CEO & Co-Founder of Robinhood
I'm on a mission to democratize finance for all. From my roots in Bulgaria to building one of the world's most innovative financial platforms, I've dedicated my career to making investing accessible, transparent, and empowering for everyone.
I was born on February 13, 1987, in Bulgaria, and immigrated to the United States when I was five years old. My parents worked at the World Bank, exposing me early to global finance and economics. This foundation sparked my lifelong fascination with markets and technology.
After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in Mathematics, I pursued graduate studies before deciding to leave academia to build something that could genuinely change people's lives. In 2013, my co-founder Baiju Bhatt and I launched Robinhood with a simple but revolutionary idea: everyone should have access to financial markets, not just the wealthy.
Today, as CEO of Robinhood Markets Inc., I lead a team dedicated to innovation in financial technology. We've pioneered commission-free trading, made cryptocurrency accessible to millions, and are now at the forefront of prediction markets and asset tokenization. My vision extends beyond just building a company—it's about fundamentally transforming how people interact with money and investments.
I was born in Bulgaria during a transformative time. My early childhood there gave me a unique perspective on economic systems and the power of free markets. At age five, my family immigrated to the United States, where I witnessed firsthand the opportunities that accessible financial systems can create.
At Stanford, I immersed myself in mathematics and computer science. It was here that I met Baiju Bhatt, my future co-founder. We bonded over our shared passion for using technology to solve complex problems. Stanford wasn't just about academics—it was where I learned to think big and challenge the status quo.
Baiju and I founded Robinhood with a revolutionary mission: democratize finance for all. We were frustrated by the barriers that kept everyday people out of investing—high fees, complicated platforms, and gatekeeping by traditional institutions. We believed technology could change that, and we set out to build the platform we wished had existed.
We launched our commission-free trading platform, disrupting an industry that had charged investors for decades. The response was overwhelming—we had a waitlist of over one million people before we even opened to the public. This validated what we believed all along: people want to invest, they just need the right tools.
I led Robinhood into cryptocurrency trading, making it simple for anyone to invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets. Today, crypto represents 20-25% of our revenue. I believe crypto and traditional finance will fully merge, and we're building the infrastructure to make that future a reality.
In November 2020, I became the sole CEO of Robinhood as we prepared for our public debut. This was a pivotal moment—taking full leadership responsibility during a period of unprecedented growth and navigating challenges that tested our resilience and values.
We took Robinhood public on NASDAQ under the ticker HOOD. It was a momentous occasion, not just for our company, but for the democratization of finance movement. We made history by allocating a significant portion of our IPO shares directly to our customers—practicing what we preach about accessible investing.
In September 2025, Robinhood was added to the S&P 500—a major validation of our business model and vision. Our stock surged over 220% year-to-date. We're now pioneering prediction markets (our fastest-growing business ever), advancing asset tokenization, and expanding globally. The future I've been working toward is finally here.
Robinhood isn't just a company I lead—it's my life's work. Every day, I'm focused on breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people to build wealth.
When Baiju and I started Robinhood, we had a simple mission: democratize finance for all. Traditional brokerages charged high fees and created unnecessary barriers. We removed those obstacles, offering commission-free trading and an intuitive platform that anyone could use.
Today, Robinhood serves millions of customers. We've expanded beyond stocks to offer cryptocurrency, options, and now prediction markets. Every feature we build is designed with our users in mind—making complex financial instruments simple and accessible.
Our fastest-growing business of all time. In October 2025 alone, we traded more contracts (~$2.5B) than all of Q3 combined. This is the future of real-time market sentiment.
I believe tokenization is an unstoppable freight train that will consume the global financial system within a decade. We're pursuing tokenized shares of companies like OpenAI and SpaceX.
Crypto represents 20-25% of Robinhood's revenue. Our institutional crypto exchange Bitstamp exceeds $100M annual run rate. Crypto and traditional finance will fully merge.
My 10-year vision is to become the number one global financial ecosystem, expanding from U.S.-only to worldwide, and from retail to business and institutional clients.
Robinhood Black is our exclusive non-custodial wallet for elite partners—developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses seeking strategic partnerships, funding opportunities, and direct access to our leadership team.
This isn't just a wallet—it's your gateway to strategic collaboration with Robinhood. If you're accepted into Robinhood Black, you gain unprecedented access to discuss partnerships, funding, and innovation directly with me and our executive team.
Maintain complete control of your assets with our secure, non-custodial wallet technology. Your keys, your crypto, your control.
Accepted members can engage directly with me and our executive leadership to discuss strategic partnerships, business opportunities, and collaboration.
For qualified businesses and startups, explore potential funding pathways and investment opportunities through Robinhood's network.
Join a vetted community of developers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders working at the forefront of financial innovation.
Robinhood Black is designed for serious innovators. Whether you're building the next generation of fintech applications or seeking strategic partnerships, acceptance into our program unlocks exclusive benefits through ongoing engagement with our dedicated support team.
Collaborate with our engineering team on integration opportunities, API partnerships, and technical innovation initiatives.
Present your business case directly to decision-makers. Discuss partnerships, integrations, and collaborative opportunities.
Once accepted, unlock premium features and dedicated support through ongoing communication with our specialized Black team.
Get early insights into Robinhood's roadmap and participate in beta testing for cutting-edge financial products and services.
Built with institutional security standards. Non-custodial architecture ensures you maintain full control while accessing elite features.
Robinhood Black membership is selective and by invitation only. If you're a developer, entrepreneur, or business leader with serious partnership interests, reach out through our contact form below to discuss opportunities.
Apply for Robinhood Black"Tokenization will unlock 24/7 markets, and once people experience it, they'll never go back."
I truly believe that asset tokenization is an unstoppable freight train that will fundamentally transform the global financial system within the next decade. Imagine being able to trade shares of private companies like SpaceX or OpenAI at any time, day or night, with instant settlement.
That's the future we're building at Robinhood. Tokenization removes the artificial constraints of traditional markets—business hours, settlement delays, geographic restrictions. It's about giving people true ownership and freedom over their investments.
"Every company will become an AI company—perhaps bigger than the mobile or cloud shifts."
We're entering a post-AI economy where capital will increasingly replace labor. This isn't science fiction—it's happening now. That's why I believe investing from an early age is more critical than ever. Financial literacy and investment access will determine who thrives in this new world.
At Robinhood, we're leveraging AI to democratize sophisticated financial strategies that were once available only to institutions. From personalized investment recommendations to automated portfolio management, AI is making professional-grade tools accessible to everyone.
Despite leading a technology company, I'm adopting what I call a "Luddite lifestyle" for my mental health. I'm reducing screen time and seeking genuine work-life balance. Building Robinhood is my passion, but I've learned that sustainable innovation requires taking care of yourself first.
This philosophy extends to how we build products. Technology should enhance human life, not consume it. Every feature we create at Robinhood is designed to empower users, give them control, and ultimately improve their financial well-being—not just maximize engagement metrics.
September 2025
Robinhood was added to the prestigious S&P 500 index, validating our business model and growth trajectory. Our stock surged over 220% year-to-date.
Since 2018
Achieved billionaire status following Robinhood's funding round, a testament to the value we've created for millions of users worldwide.
2021
Led Robinhood's public debut on NASDAQ (HOOD), allocating significant IPO shares directly to our customers—democratizing access to our own offering.
2025
Launched the fastest-growing business in Robinhood's history. Traded $2.5B in contracts in October 2025 alone, revolutionizing real-time market sentiment.
2018 - Present
Made cryptocurrency accessible to millions. Crypto now represents 20-25% of Robinhood's revenue with Bitstamp exceeding $100M annual run rate.
2015
Pioneered commission-free trading, forcing the entire industry to follow. Saved investors billions in fees and made investing accessible to a new generation.