Robinhood is set to make a significant move into Indonesia by acquiring a licensed brokerage and a cryptocurrency trading platform in the country, with the completion of these deals anticipated in early 2026. The company is venturing into Indonesia, a market experiencing considerable growth in digital asset adoption, as the nation enhances its regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.
Robinhood Markets Inc. announced its plans to purchase PT Buana Capital Sekuritas, a brokerage firm, and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto, a licensed crypto trading platform. This expansion into Indonesia, one of Asia's rapidly growing retail markets, underscores Robinhood's commitment to democratizing finance globally. Although the company has not yet shared specific integration plans, it has confirmed the transactions are expected to conclude in the first half of 2026.
The appeal of the Indonesian market, described by Patrick Chan, Robinhood's head of Asia, as a vibrant environment for trading, aligns with the company's mission to broaden access to financial services. Decrypt has sought comments from key Indonesian financial institutions, including Bursa Efek Indonesia, the Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, and Bappebti, to gain further insights into the regulatory landscape Robinhood will navigate.
Indonesia's digital economy is flourishing, driven by a surge in mobile payments and investment activities. According to Google's e-Conomy SEA 2025 report, the digital economy in Indonesia is expected to reach approximately $99 billion by 2025, with digital payments projected to grow from $340 billion in 2023 to $538 billion in 2025. The country is witnessing a broad adoption of digital financial services, with the World Bank's Global Findex 2025 report highlighting a significant rise in financial account ownership. From 2011 to 2024, account ownership among adults in Indonesia increased from about 20% to nearly 60%.
However, a substantial portion of the population remains without financial accounts, a situation Robinhood's entry could potentially improve by offering accessible trading and investment opportunities. The impact of Robinhood's expansion will hinge on how quickly Indonesians embrace its services and the regulatory environment's adaptability.
In July, Indonesia implemented new regulations increasing taxes on cryptocurrency transactions and placing digital assets under financial oversight. Offshore crypto trades now incur a 1% tax, while domestic trades are subject to a 0.21% levy. Additionally, regulators have eliminated the value-added tax on crypto sales and reclassified digital assets as financial instruments under the supervision of the Otoritas Jasa Keuangan.
Indonesia continues to rank among the leading markets globally for cryptocurrency adoption, as noted in Chainalysis's 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index. The Asia-Pacific region remains at the forefront of crypto adoption worldwide, highlighting the strategic significance of Robinhood's move into the Indonesian market.