Crypto Exchange Gemini Launches Staking and Perpetual Futures Across EU Markets

Highlights:

• Gemini expands in Europe with staking for ETH and SOL plus derivatives trading under MiFID II rules.
• Spot crypto volumes fell 32% in early 2025, while derivatives grew to over 20 trillion in trades.
• Gemini launched staking in Europe as MiCA rules boost institutional participation in Ethereum deposits.

Gemini, an American cryptocurrency exchange, has expanded its presence in Europe with new staking and derivatives products. Customers in the European Union and European Economic Area can now stake Ethereum and Solana. They can also trade perpetual futures contracts denominated in USDC, Gemini said on Friday.

🚀 Gemini expands in Europe: EEA users can now stake ETH & SOL, plus trade USDC perpetuals—boosting crypto access.

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The new staking service allows users to stake any amount of ETH or SOL directly through the platform. Solana provides earnings of up to 6%, whereas Ethereum rewards are variable. This service adds to Gemini’s existing spot trading and integrates within a single interface.

In addition, the exchange launched Gemini Perpetuals, which provide traders with leverage up to 100x and contracts with no expiry. These instruments use USDC as the settlement currency and operate under the company’s MiFID II license.

Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, emphasized the importance of this launch. He said the exchange now provides spot, staking, and derivatives from one platform and intends to compete with major players in the region. Gemini’s approval under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in August supported the expansion, alongside earlier authorization under MiFID II in May.

Gemini Launches Staking Amid Market Shift

The choice to expand in Europe is an example of how the global crypto market is changing. Spot trading volumes have fallen in the first half of 2025 despite price increases. TokenInsight reported a 32% drop in spot activity, which totaled $3.6 trillion during the second quarter.

In contrast, derivatives volumes gained momentum. The same period recorded $20.2 trillion in derivatives trading, underlining the market’s changing dynamics. Jennings explained that derivatives allow traders to manage risks while pursuing opportunities for both gains and hedges.

The rise of ETFs has also reduced activity in spot markets. As ETFs began gaining capital, the exchanges began to turn attention to other products. Gemini plans to provide regulated derivatives in the EU to address that gap. The exchange views its MiFID II license as critical for building investor confidence.

Staking Growth Under MiCA Framework

Staking is also growing rapidly in Europe under the MiCA framework. CoinLaw reported that EU staking activity increased by 39% in 2025, whereas it increased by 22% outside the region. Staking deposits for Ethereum in the European Union reached $90 billion, a 28% year-on-year rise. Jennings said both professional investors and retail users increasingly seek to generate income through staking. He noted that Gemini Staking offers institutional-grade custody and an integrated experience for all clients.

Meanwhile, Gemini is also preparing for growth in the United States. The company filed for an initial public offering and is planning to sell 16.67 million shares. Jennings described Europe as a central focus, while the U.S. listing marks another step in Gemini’s broader growth strategy.

🚀 Gemini eyes a $2.22B valuation in its U.S. IPO, raising up to $317M at $17–$19 per share.

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The expansion also extends to the United Kingdom, where Gemini launched ETH and SOL staking earlier this year. The exchange recently reorganized under a Malta-based entity to comply with MiCA standards. Jennings said this structure positions Gemini to serve customers across 30 European jurisdictions.