Robinhood made a big splash in Indonesia’s tech scene yesterday by announcing its expansion into the country through two key acquisitions. The U.S. trading app agreed to buy local brokerage Buana Capital Sekuritas and licensed crypto trader PT Pedagang Aset Kripto, marking its first push into Southeast Asia. This comes as Indonesia’s crypto market grows rapidly, with about 25 million users already active. It matters because it signals stronger foreign investment in Indonesia’s fintech sector, potentially bringing low-cost trading options to a young, digital-savvy population and boosting competition in a market dominated by local players like GoTo. Analysts see this as a vote of confidence in Indonesia’s improving regulations, which could attract more global firms and increase liquidity for retail investors.

Building on that momentum, recent data highlights Indonesia’s rise as Southeast Asia’s second-largest startup hub, trailing only Singapore in venture capital inflows. From 2021 to 2023, Indonesia captured 24% of the region’s VC funding, driven by its massive domestic market and digital economy growth. This trend continued into late 2025, with reports noting a shift in the VC landscape toward more mature startups in areas like fintech and sustainability. For instance, a bootstrapped Indonesian startup focused on waste collection recently hit IDR 10 billion in revenue, serving B2B clients nationwide, showing how local entrepreneurs are scaling without heavy funding. Why does this matter? It underscores Indonesia’s potential to rival Singapore as a tech powerhouse, creating jobs and innovation in a region where digital adoption is accelerating, though funding slumps in other Southeast Asian countries add some uncertainty.

Meanwhile, cross-border partnerships are gaining traction, with 29 Australian agribusiness firms exploring ties in Indonesia last month, including tech-driven initiatives for sustainable farming. This could spill over into agritech startups, blending Indonesia’s resources with foreign expertise.

What to watch for next: Keep an eye on regulatory approvals for Robinhood’s deals, which could set precedents for other foreign entries, and any new VC funding rounds in Indonesian startups amid year-end economic shifts.