Crypto exchange Gemini, founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, is strengthening its European presence with the introduction of new staking and derivatives products.
The expansion allows users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to stake Ethereum and Solana, while also trading perpetual contracts denominated in Circle’s USDC stablecoin.
The launch comes after Gemini secured approval under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Malta in August, along with earlier authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) in May.
Building a Broader Market Presence
Gemini’s head of Europe, Mark Jennings, said the company now offers a complete set of services in the region.
“Our goal is to be one of the major exchanges in Europe, and now that we have a full suite of products including spot exchange, staking, and perpetuals in the EU from a single interface, we believe that we’re a serious contender,” Jennings explained.
The exchange is pushing deeper into derivatives at a time when spot trading has been losing momentum.
Derivatives Gain as Spot Trading Declines
Despite Bitcoin’s price gains in 2025, spot trading volumes dropped by 32% over the first half of the year, falling to $3.6 trillion in the second quarter.
In contrast, derivatives volumes reached $20.2 trillion, according to TokenInsight.
“The global derivatives market has exploded in recent months,” Jennings said. He added that the sector could be valued at $23 trillion by the end of 2025.
He pointed out that derivatives offer investors sophisticated ways to gain long or short exposure to crypto, particularly as adoption increases and traders seek risk-managed strategies.
Staking Growth Accelerates in the EU
Alongside derivatives, staking has grown rapidly in Europe under the MiCA framework, which regulates the practice indirectly.
CoinLaw data showed institutional staking participation in the EU rose 39% in 2025, compared to 22% growth outside the bloc.
Ethereum staking deposits alone surged 28% to $90 billion, highlighting strong demand for passive income opportunities.
“Staking is becoming increasingly popular in Europe,” Jennings said. “Gemini Staking is available to retail and institutional investors, but we believe it will be popular amongst sophisticated, professional retail investors who are looking to put their crypto funds to use and earn passive income from a single, integrated, centralized exchange.”
Gemini’s Broader Plans
The European product rollout closely follows Gemini’s filing for a U.S. initial public offering.
The company plans to sell 16.67 million shares priced between $17 and $19, targeting up to $317 million in proceeds.
The move underscores Gemini’s ambition to position itself as a leading player both in Europe and globally.
