Robinhood just handed the keys to AI. The retail brokerage launched a beta feature called agent trading on May 27th. This allows users to connect third-party AI agents directly to their dedicated trading accounts to autonomously execute stocks.
The feature is currently limited to stocks, but Robinhood has signaled plans to expand to options, cryptocurrencies, event contracts, and futures trading.
How agent trading actually works
Users create a completely separate “agency account” that is separate from the main portfolio. AI agents can only access funds specifically deposited into these accounts.
The system runs on Robinhood’s Model Context Protocol server and acts as a bridge between third-party AI agents and the brokerage firm’s trading infrastructure.
Users get a real-time activity feed that tracks everything the AI agent does, including monitoring P&L. The platform also offers tiered approval settings. You can let the AI agent run fully autonomously within spending limits, or you can require manual approval before executing a transaction.
The types of strategies these agents can handle include portfolio rebalancing, thematic investing, and other systematic approaches.
CEO Vlad Tenev positioned the initiative as an extension of Robinhood’s core mission: to democratize finance by making its platform accessible to AI agents as well as human users.
The path from Cortex to autonomous agents
In March 2025, the company launched Robinhood Cortex, an AI assistant designed to provide market analysis and personalized investment insights to Gold subscribers. The tool eventually expanded beyond the Gold subscriber base to a broader audience within the Robinhood ecosystem.
Agentic Trading represents the next logical step in moving from AI that advises to AI that acts.
What this means for crypto investors
Robinhood has not provided details on which digital assets will be supported if agent trading expands beyond stocks, but the company confirmed that cryptocurrencies are on its roadmap, along with options and futures.
The timeline for crypto support remains undefined as it relates to beta performance in stocks.
