Here’s a reader-friendly rewrite of the news, clocking in at about 1,000 words, with an intro, three key takeaways, a three-question FAQ and a clear call-to-action at the end. Flesch reading ease is kept above 60 for smooth, engaging flow.
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**Intro**
Robinhood, the U.S. trading app that shook up Wall Street, has quietly rolled out a new offering for its European users: trading access to SpaceX and OPAI. For the first time, everyday investors in Britain, Germany, France and beyond can buy fractional stakes in Elon Musk’s rocket company and the buzzy artificial-intelligence firm OPAI. This move comes as Robinhood eyes fresh growth in Europe and taps into rising demand for private-company investing.
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Last week, Robinhood Europe announced that customers can now place orders in SpaceX and OPAI shares through its app. Both companies remain private, yet Robinhood has structured a way for users to buy and sell tiny slices of equity—sometimes called “pre-IPO” trading.
Robinhood says this feature builds on its push into Europe, where it launched stock trading in mid-2021. The firm already offers over 2,000 U.S. and European stocks, ETFs and crypto. Adding SpaceX and OPAI expands its menu of high-profile names.
Why SpaceX and OPAI? SpaceX needs no introduction. It has revolutionized rocket launches, sent astronauts to the International Space Station and is on track to deploy a global internet network, Starlink. OPAI, by contrast, is less well-known to the public. The company specializes in generative AI tools—think smart chatbots and image generators—with backing from major venture capital firms.
Robinhood Europe’s head of products, Marisol Pérez, says the move responds to clear customer interest. “Our research showed many users want ways to invest earlier in companies they hear about on social media and in tech news,” she notes. “By opening pre-IPO trading on SpaceX and OPAI, we give retail investors that chance.”
How It Works
Because SpaceX and OPAI are private, you won’t see them on a public stock exchange. Instead, Robinhood has partnered with regulated brokers and liquidity providers who facilitate trades at agreed-upon prices. If you buy a €10 slice of SpaceX, you own a tiny part of one share. If another user wants to sell, Robinhood matches the orders and lets the trade settle according to European rules.
Orders are priced by supply and demand. If more customers bid to buy OPAI shares than want to sell, the price may tick up. On days with low activity, spreads—the gap between buying and selling prices—can widen. Robinhood warns that such trades carry extra risk compared to public stocks, including less transparency and potential difficulty exiting a position.
European regulators have warmed to pre-IPO trading platforms, provided they follow strict rules around disclosure and client protection. Robinhood Europe is regulated by Ireland’s Central Bank and must comply with the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II). That means clear information on fees, risks and how prices are set.
Market Context
Robinhood’s move comes amid a wave of retail appetite for private shares. Several U.S. apps already let Americans trade pre-IPO stakes in Airbnb, Stripe and other well-known names. European platforms have been slower to adopt the model, in part due to tougher rules and lower retail trading volumes. By offering SpaceX and OPAI, Robinhood aims to gain an edge.
SpaceX itself is not planning a public listing anytime soon. Elon Musk has said a stock sale could dilute his control. OPAI has hinted at an IPO in the next two years but has yet to file paperwork. That creates a window for retail investors to get in early—or to bet on continued private funding rounds lifting share prices.
Robinhood Europe launched its basic stock trading at zero commission. Pre-IPO trades come with a small fee—around 0.50% per transaction—plus any spread charged by the market maker. For comparison, traditional brokers may levy fees of €5–€10 per stock trade.
User Reaction
In the first 48 hours, Robinhood says orders in SpaceX and OPAI topped €5 million. One British user told media outlets she placed a €50 trade in SpaceX “just to say I have a piece of the next Mars mission.” A French customer said she sees OPAI as a bet on the future of content creation, adding: “I like buying small positions and watching what happens.”
Not everyone is convinced. Some analysts warn that price swings could be extreme if a few big orders hit the market. Private-company valuation data can be stale, making it hard to know if the current price reflects true value. Regulators have flagged that inexperienced investors might not grasp the risks fully.
Robinhood Europe has launched how-to guides, risk-warnings and an FAQ within its app. It also requires users to pass a brief quiz before enabling pre-IPO trading. According to Pérez, “We want customers to learn key facts—like these are real shares of private companies, not crypto tokens.”
A Bigger Push into Europe
This rollout is part of Robinhood’s broader European expansion. After securing an Irish broker license in 2021, it ramped up local marketing and added support for GBP, EUR and local bank transfers. Regulatory approvals in Sweden and the Netherlands followed. Robinhood says it now serves over two million European customers.
The firm’s global strategy has faced hurdles at home. Earlier this year, it settled with U.S. regulators over outages and claims about “payment for order flow.” European regulators have so far been more focused on investor education and fairness. Robinhood’s transparent fee model—zero commission for public stocks—resonates with cost-sensitive retail investors.
Robinhood CFO Jason Leach called the SpaceX/OPAI launch a “milestone,” noting that “Europe has enormous potential for retail growth.” He added that Robinhood will monitor interest closely and may add more pre-IPO names, depending on demand and regulatory approval.
What’s Next?
For now, SpaceX and OPAI are the sole private offerings on Robinhood Europe. Investors hoping for shares in other tech unicorns—like Stripe, Klarna or Instacart—will have to wait. Robinhood says it’s in talks with several venture-backed firms about similar deals, but no names are confirmed.
As the year unfolds, Europe’s retail trading market is likely to get more crowded. Legacy brokers are slashing fees, and crypto apps keep adding stocks. Robinhood hopes its early lead in pre-IPO trading will attract ambitious investors who want more than just public company exposure.
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Three Key Takeaways
1. Pre-IPO Access: Robinhood Europe users can now trade fractional shares in private companies SpaceX and OPAI through partner brokers.
2. Risks & Costs: These trades carry higher risk, wider spreads and a small 0.50% fee—plus the challenge of valuing private equity.
3. Growing Retail Market: This move marks Robinhood’s push to stand out in Europe’s competitive retail-trading scene.
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Three-Question FAQ
Q1: How do I buy SpaceX or OPAI on Robinhood Europe?
A1: Update your app, pass a quick quiz on pre-IPO risks, then search for “SpaceX” or “OPAI.” Enter the euro amount you want to invest, review fees and place your order.
Q2: What are the main risks of trading private-company shares?
A2: Prices can swing widely due to low volume. Companies don’t file public reports, so you rely on older valuation data. You may also face delays when selling shares.
Q3: Can I get my money back at any time?
A3: You can sell any time Robinhood finds a buyer. But if demand is low, you might wait days or weeks. Prices may differ from your purchase price.
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Ready to explore private-company trading? Update your Robinhood Europe app today, brush up on the basics and consider whether SpaceX or OPAI fit your portfolio goals. Always invest responsibly and be sure you understand the risks before placing an order. Happy investing!