- The exchange will now offer crypto derivatives across Europe under Malta’s MiFID II license.
- Meanwhile, Coinbase acquired Deribit for $2.9 billion, securing a foothold in the bitcoin and ether options markets.
Crypto trading is getting a regulatory boost in Europe as Gemini prepares to roll out derivatives services across the region. The exchange, founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, secured a MiFID II license from Malta, clearing the way for broader access to the European Economic Area (EEA).
With this approval from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Gemini plans to introduce perpetual futures and other crypto derivatives across all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, Coindesk reported.
The company said the product launch will follow once final operational and compliance steps are completed. Crypto exchanges are increasingly turning to derivatives to fuel their next phase of growth.
Spot trading volumes have stagnated in recent months, pushing firms to look for higher-margin products like futures and options. Gemini’s move now reflects a broader shift in strategy among major players.
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Coinbase Acquisition Of Deribit
Coinbase, one of Gemini’s chief rivals, announced a $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit just one day earlier. The deal gives the US-based exchange access to Bitcoin and Ether options markets and a major position in global crypto derivatives.
Analysts now see these moves as part of a broader trend among exchanges seeking diversification and deeper engagement with institutional investors. Gemini’s regulatory progress mirrors that of Kraken, which secured its own MiFID license in February after acquiring a Cyprus-based investment firm.
Both firms are capitalizing on Europe’s structured regulatory frameworks to build out trading products that remain challenging to offer in the U.S. due to stricter oversight and legal uncertainty.
Gemini has not provided an exact timeline for the launch of its derivatives products but emphasized its intention to proceed in a phased and compliant manner. As exchanges pivot toward Europe to expand their offerings, the race to dominate the region’s derivatives space is accelerating and Gemini now holds a key license to compete.
