Gemini Review 2023: More Than a Crypto Exchange

Looking for a top-notch crypto exchange that prioritizes security and convenience above all else? Gemini might just be the right crypto exchange for you.

In an increasingly busy market of crypto exchanges, Gemini sets itself apart from the pack by putting your user experience at the forefront of its design.

In this Gemini review, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this fast-growing exchange. We’ll do a deep dive into Gemini’s features and give you the low-down on all the limitations of the platform that you ought to consider before you open an account.

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What Is Gemini?

Gemini is a crypto exchange that was founded in 2014 by the Winklevoss twins of Facebook fame. The company prizes security and ease of use so that anyone can trade digital assets with ease.

Additionally, Gemini is a licensed exchange through the New York State Department of Financial Services’ BitLicense program. The platform is also a New York trust company that’s run as a fiduciary, which means that the firm must put your interests above theirs.

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How Does Gemini Work?

Gemini works like a traditional online trading platform, except it focuses on cryptocurrencies rather than stocks, bonds, or ETFs. First, you need to submit KYC information like your driver’s license, home address, and birthday to gain access to Gemini’s platform. Once Gemini approves your credentials, you could transfer money to Gemini using a debit card, ACH transfer, or wire transfer. 

When you have cash in your Gemini account, you can buy any of the cryptocurrencies listed on the trading platform. Gemini lets you transfer your crypto off of its exchange any time you wish. Simply select “Withdraw” by a cryptocurrency in your account, enter your associated wallet address, and click “Send.” 

For example, if you wanted to send Ethereum from Gemini to your MetaMask wallet, you would open ETH in your Gemini account, click “Withdraw,” and paste your MetaMask wallet address in Gemini. You should see the ETH appear in your MetaMask within a few minutes.

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Account Minimum

You don’t need to keep a set amount of money in your Gemini account, but there are token-specific trading minimums. Each cryptocurrency on Gemini has a unique trading requirement, so you must check the exchange’s latest Trading Minimums list. 

Here are the current trading minimums for some of the major cryptocurrencies on Gemini:

• 0.00001 Bitcoin
• 0.001 Ethereum 
• 0.01 Litecoin
• 0.1 Dogecoin
• 0.001 Solana

Getting Started

Before you open an account with Gemini, you have to determine whether you’re eligible to use the platform. 

Gemini currently supports account holders over the age of 18 in more than 50 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the bulk of the European Union. What’s more, Gemini supports accounts in all 50 US states, plus Puerto Rico, which is unique in the industry.

To open an account, you must provide your legal name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and (for US residents) a social security number. US and Canadian residents also need to provide a copy of their photo ID, while residents of other countries may require additional verification documents.

Opening an Account

Once you’re ready to open an account, you’ll head over to Gemini’s website or mobile app. There, you can establish your account by entering your basic personal information and verifying your phone number and email address.

You’ll also need to provide a copy of your government-issued photo ID when establishing an account. Technically, this step isn’t required to open an account, but it is required before you can withdraw funds from Gemini.

Funding Options

With Gemini, you can fund your account with fiat currency or digital assets. If you already own crypto, you can transfer those assets directly to your Gemini account.

Alternatively, you can fund your account with several fiat currencies, including:

• US dollar
• Canadian dollar
• Australian dollar
• Hong Kong dollar
• Singapore dollar
• Euro
• British pound sterling

You can transfer your fiat currency to your account through a bank transfer (ACH), a wire transfer, or a debit card. Gemini does not charge any fee to transfer fiat currencies through ACH or wire transfers. However, they charge a 3.49% fee for debit card transfers.

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Cryptocurrencies Available on Gemini

Gemini currently supports more than 40 cryptocurrencies, including:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Dogecoin (DOGE)
• Polkadot (DOT)
• Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Aave (AAVE)
• Compound (COMP)

While Gemini has a slightly smaller list of available cryptocurrencies than some other exchanges, the firm does support the most popular cryptocurrencies on the market.

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Gemini Features

Gemini is a feature-loaded exchange that offers a lot more than just a place to trade crypto. Here are some of the many features that you can look forward to with Gemini.

Gemini Earn

Gemini Earn is a way to earn interest on your cryptocurrency. To use this service, you simply need to go to your account, indicate how much of your crypto you want to set aside for Gemini Earn, and then relax as it accrues interest.

With Gemini Earn, your crypto becomes available to accredited institutional borrowers who pay interest on your borrowed assets. As a result, you can earn anywhere from 1% to 7.5% interest on your crypto. You can also redeem your assets from the program at any time for no additional fee.

Gemini Crypto Wallet

If you plan on investing in large amounts of crypto, you’ll need a secure wallet to store your assets. While many crypto exchanges offer online wallets, Gemini goes the extra mile with its dedicated Gemini Crypto Wallet service.

This service provides account holders with free access to hot wallets and institutional-level cold wallets that you can withdraw from at any time. As an added bonus, Gemini maintains an insurance policy on all digital assets in these wallets to protect you from loss in the event of a security breach.

Gemini ActiveTrader

Crafted for experienced crypto investors, Gemini ActiveTrader is a professional-level crypto trading platform. It is available to all Gemini account holders, both online and on mobile devices.

With the platform, you can execute advanced order types, participate in auctions, use block trading features, and access premium charting tools. The Gemini ActiveTrading platform also uses a low-cost maker-taker fee schedule that’s perfect for skilled investors who want to save money when trading crypto.

Gemini App & Mobile Trading

If you’re looking to take your crypto trading on the go, Gemini’s app and its included Mobile Trading features might be what you need. The app is available on the Apple App, Google Play, and Galaxy stores, so it’s suitable for nearly any smartphone.

On the Gemini App, you can track your portfolio, trade crypto, and track market trends. Plus, the app comes highly rated, thanks to its sleek user interface and intuitive design, making it perfect for new crypto traders.

Gemini Clearing

Designed for anyone that wants to keep their crypto transactions off the open exchange, Gemini Clearing is a secure clearing system for pre-arranged trades. With Gemini Clearing, the firm acts as a third party to mediate transactions and reduce the risk of fraud for both parties. 

What makes Gemini Clearing unique is that it doesn’t have a minimum trade size. Plus, fees for this service are usually just the cost of the spread of the transaction, which is often quite minimal. 

But, if you want even more support from professional traders, Gemini’s clearing service also offers white-glove support, which gives you one-on-one guidance for larger transactions. Fees for this vary based on the specifics of your transaction, so contact Gemini for a quote.

Gemini Custody

For investors that want the highest level of institutional security without the need to manage their cold wallets, Gemini Custody is worth considering.

With Gemini Custody, you can store your supported crypto in institutional-grade cold wallets that are distributed in secure facilities around the world. This service also allows you to quickly check your account balance on the Gemini Exchange dashboard.

There’s no minimum balance for using Gemini Custody, so it’s a viable option for most investors. Once your account is up and running, you’ll pay an annual 0.4% custody fee on assets held in Gemini Custody.

Do note, however, that Gemini Custody charges a $125 fee on withdrawn balances. So, this service is best for people who want to store sizable amounts of crypto for the long term—not for active traders.

Gemini Dollar

Gemini Dollar is a 1:1 USD-backed stablecoin that’s designed to act as a secure, highly liquid cryptocurrency that you can use to transact on decentralized exchanges. With Gemini Dollar, you can also earn interest on your crypto to build your assets over time.

Plus, Gemini Dollar is free to use and convert through Gemini, and it transfers in seconds on the Ethereum blockchain. It’s also compatible with Gemini Pay, so you can use it to make regular purchases.

Gemini Pay

If you’re looking to use crypto for daily purchases, Gemini Pay is a sure bet. Gemini Pay is the firm’s app-based crypto spending service that lets you use your supported crypto assets to pay at more than 30,000 retail locations in the US.

To use the service, you’ll need to download the app, log in, press the “pay” icon, and then select your preferred crypto. You’ll then scan all of your items and bring your phone to the register, where the cashier will scan your app’s secure code. Once that happens, you’ve successfully paid for your merchandise using crypto!

Do note that Gemini Pay currently only supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, ZCash, Bitcoin Cash, and Gemini Dollar. However, there are no transaction fees involved in using Gemini Pay, so it’s a low-cost way to make purchases with crypto.

Gemini Mastercard

One of the company’s newest features, the Gemini Mastercard, is an innovative way for US-based Gemini account holders to earn crypto rewards on all of their purchases. 

The card is a standard credit card with no annual fee that operates on the Mastercard network. What makes it unique, however, is that you can earn up to 3% cashback on your purchases in the supported cryptocurrency of your choice.

Additionally, the Gemini Mastercard provides real-time rewards so you can build your crypto portfolio with every purchase. That way, you can benefit from your rewards as soon as your purchase is made.

Gemini Staking 

If you want to earn staking rewards without the responsibilities of a validator, you could delegate a few Proof-of-Stake tokens through Gemini. Currently, you can stake Polygon’s MATIC token or Ethereum’s ETH by depositing your crypto in Gemini Staking. Gemini will stake these tokens on their respective blockchains and deposit rewards into your account.

Gemini plans to release more Proof-of-Stake projects in the future, so keep checking the list of available tokens. According to an official blog post, Gemini will unveil Solana, Audius, and Polkadot staking in the future. 

Gemini Prime

Slated to launch at the end of 2022, Gemini Prime is an advanced crypto trading portal for institutional clients. Firms using Gemini Prime will have access to enhanced API integrations and OTC trading opportunities to ensure clients get the best rates for their crypto. Gemini will handle the custodial requirements for all Prime customers and insure crypto funds for up to $200 million. 

According to Gemini, this service is a good fit for the following clients:

• Wealth managers 
• Family offices 
• Hedge funds 
• Businesses and corporations 
• Asset managers 

BitIRA Asset Custodian

Gemini has partnered with the BBB-accredited platform BitIRA to offer wealth managers easy access to digital assets. As its name suggests, BitIRA focuses on offering IRA or 401(k) retirement accounts that include cryptocurrencies. 

The partnership with Gemini allows asset managers to create Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs). Gemini will take care of all the trade orders and custodial concerns, and clients will have access to BitIRA’s wealth management team & tools. Gemini claims people who use the BitIRA partnership can invest in over 40 cryptos in their wealth management plan. 

Nifty Gateway NFT Market 

In 2019, Gemini made headlines when it bought the NFT market Nifty Gateway. Thanks to many high-profile NFT auctions from Murat Pak, Grimes, and Beeple, Nifty Gateway has become a well-known website for curated NFTs. 

Unlike open NFT markets like Rarible and OpenSea, you can’t mint NFTs on Nifty Gateway without approval from the company. However, anyone could browse and buy the many NFTs on Nifty Gateway with both fiat and crypto.  

Since Nifty Gateway falls under Gemini’s umbrella, it’s seamless to link your Gemini account with your Nifty Gateway profile. Nifty Gateway also integrates with the MetaMask crypto wallet for those who’d prefer to pay in ETH. 

Gemini Settlement 

Gemini Settlement helps clients submit large crypto trades without worrying about counterparty risk. Although you will send your crypto transfers to the intended counterparty, Gemini will serve as an unbiased observer to eliminate potential issues. Gemini will also take care of the crypto transactions and custody requirements when you initiate a transfer. 

Gemini Settlement is best suited for firms, institutional clients, and high-net-worth individuals interested in sending large quantities of digital assets.

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Gemini Fees

The majority of crypto exchanges charge fees for buying and selling digital assets, and Gemini is no exception. Let’s take a quick look at the fees you can expect when trading with the firm.

Web & Mobile Trades

Any cryptocurrency trades placed on Gemini’s web or mobile platforms incur two fees: a convenience fee (0.5% of the market value) and a transaction fee.

The transaction fee varies based on the value of your transaction. You can expect to pay the following for mobile and web transactions:

Alternatively, transactions over $200 are charged a fee of 1.49% of the total order value in addition to the convenience fee.

ActiveTrader Trades

If you place your trades on ActiveTrader, you’ll be charged a fee using a maker-taker model. Fees vary from 0.25% to 0% depending on whether you’re a taker or maker, with makers paying less than takers.

Furthermore, accounts with a high 30-day trading volume also pay a lower fee than those with low trading volumes. So, ActiveTrader is a cost-effective option for experienced and active investors.

Other Fees

Gemini charges fees for certain types of account activity. 

In particular, you may be charged a withdrawal fee on some crypto if you withdraw that cryptocurrency more than 10 times per month. The fee you’ll pay varies based on your chosen crypto, and it can be as little as just a fraction of a coin.

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Gemini Security & Insurance

Gemini is a crypto exchange that prides itself on its security-first design. The company offers many security-focused features, such as multi-factor authentication, to keep your account as secure as possible. 

To protect your assets, Gemini stores most client assets in offline wallets at secure facilities around the globe. Meanwhile, a small portion of account holder assets is kept in Gemini’s dedicated hot wallet, which is maintained at a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 rating or higher for additional security.

Finally, Gemini also offers multiple levels of insurance. US dollar funds held in your account are FDIC insured up to $250,000. Meanwhile, digital assets held in your hot wallet are insured under the company’s dedicated Digital Asset Insurance policy.

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Gemini Customer Support

When you open an account with a crypto exchange, you need to feel confident that you’ll get the support you need whenever an issue arises.

With Gemini, you have access to an online help platform where you can get answers to most questions. You can also use the company’s online chat support bot, which makes it easy to quickly find solutions for your pressing crypto-related issues.

That being said, while Gemini does have an email-based customer service team where you can get personalized support with your account, the company does not currently have a customer service phone number.

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Gemini Ease of Use 

Gemini’s standard desktop exchange and mobile app have a clean and intuitive interface. While both of these trading portals only give you access to market orders, they are simple to use if you’re a crypto novice. Please also remember that Gemini offers its ActiveTrader feature for those looking for lower fees, technical chart patterns, and more order options. 

Overall, the Gemini app ranks well on the App Store and Google Play. There are now tens of thousands of reviews for this mobile app, with average scores in the 4.5-star range. 

However, Gemini suffers poor ratings on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. Many customers complain about Gemini’s lack of customer support, high fees, and withdrawal difficulties.

To be fair, Gemini responded to 99 percent of complaints on the BBB’s website. Also, other major centralized crypto exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and Crypto.com have low rankings on Trustpilot. While this doesn’t mean Gemini doesn’t have any flaws, keep in mind that these complaints are pretty common in the crypto industry. 

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Gemini Pros Explained

• Security-first platform: Gemini has always prided itself on being a security-first crypto exchange. Along with BitGo and Coinbase, Gemini is one of the most respected custodians in the cryptocurrency space. Customers also have many ways to protect their accounts, including two-factor authentication. 
• Intuitive website and mobile app design: Even if it’s your first time buying Bitcoin, you shouldn’t have an issue navigating Gemini’s clutter-free trading portal. The Gemini team designed their main trading site and mobile app to be as beginner-friendly as possible. 
• Available to residents of all 50 US states and Puerto Rico: Few crypto exchanges can say they operate in all US territories. Even Coinbase, Kraken, and Binance.us are unavailable in a few US states. While Gemini isn’t as widely available internationally, it has licenses to operate throughout the USA (including DC and Puerto Rico) 
• Offers the ability to earn interest on crypto assets: On Gemini, there are two ways to earn token rewards on your crypto. You could loan your crypto to Genesis via Gemini Earn or delegate Proof-of-Stake tokens like MATIC and ETH via Gemini Staking. While these methods carry unique risks, they allow you to earn passive income on your cryptocurrencies. 
• Includes insurance coverage on all assets in Gemini’s online wallet: While crypto assets aren’t federally insured, Gemini offers a Digital Asset Insurance policy to cover a significant security breach. Also, any USD in your Gemini balance will qualify for FDIC protection. 
• Ability to open a credit card with crypto rewards: Gemini now offers a Mastercard credit card with crypto-back rewards. You can earn up to 3% back on purchases in any cryptocurrency on Gemini. All of the rewards instantly deposit in your linked Gemini account. 
• Dedicated professional-level trading platform: Gemini has many professional trading options for institutional traders, wealth managers, and family offices. If you’re planning to trade, move, or store a lot of crypto, you could look into Gemini services like Settlement, Prime, and BitIRA support. 
• Highly rated mobile apps for trading on-the-go: There are thousands of positive reviews for Gemini’s mobile app on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. This highly intuitive app gives you the flexibility to monitor your portfolio and make trades while traveling. 

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Gemini Cons Explained

• Complex fee structure: Gemini has a graded fee structure that can be challenging to understand. Also, since Gemini has two trading portals and special features like Prime, Settlement, and OTC trades, there are different fees for various actions. 
• High fees for trades placed outside of ActiveTrader: Not only are Gemini’s fees complex, they are some of the highest in the crypto industry. Gemini’s debit card transfers are exceptionally high at 3.49%, and PayPal transfers are now 2.50%. Although the advanced ActiveTrader portal has lower trading fees, it’s currently not as competitive as exchanges like Binance and KuCoin. 
• No phone-based customer support: One area where Gemini struggles is customer support. To this day, the exchange offers zero phone support. The only way to reach out to Gemini is via email, and it can take a few business days to receive a response. 
• Limited availability for international account holders: Gemini has always focused on US compliance. While that’s good news for American crypto traders, it also means it’s more challenging to use Gemini outside the USA. Although Gemini is expanding, it doesn’t have as much international exposure as competing exchanges. 
• A relatively small selection of supported crypto: If you’re looking for under-the-radar altcoins, you won’t find them on Gemini. Since Gemini is so concerned with compliance, it only focuses on established crypto projects. 

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Gemini Alternatives

Not quite convinced that Gemini is the right crypto exchange for you? Here are two other great crypto exchange alternatives to check out:

Gemini vs. Coinbase

One of Gemini’s top rivals, Coinbase is a user-focused exchange that prides itself on convenience and ease of use. 

In many ways, Coinbase’s features are similar to Gemini’s. For example, Coinbase offers a crypto debit card, an online wallet, an advanced trading platform, and a way to accrue interest on your crypto through staking. However, Coinbase also has a unique rewards program where you can earn free crypto for watching educational videos.

What sets Coinbase apart from Gemini, though, is that Coinbase is more readily available to non-US residents. Plus, even though Coinbase’s fees are similar to Gemini’s, the firm offers a slightly larger selection of supported crypto. So, it’s a nice choice for new investors who want a no-nonsense yet functional exchange to help them get started. Read our full Coinbase review to learn more.

Gemini vs. Kraken

If you’re an advanced crypto investor that’s looking for powerful tools to help you take your trading to the next level, Kraken should be at the top of your list.

This supercharged crypto exchange lets residents of more than 100 countries trade crypto with ease and relatively low fees when compared to Gemini and Coinbase. Plus, Kraken supports futures, margin trading, OTC trades, and staking so you can make the most of your money. They also offer access to the premium Cryptowatch platform for advanced crypto trades.

The downside? Kraken’s features are highly limited for US investors, and many of the firm’s features aren’t suitable for new crypto traders. But if you’re an advanced crypto investor that wants a streamlined way to grow your assets, Kraken might be a solid choice. Read our full Kraken review to learn more.

Compare Gemini

Find out how Gemini stacks up against the competition.

• Gemini vs. Coinbase

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Who is Gemini Best For?

Gemini is an ideal exchange for cryptocurrency investors who want a simple, convenient way to buy and sell crypto without compromising their security in the process. That’s because the firm’s dedication to high-end security features and its insured hot wallet set them apart from the competition when safety is a concern.

Additionally, Gemini’s slew of other unique features, such as Gemini Earn, Gemini Mastercard, and Gemini Pay, means that it’s a nice choice for people who want to do more than just invest their assets. Furthermore, the fact that Gemini is available in all 50 US states makes it a sure bet for anyone that’s been left behind by residency restrictions at other exchanges.

That being said, Gemini’s high fees and complex fee structure might be a turn-off for some would-be investors. But if you can stomach some slightly higher fees in exchange for world-class security and convenience, it’s hard to go wrong with Gemini.

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Notable Gemini Updates And News

• Gemini Staking: In the summer of 2022, Gemini introduced its staking rewards feature. Initially, investors could only deposit Polygon’s MATIC into Gemini Staking, but the company now offers Ethereum staking services. Gemini also hinted it’s planning on introducing Solana, Audius, and Polkadot staking. 
• Gemini Mastercard: In April 2022, Gemini released its highly-anticipated Mastercard credit card. Qualifying US residents could apply for this card and link it to their Gemini account. You can choose the crypto you want as a reward and instantly earn up to 3% back on purchases. 
• Gemini Prime: Set to release in Q4 of 2022, Gemini Prime will allow institutional clients, businesses, and asset managers access to cryptocurrencies. Gemini promises to offer its Prime clients high-quality crypto custody and seamless trading services. Although Gemini Prime is still under development, anyone interested could submit an inquiry at gemini.com/prime.
• Gemini introduces a Spanish language option: In the fall of 2022, Gemini announced that customers could change the default language on their Gemini app from English to Spanish. To make this switch, simply click the “Account” tab, and you should find “Spanish” under the “Language” option. 

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Gemini FAQ

Here are our answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about Gemini:

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Final Thoughts

If you’re on the lookout for a quality crypto exchange, Gemini is certainly a worthy choice. Indeed, the firm’s user- and security-focused features help it soar high above the competition for new and experienced traders alike.

Of course, Gemini’s fees are a bit high if you’re not interested in using their advanced trading platform and they have limited account availability for international investors. But for US-based traders that want a solid exchange that doesn’t skimp on security, Gemini is a solid option.