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Robinhood Buys One Of The Largest Crypto Exchanges For $200 Million

200 million dollars. Such an offer is being prepared by Robinhood Markets, co-owned by the Bulgarian Vlad Tenev, for the purchase of one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world – Bitstamp. 

KEY FACTS 

  • Trading platform Robinhood Markets announced it has agreed to buy crypto exchange Bitstamp for about $200 million in cash, accelerating its broader foray into digital assets to become a full-fledged financial services provider, the company said.
  • This is Robinhood’s largest deal to date. Before the start of trading, the shares of the company, co-owned by Bulgarian Vlad Tenev, rose by 3.4%.
  • The acquisition of Bitstamp, founded in 2011 with 50 active licenses and registrations worldwide, puts Robinhood in direct competition with industry giants such as Binance and Coinbase. The exchange has offices in Luxembourg, UK, Slovenia, Singapore and the US and has more than 50 active licenses and registrations worldwide, as well as clients in the EU, US, UK and Asia.
  • This acquisition will introduce Robinhood’s first institutional business and expand the company’s global expansion.
  • The deal is expected to boost Robinhood Crypto’s growth.

IMPORTANT QUOTE

“The acquisition of Bitstamp is an important step in the growth of our crypto business. Bitstamp’s highly reliable and long-standing global exchange has shown resilience through market cycles,” Johan Kerbrat, vice president and general manager of Robinhood Crypto, told Reuters.

ACCENT

The deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025, comes as Robinhood’s crypto business is experiencing rapid growth but also faces regulatory hurdles in the US. The company said it intends to continue communicating with regulators as the deal moves forward.

BIG NUMBER

69%. That’s how much growth Robinhood’s shares have reported since the beginning of the year. Analysts expect the company is poised for higher earnings amid a resurgence in retail trade and greater cryptocurrency adoption.

Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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