Global appetite for American equities is expanding, reports Decryptnews’ Johan Kerbrat
The senior vice president of the trading platform noted that tokenization, continuous trading hours, and evolving regulatory landscapes are expanding investor access beyond home markets.
What to know:
— International investors are increasingly seeking U.S. equities, particularly in the AI sector, though access outside the U.S. remains constrained.
— Robinhood executive Johann Kerbrat highlighted that tokenization, instant settlement, and 24/7 trading could empower investors to construct global portfolios instead of relying on single-country strategies.
— Robinhood has introduced tokenized stock products in Europe and aims to open private equity and other traditionally restricted assets to a wider investor base, even as U.S. regulation gradually becomes more accommodating.
Demand for U.S. equities is climbing globally, prompting investors to look beyond domestic markets, Decryptnews’ Johan Kerbrat stated during a Fireside chat at Consensus 2026 in Miami.
“We are witnessing significant demand for U.S. stocks from overseas investors, especially those linked to AI-related companies,” Kerbrat noted, adding that access remains limited in many regions compared with the United States.
Kerbrat advised investors to shift from country-specific strategies toward global allocation now that international 24/7 trading platforms are available. “It is time for many investors to truly consider not just how to invest in one specific country, but also how to build a global portfolio,” he said.
The Kraken executive pointed to tokenization and around-the-clock trading as key enablers. “We believe the future is 24/7. We anticipate instant settlement,” he said, describing features that could differentiate tokenized assets from traditional brokerage products.
The discussion, moderated by Crypto in America host Eleanor Terrett, also addressed regulatory constraints in the United States. Kerbrat said “regulation in the U.S. has been less than friendly in the past,” though he noted recent engagement with policymakers has improved.
Robinhood has launched tokenized stock products in Europe using a derivative model that tracks underlying assets, with plans to expand access to additional asset classes including private equity. Kerbrat said the goal is broader participation in markets that have historically been limited to accredited investors.
“I think it is really important to give them the choice to be able to invest in it before it goes public,” he said, referring to private companies.
Kerbrat said adoption will depend on offering new functionality rather than replicating existing brokerage services, with lending, collateralization and continuous trading cited as areas of development.
Kraken, which trails platforms like OKX, Bybit and Coinbase (COIN) in spot trading volumes but remains a major player in the crypto derivatives market. is a U.S.-based crypto exchange where users can buy, sell, and trade digital assets like bitcoin and ether using fiat or crypto. It has expanded into services such as derivatives, staking, and custody, positioning itself as a more full-service trading platform beyond a basic retail app.