Today, we are excited to [announce](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/david-damato-joins-gemini-as-chief-security-officer-300903224.html) and welcome David Damato as Gemini’s new Chief Security Officer (CSO). Dave joins us from Tanium, the world’s most valuable privately-held cybersecurity company.

At Tanium, Dave built and led a mature cybersecurity team that engineered unique security solutions to help protect government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and banks around the world. Prior to Tanium, Dave was an early member of the leadership team at Mandiant, a premier cybersecurity firm that was later acquired by FireEye. Dave brings his 20+ years of security leadership to Gemini and will reinforce our company philosophy that **_trust is our product_**.

Gemini has been built and operated with a _security-first_  mentality from day one. **Security** is the bedrock of our culture and one of Gemini’s four pillars along with **Product, Licensing,** and **Compliance**. It’s why, for example, we were the first exchange and custodian in the world to complete a [SOC2 Type I examination](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-completes-soc-2-review-a-worlds-first-for-a-cryptocurrency-exchange-and-custodian) and allow you to secure your account using [hardware security keys](https://www.gemini.com/blog/securing-your-gemini-account-with-webauthn) via WebAuthn. We are excited for Dave to continue our Security Team’s tradition of building and pioneering world-class security solutions to secure the **_future of money_.**

Welcome to the team, Dave!

If you’re interested in joining Dave and the rest of the Gemini team, we’re hiring in our New York, NY; Portland, OR; and Chicago, IL offices! Check out our [careers page](https://gemini.com/careers/) for more information.

Onward and Upward,

Tyler

Gemini Welcomes David Damato as Chief Security Officer

We’re thrilled to announce that Gemini is launching today in France after registering as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) there earlier this year. This move is part of our continued dedication to the European market in a country that features a thriving Web3 and crypto ecosystem. 

Users in France can now open a Gemini account to deposit, trade, and store more than 70 digital assets using the web or app. Additionally, they can add funds using local payment rails, including EUR and GBP, through debit card, bank transfer, and Apple Pay. 

Advanced traders can also access ActiveTrader™ for sophisticated trading with over 80 pairs, while institutional clients can benefit from Gemini’s OTC desk and eOTC trading system, designed to execute large orders with deep liquidity and optimal pricing.

__Why Gemini Is Moving Into France__

Gemini’s entry into France is a strategic choice for our next phase of growth. France’s proactive engagement with and support of the crypto sector has fostered the development of a crypto hub, making it a key market for us.

Crypto adoption has grown steadily in France over the past two years resulting in positive sentiment around digital assets, according to Gemini’s recently released 2024 Global State of Crypto report. The percentage of crypto owners has risen to 18%, a two percentage-point increase since 2022—marking France as the country with the highest growth post-crypto winter. The report points to France being among the most pro-crypto countries surveyed, with a strong demand for secure, trusted players like Gemini. 

Previously unreleased data also indicates that respondents in France trust crypto more than respondents in the US and UK. This is likely influenced by the introduction of France’s VASP regime, and the European Union’s recent passing of the Markets in Crypto Assets regulation (MiCA) in 2023, a bill that offers a comprehensive framework and regulatory clarity for EU firms working in digital assets. In light of this, the report highlights how consumers in France are less concerned about the regulatory environment than two years ago.  

__Crypto Ownership Increases In France__

Gemini’s 2024 Global State of Crypto report shows France to be among the most pro-crypto countries surveyed, with a strong demand for secure, trusted players like Gemini.

Other key findings included:
- The majority of French crypto owners are HODLers: The majority of crypto holders (62%) in France view cryptocurrencies as long-term investments, with almost half (46%) having purchased their first crypto over three years ago. 
- Past owners likely to return to market: Nearly half (49%) of past crypto owners in France expressed they were somewhat likely to re-enter the market within the next year, 17% were very likely to buy crypto in the next year and 6% extremely likely to purchase crypto during that timeframe.
- Trust in crypto is higher in France: Nearly one-fourth of respondents in France (23%) said they trusted crypto, which is slightly higher than respondents in the US (21%) and UK (19%).
- Security is paramount: The most important factor (43%) that will boost consumer trust in the crypto industry in France are security measures that protect against fraud and scams.
- Regulatory concerns are dwindling: In 2024, just 32% of respondents in France said they still had regulatory concerns about the industry, down from 37% two years ago. 
- The gender split in France is one of the most positive globally: France boasts one of the most balanced gender splits in crypto adoption globally (35% of owners are women), despite a 10% reduction since 2022. Interestingly, a larger proportion of women (34%) than men (17%) first purchased crypto within the past year as the market rebounded.

“We believe in empowering individuals through crypto, and our expansion into France marks a significant milestone in our mission to make crypto accessible to everyone,” said Gillian Lynch, Gemini’s CEO of UK & Europe. “Gemini’s research into the French market shows its growing interest in digital assets, and a robust regulatory framework presents a unique opportunity to introduce our platform to the trading community and extend our presence in the European market over the coming months.”

French users can visit Gemini.com or download the app to sign up for Gemini today.

Onward and Upward!<br>
Team Gemini

Gemini Launches in France as Country’s Trust in Crypto Increases

Salut! We are thrilled to announce that Gemini has been registered as a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) by l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), the French financial markets regulator. Following the launch of our EU headquarters in Ireland in 2022, Gemini is now operational in [more than](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-now-live-in-croatia-cyprus-hungary-romania-and-slovenia) a dozen [EU countries](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-launches-in-denmark-sweden-portugal-czechia-latvia-and-liechtenstein) and more than 70 countries worldwide, with more countries on the roadmap.

With a French DASP registration, Gemini products will be available to retail and institutional users across France in the coming weeks as we complete final preparations to open up access to the Gemini platform in France. Once available in France, customers located there will be able to seamlessly trade over 70 cryptos on the Gemini website and mobile app and have access to our high-performance ActiveTrader platform. Institutional customers will also be able to access [Gemini eOTC](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-launches-a-fully-electronic-over-the-counter-trading-eotc-solution), our electronic over-the-counter trading solution, which offers fully-automated crypto trading with deep liquidity and delayed settlement.

“We are delighted to welcome customers based in France onto the Gemini platform in the coming weeks as we further expand access to crypto across Europe,” said Gillian Lynch, Gemini’s Head of Ireland and EU. “France is a global innovation leader and has a vibrant crypto community as showcased by the success of Paris Blockchain Week. We are excited to soon be able to provide French customers with compliant and secure access to the future of finance as we continue on our mission to unlock the next era of financial, creative, and personal freedom.”

As we wrote about recently in our [2024 Crypto Trend Report](https://www.gemini.com/blog/crypto-regulation-2024-new-laws-will-bring-clarity-and-trust) blog on regulation, we believe that regulation is necessary to further cultivate innovation in the crypto industry in a way that best protects consumers, while attracting greater retail and institutional investment as well as broader adoption.

### The European Union Is a Leader in Global Crypto Regulation

The European Union stands out both for its influence in traditional global markets and the quality and thoughtfulness of its approach to crypto regulation, now positioning itself as a leading global jurisdiction for promoting innovation within a robust regulatory structure. 

In April 2023, EU lawmakers passed a vote to implement the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) which was hailed as the most significant crypto-specific regulation in the world to date. By creating a standardised legal framework across the EU, MiCA not only increases the accountability of service providers but also fosters consumer confidence in using and investing in crypto-assets. This harmonization also facilitates easier access to cross-border services, ensuring EU consumers benefit from a diverse and competitive market.

Onward and Upward!

Gillian Lynch  
Head of Europe
![Blog Inline 03](//images.ctfassets.net/jg6lo9a2ukvr/6NjikZ3DzdLHZdqBx8G1oG/87208c48dc03f7b455a92a1085b1de34/Blog_Inline_03.png)

Cocorico! 

Nous sommes fiers d’annoncer que Gemini a obtenu l’enregistrement de Prestataire de Services sur Actifs Numériques (PSAN) par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). Après l'établissement de notre principal bureau Européen en Irlande en 2022, nous sommes dorénavant opérationnel dans plus d’une douzaine de pays de l’Union Européenne, 70 à l'échelle mondiale, et plus encore sur notre roadmap.

Notre enregistrement en tant que PSAN en France nous permettra d’ouvrir nos services aux particuliers ainsi qu’aux entreprises dans quelques semaines. Nos clients pourronst acheter et vendre plus de 70 crypto-monnaies via notre site internet, application mobile ou notre plateforme ActiveTrader tournée vers les utilisateurs actifs. Nos clients institutionnels pourront également accéder à Gemini eOTC, notre offre électronique dédiée permettant d’obtenir une plus grande liquidité, du trading automatisé ainsi qu’un débouclement différé de leurs opérations.   

A cette occasion, Gillian Lynch, chargée de nos activités pour l'Irlande et l’Europe a indiqué: “Nous sommes heureux de pouvoir accueillir des utilisateurs Français sur notre plateforme alors que nous poursuivons notre expansion en Europe. La France est un acteur majeur de l’innovation dans le monde et possède un écosystème crypto particulièrement actif. Le succès de la Paris Blockchain Week en est un exemple frappant. Nous sommes convaincus que notre approche régulée et sûre sera appréciée de nos clients s'intéressant au futur de la finance tant du point de vue de la liberté personnelle que financière, valeurs sur lesquelles est fondée notre entreprise.”

Comme nous l’avons récemment mentionné sur notre blog, nous restons persuadés qu’une juste régulation est nécessaire afin que l’industrie puisse se développer, et que la protection des consommateurs soit renforcée, tout en favorisant l’adoption des actifs numériques par les particuliers et institutionnels. 

### L’Union Européenne est un leader mondial de la régulation des actifs numériques

L’Union Européenne fait figure de pionnière dans le monde en ce qui concerne la régulation des marchés financiers et plus récemment des actifs numériques tout en essayant de favoriser l’innovation.

A ce titre, l’UE a passé la régulation MiCA en Avril 2023, premier texte d’ampleur concernant les crypto-actifs dans le monde. En introduisant une régulation harmonisée au sein du bloc, remplaçant les textes nationaux, MiCA permettra d’augmenter le niveau d’excellence attendu des plateformes et in fine la confiance des utilisateurs dans l'écosystème. Les frontières nationales s'estompent, ce qui permettra une concurrence diverse et accrue, bénéfique pour le consommateur.

Onward and Upward! (Plus haut et plus loin!)

Gemini Secures French Crypto Registration, Continuing Global Expansion

We are excited to announce that individuals and institutions in Greece and Bulgaria can now open a Gemini account to deposit, trade, and custody over 100 cryptocurrencies. 

Consumers in these additional two markets can securely access Gemini’s website or mobile app to buy cryptocurrencies with Euros (EUR) and Pound Sterling (GBP), using a debit card, bank transfer, or through Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Offering Gemini’s secure crypto services to customers in Greece comes on the heels of our [registration](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-secures-regulatory-approvals-to-operate-in-italy-and-greece) with Greece’s Hellenic Capital Markets Commission (HCMC) as a custodial wallet provider and provider of exchange services between virtual and fiat currencies. 

### Bringing Secure Crypto Services to European Markets

Advanced traders in these countries can use [ActiveTrader](https://www.gemini.com/activetrader), our high-performance crypto trading interface that delivers a professional-level experience, featuring advanced charting, and multiple order types.

Gemini’s institutional-grade, crypto-native platform is available to financial institutions, fintechs, and corporations, with custody, clearing, trade execution, price discovery, and portfolio management services all in one place. 

We are now operational in more than 65 countries, [having recently](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-now-live-in-croatia-cyprus-hungary-romania-and-slovenia) announced [our launches](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-launches-in-denmark-sweden-portugal-czechia-latvia-and-liechtenstein) in Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, [Ireland](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-launches-services-to-customers-and-institutions-in-ireland), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden, with more countries on the roadmap.

Onward and Upward!

Gillian Lynch  
Head of Ireland and Europe

INDUSTRY

Gemini Welcomes David Damato as Chief Security Officer

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