Gemini Goes Big in Europe: EU Staking and 100x Perps Live After MiCA Approval

Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, has launched Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking alongside USDC-denominated perpetual contracts with up to 100x leverage for European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) investors. Announced on September 5, 2025, this expansion follows Gemini’s approval under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) by Malta’s MFSA in August, complemented by a MiFID II license in May, enabling regulated derivatives trading.

The MiCA framework, fully implemented in late 2024, standardizes crypto regulations across 30 EU jurisdictions, boosting investor confidence. Gemini’s staking service allows users to earn up to 6% APR on SOL and variable returns on ETH with no minimum amount, making passive income accessible. The perpetuals, operating under MiFID II, offer flexible, high-leverage trading without expiration dates, integrated with Gemini’s platform supporting over 140 tokens.

This move positions Gemini as a leading regulated crypto hub in Europe, catering to both retail and institutional traders. The $68 billion in stablecoin reserves across exchanges, with Binance holding 67%, underscores the liquidity Gemini can tap into. The launch aligns with a 39% surge in EU staking participation in 2025, reflecting growing demand for yield-generating crypto products.

Gemini’s CEO of Europe, Mark Jennings, emphasized democratizing access to secure, intuitive financial instruments. As Europe emerges as a crypto innovation hub, Gemini’s compliance-driven expansion could drive market liquidity and adoption, setting a benchmark for regulated crypto trading.