US retail trading platform Robinhood Markets Inc is looking to fill key roles in the UK as it prepares to renew its push to win over local investors.
(Bloomberg) — US retail trading platform Robinhood Markets Inc is looking to fill key roles in the UK as it prepares to renew its push to win over local investors.
The Silicon Valley-headquartered firm, which turbocharged buying and selling “meme stocks” during the pandemic, has opened up posts for UK-based regulatory experts and an operations lead with experience in securities and brokerage, listings on LinkedIn and the company’s website show.
“Our team of Hoodies in the UK will enable Robinhood to continue creating great financial products on our journey towards democratizing finance for all,” one company job listing said. The open roles were first reported by The Telegraph.
Robinhood is planning to launch brokerage services to individual UK retail investors this year, according to accounts filed by its UK entity in May. The company has attempted to launch in the country since 2019, most recently via the now-scrapped acquisition of London-based crypto trading firm Ziglu. In the US, the company offers commission-free trading in stocks, exchange-traded funds and cryptocurrencies.
A spokesperson for Robinhood did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the roles and UK plans.
The moves come as New York headquartered rival Public.com last week announced it was launching in the UK, allowing British retail investors to trade more than 5,000 US stocks. Public.com plans to eventually expand its product offering in the UK and aims to move into other European countries.
- Read More: Robinhood Rival Public.com Makes Its International Debut in UK
The UK market has traditionally been tough to crack for US stock-trading apps, with competition largely coming from UK-native businesses like Freetrade, Lightyear and Revolut.
–With assistance from Emily Nicolle.
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