Perpetual contracts denominated in Circle’s USDC can now be traded by Gemini users in the EEA, who also have the ability to stake Ethereum and Solana.
The crypto exchange Gemini, which was founded by brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, is expanding its presence in Europe with new staking and derivatives services.
It was told to on Friday that Gemini users in the European Economic Area (EEA) can now stake Ether and Solana, as well as trade perpetual contracts denominated in Circle’s USDC stablecoin.
The new launch has come after Gemini was approved under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Malta in August and received earlier authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) in May.
The goal to become one of the major exchanges in Europe was voiced by Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, who told the firm is a serious contender now that a full suite of products is available from a single interface.
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Crypto’s Shifting Tide: Why Derivatives Are Surging as Spot Trading Falters
A decline in momentum in spot crypto trading is being seen, especially due to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as Gemini makes its push into derivatives in the EU.
A 32% decline was seen in spot trading volumes during the first two quarters, totaling just $3.6 trillion in Q2, even though the Bitcoin price appreciated in 2025, according to the crypto analytics platform TokenInsight. In contrast, crypto derivatives’ volumes amounted to $20.2 trillion.
The global derivatives market’s recent dramatic expansion was highlighted by Jennings, who added that the sector is projected to be valued at $23 trillion by the end of 2025.
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As crypto adoption grows, an increasing demand for alternative, risk-managed financial instruments is being seen, he added. Derivatives permit users to execute complex strategies to obtain long or short exposure to cryptocurrency.
Ethereum Staking Explodes in Europe
While crypto derivatives are overseen by the EU’s MiFID II, staking is governed indirectly by the MiCA framework, which became fully effective in late 2024.
Significant growth in institutional staking activity throughout Europe has been fueled by MiCA. According to a June study by CoinLaw, EU staking participation surged by 39% in 2025, while non-EU staking growth remained at 22%.
It was stated by Jennings, citing CoinLaw’s data, that staking is gaining more traction in Europe. Ethereum staking deposits in the EU surged by 28% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching $90 billion in total staked ETH.
It was pointed out by the executive that Gemini Staking is available to retail and institutional investors. He believes it will be popular among sophisticated, professional retail investors who are looking to utilize their crypto funds to generate passive income from a single, integrated, centralized exchange.
Gemini’s staking and derivatives launch in the EU followed just days after the exchange officially filed a Form S-1 for a US initial public offering. It is expected that 16.67 million shares will be sold at a price between $17 and $19 per share to raise up to $317 million.
