Gemini: licences, security, fees and reviews
Centralized exchange
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Key facts
- Type
- Centralized exchange
- Exchange launched
- 2014
- Country of registration
- United States
- Official site
- gemini.com
Data: CoinGecko, 2026-10-27. Only exchanges that operate today with a CoinGecko trust score of 6/10 or higher are listed.
What is Gemini
Gemini is a centralised cryptocurrency exchange and custodian led by Tyler Winklevoss (CEO) and Cameron Winklevoss (President). Its US operating company, Gemini Trust Company, LLC, was chartered as a limited purpose trust company by the New York State Department of Financial Services in 2015. Gemini offers spot trading, perpetual derivatives outside the US, custody, staking and a credit card.
Services
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Spot trading | Spot exchange with a simple mode and ActiveTrader |
| Derivatives | Perpetual futures, for eligible non-US customers |
| Staking / Earn | Staking |
| Custody / wallet | Gemini Custody for institutional clients |
| Card | Gemini Credit Card with crypto rewards (US) |
| Fiat deposits | USD and other fiat currencies; US dollar balances may be held at partner banks |
Licences and registrations
| Jurisdiction | Entity | Licence / registration | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (New York) | Gemini Trust Company, LLC | Limited purpose trust company charter, 2015; NMLS #1518126 | New York State Department of Financial Services |
| European Union | Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd | MiCA crypto-asset service provider authorisation, granted 21 August 2025 | Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) |
| European Union (Ireland) | Gemini Payments Europe Limited | Electronic money institution | Central Bank of Ireland |
| United Kingdom | Gemini Intergalactic UK, Ltd | Registered cryptoasset firm (money laundering regulations) | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Singapore | Gemini Digital Payments Singapore, Pte. Ltd. | In-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution licence | Monetary Authority of Singapore |
Security and audits
- Gemini reports SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications and annual penetration testing.
- Most customer crypto is held in offline cold storage, with a small portion in an online hot wallet.
- Gemini carries insurance against certain losses for crypto held in its hot wallet, subject to limitations.
- US dollar balances may be held at partner banks and may be eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance; crypto is not FDIC-insured.
Fees
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Spot maker | 0.60% on ActiveTrader at the entry tier (under $10,000 30-day volume) |
| Spot taker | 1.20% on ActiveTrader at the entry tier |
| Futures maker | 0.02% at the entry tier for perpetuals |
| Futures taker | 0.07% at the entry tier for perpetuals |
Who can use it
- Verification: Identity verification requires a valid government-issued photo ID and a selfie (biometric face scan).
- Available in more than 60 countries, including all 50 US states; perpetual derivatives are offered only in selected countries and not to US persons.
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Gemini Trust Company is chartered as a limited purpose trust company by the New York State Department of Financial Services. |
| 1 February 2021 | Gemini launches Earn, which lent customer crypto to Genesis Global Capital. |
| November 2022 | Genesis Global Capital defaults on about $1 billion of loans made through Earn. |
| 28 February 2024 | NYDFS settlement: Gemini commits to return at least $1.1 billion to Earn customers and pays a $37 million penalty. |
| 13 January 2025 | A US federal court enters a CFTC consent order requiring Gemini Trust to pay a $5 million civil penalty over statements made in 2017. |
| 2 April 2025 | Singapore spot accounts move to Gemini Digital Payments Singapore, Pte. Ltd. |
| 21 August 2025 | Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd receives MiCA authorisation in Malta. |
Risks and caveats
- Customers of the former Earn programme lost access to assets when lender Genesis Global Capital defaulted in November 2022; NYDFS fined Gemini $37 million in February 2024.
- A CFTC consent order of January 2025 found Gemini made false or misleading statements to the regulator and imposed a $5 million penalty.
- Crypto balances are not covered by deposit guarantee or investor compensation schemes in the EEA or UK; hot-wallet insurance is limited.
- E-money balances held with Gemini's EMIs are safeguarded but not covered by the Irish deposit guarantee scheme or the UK FSCS.
About the company
- Legal entity
- Gemini Trust Company, LLC (New York trust company)
- Parent company
- Gemini Space Station, LLC and affiliates
- CEO
- Tyler Winklevoss
- President
- Cameron Winklevoss
- Founded
- Chartered in New York in 2015
Official links
- Website: www.gemini.com
- Fees: www.gemini.com/fees
- Terms of use: www.gemini.com/legal/user-agreement
- Security: www.gemini.com/security
Questions and answers
Is Gemini regulated?
Yes. Gemini Trust Company is a New York limited purpose trust company chartered by NYDFS in 2015, and Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd holds a MiCA authorisation from the Malta Financial Services Authority.
Does Gemini publish proof of reserves?
No proof-of-reserves report is published on Gemini's site. Gemini reports SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications and says most assets are held in cold storage.
What are Gemini's fees?
On ActiveTrader the entry tier is 0.60% maker and 1.20% taker for spot, falling with 30-day volume. Perpetuals start at 0.02% maker and 0.07% taker.
Who owns Gemini?
Gemini is led by Tyler Winklevoss (CEO) and Cameron Winklevoss (President); the site is operated by Gemini Space Station, LLC and its affiliates.
Is Gemini available in the US?
Yes. Gemini says it is available in more than 60 countries, including all 50 US states, but perpetual derivatives are not offered in the US.
Sources
- CoinGecko — Gemini
- Gemini — About
- Gemini — Security
- Gemini — ActiveTrader Fee Schedule
- Gemini Support — Are my funds insured?
- Gemini Support — Which countries and U.S. states does Gemini support?
- Gemini Support — What documents are required for your verification?
- Gemini Support — Transition to Gemini Digital Payments Singapore
- NYDFS — Gemini Earn settlement, 28 February 2024
- CFTC — Gemini Trust ordered to pay $5 million, 13 January 2025
- ESMA — Interim MiCA register of crypto-asset service providers
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