US-based Gemini has received a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) II license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), according to a May 9 statement shared with CryptoSlate.
This allows the exchange to offer regulated crypto derivatives across the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA).
With the license, the exchange can begin offering select derivatives, including perpetual futures, to advanced users. Gemini stated that it is working with regulators to meet the conditions for a full-scale launch.
Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, said:
“This is a hugely exciting development in our 2025 European expansion, as it puts Gemini one step closer to offering our derivative products to both retail and institutional users in the EU and the EEA.”
The approval came months after Gemini received an initial nod from Malta’s regulator. It also follows the company’s decision to base its European licensing efforts in Malta, which is widely seen as a favorable jurisdiction for crypto businesses.
Gemini targets Europe
According to the exchange, the licensing forms part of its broader strategy to grow its European footprint in 2025.
The exchange added that this approval creates new opportunities for growth in one of the world’s most promising crypto markets.
Gemini said it will continue working toward acquiring a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license, which would enable it to provide a broader suite of regulated crypto services across EU member states.
Meanwhile, Gemini’s European push reflects a broader industry trend, as more crypto firms shift their operations to jurisdictions with clear regulatory frameworks. Over the past months, major crypto firms, including Crypto.com, Kraken, and Coinbase, have made significant inroads into the region.
This avalanche can be linked to Europe’s adoption of the MiCA regime, which has made the region more attractive to companies seeking legal clarity amid increasing demand for digital assets from institutional and retail crypto investors.
