Robinhood Expands into Indonesia Through Acquisitions of Crypto Trader and Brokerage Firms

Robinhood Markets has made significant strides into the Indonesian market by acquiring Buana Capital, a local brokerage, and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto, a licensed crypto trader. These acquisitions aim to tap into the rapidly growing trading environment in Indonesia, which is gaining popularity among retail investors.

Key Takeaways

Robinhood is officially entering the Indonesian market through acquisitions of local firms.
The company has acquired Buana Capital and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto.
The move emphasizes Robinhood’s commitment to democratizing finance in emerging markets.
Indonesia has a rising number of crypto traders and is a top market for crypto adoption globally.
Regulatory changes in Indonesia are affecting crypto trading, including tax increases.

Robinhood Indonesia deal

Robinhood’s Entry into Indonesia: A Strategic Move

Robinhood Markets has introduced its presence in Indonesia with the announcement of two important acquisitions. The American financial services company has entered agreements to purchase Buana Capital, a brokerage, and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto, an OKJ-licensed crypto trading firm. This announcement was made on Monday and signifies Robinhood’s entrance into one of the leading cryptocurrency markets in Southeast Asia.

“Indonesia represents a fast-growing market for trading, making it an exciting place to further Robinhood’s mission to democratize finance for all,” stated Patrick Chan, Robinhood's Head of Asia.

Additionally, Pieter Tanuri, who is the majority owner of both acquired firms, will join Robinhood as a strategic advisor. Although the specifics of the acquisition price have not been disclosed, it is anticipated that the deal will be finalized in the first half of 2026, according to reports by Reuters.

Indonesia's Booming Investment Landscape

Indonesia boasts approximately 17 million crypto traders and over 19 million capital market investors, according to a recent study. Moreover, Chainalysis ranks Indonesia as a prominent global player in the cryptocurrency field, placing it 7th worldwide and 1st in Southeast Asia for crypto adoption as per its 2025 index.

Furthermore, a World Bank report from Global Findex 2025 has indicated that financial account ownership in Indonesia has surged from about 20% of adults in 2011 to around 60% by 2024.

Through this expansion, Robinhood aims to extend its crypto trading services to the Indonesian market. “We look forward to bringing Indonesians the same innovative services that have earned the trust of Robinhood customers globally,” Patrick Chan further remarked.

Impact of Regulatory Changes on Crypto Trading

Recently, Indonesia tightened its regulations on crypto trading with a significant tax overhaul, imposing a fivefold increase on offshore platforms. In addition, the VAT rates for crypto mining operations have doubled from 1.1% to 2.2%. There has also been an uptick in taxes on domestic crypto sales and international exchange transactions.

The government of Indonesia is also investigating the use of Bitcoin as a reserve asset to strengthen the country's long-term financial stability.