Ethereum News Today: Gemini Targets $23T Derivatives Boom With MiCA-Compliant EU Launch

Gemini, the digital asset exchange co-founded by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, has expanded its product offerings in the European Economic Area (EEA) with the launch of Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking services and USDC-denominated perpetual futures contracts. The move follows the company's compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Malta and its earlier authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II). Gemini Staking allows users to earn variable returns on ETH and up to 6% on SOL without minimum deposit requirements. The perpetual contracts, which offer up to 100x leverage and no expiration dates, are denominated in USDC, a stablecoin issued by Circle [1].

Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, stated that the exchange aims to establish itself as a leading player in the European crypto market by offering a comprehensive suite of products, including spot trading, staking, and derivatives, from a single interface. This strategic expansion aligns with broader trends in the crypto market, where derivatives trading has seen significant growth compared to traditional spot trading. According to TokenInsight, crypto derivatives volumes reached $20.2 trillion in the first two quarters of 2025, while spot trading volumes declined by 32% to $3.6 trillion. Jennings attributed this shift to the growing demand for risk-managed instruments that allow users to execute complex trading strategies [2].

The regulatory landscape for crypto derivatives in the EU is governed by MiFID II, while staking falls under the broader scope of MiCA, which came into full force in late 2024. These regulations have fostered a surge in institutional staking activity in the region, with EU staking participation increasing by 39% in 2025 compared to non-EU growth of 22%. Specifically, Ethereum staking deposits in the EU surged by 28% year-on-year, reaching $90 billion in total staked ETH, according to a June 2025 report by CoinLaw [3]. Jennings emphasized that Gemini Staking is accessible to both retail and institutional investors and is expected to be particularly attractive to professional retail investors seeking to generate passive income.

Gemini’s expansion in the EU comes as it prepares for a major capital-raising initiative. The company filed a Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), planning to offer 16.67 million shares at a price range of $17 to $19 per share to raise up to $317 million. This move signals the firm’s confidence in its European strategy and its ability to scale its services within a highly regulated environment. Gemini has also expanded its staking services to the United Kingdom, reflecting its broader commitment to serving European markets [4].

The timing of the EU expansion aligns with broader macroeconomic trends, including a growing interest in crypto-based financial instruments and regulatory clarity in key markets. As the global derivatives market is projected to reach $23 trillion by the end of 2025, Gemini’s launch positions it to capture a significant share of the European crypto derivatives market, which is expected to remain a strategic growth area for the firm [5].

Source: [1] Gemini launches derivatives and ETH, SOL staking in Europe (https://cointelegraph.com/news/gemini-crypto-derivatives-europe-launch) [2] Gemini Expands EU Operations, Launches ETH and SOL ... (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/26a7bffa-bff5-420b-be2e-6e21e692dc4f) [3] Crypto Exchange Gemini Expands EU Offering ... (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/05/crypto-exchange-gemini-expands-eu-offering-with-staking-perpetuals) [4] Gemini launches derivatives and ETH, SOL staking in Europe (https://cointelegraph.com/news/gemini-crypto-derivatives-europe-launch) [5] Gemini launches derivatives and ETH, SOL staking in Europe (https://cointelegraph.com/news/gemini-crypto-derivatives-europe-launch)