Gemini review: availability, registrations, custody, and fees
Gemini is a United States based crypto exchange that operates under a New York trust charter and serves the European Economic Area through a MiCA licence in Malta. It is available across the United States and many other countries. Availability of individual products still varies by country and state.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and it is not a recommendation to use any platform. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
Gemini is a custodial, United States based crypto exchange founded in 2014 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and known for its regulation first positioning. As of February 2026 it operates in the United States under a limited purpose trust charter from the New York Department of Financial Services and serves the European Economic Area through a MiCA licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority. ActiveTrader fees are competitive while the simple instant buy costs more. Whether you can use it legally still depends on your own country, so check that first.
What Gemini is
Gemini was founded in 2014 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and is headquartered in the United States. It offers spot trading, a simple buy experience, an ActiveTrader interface, staking where permitted, and a regulated custody service for institutions. The platform is custodial, meaning Gemini holds the assets in your account on your behalf rather than handing you the private keys.
Gemini built its brand on a regulation first approach. It was one of the first exchanges to obtain a New York limited purpose trust charter, and in 2025 it moved its European headquarters to Malta and secured a MiCA licence there, which is relevant context for anyone assessing where it can legally operate (as of February 2026).
Where Gemini is available
As of February 2026 Gemini is available across the United States, where it is one of the established domestic exchanges, and in many other countries. In the United States it operates under its New York limited purpose trust charter and applicable state requirements, with some products varying by state. Across the European Economic Area it serves clients through its MiCA licensed Maltese entity, giving it a settled European position ahead of the 1 July 2026 transitional deadline.
As with any platform, supported assets and products vary by country, and a set of jurisdictions is restricted, typically those under sanctions. The country pages on this site track the position market by market, so confirm what is offered in your location before you sign up.
Registrations and licences
- United States. A limited purpose trust charter granted by the New York Department of Financial Services in 2015, with fiduciary powers under New York Banking Law, plus FinCEN registration and state requirements used to serve United States customers (as of February 2026).
- European Economic Area. A Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority, secured in 2025, used to serve clients across the European Economic Area (as of February 2026).
- Other markets. Gemini holds further registrations and approvals in additional jurisdictions and publishes its licences on its own site, which is the most current reference (as of February 2026).
Each registration is stated as of 21 June 2026. Licences and registrations change. Confirm the current position on the regulator register and the licences page of the platform before acting.
Custody, fees, strengths, and limitations
Gemini is custodial by default, holding your assets in its own wallets, and it offers a regulated institutional custody service. Users who want to control their own private keys move funds to a separate self custody wallet. Gemini has historically emphasised its trust company status and security posture, although no platform can be described as risk free, so this is context to weigh rather than a guarantee.
On fees, the ActiveTrader interface uses a competitive tiered maker and taker schedule, while the simple instant buy option carries higher costs. Exact pricing changes over time and varies by product, so confirm the current schedule on the platform before trading.
In plain terms, the strengths are a regulation first reputation, the New York trust charter, a settled European licence, availability across the United States, and competitive ActiveTrader fees. The limitations are the higher cost of the simple instant buy, product availability that varies by country and state, and the custodial default. None of this is a recommendation to use or avoid the platform, only the factual picture to weigh against your own country and needs.
Gemini is one of several platforms available in many countries. Availability still depends on where you live, so compare the exchanges that are genuinely available in your country before you choose.
Regulator and sources
The relevant regulators differ by market: the New York Department of Financial Services for the limited purpose trust charter in the United States, and the Malta Financial Services Authority for the MiCA licence used across the European Economic Area.
- New York Department of Financial Services, 2015 announcement granting Gemini a limited purpose trust charter.
- Gemini, official 2025 announcement of its MiCA licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority and the move of its European headquarters to Malta.
- Malta Financial Services Authority public register of authorised crypto asset service providers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gemini legal to use?
In most countries where it operates Gemini is a registered or licensed provider rather than a banned service. As of February 2026 it operates in the United States under a New York limited purpose trust charter and serves the European Economic Area through a MiCA licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority. Legality of using it still depends on your own country, so check your local rules.
Can United States residents use Gemini?
Yes. Gemini is a United States based exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and operates under a limited purpose trust charter granted by the New York Department of Financial Services in 2015, serving customers across the United States. Some products can vary by state, so check availability for your state (as of February 2026).
Does Gemini hold a MiCA licence?
Yes. As of February 2026 Gemini holds a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority, secured in 2025, used to serve clients across the European Economic Area through its regulated European entity.
Does Gemini hold my crypto for me?
Yes by default. Gemini is a custodial platform that holds the assets in your account on your behalf and offers a regulated custody service. If you prefer to control your own keys you would move funds to a separate self custody wallet. This is information, not advice.
What are Gemini fees like?
Gemini offers an ActiveTrader interface with a competitive tiered maker and taker schedule, while the simple instant buy option carries higher costs. Exact pricing changes over time and varies by product, so check the current fee schedule on the platform before trading (as of February 2026).
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability, registrations, and the rules that govern them can change at short notice and vary by region. The position on this page is dated 21 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the named regulator and the platform before you act.
Related pages
Subscribe to The Compliance Ledger
One short email when a rule or an exchange status shifts where it matters to you. No noise, no hype.