Gemini expands its European Union offerings with staking and perpetual futures for ETH and SOL, leveraging recent regulatory approval.

Executive Summary

Gemini has launched Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking, along with USDC-denominated perpetual futures, for customers in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). This expansion follows Gemini's approval under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

The Event in Detail

Gemini's new offerings include:

  • Gemini Staking: Allows users to stake any amount of ETH or SOL, earning rewards daily. Up to 6% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available for SOL, with variable rates for ETH.
  • Gemini Perpetuals: Perpetual futures contracts with up to 100x leverage, traded on the ActiveTrader platform. These contracts are USDC-denominated and have no expiry date.

Mark Jennings, CEO of Europe, stated that Gemini aims to > "democratise access to alterntive, risk-managed financial instruments".

Gemini Perpetuals will be offered under their MiFID II license, a framework regulating the traditional financial markets, making them a fully compliant crypto trading platform in the EU.

Market Implications

The launch of staking and perpetual futures in the EU could increase adoption of these services, potentially driving demand for ETH and SOL. MiCA's regulatory clarity may attract more institutional investors to the Gemini platform. EU-based exchanges now dominate 89% of the regional trading volume, suggesting a strong market for regulated crypto services.

Expert Commentary

According to FF News, Gemini's European expansion positions them as a > "go-to crypto trading destination for European investors". The introduction of perpetual contracts allows traders to gain exposure to crypto assets without an expiration date. Cross collateral, such as GUSD and BTC, can be used to support leveraged positions for perpetuals trades.

Broader Context

The EU's MiCA regulation, fully enforced by December 2024, has significantly reshaped crypto exchanges by imposing strict licensing, transparency, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules. This regulatory environment favors compliant platforms like Gemini, potentially leading to further consolidation in the European crypto market. Institutional participation in crypto lending and staking has surged, with the total value locked (TVL) in EU-based lending platforms rising 28% in Q1 2025.