughly two-thirds went toward purchasing chips.
CFO Amy Hood explained that AI hardware shortages continue limiting cloud business growth. The company uses its in-house Maia 200 chip alongside processors from Nvidia and AMD.
CEO Satya Nadella stressed flexibility in the company’s chip strategy. “We want to make sure we’re not locked into any one thing,” he said during the earnings call.
Meta Goes All-In on AI Capacity
Meta Platforms announced even larger plans for 2026. The social media giant expects to spend up to $135 billion this year. That’s 20% above analyst expectations and twice what it spent in 2025.
CFO Susan Li described a significant capacity gap. “Demands for compute resources across the company have increased even faster than our supply,” she told analysts.
The company plans to add capacity throughout the year. But Li warned constraints will persist through most of 2026. Meta’s own data center facilities won’t contribute meaningfully until late in the year.
China Opens Door for H200 Sales
Nvidia scored a win in China on Wednesday. Reuters reported Chinese authorities approved H200 chip sales to major domestic tech firms.
ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent can now purchase the advanced system. This reverses earlier pressure for companies to buy Chinese-made alternatives.
The U.S. had authorized these sales earlier in 2026. But Chinese regulatory approval remained uncertain until this week. Nvidia previously estimated China export restrictions cost $8 billion in lost revenue.
Broader Chip Sector Momentum
Other semiconductor companies posted strong results Wednesday. ASML reported fourth-quarter earnings and orders that topped expectations. The Dutch firm’s 2026 sales guidance also exceeded forecasts.
SK Hynix shares jumped over 5% after announcing record 2025 profits. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF climbed 1.9%.
Nvidia shares gained approximately 1.6% in premarket trading. The moves reflect growing confidence that AI chip demand will remain robust as tech giants race to expand computing power.
The post Nvidia (NVDA) Stock Gains as Big Tech Spending Spree Fuels Chip Demand appeared first on Blockonomi.
Microsoft (MSFT) Stock: Why Wall Street Sold After a Solid Earnings Beat
TLDR
Microsoft posted $4.14 per share earnings on $81.3 billion revenue, topping analyst estimates but shares fell 6.8% after hours
Azure cloud revenue increased 39% year-over-year but represented a slowdown from the prior quarter’s 40% growth
Capital expenditures reached $37.5 billion for AI infrastructure, up 66% from last year and above expectations
The company revealed 15 million annual subscribers for its M365 Copilot AI assistant priced at $30 per month
OpenAI accounts for 45% of Microsoft’s $625 billion commercial backlog, raising questions about partner dependency
Microsoft exceeded Wall Street expectations Wednesday but watched its stock tumble in extended trading. The company reported adjusted earnings of $4.14 per share with revenue of $81.3 billion for its fiscal second quarter.
$MSFT (Microsoft) #earnings are out: pic.twitter.com/ZAgSBQ9qHd
— The Earnings Correspondent (@earnings_guy) January 28, 2026
Analysts had forecast $3.91 per share on $80.3 billion in revenue. Despite clearing these hurdles, shares dropped 6.8% after hours. The disconnect between strong results and negative reaction centers on cloud growth trends and AI spending levels.
Azure cloud platform revenue grew 39% during the October-December period. While this beat the 37.8% analyst estimate, it marked a deceleration from last quarter’s 40% pace. Investors are watching Azure closely as Microsoft’s primary growth engine.
CFO Amy Hood projected third-quarter Azure growth between 37% and 38% in constant currency. This guidance fell roughly in line with the 37.6% Wall Street estimate but signals continued slowdown. The company also forecast overall revenue with a midpoint of $81.2 billion, matching consensus.
Record AI Spending Raises Eyebrows
Microsoft spent $37.5 billion on capital expenditures during the quarter. This represents a 66% jump year-over-year. About two-thirds went toward computing chips and AI infrastructure.
The spending exceeded analyst predictions of $34.31 billion by over $3 billion. Some investors questioned whether the massive outlays will generate adequate returns. Revenue grew 17% while cost of revenue increased 19%, a trend that sparked concern.
CEO Satya Nadella disclosed that M365 Copilot now has 15 million annual users. The $30 monthly AI assistant represents Microsoft’s flagship AI product for businesses. This marked the first time the company shared specific user metrics for the tool.
OpenAI Relationship Under Scrutiny
The OpenAI partnership produced mixed results. Microsoft’s “Other” segment swung to $10 billion income from a $2.3 billion loss last year. The change stems from how Microsoft accounts for its 27% stake following OpenAI’s restructuring.
Commercial remaining performance obligations hit $625 billion, up 110% year-over-year. However, OpenAI alone drove 45% of this backlog. The AI startup has pledged to spend at least $281 billion with Microsoft over time.
Excluding OpenAI, cloud backlog grew 28%. This figure includes a $30 billion deal with Anthropic. The heavy reliance on OpenAI concerned some analysts as competition intensifies from Google’s Gemini and other AI models.
Google recently won Apple as a major customer for its AI technology. This challenges Microsoft’s early mover advantage in artificial intelligence. The company has invested over $200 billion in AI since fiscal 2024 began.
Hood said capital spending will decline slightly in the current quarter. She warned that rising memory chip costs will pressure cloud margins over time. Total quarterly revenue rose 17% to $81.3 billion, ahead of the $80.27 billion estimate.
The post Microsoft (MSFT) Stock: Why Wall Street Sold After a Solid Earnings Beat appeared first on Blockonomi.
Meta Stock: Earnings Beat Triggers Double-Digit Share Rally
TLDR
Meta delivered Q4 earnings of $8.88 per share on $59.9 billion revenue, surpassing analyst estimates
Stock price jumped over 10% in after-hours trading following the earnings announcement
Company plans AI infrastructure spending of $115-$135 billion in 2026, nearly double 2025 levels
Meta’s apps drew 3.58 billion daily active users during the quarter
Reality Labs unit posted $6 billion in losses against $955 million revenue
Meta reported fourth quarter results Wednesday that beat Wall Street predictions. The social media company posted earnings of $8.88 per share on revenue of $59.9 billion.
JUST IN: $META REPORTED EARNINGS
EPS of $8.88 beating expectations of $8.19 Revenue of $59.9B beating expectations of $58.5B
Meta said it expects to spend between $115B-$135B on Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) in 2026 above expectations of $111B pic.twitter.com/qogRc7p6cT
— Evan (@StockMKTNewz) January 28, 2026
Analysts had projected earnings of $8.16 per share and revenue of $58.4 billion. The company generated $22.8 billion in profit during the quarter.
Share price climbed more than 10% in extended trading. Investors responded positively to the financial performance and forward guidance.
Meta expects current quarter revenue could reach $56.5 billion. The company’s apps attracted 3.58 billion daily users worldwide.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg described 2025 as a year of strong performance. Operating expenses increased 40% year-over-year to $35.15 billion.
Record AI Spending Plans Announced
Meta outlined plans to spend between $115 billion and $135 billion on capital expenditures in 2026. That compares to $72.22 billion spent throughout 2025.
The investment will fund AI infrastructure including data centers and computing systems. Fourth quarter capital spending alone reached $22.14 billion.
Meta joins Amazon, Google, and Microsoft in a race to build AI capabilities. The company recently acquired 49% of Scale AI for $14.3 billion.
Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang joined Meta as chief AI officer. He now leads Meta Superintelligence Labs.
Zuckerberg stated he looks forward to advancing personal superintelligence globally in 2026. The company views AI as central to future revenue growth.
Reality Labs Losses Continue
The Reality Labs division brought in $955 million in revenue but lost $6 billion. Analysts had expected a $5.9 billion operating loss.
Meta’s virtual and augmented reality unit has consistently posted losses. The company recently reduced headcount in its metaverse operations.
Some savings will redirect toward wearables including AI-powered smart glasses. Meta partnered with EssilorLuxottica on Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Zuckerberg predicts smart glasses will become the next major computing platform. He believes they could eventually replace smartphones entirely.
Analysts see potential for improved advertising efficiency through wearables technology. However, profitability remains years away.
AI Development Faces Challenges
Meta encountered delays with its Llama 4 Behemoth AI model. The company may switch to a proprietary model for its next release.
That would abandon the open-weights strategy allowing third-party developers access. CNBC reported Meta is considering this strategic shift.
Google’s Gemini 3 model currently leads the AI race. The search giant has moved ahead of both Meta and OpenAI.
Meta started 2025 as a frontrunner but faces increased competition. The company spent $14.3 billion bringing Wang aboard to accelerate AI development.
A landmark trial accusing Meta of addicting young users to social media began in Los Angeles. The case involves allegations of mental health harm to a 19-year-old woman.
Zuckerberg will testify during the proceedings. ByteDance and Snap settled before trial, leaving Meta and YouTube as defendants.
The FTC announced it will appeal its antitrust case loss against Meta last week. The case alleged Meta purchased Instagram and WhatsApp to eliminate competition.
Australia implemented a social media ban for users under 16. France is considering similar legislation targeting youth social media access.
The post Meta Stock: Earnings Beat Triggers Double-Digit Share Rally appeared first on Blockonomi.