ARK Invest Expands Robinhood Stake Amid Bitcoin Dip Below $66K
By John Nada·Feb 12, 2026·5 min read
ARK Invest has increased its stake in Robinhood as Bitcoin fell below $66,000, highlighting a strategic move amid market volatility.
ARK Invest has significantly increased its stake in Robinhood as Bitcoin's price dipped below $66,000. The investment firm purchased 433,806 shares of Robinhood for approximately $33.8 million, showcasing a strategic bet on the platform amid market fluctuations. The decision underscores ARK Invest’s ongoing commitment to the cryptocurrency sector, led by the company's CEO, Cathie Wood, a well-known Bitcoin advocate. Wood's bullish stance on digital currencies continues to shape ARK's investment strategies, even in the face of market volatility.
In addition to Robinhood, ARK also acquired shares in crypto exchange Bullish and USDC issuer Circle, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance its crypto-linked portfolio. Specifically, ARK purchased 364,134 shares of Bullish valued at $11.6 million and 75,559 shares of Circle worth $4.4 million. These acquisitions come at a time when all three stocks traded lower, with Robinhood shares sliding nearly 9%, according to TradingView data. Such fluctuations are indicative of the overall uncertainty that continues to plague the crypto markets, yet ARK's bold investments suggest a belief in a long-term recovery.
The increase in Robinhood shares makes it the largest crypto holding in ARK's flagship ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), constituting about 4.1% of the portfolio, or approximately $248 million. This strategic adjustment signals a significant shift in ARK's investment focus towards platforms that facilitate cryptocurrency trading and investment. Robinhood's recent official testnet launch of the Robinhood Chain, a permissionless layer 2 (L2) blockchain designed for financial services and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), aligns well with ARK's vision of integrating advanced technologies into traditional financial systems. The launch of this blockchain represents a pivotal moment for Robinhood, potentially positioning it as a leader in the evolving landscape of decentralized finance.
Despite the optimism surrounding Robinhood's blockchain initiatives, the company faced challenges in the recent quarter. Earlier this week, Robinhood reported record net revenue of nearly $1.28 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025. While this figure represents a substantial 27% year-over-year increase, it fell short of Wall Street expectations, which had anticipated revenue of $1.34 billion. This shortfall sent Robinhood’s stock down about 8%, illustrating the challenges that even high-growth companies face in meeting market expectations. Such performance metrics can have significant implications for investor sentiment, and ARK's continued support of Robinhood suggests a belief in its long-term viability despite these setbacks.
ARK's strategic acquisitions amid market downturns reflect a long-term confidence in the crypto sector, even as immediate trends may suggest caution. The investment firm notably withheld from buying more Coinbase (COIN) shares after recently offloading $17 million of the stock. This cautious approach towards Coinbase, a key player in the crypto exchange space, contrasts with ARK's aggressive moves into Robinhood and other crypto-related assets. The divergence may reflect a reevaluation of investment strategies, as ARK appears to be positioning itself to capitalize on platforms that are not only resilient but are also innovating in their offerings.
The broader market context is critical to understanding ARK's investment decisions. Recent trends in the cryptocurrency sector have shown significant volatility, with US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experiencing substantial outflows. As Bitcoin ETFs struggled to maintain momentum, the implications for institutional investors became increasingly apparent. According to recent data, Bitcoin ETFs recorded $276.3 million in net outflows on Wednesday, nearly wiping out weekly gains, which now stand at just $35.3 million. This decline reflects a broader sentiment of uncertainty among investors, particularly as total assets under management for Bitcoin ETFs fell to $85.7 billion, the lowest level since early November 2024.
The performance of other cryptocurrency ETFs, such as those for Ether (ETH) and XRP, further illustrates the challenges facing the market. Ether ETFs posted daily outflows totaling $129.2 million, while XRP funds saw no inflows during the same period. Although Solana (SOL) ETFs recorded modest inflows of roughly $0.5 million, these figures underscore the overall struggles that crypto investment products are currently facing. The recent downturn in ETF performance adds pressure on institutional investors and highlights the interconnectedness of various assets within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
As the market grapples with these challenges, analysts have pointed to the potential for an inflection point in crypto investment products following three consecutive weeks of outflows totaling more than $3 billion. This trend raises questions about the future of institutional investment in cryptocurrencies, especially as firms like ARK continue to navigate the turbulent waters of the market. ARK's willingness to increase its positions in Robinhood and other crypto-linked stocks during this downturn suggests a contrarian strategy, positioning itself for potential upside when market conditions improve.
At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $67,227, reflecting a modest increase of 0.4% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko. This uptick may provide a glimmer of hope to investors who have faced a rollercoaster ride of price movements in recent weeks. However, market watchers remain vigilant, as the volatility in cryptocurrency prices continues to pose risks for both retail and institutional investors alike.
ARK Invest's increasing stake in Robinhood, coupled with its strategic acquisitions in the broader crypto market, highlights a complex interplay of optimism and caution. While the current market environment presents significant challenges, ARK's approach suggests a belief in the long-term potential of the cryptocurrency sector. As the investment landscape evolves, it will be crucial for firms like ARK to adapt their strategies, balancing immediate market realities with the overarching goal of capitalizing on the future growth of digital assets. The future trajectory of Bitcoin and related investments will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point for both analysts and investors as they seek to navigate the intricacies of this dynamic marketplace.