Gemini Secures MiCA License, Cementing Compliance-First Strategy in Europe

Crypto exchange Gemini has taken a major step toward cementing its European expansion, securing a MiCA license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). The regulatory approval grants Gemini the ability to operate seamlessly across all 27 European Union member states and several additional jurisdictions in the European Economic Area.

For the exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, the license represents a compliance-first victory in an industry often marked by regulatory uncertainty.

From Nation-by-Nation to Bloc-Wide Access
Previously, Gemini’s European operations were limited by the need to secure approvals on a country-by-country basis. The MiCA license changes that dynamic, creating a single passport for custody, trading, and other crypto services throughout the EU.

The development also signals that heavyweight exchanges are prepared to embrace Europe’s landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which comes fully into force in December 2025. By aligning with the bloc’s rulebook, Gemini gains both legitimacy and efficiency, while the EU gains proof that clear, harmonized regulation can attract industry leaders.

A Fully Equipped Regulatory Arsenal
The MiCA authorization comes on the heels of Gemini’s MiFID II license, granted in May. That approval enabled Gemini to offer derivatives to European clients, placing it among the few crypto exchanges capable of bridging traditional financial products with blockchain innovation.

Together, the MiFID II and MiCA licenses form what many observers are calling the “gold standard” for crypto compliance in Europe. With this dual authorization, Gemini can operate as a fully regulated trading venue across spot, derivative, and tokenized markets.

Already, Gemini has used its MiFID II approval to roll out tokenized stocks in Europe. These blockchain-based assets trade nearly 24/7 and mirror shares of traditional equities—exactly the type of product EU policymakers envisioned when drafting MiCA’s framework.

IPO Ambitions in the Background
Gemini’s European push comes alongside broader corporate ambitions. The company is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO), having engaged Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Cantor, and Citigroup to lead the effort. By reinforcing its compliance credentials in Europe, Gemini strengthens its case to investors that it can scale globally without regulatory overhang.

Why Gemini Backs MiCA
Unlike some competitors that view regulation as an obstacle, Gemini has consistently framed compliance as a growth catalyst. For executives like Mark Jennings, Gemini’s Head of Europe, MiCA is not just a hurdle to clear—it is a foundation for long-term adoption.

“We believe that clear regulation of the industry is the foundation of global crypto adoption, and MiCA’s implementation has proven that Europe is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking regions regarding this,” Jennings said.

For Gemini, MiCA provides legal certainty, replacing fragmented national frameworks with a unified set of rules. This allows the exchange to scale services across the bloc while competing with global peers like Binance, Coinbase, and OKX—several of which are also seeking MiCA approvals.

Joining an Exclusive Club
According to the MFSA registry, Gemini joins just four other exchanges in securing MiCA authorization: Bitpanda, Crypto.com, OKX, and ZBX. This small group represents the vanguard of compliant digital asset platforms in Europe.

By joining their ranks, Gemini positions itself as a compliance-first contender that can serve both retail and institutional investors while navigating Europe’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Final Take
With its MiCA license secured, Gemini now boasts a full EU passport and the regulatory arsenal needed to expand aggressively in the bloc. Coupled with its MiFID II license and its move toward a public listing, the exchange is signaling that playing by the rules is not just compatible with growth—it’s central to it.