Robinhood Executive Says Global Demand for U.S. Stocks Is Growing Amid AI Boom

Global interest in U.S. equities is accelerating as investors seek exposure to artificial intelligence-related companies, according to Robinhood Crypto senior vice president Johann Kerbrat. Speaking during a fireside chat at Consensus 2026 in Miami, Kerbrat said international investors are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets to gain access to American stocks and emerging investment opportunities.

Kerbrat explained that many overseas investors face limited access to U.S. equities compared with traders in the United States. As a result, demand for platforms offering global investing and tokenized assets continues to rise. He emphasized that investors should begin building diversified international portfolios instead of focusing only on local markets.

The Robinhood executive highlighted tokenization, instant settlement, and 24/7 trading as major innovations reshaping the future of financial markets. According to Kerbrat, blockchain-based trading infrastructure could provide advantages over traditional brokerage systems by enabling continuous market access and faster transactions.

He also discussed the evolving regulatory landscape in the United States, noting that crypto regulation had previously been challenging for companies operating in the sector. However, Kerbrat said engagement with policymakers has improved in recent months, creating a more constructive environment for innovation in digital assets and tokenized finance.

Robinhood recently introduced tokenized stock products in Europe through a derivative-based model that mirrors the performance of underlying assets. The company also plans to expand into additional investment categories, including private equity. Kerbrat said the long-term objective is to give retail investors broader access to markets traditionally reserved for accredited investors and institutional participants.

The discussion additionally touched on the growing role of crypto exchanges such as Kraken in the evolving digital asset economy. Kraken, a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange known for spot and derivatives trading, has expanded its offerings to include staking, custody, and other financial services as competition in the global crypto market intensifies.