Ethereum News Today: Gemini Stakes Claim in Europe With All-in-One Crypto Play

Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange co-founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has expanded its offerings in the European Economic Area (EEA) with the launch of Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking, as well as the introduction of Gemini Perpetuals, a derivatives product denominated in USDC stablecoin. This expansion follows the firm’s regulatory approvals under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework in Malta and under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) in May. The move underscores Gemini’s strategy to position itself as a major player in the European crypto market, offering a unified interface for spot trading, staking, and derivatives.

The launch of Gemini Staking allows users to stake ETH and SOL with no minimum requirements, offering variable returns on Ethereum and up to 6% on Solana. The product is accessible to both retail and institutional investors, with Gemini emphasizing its appeal to sophisticated retail investors seeking passive income. The company highlights that its staking service operates with institutional-grade security, including segregated cold storage and custody solutions that remove the need for users to manage private keys directly.

Gemini Perpetuals, the exchange’s new derivatives product, offers perpetual futures contracts denominated in USDC, with up to 100x leverage and no expiry date. These contracts allow users to gain long or short exposure to crypto assets and are offered under Gemini’s MiFID II license. The product is embedded within the Gemini platform, enabling cross-collateralization with spot balances and the integration of staking rewards into broader trading strategies such as hedging, basis trades, or spreads. This integration positions Gemini as one of the few exchanges in Europe offering a comprehensive, regulated suite of crypto products within a single platform.

The expansion into derivatives comes at a time when spot crypto trading volumes have declined. According to TokenInsight, spot trading volumes across major centralized exchanges dropped by 32% in the first two quarters of 2025, totaling $3.6 trillion in Q2. In contrast, the global crypto derivatives market surged to $20.2 trillion during the same period, with projections suggesting the market could reach $23 trillion by the end of 2025. Gemini’s head of Europe, Mark Jennings, noted that derivatives are gaining traction as crypto adoption increases and users seek more sophisticated financial tools to manage risk and exposure.

Staking activity in the EU has also seen a significant uptick, driven by MiCA’s regulatory framework. According to a June 2025 study by CoinLaw, Ethereum staking deposits in the EU surged by 28% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching a total of $90 billion in staked ETH. Jennings attributed this growth to the increasing popularity of staking among institutional and retail investors, particularly in a regulated environment that offers transparency and compliance.

Gemini’s EU expansion coincides with its preparations for an initial public offering in the United States. The exchange has filed a Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, aiming to raise up to $317 million by offering 16.67 million shares priced between $17 and $19 per share. The IPO filing underscores Gemini’s ambition to scale its operations globally while maintaining a focus on compliance and regulatory alignment in key markets like Europe.

The broader European crypto ecosystem is also evolving, with other firms securing MiCA licenses. For example, the European subsidiary of Bullish, another crypto exchange, recently won a MiCA license in Germany, enabling it to passport its services across EU member states. As the regulatory landscape matures, the demand for compliant crypto products—particularly derivatives—is expected to continue growing, further reinforcing Gemini’s strategic focus on Europe as a core market for its expansion.

Source:

[1] Gemini launches derivatives and ETH, SOL staking in Europe (https://cointelegraph.com/news/gemini-crypto-derivatives-europe-launch)

[2] Crypto Exchange Gemini Expands EU Offering ... (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/05/crypto-exchange-gemini-expands-eu-offering-with-staking-perpetuals)

[3] Winklevoss-Backed Gemini Launches EU Staking, 100x Perps ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/winklevoss-backed-gemini-launches-eu-111440104.html)

[4] MiCA News: Bullish Europe Wins Crypto License in Germany (https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/09/05/crypto-exchange-bullish-s-european-arm-wins-mica-license-in-germany)