Costs, licensing, consumer protection Privacy, self-custody, censorship resistance

Gemini Exchange

Gemini

4.7/5 0.7/5 · Data verified on

Gemini is a security-first exchange holding the NYDFS BitLicense, SOC 2 certification, monthly Deloitte-verified Proof of Reserves and a clean no-hack record. It is weighed down by the 2024 wind-down of its Earn program with a $900M settlement, and its operations are concentrated mainly in the USA and UK.

75
Transparency: High
75/100 · see methodology
75
Data exposure: High
75/100 · lower is better for sovereignty · methodology

Data & conditions

Maker / Taker fee 0.6% / 1.2%
Markets Spot
Max leverage
Supported assets 80+
Trading pairs 150+
24h volume (as of Jun 15) $27.79M
Fiat on-ramp Yes
Deposit methods ACH, wire transfer, debit card, PayPal
Geo restrictions AF, IR, KP, SD, SY
Staking / Earn Gemini Staking
Fund custody Custodial (platform holds funds)
KYC Full
Supported countries US, UK, APAC · 15+ countries
Regulator FinCEN / OCC / SEC
Segment B2C
MiCA / License status NY Trust Charter (NYDFS) NYDFS (NY); FCA (UK); PoR mensile Deloitte

Strengths

  • Security-first: NYDFS BitLicense + SOC 2; PoR monthly Deloitte; zero hack.
  • No notable sovereignty advantage documented.

Weaknesses

  • Settle $900M Earn 2024; markets limited.
  • Custodial: the platform holds your funds and can freeze or lose them.
  • Full KYC required: verified identity, zero pseudonymity.
  • Subject to regulation (NYDFS (NY); FCA (UK); PoR mensile Deloitte): reporting to authorities and freezes on order.
  • Geographic restrictions (AF, IR, KP, SD, SY).

Verdict

S D ★ 4.7/5 ★ 0.7/5

The S tier rests on documented security: a NYDFS BitLicense, SOC 2 certification, monthly Deloitte-verified Proof of Reserves and a clean no-hack record. Weighing against it are the 2024 wind-down of the Earn program with a $900M settlement and non-cheap fees — ActiveTrader starts at maker 0.60% / taker 1.20% and the simple mobile app reaches a convenience fee of up to ~1.49% — plus coverage concentrated in the USA and UK: maximum safety, but at a high cost and with narrow geographic reach.

The Deloitte Proof of Reserves and SOC 2 reassure on protection but move nothing here: it remains custodial with full KYC and a privacy score of 3. The Earn affair, where user funds were locked until a settlement, is the practical demonstration of custodial-model risk and of why sovereignty demands self-custody.

Privacy & anonymity 30% 0.8
Fund control 20% 0.0
Censorship resistance 20% 1.5
Costs 10% 0.0

Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.

"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.

FAQ

What are Gemini Exchange's fees?

On the ActiveTrader platform, spot fees start at maker 0.60% / taker 1.20% and drop with monthly volume and VIP tier. The simple mobile/web interface instead charges a higher convenience fee (up to ~1.49% of the amount, plus spread).

Is Gemini Exchange regulated in Europe?

Regulatory status of Gemini Exchange: NYDFS (NY); FCA (UK); monthly Deloitte-verified Proof of Reserves. Licence: NY Trust Charter (NYDFS) (US).

Does Gemini Exchange publish Proof of Reserves?

Gemini Exchange publishes Proof of Reserves (verified by Deloitte). No third-party reserve audit is documented. Reserve transparency is a critical factor after the FTX collapse.

Can I send transfers to third-party IBANs from Gemini Exchange?

No, Gemini Exchange is an exchange and does not allow transfers to third-party IBANs: fiat withdrawals return to a bank account in your own name.

Does Gemini Exchange support derivatives and futures?

Gemini Exchange does not offer derivatives: it focuses on spot trading.

Sources

Show 8 more sources

Update history

✓ Terms unchanged since Jul 17, 2026

🔔 Notify me of changes

Active bonus Referral bonus to re-check

€20 in Bitcoin via referral (euro area)

“up to $75 in BTC” ≈ €20 net

In Italy (among the eligible EU/EEA countries in the official terms) the US-advertised “$50-75” does NOT apply: the euro-area reward is €20 in BTC, for both referrer and referee, with a minimum €100 trade within 30 days of account verification. A referral link is required, not a universal code. At €500 of activity the real net is €20 (credited in BTC, then withdrawable).

Get the bonus ↗

← Back to Best Crypto Exchanges (Top CEX)