>In fact, those margin requirements were being set by Robinhood’s prime broker and investor, Citadel Securities
To clarify, you're saying NSCC(DTCC) National Securities Clearing Corporation was instructed by Citadel to increase margin requirements? Example story: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/01/investing/robinhood-gamestop-...
Regardless of whether NSCC acted independently or under secret pressure from Citadel, what could Robinhood have done differently? If they didn't have the billions in the bank to control their destiny, what other options do they have? If the clearing house cuts off Robinhood's trade settlement, what are the realistic alternatives?
What is integrity?
If you have a Robinhood account then you risk Robinhood making decision that lose you money so that the hedge funds make money.
Robinhood actively colluded with their hedge fund owners, by blocking buy orders — but not sell orders — under the guise of “increased margin requirements”.
In fact, those margin requirements were being set by Robinhood’s prime broker and investor, Citadel Securities — who were set to lose billions if retail were allowed to keep buying.