Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, founded by the Winklevoss twins, is expanding its presence in Europe with new offerings for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). The exchange has launched staking services for Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) and is now offering perpetual contracts that are denominated in USDC. This expansion follows Gemini’s recent regulatory approvals under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Malta and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II).
According to Gemini’s Head of Europe, Mark Jennings, the goal is to become a major player in the European market. He noted that having a full suite of products—including a spot exchange, staking, and perpetuals—from a single interface makes Gemini a “serious contender.”
The move into derivatives comes as spot crypto trading has slowed down globally, while the derivatives market has seen a surge in volume. The global crypto derivatives market is estimated to be worth $23 trillion by the end of 2025. Jennings explained that as crypto adoption grows, there’s an increasing demand for sophisticated financial instruments that allow users to execute complex strategies and manage risk.
Staking is also gaining popularity in Europe, driven by the MiCA framework. Data from CoinLaw shows that EU staking participation surged by 39% in 2025, and Ethereum staking deposits in the EU specifically increased by 28%, reaching $90 billion in total staked ETH. Gemini believes its new staking product will be particularly popular with professional retail investors looking to earn passive income. This European expansion comes on the heels of Gemini’s official filing for a public offering in the U.S.
September 2025, Cryptoniteuae
