TL;DR
- Product Launch: Gemini rolls out ETH and SOL staking plus USDC‑denominated perpetual contracts for EEA customers, integrating them into its unified trading platform.
- Market Shift: Global spot crypto trading drops 32% to $3.6T, while derivatives volumes climb to $20.2T, reflecting investor appetite for leveraged strategies.
- Staking Growth: EU Ethereum staking deposits surge 28% year‑over‑year to $90B, boosted by MiCA’s regulatory clarity and rising institutional participation.
The crypto exchange Gemini, created by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has grown its presence in Europe by introducing a new range of staking and derivatives products for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). The move follows recent regulatory approvals under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Malta and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), positioning Gemini to compete more aggressively in the region.
Comprehensive Offering for EEA Clients
With the new rollout, Gemini customers in the EEA can now stake Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) directly through the platform, alongside trading perpetual contracts denominated in Circle’s USDC stablecoin. According to Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, the integration of spot exchange, staking, and perpetuals into a single interface strengthens the company’s bid to become a leading exchange in the European market.
Derivatives Growth Outpaces Spot Trading
The move into derivatives happens during a decline in global spot crypto trading, which dropped 32% in the first half of 2025 to $3.6 trillion in Q2, as reported by TokenInsight. In comparison, derivatives volumes hit $20.2 trillion during the same timeframe. Jennings mentioned that the global derivatives market might reach $23 trillion by the end of 2025, fueled by the need for risk-managed tools that enable intricate long or short strategies.
Staking Momentum Accelerates in Europe
While derivatives fall under MiFID II, staking in the EU is indirectly regulated under MiCA, which took full effect in late 2024. The framework has spurred institutional participation, with EU staking activity rising 39% in 2025 compared to 22% outside the bloc. Ethereum staking deposits in the EU alone grew 28% year-over-year, reaching $90 billion. Jennings believes that Gemini’s staking service will attract advanced retail investors looking for ways to earn passive income.
Strategic Timing Ahead of IPO
The European product launch comes just days after Gemini filed a Form S-1 for a US initial public offering. The exchange intends to offer 16.67 million shares at a price range of $17 to $19, to raise as much as $317 million. By expanding its regulated offerings in Europe, Gemini is signaling both growth ambitions and readiness to attract a broader investor base ahead of its public debut.
