can you move stocks from robinhood — guide

Can you move stocks from Robinhood? A practical, up-to-date guide

Many investors ask early on: can you move stocks from robinhood to another brokerage? This guide answers that question directly and walks you through the methods, eligible assets, timing, fees, special cases (fractional shares, crypto, options, margin), troubleshooting, and alternatives. Read on to learn what to expect, how to prepare, and what to check before starting a transfer.

Key takeaway in one line: you can generally move eligible, settled whole shares and other supported assets out of a Robinhood brokerage account using ACATS (the industry-standard transfer service), but fractional shares, most crypto holdings, and some options or account types usually cannot transfer.

Overview of transfer options

When users ask "can you move stocks from robinhood?" they usually mean transferring assets from a Robinhood brokerage account to another broker or custody provider. There are three common transfer paths:

• ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service): the standard external transfer between broker-dealers used to move securities and cash from Robinhood to another brokerage. The receiving broker typically initiates the transfer.
• Internal transfers within Robinhood: moving assets between Robinhood accounts you own (for example, between individual and joint accounts) — processed in-app and typically faster.
• Crypto withdrawals or transfers to wallets: separate from brokered securities. Crypto held under Robinhood Crypto historically followed different rules and could not be moved via ACATS; wallet features or withdrawals (region-dependent) are handled by Robinhood Crypto and have distinct requirements.

This guide focuses primarily on ACATS transfers because that is the mechanism most users need when they ask "can you move stocks from robinhood?".

How external transfers (ACATS) work

ACATS is an electronic clearinghouse used across the US brokerage industry to transfer positions and cash between member firms. When the receiving broker initiates an ACATS transfer, the receiving broker submits the transfer instructions and account details; Robinhood and its clearing firm match the account and move eligible positions and cash according to ACATS rules.

High-level steps in the ACATS flow:

1. You open an account at the receiving brokerage and provide your Robinhood account details (name, account number, account type).
2. The receiving broker initiates an ACATS transfer request (full or partial) on your behalf.
3. Robinhood receives the request, reviews eligible assets, and either accepts, partially accepts, or rejects the request based on account status and asset eligibility.
4. If accepted, assets that can transfer are delivered to the receiving broker; cash and non-transferable assets are handled per Robinhood’s policy (sold, left behind, or made available for withdrawal).
5. Transfer completes; timing varies (commonly several business days).

Full vs. partial ACATS transfers

• Full ACATS transfer: moves the entire Robinhood brokerage account (all eligible securities and cash) to the receiving firm. A full transfer often leads Robinhood to restrict trading in the account and may result in the account being closed or put on hold after the transfer completes.

• Partial ACATS transfer: moves selected, eligible positions and/or cash amounts while leaving remaining positions at Robinhood. Partial transfers are useful when you want to move only certain holdings.

Note: unsettled trades, pending deposits, negative balances, margin or short positions, and unsupported instruments can affect whether a partial transfer moves the requested assets immediately or at all. The receiving broker and Robinhood’s clearing firm coordinate how unsettled items are treated.

Which assets are transferable (and which are not)

When you consider whether you can move stocks from robinhood, it helps to know which asset types typically do and do not transfer.

Transferable (commonly):

• Settled, whole shares of US-listed equities and most ETFs.
• Cash balances in the brokerage account.
• Many cleared options contracts (subject to receiving-broker support and expiration/strategy limits).
• Margin balances and certain short positions can transfer if the receiving account is margin-enabled and the receiving firm accepts margin debt.
• Some mutual funds, bonds, and fixed-income instruments if both firms support them.

Not transferable or limited (commonly):

• Fractional shares: fractional positions held at Robinhood are frequently not transferable via ACATS because other brokers may not accept fractional lots in a direct position-for-position transfer.
• Crypto in Robinhood Crypto: crypto held under Robinhood Crypto historically sits in a separate custody architecture and is not moved via ACATS; withdrawals to external wallets (where offered) follow a different flow and restrictions.
• Certain options strategies or contracts near expiration: complex spreads or short-dated options may be excluded or require liquidation.
• Some mutual funds, private placements, or restricted securities that require specialized transfer processes.

Important: transfer eligibility rules change. Always check Robinhood’s official support pages titled "Transfer your assets out", "Transferring assets", and "Transfer your assets in" for the definitive, up-to-date list.

Fees, timeline, and immediate effects

• Fees: Robinhood has historically applied an outgoing ACATS fee for transfers out of a brokerage account. Fee amounts and policies change; check Robinhood’s current support documentation. Receiving brokers often advertise that they will reimburse outgoing ACATS fees for transfers in (subject to reimbursement limits and promotions).

• Timeline: transfers commonly complete within roughly 5–7 business days, but the exact timeline depends on whether the transfer is full or partial, the assets included, and whether issues arise (unsettled funds, margin/short positions, account holds). Some transfers can take longer if manual intervention is needed.

• Immediate effects: when you initiate a transfer, the assets requested in the transfer may become restricted from trading until the transfer completes. A full transfer request may result in Robinhood placing trading or withdrawal restrictions on your account while ACATS processes. Plan for temporary illiquidity of moved positions.

Step-by-step: how to initiate a transfer out of Robinhood

If you’ve decided you want to move stocks from robinhood, here’s a practical checklist you can follow.

1. Decide whether you want a full or partial transfer.

2. Open and fully verify an account at the receiving brokerage (make sure it accepts the securities you plan to move). If you need margin or options facilities, enable those features in the receiving account.

3. Locate your Robinhood account details. You’ll typically need your Robinhood account number (visible in the Robinhood app under account settings or statements). Save a recent account statement — some receiving brokers request it.

4. Contact the receiving broker and request a transfer in (they usually have a page or form to begin an ACATS transfer). Provide the Robinhood account number and account type and clarify whether you want a full or partial transfer.

5. Select the assets to transfer (for partial transfers) and confirm that the receiving firm supports them. If you want to move all positions, select the full-transfer option.

6. Confirm any fees and whether the receiving broker will reimburse Robinhood’s outgoing ACATS fee.

7. Monitor the transfer: you should receive notifications from the receiving broker and can check account History in the Robinhood app. If Robinhood rejects or partially accepts the transfer, follow up with both brokers’ support teams.

Practical details and tips:

• Receiving brokers often initiate the ACATS transfer; you do not typically submit ACATS paperwork directly to Robinhood.
• Robinhood’s DTC number is commonly listed as 6769; the receiving broker may request DTC or clearing-firm details for ACATS. Confirm this value via support documents because routing/custody details can change.
• Ensure you have settled funds if you plan to transfer cash or recently purchased securities — unsettled purchases may delay transfer of those positions.

Special cases and requirements

Margin and short positions:

• If your Robinhood account has margin debt or short positions, the receiving brokerage must be willing and able to accept margin debt and short positions. Often the receiving broker will require a margin-enabled account to accept these liabilities.

Options contracts and expirations:

• Options positions can sometimes transfer, but simple long calls/puts and some covered calls are more likely to be accepted. Complex multi-legged strategies, short options, or options close to expiration may be excluded and require liquidation.

Managed accounts, IRAs, and other account types:

• Transfers involving IRAs, custodial accounts, trust accounts, and business accounts have special rules. For a full ACATS transfer between account types (for example, from a taxable account to an IRA), most firms require the sending and receiving account types to match; conversions between account types typically cannot be done via ACATS and may require paperwork or liquidation.

Account matching and ownership:

• The owner name(s) on the sending and receiving accounts must match exactly. If you have a joint account at the receiving broker and a single-owner account at Robinhood, you cannot ACATS between them. Transfers from trusts or custodial accounts have additional documentation requirements.

Internal transfers between Robinhood accounts

Robinhood supports in-app internal transfers between certain accounts you own (for example, moving eligible securities between multiple Robinhood brokerage accounts you own). Key points:

• Internal transfers typically process faster than ACATS because they do not require external clearing.
• Internal transfers generally do not move crypto between accounts, because Robinhood Crypto is a separate product line with different custody.
• Limits on the number of internal transfers or daily move limits may apply; check Robinhood’s support articles on internal transfers.

Crypto holdings and transfers

If your question is "can you move stocks from robinhood?" you’re likely asking about US equities, but it’s important to separate crypto:

• Crypto held in Robinhood Crypto historically could not be moved via ACATS because ACATS is for brokered securities. Crypto withdrawals (sending crypto to an external wallet) are handled through Robinhood Crypto’s wallet and withdrawal features; availability varies by region and product maturity.

• If you want to move crypto to another custody provider or a self-custody wallet, follow Robinhood Crypto’s withdrawal process (if available) rather than ACATS. Check Robinhood Crypto documentation for supported assets, withdrawal limits, and any on-chain fees.

• Note: tokenized equities and the broader tokenization of securities (see the next section) could change market infrastructure and custody models over time, which may impact how transfers between services work in the future.

Tokenization and why it matters to transfers

As of January 9, 2026, according to NYSE reports and industry coverage, the New York Stock Exchange has announced plans for a platform to trade and settle tokenized securities on-chain, supporting crypto-style 24/7 trading and immediate settlement using tokenized capital and stablecoin-based funding. The reported developments indicate a growing institutional focus on tokenized equities and on-chain settlement infrastructure.

Relevant data points from coverage as of January 9, 2026:

• Tokenized equities market cap surpassed $800 million, with approx. 16% growth over the prior 30 days and roughly a 2,500% year-over-year increase.
• The broader tokenized asset market was reported to have grown to nearly $20 billion by the end of 2025.
• Industry players are preparing clearing and custody rails to support on-chain settlement and tokenized deposits across clearinghouses.

Why this matters: as tokenized securities and on-chain settlement mature, transfer workflows may evolve beyond ACATS for certain token-compatible instruments. New rails could allow more immediate transfers and dollar-sized orders, and custody models may shift to token-native custody. For now, ACATS remains the industry standard for moving traditional brokered positions like US-listed stocks between brokerages.

Sources: NYSE announcements and contemporaneous industry reporting (coverage dated January 9, 2026).

Tax, cost-basis, and record-keeping considerations

• Cost basis: transferred positions typically preserve cost-basis and lot information when the sending broker provides lot-level data to the receiving broker. However, not all transfers preserve perfect lot-level granularity, especially for fractional shares or older lots. After a transfer, verify cost-basis in the receiving account and retain records (statements) from Robinhood.

• 1099 and tax reporting: the firm that executes taxable events (e.g., selling positions) will issue the associated tax forms for those events. If you sell to effect a move and realize gains or losses, the selling broker reports the sale. For ACATS transfers that move positions without selling, tax events are not triggered at the time of transfer, but accurate lot and basis reporting is important for future sales.

• Keep copies of pre-transfer statements from Robinhood and post-transfer statements from the receiving broker for audit trails and tax reporting.

Common problems, delays, and troubleshooting

If you try to move stocks from robinhood and encounter problems, common causes and fixes include:

• Account restrictions or negative balances: resolve any margin debt, unsettled negative balances, or restricted status before initiating transfer.
• Unsettled trades or pending deposits: wait for settlement (typically two business days for most equity trades) before trying to transfer recently purchased shares.
• Unsupported assets included in the transfer: remove non-transferable assets (fractionals, certain options) from the transfer request and try again for eligible holdings.
• Mismatched account details: ensure names and account types match exactly between sending and receiving accounts.
• Receiving broker policies: confirm the receiving broker accepts the assets and account-type combination you request; some firms have exclusions or additional paperwork requirements.

If a transfer is rejected or delayed, contact the receiving broker first (they initiated the ACATS). If you get limited or confusing feedback, contact Robinhood support and provide the receiving broker’s transfer reference so support can investigate.

Alternatives to transfers

If a direct transfer is infeasible, consider alternatives (each has tradeoffs):

• Sell positions at Robinhood and transfer cash: simple and works for any asset, but triggers taxable events if in a taxable account and may incur market timing risk.
• Recreate positions at the new broker: sell at Robinhood, transfer cash, and buy the positions at the receiving broker. This is similar to the first option and retains tax consequences.
• Use internal Robinhood transfers (if moving between your Robinhood accounts): faster and avoids ACATS but limited to accounts within Robinhood.

Weigh taxes, market timing, potential fees, and operational convenience when choosing an alternative.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: can you move stocks from robinhood if they are fractional? A: Fractional shares are usually not transferable via ACATS. If you hold fractional shares at Robinhood, you may need to sell fractional positions and transfer cash or consolidate to whole shares (if possible) before transferring. Check Robinhood support for options specific to fractional share handling.

Q: Who initiates the transfer when I want to move stocks from robinhood? A: The receiving brokerage typically initiates an ACATS transfer. Contact your receiving broker and provide your Robinhood account details.

Q: Will my Robinhood account close after a full transfer? A: A full ACATS transfer may cause Robinhood to restrict the account and, in some cases, close the brokerage account after the transfer completes. Policies vary. Check Robinhood’s support documentation and speak with both brokers if account continuity matters.

Q: How long does it take to move stocks from robinhood? A: Transfers commonly take about 5–7 business days, but timing varies with full vs. partial transfers and asset types. Expect possible delays if non-transferable assets, unsettled trades, or account holds are present.

Q: Are there fees to move stocks from robinhood? A: Robinhood has historically applied an outgoing ACATS fee. Check Robinhood’s current support pages for the exact fee. Receiving brokers sometimes offer to reimburse outgoing transfer fees for inbound transfers, often under promotional terms.

Q: Can I move options contracts from Robinhood via ACATS? A: Many standard options positions can transfer, but complex strategies or positions close to expiry may not. Confirm with the receiving broker.

Q: Can I move crypto along with stocks from robinhood? A: No. Crypto from Robinhood Crypto is not transferred via ACATS. Crypto withdrawals (to external wallets) follow a separate process and are governed by Robinhood Crypto policies.

Best practices and pre-transfer checklist

Before you start a transfer, complete this checklist:

• Resolve negative balances, margin calls, and pending restrictions on your Robinhood account.
• Wait for settlement of recent trades if you plan to move those shares.
• Verify that the receiving broker accepts the securities and account type you want to transfer.
• Gather your Robinhood account number and a recent brokerage statement.
• Confirm Robinhood’s outgoing transfer fee and whether the receiving broker offers reimbursement.
• Decide full vs. partial transfer and list the exact positions to move.
• Confirm receiving account is margin-enabled if you need to transfer margin debt or short positions.
• Backup cost-basis documentation and review lot-level records.

Following this checklist reduces the chance of delays or rejected transfers.

Troubleshooting flow: what to do if your transfer stalls

1. Check the receiving broker’s transfer status dashboard or messages — most brokers provide updates.
2. Verify you provided the correct Robinhood account number and matching account name.
3. Confirm whether any non-transferable assets are included in the request.
4. If the receiving broker indicates rejection, request the rejection reason and relay it to Robinhood support.
5. For urgent or unclear rejections, open a support ticket with Robinhood and include the receiving broker’s transfer reference number and screenshots of any messages.

How tokenized securities could change transfer experiences (short note)

As regulated tokenized securities and on-chain settlement infrastructure mature (see NYSE plans reported January 9, 2026), some future transfer workflows may become more immediate and token-native. That evolution could allow dollar-sized orders, fractionalized positions that interoperate across platforms, and on-chain settlement that bypasses parts of legacy clearing infrastructure. For now, ACATS remains the standard way to move traditional brokered US equities between broker-dealers.

What to tell support if something goes wrong

When contacting your receiving broker or Robinhood support, provide:

• Your name as listed on both accounts.
• Robinhood account number and the receiving broker’s account number.
• The transfer initiation date and whether it was full or partial.
• A copy or screenshot of the transfer confirmation or rejection message.
• Any error or reference numbers provided by either firm.

Clear documentation helps both firms escalate and resolve transfer issues faster.

Choosing a receiving broker: what to check

When you choose where to move stocks from robinhood, make sure the receiving brokerage:

• Accepts the securities and account type you have.
• Supports margin/options if you need them.
• Has a transfer-in process that covers partial or full ACATS transfers.
• Discloses any incoming transfer promotions or fee reimbursements.
• Offers clear customer support channels for transfers.

If you plan to use tokenized or on-chain services in the future, consider platforms that integrate with regulated tokenization initiatives — and consider custody and wallet options such as the Bitget Wallet for Web3 interactions.

Alternatives and timing considerations for tax year planning

If you’re moving accounts near year-end or before a taxable event you expect to realize, consider tax timing. Selling positions to move cash may trigger gains/losses within the calendar year. If tax consequences matter, prepare accordingly and consult a tax professional.

This guide does not provide tax advice — keep records and consult a tax specialist if needed.

Frequently used terms (glossary)

• ACATS: Automated Customer Account Transfer Service — the electronic system used to transfer assets between US broker-dealers.
• DTC: Depository Trust Company — a clearing and settlement entity; broker DTC numbers identify clearing custody relationships.
• Fractional share: a non-integer portion of a share that some brokers offer to retail clients.
• Cost basis: the original value of an asset for tax purposes, used to calculate capital gains or losses on sale.

Final notes and actionable next steps

If your central question is "can you move stocks from robinhood?", the succinct answer is yes for most whole-share, settled securities using ACATS — but there are important exceptions and practical steps you must take.

Action steps you can take right now:

• Review your Robinhood account for unsettled trades, negative balances, or special restrictions.
• Decide whether you want a full or partial transfer.
• Open and verify an account with the receiving brokerage, confirm they accept the assets you plan to transfer, and ask about ACATS initiation and fee reimbursement.
• Gather your Robinhood account number and a recent statement.
• Initiate the transfer via the receiving broker and monitor progress.

If you are exploring tokenized securities or Web3 custody options, consider learning about regulated tokenization initiatives that aim to bring on-chain settlement to traditional equities markets. For Web3 wallet needs and token custody, consider using Bitget Wallet and explore Bitget’s tokenized product offerings where regulatory and platform support exist.

References and further reading

• Robinhood support pages: "Transfer your assets out", "Transfer your assets in", "Transferring assets", and "Internal assets transfer" (consult Robinhood’s official support site for the latest, authoritative instructions).
• Industry coverage of tokenized securities and on-chain settlement (as of January 9, 2026) reporting NYSE developments and tokenized assets market data.
• Practical transfer guides and explanatory articles from reputable financial publishers that summarize ACATS workflows and user experiences.

As transfer rules, fees, and product features change, always verify current details with Robinhood and with your chosen receiving broker before starting a transfer.

Further explore Bitget solutions for token custody and Web3 wallets if you want integrated custody and tokenized asset services — check Bitget Wallet for on-chain interactions and Bitget’s product pages for the latest offerings.

Want help preparing for a transfer? Use the checklist above, gather your documents, and contact your receiving broker to start the ACATS process.