Ethereum News Today: Gemini's Staking and Derivatives Push Rivals EU Regulation to the Forefront

Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has expanded its product offerings in the European Economic Area (EEA), introducing Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking along with derivatives trading. These services are now available to over 400 million EU and EEA investors and are part of Gemini’s broader European expansion strategy. The move comes after the company secured regulatory approvals under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Malta and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) in May 2025. Gemini Staking, which allows users to earn rewards by locking in ETH and SOL, has no minimum deposit requirement and offers up to a 6% annual percentage rate (APR) for Solana, while Ethereum staking rewards are variable. The platform also supports perpetual contracts denominated in USDC stablecoin, with up to 100x leverage and no expiration date, enabling users to take long or short positions on crypto markets [1].

The introduction of these services aligns with growing demand for derivatives in the European crypto market. Data from TokenInsight shows that while spot trading volumes declined by 32% in the first two quarters of 2025, reaching $3.6 trillion, crypto derivatives trading volumes surged to $20.2 trillion. Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, highlighted that the derivatives market is projected to be worth $23 trillion by year-end, driven by increased investor appetite for risk-managed financial instruments. This trend reflects a broader shift in the crypto trading landscape, where derivatives are becoming the dominant form of exposure over traditional spot trading [2].

Ethereum staking has also gained significant traction in the EU, with the region’s staking participation surging by 39% in 2025, according to CoinLaw. This outpaces the 22% growth seen in non-EU markets. Specifically, Ethereum staking deposits in the EU increased by 28% compared to 2024, reaching $90 billion in total staked ETH. Jennings attributed this growth to the regulatory clarity provided by MiCA, which indirectly governs staking activity by setting compliance standards for crypto service providers. Gemini Staking is available to both retail and institutional investors, with the company emphasizing its appeal to professional retail investors seeking to earn passive income through a single, integrated platform [3].

The staking and derivatives launch coincides with Gemini’s recent filing for an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S. The exchange plans to offer 16.67 million shares at a price range of $17 to $19 per share, aiming to raise up to $317 million. This capital-raising effort underscores the company’s strategic focus on scaling its operations in Europe, a region it views as a critical market for crypto trading and regulated investment products. Gemini’s expansion is also supported by its transition to a new Malta-based entity to align with MiCA, reinforcing its commitment to operating within a compliant and secure regulatory environment [4].

Analysts note that the EU’s regulatory framework is fostering innovation in the crypto sector while addressing systemic risks. The European Central Bank (ECB) has recently emphasized the need for stricter oversight of non-EU stablecoins to prevent regulatory arbitrage and protect the euro’s stability. As Gemini and other exchanges introduce more sophisticated financial instruments, the role of MiCA in harmonizing regulations across the 30 EU jurisdictions becomes increasingly vital. Jennings has expressed confidence that the framework will position Europe as a global leader in crypto regulation, attracting institutional and retail investors seeking transparency and compliance [5].

Source:

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

[2] Gemini Launches Staking and Derivatives for EU Customers (https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-launches-staking-and-derivatives-for-eu-customers)

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

[5] European Central Bank Pushes for Tougher Rules on Foreign Stablecoins (https://coincentral.com/european-central-bank-pushes-for-tougher-rules-on-foreign-stablecoins/)