Prediction Markets Offer New Opportunities for Crypto Investors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 01 2026
0mins
Should l Buy HOOD?
Source: Fool
- Market Performance: Over the past 90 days, only 12 of the top 100 cryptocurrencies have shown gains, with Bitcoin (BTC) down over 25%, presenting significant challenges for investors.
- New Investment Method: With Robinhood and Coinbase entering the prediction market space, investors can profit in a down market by engaging in prediction market contracts that forecast specific cryptocurrency prices or industry events.
- Trading Flexibility: Investors have the ability to trade contracts during their duration, allowing for minimal profits before expiration, which transforms prediction market investments from a zero-sum game into a more dynamic trading opportunity.
- Regulatory Assurance: While prediction markets may appear akin to gambling, major platforms are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), with prices set by investors, resembling the trading of financial derivatives and offering a novel investment avenue.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy HOOD?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on HOOD
Wall Street analysts forecast HOOD stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
16 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 70.110
Low
130.00
Averages
156.24
High
181.00
Current: 70.110
Low
130.00
Averages
156.24
High
181.00
About HOOD
Robinhood Markets, Inc. is creating a financial services platform for everyone, regardless of their wealth, income, or background. It uses technology to provide access to the financial system. Its offerings include Brokerage, Robinhood Crypto, Custody, Robinhood Wallet, Robinhood Gold, and Robinhood Gold Card. Its Brokerage services include investing, options trading, fractional trading, recurring investment, access to investing on margin, fully paid securities lending, cash sweep, instant withdrawals, Robinhood retirement, 24-hour market, joint investing accounts, and event contracts. It also offers a variety of ways for its customers to grow their financial knowledge, including Robinhood Learn, In-App Education, Newsfeeds, Sherwood Snacks, and Crypto Learn and Earn. Its self-clearing system, order routing system, data platform, and other back-end infrastructure deliver the capabilities that allow its customers to focus on investing, saving and spending.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Market Watch: Oil Price Surge and Stock Market Turmoil
- Oil Price Surge Impact: Following President Trump's address on the Iran war, which raised escalation concerns, U.S. crude benchmark WTI surged 9% to $109 a barrel, putting downward pressure on the stock market and negatively affecting investor sentiment.
- Bank of America Upgrades Vale: Bank of America upgraded Vale from hold to buy, suggesting that now is an attractive entry point for investors in the iron ore producer, despite Vale's stock dropping nearly 7% since the Iran conflict began, while iron ore prices have risen about 8%.
- Wix's Outlook Downgraded: UBS downgraded Wix from buy to hold, with analysts believing its 2026 outlook indicates a slowdown in core business growth from 12% last year to 8% this year, and despite efforts to integrate AI capabilities, the company remains vulnerable to disruption by AI.
- Cheniere Energy Price Target Increased: Citigroup raised Cheniere Energy's price target from $280 to $330 while reiterating its buy rating, as supply disruptions in the Middle East could benefit U.S. LNG exports long-term, with shares up about 17% since the war began.
See More
Interactive Brokers Launches Crypto Trading for EEA Investors
- Market Expansion: Interactive Brokers has launched crypto trading for individual investors in the European Economic Area through its Ireland-based unit, significantly expanding its product suite and enhancing its competitive position in a market of nearly 450 million people.
- Secure Trading Partnership: The collaboration with Zerohash ensures secure trade execution and asset custody, allowing users to seamlessly trade 11 major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, on a single integrated platform, thereby enhancing user experience.
- Cost Efficiency Improvement: With commissions ranging from 0.12% to 0.18%, IBKR's crypto trading becomes more accessible and cost-effective, attracting more users and boosting trading activity and fee-based revenues over time.
- Platform Integration Advantage: Crypto trading is embedded across multiple key IBKR platforms, enabling clients to access digital assets through familiar tools, which improves portfolio management efficiency and transparency, helping clients better manage risk and liquidity.
See More
SpaceX IPO to Allocate 30% of Shares to Retail Investors
- Massive IPO Size: SpaceX is set to raise up to $75 billion in its upcoming IPO, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth potential and possibly pushing its valuation to $1.75 trillion.
- Retail Investor Benefits: Approximately 30% of SpaceX shares will be allocated to retail investors, a move aimed at breaking the traditional IPO model that favors institutional investors, thereby enhancing retail participation and market fairness.
- Brokerage Platform Competition: While Robinhood and SoFi sought a role in the share distribution, E*TRADE will lead the retail allocation of SpaceX shares, potentially disappointing retail investors and conflicting with Musk's pro-retail image.
- Musk's Response: Musk denied rumors of excluding Robinhood and SoFi on social media, indicating that at least some shares will be allocated to these platforms, demonstrating his commitment to retail investors.
See More
SpaceX Plans $75 Billion IPO with Retail Investor Allocation
- IPO Fundraising Scale: SpaceX is set to raise up to $75 billion in its upcoming IPO, potentially making it one of the largest IPOs in history, reflecting strong market confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Retail Investor Allocation: Approximately 30% of the IPO shares are expected to be allocated to retail investors, a relatively high percentage for a large IPO, aimed at enhancing retail investor participation and leveling the playing field.
- Platform Exclusion Controversy: While E*TRADE will lead the distribution of SpaceX shares, rumors suggest that Robinhood and SoFi may be excluded, which could lead to dissatisfaction among retail investors and impact their enthusiasm for investing in SpaceX.
- Musk's Response: Musk denied reports of excluding Robinhood and SoFi on social media, indicating that at least some shares will be allocated to these platforms, aiming to maintain a good relationship with retail investors and further solidify his brand image.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid Market Turbulence
- Micron's Strong Performance: Micron Technology reported a 57% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 FY2026, projecting $18.7 billion in Q2 revenue, but exceeded expectations with $23.9 billion, while net income surged 771%, highlighting its robust growth potential in the AI storage solutions market.
- Market Share Expansion: Micron's Q3 guidance indicates a 40% sequential growth, suggesting that its market share in memory storage solutions is still on the rise, particularly against the backdrop of rapid AI technology development, further solidifying its industry position.
- Robinhood's Market Dynamics: Despite a 50% drop in Robinhood's stock due to the cryptocurrency market crash, the company achieved a 27% year-over-year revenue increase, with options and equities revenue rising 41% and 54% respectively, showcasing its diversified growth potential in the fintech sector.
- Investor Confidence Rebounds: BlackRock and Barclays increased their holdings in Micron and Robinhood in Q4 2025, reflecting institutional investors' confidence in the long-term growth prospects of both companies, especially during turbulent market conditions, presenting potential investment opportunities.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid Market Turmoil
- Surge in Oil Prices: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused crude oil futures to rise nearly 50% over the past month, reaching their highest levels since 2022, and if the blockade persists, prices could climb even higher, creating market uncertainty.
- Micron's Strong Earnings: Micron Technology reported a 57% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 FY2026 and unexpectedly delivered $23.9 billion in Q2, showcasing robust growth driven by AI demand, while its P/E ratio below 20 indicates it is undervalued compared to peers.
- Robinhood's Market Share Growth: Despite challenges from declining crypto trading, Robinhood's overall revenue rose 27% year-over-year, with options and equities revenue increasing by 41% and 54%, respectively, highlighting its diversified growth potential in the fintech sector.
- Institutional Investor Interest: BlackRock and Barclays both increased their holdings in Micron and Robinhood in Q4 2025, indicating a positive outlook from institutional investors for these stocks, especially amid heightened market volatility.
See More
Market Watch: Oil Price Surge and Stock Market Turmoil
- Oil Price Surge Impact: Following President Trump's address on the Iran war, which raised escalation concerns, U.S. crude benchmark WTI surged 9% to $109 a barrel, putting downward pressure on the stock market and negatively affecting investor sentiment.
- Bank of America Upgrades Vale: Bank of America upgraded Vale from hold to buy, suggesting that now is an attractive entry point for investors in the iron ore producer, despite Vale's stock dropping nearly 7% since the Iran conflict began, while iron ore prices have risen about 8%.
- Wix's Outlook Downgraded: UBS downgraded Wix from buy to hold, with analysts believing its 2026 outlook indicates a slowdown in core business growth from 12% last year to 8% this year, and despite efforts to integrate AI capabilities, the company remains vulnerable to disruption by AI.
- Cheniere Energy Price Target Increased: Citigroup raised Cheniere Energy's price target from $280 to $330 while reiterating its buy rating, as supply disruptions in the Middle East could benefit U.S. LNG exports long-term, with shares up about 17% since the war began.
See More
Interactive Brokers Launches Crypto Trading for EEA Investors
- Market Expansion: Interactive Brokers has launched crypto trading for individual investors in the European Economic Area through its Ireland-based unit, significantly expanding its product suite and enhancing its competitive position in a market of nearly 450 million people.
- Secure Trading Partnership: The collaboration with Zerohash ensures secure trade execution and asset custody, allowing users to seamlessly trade 11 major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, on a single integrated platform, thereby enhancing user experience.
- Cost Efficiency Improvement: With commissions ranging from 0.12% to 0.18%, IBKR's crypto trading becomes more accessible and cost-effective, attracting more users and boosting trading activity and fee-based revenues over time.
- Platform Integration Advantage: Crypto trading is embedded across multiple key IBKR platforms, enabling clients to access digital assets through familiar tools, which improves portfolio management efficiency and transparency, helping clients better manage risk and liquidity.
See More
SpaceX IPO to Allocate 30% of Shares to Retail Investors
- Massive IPO Size: SpaceX is set to raise up to $75 billion in its upcoming IPO, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth potential and possibly pushing its valuation to $1.75 trillion.
- Retail Investor Benefits: Approximately 30% of SpaceX shares will be allocated to retail investors, a move aimed at breaking the traditional IPO model that favors institutional investors, thereby enhancing retail participation and market fairness.
- Brokerage Platform Competition: While Robinhood and SoFi sought a role in the share distribution, E*TRADE will lead the retail allocation of SpaceX shares, potentially disappointing retail investors and conflicting with Musk's pro-retail image.
- Musk's Response: Musk denied rumors of excluding Robinhood and SoFi on social media, indicating that at least some shares will be allocated to these platforms, demonstrating his commitment to retail investors.
See More
SpaceX Plans $75 Billion IPO with Retail Investor Allocation
- IPO Fundraising Scale: SpaceX is set to raise up to $75 billion in its upcoming IPO, potentially making it one of the largest IPOs in history, reflecting strong market confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Retail Investor Allocation: Approximately 30% of the IPO shares are expected to be allocated to retail investors, a relatively high percentage for a large IPO, aimed at enhancing retail investor participation and leveling the playing field.
- Platform Exclusion Controversy: While E*TRADE will lead the distribution of SpaceX shares, rumors suggest that Robinhood and SoFi may be excluded, which could lead to dissatisfaction among retail investors and impact their enthusiasm for investing in SpaceX.
- Musk's Response: Musk denied reports of excluding Robinhood and SoFi on social media, indicating that at least some shares will be allocated to these platforms, aiming to maintain a good relationship with retail investors and further solidify his brand image.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid Market Turbulence
- Micron's Strong Performance: Micron Technology reported a 57% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 FY2026, projecting $18.7 billion in Q2 revenue, but exceeded expectations with $23.9 billion, while net income surged 771%, highlighting its robust growth potential in the AI storage solutions market.
- Market Share Expansion: Micron's Q3 guidance indicates a 40% sequential growth, suggesting that its market share in memory storage solutions is still on the rise, particularly against the backdrop of rapid AI technology development, further solidifying its industry position.
- Robinhood's Market Dynamics: Despite a 50% drop in Robinhood's stock due to the cryptocurrency market crash, the company achieved a 27% year-over-year revenue increase, with options and equities revenue rising 41% and 54% respectively, showcasing its diversified growth potential in the fintech sector.
- Investor Confidence Rebounds: BlackRock and Barclays increased their holdings in Micron and Robinhood in Q4 2025, reflecting institutional investors' confidence in the long-term growth prospects of both companies, especially during turbulent market conditions, presenting potential investment opportunities.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid Market Turmoil
- Surge in Oil Prices: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused crude oil futures to rise nearly 50% over the past month, reaching their highest levels since 2022, and if the blockade persists, prices could climb even higher, creating market uncertainty.
- Micron's Strong Earnings: Micron Technology reported a 57% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 FY2026 and unexpectedly delivered $23.9 billion in Q2, showcasing robust growth driven by AI demand, while its P/E ratio below 20 indicates it is undervalued compared to peers.
- Robinhood's Market Share Growth: Despite challenges from declining crypto trading, Robinhood's overall revenue rose 27% year-over-year, with options and equities revenue increasing by 41% and 54%, respectively, highlighting its diversified growth potential in the fintech sector.
- Institutional Investor Interest: BlackRock and Barclays both increased their holdings in Micron and Robinhood in Q4 2025, indicating a positive outlook from institutional investors for these stocks, especially amid heightened market volatility.
See More
