Gemini is a beginner-friendly crypto exchange offering 70+ cryptocurrencies, a limited selection of crypto-to-crypto trading pairs, and an advanced trading platform for sophisticated investors.
Business Insider's personal finance team compared Gemini to the best cryptocurrency exchanges and found it to be a good option for beginners. It is also good for more serious traders seeking comprehensive trading tools and analytics. However, Gemini's crypto selection is limited and fees are on the higher end.
Gemini Pros and Cons
Gemini Pros
- TradingView integration for access to advanced charting features, tools, and global spot trading opportunities
- Access to NFTs through Nifty Gateway
- Available in all 50 US states
Gemini Cons
- Derivatives not available in the US
- Only three staking options
- Limited cryptocurrency options compared to competitors
- High fees and complex fee schedule
Open an Account
$0
0.00% to 0.40% maker/taker fees (additional 0.5% fee on mobile trades)
- Want to trade 70+ digital assets
- Value account security and want your assets securely stored and insured against theft
- Features like faster order execution, crypto trading pairs and auctions, and charting tools
- Gemini Credit Card
- Crypto derivatives trading not available in the US
- Only stakes ether and polygon assets
- High trading fees and complex fee structure
- Promotion: Receive $15 of bitcoin (BTC) when a referral exchanges $100 or more within the first 30 days of creating an account.
- Features: Trading options for beginners, experts, and institutions; Gemini Earn, Gemini Wallet, and $200 million insurance in Gemini Custody.
Compare Gemini
$2
0.50% spread for buy/sell transactions; transaction fee from $0.99 to $2.99; up to 0.60% for Coinbase Pro and Coinbase Advanced Trade
- Buy, sell, or store more than 250 cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and dogecoin
- Educational investment resources, mobile access, digital storage, and customer support
- Low account minimums
- Can earn rewards for certain cryptocurrencies
- Coinbase card lets you spend crypto or USD anywhere and earn crypto rewards; can deposit your paycheck into your account and convert from USD to crypto with no fees
- Pay more for lower balances
- High trading and transaction fees
- Limited staking options
Coinbase is one of the best investment platforms for crypto trading, staking rewards, and crypto storage. The crypto exchange offering nearly 250 coins and tokens and is great for active real investors who can utilize Coinbase's services, account options, and investment tools.
Coinbase- Promotion: Get $5 of bitcoin when you join Coinbase; earn up to $200 when you set up a new account and make your first purchase
- Features: Coinbase Earn rewards, Coinbase Pro advanced account, user-controlled storage, stablecoins, staking, and institutional trading tools.
- App store rating: 4.7 iOS/ 4.1 Android; Coinbase Pro: 4.7 iOS/ 4.1 Android
- Awards: Named Best Prime Broker in Hedgeweek's annual European Digital Assets Awards
$10
1/5%; 0% - 0.40% maker/taker fees
- Can exchange 200+ crypto assets
- Margin trading available
- Variety of educational resources and tutorials on cryptocurrencies
- Over-the-counter (OTC) trading and account management support available
- Kraken's futures and staking isn't currently available in the US
- Not available to residents of New York and Washington
- Features: More than 100 cryptocurrencies, margin and futures trading, OTC trading, account management for HNW individuals and institutional clients, multiple trading platforms, and educational resources.
- App store rating: 4.7 iOS/ 4.2 Android
$100 (in the USA and UK)
1% when you buy or sell a crypto asset; 0% stocks and ETFs, $2 monthly fee on uninvested cash if your cash balance is under $5k
- Can trade bitcoin, dogecoin, ethereum, Litecoin, and a dozen other popular virtual assets; stock and ETF trading available
- eToro's Copy Portfolios let you follow and copy the portfolios of experienced traders to enhance your investment returns
- Several educational resources
- Web and mobile app access
- Not available to residents of New York, Minnesota, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, and the US Virgin Islands (see a full list of its geographic restrictions here)
- Limited selection of cryptocurrencies (eToro USA currently offers over 25)
eToro USA is a popular cryptocurrency exchange and investment platform that is best suited for beginners interested in automatic investing tools, Smart Portfolio options, crypto wallet storage, and more. But its crypto selection is fairly limited compared to other crypto exchanges.
eToro USA- Earn 4.90% APY on uninvested cash but if your cash balance is under $5k, you'll pay a $2 monthly fee
- Features: Dogecoin and more cryptocurrencies, CopyTrader system, Copy Portfolios, and eToro Trading Academy
- App store rating: 4.6 iOS/ 4.3 Android
- Cash is FDIC insured for up to $5 million with partner banks
Gemini Overview
Gemini is a regulated US-based cryptocurrency exchange with global access in 70+ countries and just as many digital coins and tokens. Gemini's user-friendly interface allows newer crypto investors to trade assets easily, set recurring buys, and earn staking rewards on popular cryptocurrencies.
Gemini's crypto selection is limited compared to competitors, but you still get access to many of the most popular coins, including bitcoin, ether, and solana. Multiple stablecoins are also available, including Tether and Gemini's native coin, Gemini Dollar (GUSD). However, Gemini does not offer cardano.
The exchange's Basic platform streamlines the crypto-trading process for less-experienced investors. More experienced traders can appreciate Gemini's ActiveTrader for up to 100x leverage on perpetual futures, faster order execution, 300+ crypto trading pairs, and dual market tracking.
While Gemini's fees aren't the highest, they aren't the lowest, either. That said, Gemini does have low minimum trade amounts, but the amount varies by asset. This is an upside for investors who want to place smaller order amounts.
Gemini isn't the best option for investors looking for comprehensive staking services across a range of digital assets, as US-based investors are limited to staking polygon and ether.
Users can contact Gemini via email at support@gemini.com, by submitting a form linked on its customer support page, or by using the chatbot on the customer support page. Gemini does not offer phone support.
Gemini has a rating of 4.8/5 on the Apple Store and 4.3/5 on Google Play.
Ways to Invest with Gemini
Here's what Gemini offers.
Gemini Basic
The Gemini exchange essentially has two interfaces: Gemini Basic and Gemini Active Trader. Investors aren't limited to just one platform and can easily switch between the two.
The Basic version of Gemini, catered toward beginners and casual traders, is streamlined to make the crypto trading process more accessible. Traders can more easily navigate fundamental crypto trading and managing features like buying, selling, spot trading, and order books.
Cryptopedia is Gemini's educational hub, featuring nearly 500 articles on over 200 topics, including cryptocurrencies, security, derivatives, and DeFi. The Gemini blog also provides detailed news recaps and market updates.
Gemini's native token, Gemini Dollar (GUSD), is a US dollar-backed stablecoin that can be traded and staked across the DeFi protocol, used to buy NFTs, or stored as an on-chain reserve.
Gemini ActiveTrader
ActiveTrader is Gemini's advanced investment platform for sophisticated traders, which features high-speed trade execution, easy-to-use APIs, 100x leverage on Perpetual futures, a deep order book, and a suite of advanced tools and trading opportunities.
The Pair Discovery function makes searching for available order pairs simple. Crypto trading pairs are two cryptocurrencies (or one cryptocurrency and a fiat currency) that can be traded for each other. Gemini has over 300 crypto trading pairs.
The Dual Market feature allows you to compare multiple market activities in real time, execute trades, and strategically hedge positions.
Gemini is partnered with TradeingView, a robust analysis and charting platform for sophisticated investors that allows them to access professional trading tools, interacting charting features, and real-time intraday market quotes. Investors can also execute trades on Gemini through the TradingView interface.
Gemini ActiveTrader does offer crypto derivatives, but it's not available for US traders.
Gemini Mobile
Gemini's free mobile app offers similar features to the web version, including transitioning between Basic and Advanced trading modes. Gemini mobile also allows users to access over 300 trading pairs, set price alerts, and select various order types such as a limit order, maker-or-cancel, fill-or-kill, and instant and recurring buys.
The biggest difference between Gemini's mobile app and its web exchange is that the mobile app includes the Gemini Pay function, allowing investors to use certain coins to make purchases at select merchants.
Gemini's mobile app is also available on Apple Watch, but users are limited to the price watch function, price alerts, and other notifications.
Gemini Staking
US-based investors can only stake two crypto assets with Gemini: ether (ETH) and polygon (MATIC). Non-US investors can also stake in Solana.
Regular staking on Gemini requires no minimum account balance, rewards are split across staking participants to a single address, and positions can't be tracked on-chain.
Staking Pro is a more advanced staking service with greater on-chain transparency, but it's unavailable to US investors.
Gemini Institutional
Gemini Institutional is designed for private clients, institutional investors, fintechs, and businesses to access advanced charting features and multiple order types. Institutional accounts can set administrators, managers, auditors, trustees, and more.
Client portfolios can be easily tracked and managed by investment managers. You can ensure your digital assets are safe with regulated cold storage through Gemini Custody. This feature uses multi-signature technology, biometrics, and role-based governance protocols to protect cryptocurrencies and other investable digital assets.
Private clients and institutional investors can access Gemini eOTC, an electronic over-the-counter trading platform for real-time visibility, price tracking, order status, and trade execution details.
Gemini Credit Card
Open a Gemini Credit Card® and earn rewards in your preferred cryptocurrency (choose bitcoin, ether, or 50+ other cryptocurrencies). For a $0 annual fee, the Gemini Credit Card earns:
- 4% back on gas at the pump and EV charging up to $200 a month (then 1% after)
- 3% back on dining at restaurants, fast food establishments, bars, and nightclubs
- 2% back on groceries from traditional grocery stores and other specialty food stores (excludes wholesale clubs, bakeries, and candy stores)
- 1% back on all other purchases
Gemini automatically deposits crypto rewards to your Gemini account when a transaction is posted. Its APR is between 17.24% - 29.24% variable, and it doesn't charge fees on foreign transactions and exchanges.
The Gemini Credit Card has a metal design and no visible card numbers. You can only access your card number through your Gemini account.
Gemini Credit Card is best for those already investing through Gemini, whose biggest spending categories are gas/EV charging and dining, and who are solely interested in earning crypto rewards.
New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of $200 in crypto when you spend $3,000 in your first 90 days of account opening (must be approved by 3/31/2025).
$0
N/A
17.24% - 29.24% variable
Earn $200 in crypto
Good to Excellent
- No annual fee
- Generous rewards on gas and dining
- No foreign transaction fees
- Rewards are limited to a single cryptocurrency of your choice (from a list of options including bitcoin and ether)
- Crypto is more volatile than cash back or travel rewards
- Cannot pay off outstanding balances with crypto rewards
The Gemini Credit Card is best for risk-tolerant investors who want to earn bitcoin and other cryptocurrency from everyday expenses like gas, dining, and groceries. This card doesn't charge annual fees or foreign transaction fees, and cardholders can add authorized users at no additional cost.
- Rewards with the power to grow
- Invest as you spend
- Instant crypto rewards
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- You can earn bitcoin, ethereum, or 50+ other cryptos available on Gemini
- Easily change the crypto you want to earn back, as often as you want
Gemini Fees
Gemini fees on its regular exchange and mobile platforms are higher than competitor exchanges. Web orders vary by web order amount and will cost at least $0.99 per trade, but the fee can go as high as 1.49% of the web order value. Beginners may find Gemini's exchange and mobile fee structures difficult to understand.
Gemini charges a 3.49% fee on debit card purchases.
ActiveTrader has lower trading fees compared to Gemini's exchange and mobile platforms. The platform operates on a maker/taker fee structure based on your 30-day gross trading volume and is calculated daily. The higher your trading volume, the less you'll pay in fees.
Maker fees range from 0.00% to 0.20%. Taker fees range from 0.03% to 0.40%. Mobile traders are also charged an additional 0.5% convenience fee on all trades.
Staking services charge a 15% fee.
Gemini Trustworthiness and Security
Gemini prides itself on its "security-first" mentality and fiduciary status. However, the platform experienced a significant data breach in 2022, in which an unverified third party accessed 5.7 million users' personal information (including email addresses and phone numbers).
After the breach, Gemini stepped up its security protocols with measures like biometric security, commitment to compliance, a bug bounty program, third-party audits, and multi-factor biometric authentication.
Most of Gemini's assets are held in an offline, cold storage system, with only a portion of each investor's holding held in Gemini's Hot Wallet. Additionally, all Gemini accounts are required to implement two-factor authentications.
The Better Business Bureau has given Gemini Trust Company LLC an F rating. The BBB's ratings range from A+ to F, and it says it has given Gemini the "F" status due to various unresolved customer complaints.
On January 13, 2025, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a consent order against Gemini, alleging that it made misleading statements or omissions to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Gemini agreed to pay a $5 million civil monetary penalty before going to trial.
On February 28, 2024, Gemini settled with the New York Department of Financial Services and agreed to return $1.1 billion to Earn program customers and pay a $37 million penalty for compliance failures.
On January 12, 2023, The SEC charged Genesis Global Capital LLC and Gemini Trust Company LLC with offering and selling unregistered securities to users through its Gemini Earn lending program. According to the complaint, investors were unable to withdraw crypto from their accounts due to a lack of liquidity. Genesis filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and agreed to pay a $21 million penalty to settle charges.
Gemini Alternatives
Similar exchanges to Gemini include the following.
Gemini vs. Robinhood
Gemini and Robinhood Investing are both beginner-friendly crypto-trading platforms with user-friendly app and web interfaces, and educational resources. However, the platforms offer drastically different fee structures, investment options, and trading tools.
Robinhood is better for investors looking to trade a handful of cryptocurrencies alongside traditional securities like stocks and ETFs. Robinhood has a no-commission brokerage model with relatively low fees, 24/7 customer support, and limited advanced charting features. It's the stronger platform for beginners.
Although Gemini is also good for novice crypto investors, intermediate and advanced traders will get more out of the Gemini platform, especially since the exchange charges higher fees. Compared to Robinhood, Gemini offers a wider selection of advanced charting features through its AdvancedTrader platform, NFT platform, staking rewards, and crypto trading pairs.
Gemini vs. Coinbase
Gemini and Coinbase are both popular crypto exchange platforms for retail traders and institutional investors. The platforms are similar but vary slightly regarding cryptocurrency selection and fees.
Coinbase is a better option for investors looking for a broader range of flexibility in investment types (it offers 200+ cryptocurrencies). Additionally, Coinbase has a stronger trustworthiness rating from the BBB, which may win over investors discouraged by Gemini's significantly low "F" rating.
Gemini trading fees are slightly lower than Coinbase. Long-term investors concerned about fees eating away at potential gains will prefer Gemini over Coinbase.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Gemini
We examined Gemini using Business Insider's rating methodology for investing platforms to compare pricing, account flexibility, ethics, security, and overall customer experience when reviewing investing platforms. Platforms are given a rating between 1 and 5.
Business Insider's Overall Gemini Rating
| Feature | Insider rating (out of 5) |
| Fees | 3.50 |
| Investment selection | 3.00 |
| Security | 4.00 |
| Customer service | 4.00 |
| Ethics | 2.00 |
| Access | 4.00 |
| Overall score | 3.40 |
Gemini FAQs
Is Gemini good to buy crypto?
Gemini can be a good exchange to buy crypto for investors who aren't interested in a wide range of cryptocurrencies and do not want to invest in cardano. Investors who want access to less popular and emerging coins should consider a different crypto exchange.
Is Gemini legal in the US?
Yes. Gemini is legal in the US and licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Does Gemini offer staking?
Yes. Gemini offers staking for polygon (MATIC) and ether (ETH). Gemini also offers staking for Solana (SOL) but it is unavailable for US-based investors.
