Gemini Europe's New Staking and Futures Services: A Strategic Entry Point for Crypto Investors in 2025

The European crypto market is undergoing a transformative phase in 2025, driven by regulatory clarity under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and a surge in institutional adoption. At the forefront of this evolution is Gemini, which has strategically expanded its services to the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) with staking and perpetual futures offerings. These services not only align with the EU’s evolving regulatory landscape but also position investors to capitalize on high-yield opportunities and leveraged exposure in a rapidly maturing market.

Staking Services: Democratizing Access to High-Yield Opportunities

Gemini’s staking services for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) represent a significant step toward democratizing crypto investment. European users can now stake these assets with no minimum deposit requirements, earning daily-accrued rewards. For Solana, stakers can secure up to 6% annual percentage rate (APR), while Ethereum staking offers variable APRs tied to market conditions [1]. This approach caters to both retail and institutional investors seeking passive income without locking up liquidity for extended periods.

The services operate under Gemini’s Malta-based entity, which holds a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under MiCA. However, the staking services themselves are not subject to MiCA’s direct oversight, allowing Gemini to innovate while maintaining compliance with broader regulatory expectations [2]. This hybrid model reflects the EU’s nuanced approach to crypto regulation, balancing innovation with investor protection.

Perpetual Futures: Leveraged Exposure for Sophisticated Investors

Gemini Perpetuals, the exchange’s regulated derivatives product, offers EU customers perpetual futures contracts with up to 100x leverage and no expiration dates. These contracts are governed by Gemini’s MiFID II license, ensuring alignment with the EU’s stringent financial regulations [3]. By leveraging these tools, sophisticated investors can hedge positions or speculate on price movements with precision, particularly in volatile markets like crypto.

The introduction of such products underscores the growing institutional-grade infrastructure in Europe. As of Q1 2025, 65% of EU-based crypto businesses have achieved MiCA compliance, and regulated exchanges have seen a 24% surge in trading volume [4]. This trend is further amplified by the rise of European crypto hedge funds, which increased by 35% in 2025, reflecting a shift toward structured, institutional-grade strategies [5].

Regulatory Alignment: A Catalyst for Market Growth

Gemini’s expansion into Europe is underpinned by its proactive compliance with MiCA and MiFID II. The exchange secured a MiCA license from Malta’s Financial Services Authority (MFSA) in 2025, enabling it to operate across 30+ European jurisdictions [6]. This license, combined with a MiFID II license, allows Gemini to offer a hybrid suite of services—from tokenized stocks on the Arbitrum blockchain to sustainability disclosures mandated by MiCA [7].

The EU’s regulatory clarity has been a key driver of institutional adoption. For instance, 32% of institutional investors in the EU increased their crypto holdings after MiCA’s investor protection measures took effect [8]. Additionally, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has streamlined compliance through its central register, which lists white papers, authorized service providers, and non-compliant entities [9]. This transparency fosters trust, a critical factor for attracting institutional capital.

Institutional Adoption: Ethereum ETFs and Stablecoin Integration

The surge in institutional adoption is further evidenced by the $27.66 billion in assets under management (AUM) for Ethereum ETFs in Q3 2025, representing 5.31% of the circulating ETH supply [10]. This growth is fueled by the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts of 2025, which reclassified Ethereum as a utility token and enabled in-kind creation/redemption mechanisms for ETFs [11].

Stablecoins, too, are gaining traction in institutional portfolios. Companies like Walmart and Amazon are exploring stablecoins for cross-border transactions, while the EU’s regulatory framework supports their integration into mainstream finance [12]. Gemini’s staking and futures services provide a bridge for investors to navigate these trends, leveraging both high-yield opportunities and leveraged exposure.

Conclusion: Strategic Positioning in a Regulated Ecosystem

Gemini’s entry into the European market with staking and perpetual futures services is a masterstroke in a landscape defined by regulatory clarity and institutional momentum. By aligning with MiCA and MiFID II, the exchange not only mitigates compliance risks but also taps into a market projected to reach €1.8 trillion by 2025 [13]. For investors, this represents a unique opportunity to access high-yield staking, leveraged derivatives, and institutional-grade infrastructure—all within a framework that prioritizes transparency and investor protection.

Source:
[1] Gemini Launches Staking and Derivatives for EU Customers [https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-launches-staking-and-derivatives-for-eu-customers]
[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] Gemini Expands EU Offering with ETH and SOL Staking [https://invezz.com/news/2025/09/05/gemini-expands-eu-offering-with-eth-and-sol-staking/]
[4] EU MiCA Regulations Statistics 2025 [https://coinlaw.io/eu-mica-regulations-statistics/]
[5] Gemini Powers Up in Europe with MiCA and MiFID II Licenses [https://coincentral.com/gemini-powers-up-in-europe-with-mica-and-mifid-ii-licenses/]
[6] Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) [https://www.esma.europa.eu/esmas-activities/digital-finance-and-innovation/markets-crypto-assets-regulation-mica]
[7] Sustainability Disclosures under MiCA [https://www.gemini.com/legal/sustainability-mica]
[8] Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) [https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/markets-in-crypto-assets-regulation]
[9] EU Crypto Developments Roundup - July 2025 [https://www.aosphere.com/know-how/eu-crypto-developments-roundup-july-2025/]
[10] Ethereum ETF: Why Institutional Adoption Is Surging in 2025 [https://www.okx.com/en-eu/learn/ethereum-etf-institutional-adoption-2025]
[11] Investment Strategy Quarterly Q3 2025 [https://globalxetfs.eu/investment-strategy-quarterly-q3-2025/]
[12] The crypto question: Digital currency dealmaking set to boom in 2025 [https://mergers.whitecase.com/highlights/the-crypto-question-digital-currency-dealmaking-set-to-boom-in-2025]
[13] Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) [https://www.esma.europa.eu/esmas-activities/digital-finance-and-innovation/markets-crypto-assets-regulation-mica]