Is It a Safe & Legit Crypto Exchange?

There are plenty of crypto exchanges in the world, but very few are safe and highly regulated. Regulated platforms always ensure high security and provide insurance coverage for your funds. Gemini is one of those exchanges with a license in New York and available in all U.S. states.

This Gemini review will cover what Gemini is, its trading features and products, trading fees, customer support, and whether it is a safe exchange to buy crypto.

Gemini Exchange Review: At a Glance

Founded	2014
Founders	Cameron, Tyler Winklevoss
Headquarters	New York
Regulation	NYDFS regulated
Availability	50 U.S. states, 60+ countries
Trading Features	Buy/sell, futures trading, staking, crypto credit card, custody services
Cryptocurrencies	70+ (BTC, ETH, SOL, GUSD)
Fiat Support	USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP
Trading Platforms	Basic, ActiveTrader options
Staking	ETH, SOL, MATIC staking
Security	Cold storage, 2FA, multisig, insurance funds, and more
Fees (ActiveTrader)	0.2% maker, 0.4% taker
Payment Methods	ACH, wire transfers, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay

What is Gemini?

Gemini is a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2014 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. You can use it to buy, sell, and store over 70 digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and its stablecoin, the Gemini Dollar (GUSD). 

The exchange is based in New York and operates as a regulated entity under the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS). You have access to Gemini in all 50 U.S. states and over 60 countries, such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. You can deposit funds using USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, and GBP via methods like ACH, wire transfers, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. 

Gemini offers multiple trading services tailored to your needs. The basic platform is simple for beginners, while ActiveTrader provides advanced tools like charting and block trading for experienced users. You can stake assets like Ethereum (ETH) and Polygon (MATIC) to earn rewards, though options are limited for U.S. traders. 

Note: Gemini faced legal challenges recently. The SEC charged it in January 2023 over the Gemini Earn program, which halted after partner Genesis filed for bankruptcy. You saw Gemini settle in February 2024, agreeing to return $1.1 billion to customers and pay a $37 million fine to the NYSDFS. The CFTC also settled with Gemini in January 2025 for $5 million over misleading statements from 2017.

Pros

• Strong Security: Gemini keeps your crypto safe with offline storage and requires two-factor authentication. 
• Legal Compliance: Gemini operates legally across the U.S. under strict New York regulations.
• User-Friendly App: The Gemini app makes trading and managing crypto easy for you. Beginners especially like its clean design and simple steps.
• Crypto Rewards Card: You earn crypto back on purchases with the Gemini Credit Card. It’s a perk that adds value without extra costs like annual fees.
• Advanced Trading Option: Gemini ActiveTrader gives you tools for serious trading, like detailed charts and fast orders.

Cons

• Slow Customer Support: Gemini’s support relies on email and a chatbot, often leaving you waiting days for help. You might feel stuck if issues pile up.
• Limited Coin Selection: Gemini offers only 70 crypto trading pairs, fewer than some competitors. You miss out on variety if you want to trade less common coins.
• Higher Basic Fees: Casual trading on the standard exchange costs more than other crypto exchanges. You pay extra if you don’t use ActiveTrader.

5 Ways to Invest with Gemini

1. Gemini Exchange

This is the basic version of Gemini exchange. You can easily buy and sell crypto using fiat currencies via credit cards, bank transfers, or third-party e-wallets. It has a very simple interface for beginners, and you can trade over 70 cryptocurrencies with fiat pairs like USD, EUR, GBP, and more.

2. Gemini ActiveTrader

Gemini ActiveTrader is a high-performance trading platform for experienced traders. It was built for you if you need advanced tools and lower fees than the basic Gemini Exchange. You can access it through the Gemini website, not the mobile app. It was launched as an upgrade to the standard exchange, offering real-time market data and faster trade execution.

You can also use advanced charting tools with seven timeframes (1 minute to 1 day) and dozens of technical indicators like moving averages or RSI. The platform shows deep order books, letting you see buy and sell orders in real time. You can place multiple order types: market, limit, stop-limit, immediate-or-cancel, and maker-or-cancel. There is Block trading, which is also available for large orders (minimum 10 BTC or 100 ETH).

Gemini ActiveTrader suits you if you are a day trader and trade often or in high-volume amounts. It processes trades faster than the standard exchange, with dual market tracking to monitor two pairs at once. You can also trade futures contracts in selected regions.

3. Gemini Staking

Gemini Staking is a service where you earn rewards by holding certain cryptocurrencies. It started as part of Gemini’s push into passive income options. You stake assets to support blockchain networks and get paid in return. Gemini offers two versions: regular Staking and Staking Pro.

Regular Staking is mainly available to you in the U.S. You can stake 3 crypto assets: Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon. You can unstake anytime with no fees, but ETH takes 5-7 days to unlock due to network rules. Gemini also takes 15% of your rewards as a fee. Staking Pro is for you if you live outside the U.S., like in the UK. You need to stake ETH (minimum 32 ETH). You track validator performance and payments directly. Rewards vary by network activity.

4. Gemini Institutional

Gemini Institutional is a set of services for businesses, hedge funds, and big investors. It was designed to give you professional-grade tools for trading, custody, and staking. Gemini launched it to serve clients like fund managers and banks, operating under NYDFS regulation.

Here, you will get custom pricing if your trading volume is high—Gemini negotiates rates directly with you. The eOTC (electronic over-the-counter) desk also lets you trade large amounts privately and with real-time price tracking. Custody is a key feature. You store assets offline in Gemini Custody, which uses multi-signature tech and biometric security. The exchange also provides up to $70M in insurance funds.

5. Gemini Credit Card

Gemini Credit Card is a rewards card where you can earn crypto on purchases. It was issued by WebBank in 2021 for U.S. customers. You can easily apply through Gemini’s site, and approval requires a Gemini Exchange account. It has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

You can earn up to $200 in rewards by using this Gemini Mastercard. You need to be 18+, a U.S. resident, and pass a credit check. Later, you can use it in millions of offline stores to buy things using crypto.

Gemini Fees

Gemini Trading Fees

Fees apply when you buy or sell crypto on the basic platform of Gemini Exchange. You pay two fees for instant orders: a convenience fee and a transaction fee. The convenience fee is 1% per order, and the transaction fee is 1.49%. The same fees apply to your recurring orders.

Gemini ActiveTrader fees apply when you use the advanced trading platform. You pay based on a maker-taker model, calculated from your 30-day trading volume in USD. Makers add liquidity with limit orders that are not filled instantly, and takers remove liquidity with immediate orders. Fees drop as your volume rises. The basic fee is 0.2% for the maker and 0.4% for the taker. Stablecoin pairs like GUSD/USD have fixed fees: 0.01% taker and 0.00% maker, no matter your volume.

Gemini Transfer Fees

Gemini Transfer fees cover deposits and withdrawals. You can deposit fiat via ACH or wire for free in the U.S. Your bank might charge you separately, but Gemini doesn’t control that. Debit card deposits also cost around 3.49% of the amount. You can withdraw fiat via ACH or wire for free in the U.S., but your bank may charge you. Crypto withdrawals carry a dynamic fee based on network costs.

Available Cryptocurrencies on Gemini

Gemini offers over 70 cryptocurrencies for you to trade. You can buy, sell, and store popular coins like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). It also supports stablecoins such as Gemini Dollar (GUSD) and Tether (USDT). You can even trade lesser-known assets like Filecoin (FIL) and Zcash (ZEC) too.

Gemini Customer Support and Satisfaction

The Gemini platform offers support through email and a chatbot, but no phone line exists. Response times differ—some users get replies within hours, while others wait days or weeks. Gemini’s Help Center provides self-service resources covering trading, funding, and account management, which you can use to solve basic problems.

The user satisfaction depends on your needs. Many beginners find the interface easy, and security-focused users like the strict compliance with New York regulations. 

However, many report frustration with slow verification or locked accounts. On Trustpilot, Gemini scores 1.2 out of 5 from 1,133 reviews, showing widespread dissatisfaction. Complaints often mention delayed withdrawals or poor communication, like one user waiting two months to prove account ownership. Positive reviews praise reliability and quick fixes for simple issues, but these are rare.

Security: Is Gemini Trustworthy?

Gemini is a safe and trustworthy crypto exchange with multiple safety measures in place, such as:

• Cold Storage: Gemini keeps most of your crypto in cold storage, offline and away from online threats. This setup uses secure, geographically spread facilities with strict access controls, making it nearly impossible for hackers to steal funds.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Gemini requires you to use 2FA for every login and withdrawal. You need a password plus a code from your phone or a hardware key, like a Yubikey, adding a strong extra layer of protection. This stops unauthorized access even if someone gets your password.
• Address Whitelisting: You can limit withdrawals to specific crypto addresses you approve in advance. After setting this up with 2FA, only those addresses can receive your funds, blocking thieves from sending your crypto elsewhere.
• Multisignature Technology: Gemini uses multisig for its wallets, meaning multiple private keys must sign off on transactions. You don’t handle this directly—Gemini manages it to ensure no single person or breach can move funds alone. This protects your crypto from insider threats or single-point failures.
• SOC 1 and SOC 2 Certifications: Gemini was the first crypto exchange to earn SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications from Deloitte. These prove that its systems meet top standards for security and financial controls, checked by independent audits.

Gemini Alternatives Comparison

The best alternatives to Gemini crypto exchange are Coinbase, Binance, and MEXC. Here is a quick comparison:

	Gemini	Binance	Coinbase	MEXC
Regulation	NYDFS (US)	22+ licenses	SEC, NYDFS (US)	Unregulated
Security	Cold storage, 2FA, SOC certified	Cold storage, 2FA, SAFU fund	Cold storage, 2FA, FDIC insured USD	Cold storage, 2FA
Coins Available	70+	400+	250+	3,000+
Trading Fees	0.20%-0.40% (ActiveTrader)	0.10% maker/taker	0.40%-0.60% (Advanced)	0.00%-0.02%
Fiat Support	USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP	USD, EUR, and many others	USD, GBP, EUR	Limited (via 3rd party)
Unique Features	Credit card, staking	Futures, margin trading	Learn & Earn, staking	No-KYC, futures, 200x high leverage

Conclusion

To sum up our Gemini exchange review, it offers a reliable platform for you to trade, stake, and manage cryptocurrencies with a focus on security and compliance. Its strengths include robust safety features like offline storage and extra login protection, making it a trusted choice for many. You also get a user-friendly Gemini mobile app and unique perks like a crypto rewards credit card.

However, it has downsides—customer support can be slow and hard to reach, leaving you stuck when problems arise. Past issues with its Earn program upset some users who faced delays or losses, and the coin selection feels limited compared to bigger rivals.

FAQs

Is Gemini a safe exchange?

Yes, Gemini is a safe exchange due to its strong security measures. You will get the benefit of cold storage, insurance funds, and two-factor authentication (2FA). Gemini was the first exchange to earn SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications from Deloitte, proving its systems pass tough security audits. It also holds insurance for digital assets in its hot wallet, covering theft or hacks.

Is Gemini legal in the US?

Yes, Gemini is legal in the US and operates in all 50 states. It has a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) since 2015, making it a regulated entity. You follow strict crypto rules and regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering laws when you use it for crypto trading.

Can I still withdraw from Gemini?

Yes, you can withdraw from Gemini as it’s a full-reserve exchange, meaning your funds are held 1:1 and available anytime. You can withdraw crypto or USD via ACH bank account, wire, or crypto transfers.

Is Gemini better than Coinbase?

Gemini isn’t always better than Coinbase—it depends on what you want. You pay lower trading fees on Gemini’s ActiveTrader (0.40% taker, 0.20% maker at low volume) compared to Coinbase’s Advanced Trade (0.60% taker, 0.40% maker). 

Gemini offers 70+ coins, while Coinbase has 250+, so you get more options with Coinbase. Security is strong on both. Coinbase is easier for beginners with its simple layout, while Gemini’s ActiveTrader suits advanced users. You might pick Gemini for safety and fees, but Coinbase wins for variety and ease.

Has anyone lost money on Gemini Earn?

Yes, some people lost money on Gemini Earn. You lent crypto through the program, run with Genesis Global Capital, to earn interest—up to 7.4% APY. In November 2022, Genesis froze withdrawals after the FTX collapse, locking $900 million from 340,000 Gemini Earn users. 

Gemini halted the program, and Genesis filed for bankruptcy, leaving you unable to access funds. A February 2024 settlement with the NYDFS promised $1.1 billion back to Earn users; today, they have paid all the users back.