Gemini
Founded 2014 by Tyler Winklevoss & Cameron Winklevoss
The Winklevoss twins' exchange — regulation-first, security-first, trust above all.
Quick Overview
What is Gemini?
Gemini is the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss — the twins famous for their role in the founding of Facebook. Launched in 2014 in New York City, Gemini was built with a single mission: to be the most regulated and secure crypto exchange in the world.
Gemini operates as a New York Trust Company, regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) — one of the strictest financial regulators globally. They were the first crypto exchange to achieve SOC 2 Type 2 certification and maintain ISO 27001 certification, demonstrating enterprise-grade security practices.
The platform offers a clean, premium user experience with both a simple buy/sell interface for beginners and an ActiveTrader platform for experienced users. They support 100+ cryptocurrencies — a smaller but carefully curated selection.
A unique Gemini feature: the first 10 crypto withdrawals each month are completely free — meaning Gemini covers the blockchain network fees for you. This is a perk almost no other exchange offers.
Gemini also created GUSD (Gemini Dollar), one of the first regulated stablecoins, and acquired Nifty Gateway, a premium NFT marketplace that has hosted drops from major artists and brands. The Gemini Credit Card offers up to 4% crypto cashback with no annual fee.
Important to know: Gemini's reputation was significantly impacted in 2022 when their Gemini Earn program was caught up in the Genesis/DCG bankruptcy. Earn users couldn't withdraw funds for months. Gemini ultimately fought to recover $2.2 billion for affected users — a costly but important resolution. The exchange has refocused on its core strengths of custody, trading, and compliance since then.
Gemini Bonuses & Promotions
Current offers available to new and existing users.
Sign-Up Bonus
Get $10 in free Bitcoin when you trade $100+ within 30 days of sign-up.
Simple and straightforward — no complicated tasks.
Referral Program
Earn $10 in Bitcoin for each friend who trades $100+.
Both referrer and referee get $10.
Credit Card Rewards
Earn up to 4% back in crypto on dining, 3% on groceries, 2% on gas, 1% on everything else.
No annual fee. Rewards in 60+ cryptos.
Free Crypto Withdrawals
First 10 crypto withdrawals per month are free — no network fees.
Unique perk not offered by most competitors.
Products & Features
Everything Gemini offers — from simple buying to advanced trading.
Simple Buy/Sell
Clean, intuitive interface for buying crypto in seconds.
ActiveTrader
Advanced trading platform with charts, order types, and lower fees.
Gemini Earn
Earn interest on your crypto (availability varies by market conditions).
Gemini Staking
Stake ETH and other assets to earn proof-of-stake rewards.
Gemini Credit Card
Earn up to 4% back in crypto on purchases — no annual fee.
Gemini Custody™
Institutional-grade custody for large holdings and institutions.
Gemini Dollar (GUSD)
Their own regulated stablecoin — 1:1 backed by USD reserves.
NFT Marketplace (Nifty Gateway)
Premium NFT platform acquired by Gemini — home to high-profile drops.
Recurring Buys
Automatic DCA purchases — build your portfolio on autopilot.
Gemini Fees
ActiveTrader Maker
0.20%
Lower fees on advanced platform
ActiveTrader Taker
0.40%
Standard tier — lower with volume
Simple Buy/Sell
~1.49%
Convenience fee on simple interface
ACH Deposit
Free
US bank transfer at zero cost
Crypto Withdrawals
Free ×10
10 free withdrawals per month
Debit Card Purchase
3.49%
Standard debit card purchase fee
Security & Safety
Gemini was built from the ground up with a security and compliance focus that's unmatched in the industry. As a New York Trust Company, they're regulated by the NYDFS — one of the strictest financial regulators in the world. They became the first exchange to achieve SOC 2 Type 2 certification and carry comprehensive insurance.
Payment Methods
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Regulated as NY Trust Company — highest legal standard in crypto
- + SOC 2 Type 2 + ISO 27001 certified
- + Available in all 50 US states
- + FDIC insured USD balances
- + 10 free crypto withdrawals per month
- + Gemini Dollar (GUSD) — their own regulated stablecoin
- + Excellent credit card: up to 4% crypto rewards, no annual fee
- + Nifty Gateway NFT marketplace
- + Clean, premium user experience
Cons
- − Higher fees on simple buy (up to 1.49%)
- − Smaller coin selection (100+) than most competitors
- − Gemini Earn faced issues during 2022 (Genesis bankruptcy)
- − ActiveTrader required for competitive fees
- − Lower trading volume/liquidity than top exchanges
- − Limited geographic availability (70 countries)
- − No futures, margin, or leverage trading
Gemini Timeline
Founded by the Winklevoss twins (famous from the Facebook lawsuit) in New York City.
Launched as one of the first licensed crypto exchanges in the US. Focus on compliance from day one.
Obtained BitLicense from NYDFS. Became a regulated New York Trust Company.
Launched Gemini Dollar (GUSD) — one of the first regulated stablecoins. Achieved SOC 2 certification.
Acquired Nifty Gateway marketplace. Became a leader in the NFT space.
Launched Gemini Credit Card. Reached $30B+ in custody. Grew to 15M+ users.
Gemini Earn program disrupted by Genesis bankruptcy. Users faced delayed withdrawals. Major setback.
Settled with Genesis. Returned $2.2B to Earn users. Focused on rebuilding trust.
Continues as one of the most regulated and secure US exchanges. Strong focus on institutional services.
Our Verdict
Gemini is the gold standard for regulated, security-first crypto trading. As a New York Trust Company with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NYDFS oversight, it offers legal protections that few competitors can match. The 10 free monthly withdrawals and credit card with up to 4% crypto back are standout perks. The Gemini Earn incident in 2022 was a black mark, but they ultimately returned $2.2B to users. The tradeoffs are a smaller coin selection and higher simple-buy fees. If you want the most regulated, security-conscious exchange — especially in the US — Gemini is the premium choice.