Gemini Expands Crypto Offerings in Europe Amid Market Shifts
Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has broadened its presence in Europe by launching new derivatives trading and staking services. Users within the European Economic Area (EEA) can now stake Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) and trade perpetual contracts denominated in Circle’s USDC stablecoin, according to a statement provided to Cointelegraph.
Regulatory Approvals Enable Expansion
This expansion follows Gemini’s recent regulatory milestones, including its approval under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Malta as of August 2024 and its earlier authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) in May. These clearances position Gemini to offer a comprehensive suite of crypto products in the EU.
Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, emphasized the strategic importance of these offerings: “Our goal is to be one of the major exchanges in Europe, and now that we have a full suite of products including spot exchange, staking, and perpetuals in the EU from a single interface, we believe that we’re a serious contender.”
Derivatives Market Outpaces Spot Trading
Gemini’s move into derivatives coincides with a broader trend in the crypto market where spot trading volumes have declined despite rising Bitcoin prices. Data from crypto analytics platform TokenInsight revealed a 32% decrease in spot trading volumes during the first two quarters of 2025, totaling $3.6 trillion in Q2. In contrast, crypto derivatives trading volumes surged to $20.2 trillion over the same period.
Jennings noted, “The global derivatives market has exploded in recent months,” projecting the sector’s value to reach $23 trillion by the end of 2025. He highlighted increasing demand for derivatives as risk-managed financial instruments that enable complex trading strategies, including long and short exposures to cryptocurrencies.
Staking Growth Driven by Regulatory Framework
While derivatives fall under MiFID II regulation, staking activities are governed indirectly by the MiCA framework, which took full effect in late 2024. This regulatory clarity has contributed to a surge in institutional staking across Europe. A June study by CoinLaw reported a 39% increase in EU staking participation in 2025, outperforming the 22% growth outside the EU.
Ethereum staking deposits specifically saw a 28% rise in the EEA, reaching $90 billion in total staked ETH. Jennings commented, “Staking is becoming increasingly popular in Europe,” and added that Gemini’s staking services cater to both retail and institutional investors, particularly appealing to sophisticated retail users seeking passive income through a centralized platform.
Concurrent US IPO Plans
Gemini’s European product rollout closely follows its filing for an initial public offering in the United States. The exchange plans to sell 16.67 million shares priced between $17 and $19 each, aiming to raise approximately $317 million.
