Gemini has received in-principle approval in Malta for an Investment Firm license subject to the MFSA’s (Malta Financial Services Authorities) pre-authorisation requirements. Once granted, the licence will allow Gemini to offer regulated futures and options throughout the EU and EEA* under MiFID II (Markets in Financial Instrument Directive). 

We are pursuing the license through the Maltese regulator, which will be applicable throughout Europe. Today’s approval follows our recent decision to select Malta as our EU hub and chosen jurisdiction for our [MiCA application](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-selects-malta-as-mica-hub-in-european-expansion-milestone). Receiving MiCA approval will allow us to continue offering our secure and reliable services to customers throughout the region. 

Achieving in-principle approval marks a crucial step in our 2025 European expansion strategy. Once the licence is obtained, MiFID II, a framework regulating the traditional financial markets, will allow us to offer perpetual futures contracts throughout the EU and EEA* to advanced traders and institutions. 

This is a strategic move to increase our offerings for institutional and retail customers, in addition to our existing spot exchange featuring 90+ digital assets, ActiveTrader™ with 80+ trading pairs, as well as Gemini’s OTC desk and eOTC trading system for institutional traders.

Mark Jennings, Gemini’s Head of Europe, said, “Receiving in-principle approval for an Investment License is a key milestone in our commitment to providing a best-in-class offering for retail and institutional investors. Interest in crypto derivatives, particularly from institutions, has increased significantly in recent years, as crypto matures into a recognised asset class.”

Onward and Upward, <br><br> 
Team Gemini

**Customers domiciled in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway*


Gemini Receives In-Principle Approval for Investment Firm Licence to Offer Perpetuals Throughout the EU

Today, we are delighted to announce that Gemini has chosen Malta as our hub for the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. This strategic decision underscores our dedication to enhancing regulatory compliance and European growth. Having received our Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Service Licence in Malta in December 2024 (our sixth Virtual Asset Service Provider registration), the move will enable us to empower the next era of financial, creative and personal freedom in Europe.

Malta’s proactive approach to fostering innovation among fintech and digital asset companies presents an ideal environment for Gemini to drive our European operations. 

Compliance with MiCA regulations, which was implemented by EU lawmakers to standardise crypto regulations across member states, will allow us to continue to offer our secure and reliable services to customers in the EU, supporting the sustainable growth of a trusted crypto ecosystem in the region.

The announcement follows [several senior hires in Europe](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-accelerates-european-expansion-with-new-leadership-team), leading Gemini’s ambitious European growth plans. This includes Mark Jennings, Head of Europe, Daniel Slutzkin, Head of UK, and Claudio Bedino, Head of Consumer Growth in Europe. With the establishment of our Malta office, we plan to recruit a talented local team to help support the expansion.

[Gemini’s 2024 State of Crypto report](https://www.gemini.com/blog/introducing-the-2024-global-state-of-crypto-report) showed that 39% of non-crypto owners globally stated that a lack of regulatory clarity was a barrier for entry, suggesting that the rollout of comprehensive regulation like MiCA may boost crypto demand in the region.

Mark Jennings, Gemini’s Head of Europe, said that “MiCA is a much needed regulatory development for the European crypto community. Our decision to establish Malta as our MiCA hub reflects our commitment to upholding regulatory standards, advancing innovation, and shaping the future of digital assets in Europe. We hope that it serves as a blueprint for crypto regulation globally.”

Following Gemini’s recent [launch in France](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-launches-in-france-as-countrys-trust-in-crypto-increases), today’s announcement is a significant milestone in our European expansion plans. We remain committed to building a safe and innovative ecosystem for our customers. In the coming months, we plan to introduce new features for both retail and institutional customers, strengthen our local presence across Europe, and enhance our user experience for customers in the 32 European countries (EEA & UK) that we currently serve.

Onward and Upward, <br><br> 
Team Gemini

Mark Jennings

ARTICLES BY Mark Jennings

Gemini Receives In-Principle Approval for Investment Firm Licence to Offer Perpetuals Throughout the EU

Gemini Selects Malta as MiCA Hub in European Expansion Milestone

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