There’s a lot for Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev to be thankful for this holiday season. After a rollercoaster ride following the company’s 2021 IPO, which saw stocks take a nosedive, the 12-year-old firm has made a remarkable recovery, earning the title of Yahoo Finance’s “comeback stock” of the year. Speaking over Zoom recently, Tenev expressed his delight at this recognition. “In our early days, we had a lot of supporters,” he shared. “But over time, perceptions shifted, especially during COVID when our growth was overshadowed by negative sentiment. Now, we’re seeing a resurgence in positivity.”

But it’s not just the present that excites Tenev; it’s also what lies ahead. Like many in fintech, Tenev is optimistic about potential deregulation and cryptocurrency acceptance, which could be more prominent under a second Trump administration. Naturally, Robinhood is gearing up to leverage these shifts.

“We’ve been expanding rapidly; our assets are growing over 40% annually compared to the industry’s typical 2-3%,” says Tenev, underscoring Robinhood’s growth trajectory.

— Vlad Tenev

During our conversation, we delved into several forward-looking strategies, including crypto innovations and the burgeoning field of prediction markets. These markets allow users to bet on future event outcomes and represent a new frontier where Robinhood aims to compete with startups like Kalshi and Polymarket.

• Prediction Markets: Tenev sees political contracts as particularly promising due to their relevance and market impact. They offer crystal-clear insights during election nights when traditional media leaves viewers in suspense.
• Event Contracts: While sports betting was mentioned in reports, Tenev clarifies Robinhood’s focus remains on federally regulated event contracts, although he acknowledges the potential for sports-related contracts pending regulatory changes.
• Economic Events: With possibilities ranging from Federal Reserve actions to high-profile entertainment events, Robinhood is poised to deliver news and financial insights in real time through these innovative contracts.

Tenev envisions event contracts evolving into a digital equivalent of a newspaper—covering everything from politics to arts—in real-time updates that keep users informed and engaged.

For more insights from Vlad Tenev about Robinhood’s exciting plans, you can listen to our full conversation here.