Crypto exchange Gemini has unveiled new products for its European and UK customers, introducing regulated derivatives trading alongside Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking. This move comes after a string of regulatory milestones and positions Gemini as a major player in the rapidly growing European crypto market.
Key Takeaways
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Gemini now offers perpetual derivatives and staking for ETH and SOL across the EU, EEA, and the UK.
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The rollout leverages recent approvals under MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) and MiFID II.
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Users can stake any amount of ETH or SOL and trade derivatives with up to 100x leverage.
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The company’s expansion comes amid declining spot trading volumes and surging demand for alternative crypto investment products.
Regulatory Milestones Open European Market
Gemini’s expansion follows regulatory approvals under Malta’s MFSA and the overarching EU frameworks—MiCA for crypto assets and MiFID II for derivatives. The company’s transition to a Malta-based Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) positions it as one of the few exchanges in the region able to legally offer both staking and derivatives from a single, compliant platform.
These regulatory advances allow Gemini to serve over 400 million potential investors in the EU, EEA, and the UK. The new offerings underscore a broader trend as Europe’s standardization of crypto regulations attracts global players seeking clarity and compliance.
Staking: Accessible, Secure, and Rewarding
Gemini’s staking service enables users to commit any amount of ETH or SOL to earn passive rewards without minimum thresholds. Notably, the service advertises up to 6% annual percentage rate (APR) for Solana staking, while Ethereum yields remain variable. Additional features include daily reward accruals and robust institutional-grade security, such as segregated cold storage for user assets.
This move comes as institutional staking activity surges in the EU, with total staked ETH jumping 28% year-over-year to $90 billion. Both retail and institutional investors can leverage staking within the Gemini platform, tapping into an integrated approach for earning and asset management.
Comprehensive Derivatives Suite: Perpetuals and Leverage
Gemini’s new derivatives product, Gemini Perpetuals, allows customers to gain long or short exposure to various cryptocurrencies. Contracts are denominated in the USDC stablecoin and offer up to 100x leverage with no expiration dates. Experienced traders can use assets held in their spot accounts as cross-collateral and execute complex strategies such as arbitrage within a unified interface.
As global derivatives volumes now far outpace spot trading—estimated at $23 trillion by the end of 2025—this offering is expected to appeal especially to sophisticated individual and institutional investors seeking more advanced tools in a compliant environment.
Europe as a Strategic Focus
Gemini’s latest rollout coincides with broader efforts to solidify its presence within the European market. The company’s leadership points to the EU’s regulatory clarity as a catalyst for innovation and rapid adoption, aiming to provide a seamless, all-in-one platform for both novice and seasoned investors. Recent years have seen Gemini introduce tokenized stocks and expand its services footprint, reflecting its goal to be Europe’s premier regulated crypto gateway.
This expansion also aligns with Gemini’s global ambitions, as it continues to balance compliance with product innovation and cater to the growing demand for digital asset investment opportunities.
Sources
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Gemini Launches Crypto Staking And Derivatives In Europe, Cointelegraph.
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Gemini Launches Staking and Derivatives for EU Customers, FF News | Fintech Finance.
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Gemini Expands Across Europe With Staking And Perpetuals For 400 Million Investors, FinanceFeeds.
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Gemini to Launch Crypto Derivatives in Europe -, Altcoin Buzz.
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Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss-Backed Gemini Expands EU Offering, CoinDesk.