Gemini received a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation licence from Malta’s Financial Services Authority on Wednesday, the regulator’s records show.
The approval lets the exchange expand regulated crypto services to more than 30 European countries and jurisdictions.
Gemini said the licence is a key step in its plan to roll out secure crypto products across the region, and it comes soon after the company filed to list Class A common stock on Nasdaq under the ticker GEMI.
What the licence lets Gemini do?
The MiCA approval allows Gemini to offer regulated crypto services across much of the EU. Gemini already holds a MiFID II licence it won in May, which allows the firm to offer derivatives in Europe.
With both approvals, the exchange can widen its product range and reach more institutional and accredited customers inside the bloc.
The firm has pointed to clearer rules in Europe as a draw for expansion. Gemini said it sees regulation as crucial for broader crypto adoption and for building trust with traditional investors.
Tokenised stocks and product rollout
Earlier this year, Gemini moved into tokenised stocks for EU users, and the exchange launched tokenised stock trading on the Arbitrum blockchain in late June.
Also Read: Bybit Secures MiCA License from Austria’s Financial Market Authority
Those tokenised shares let users trade wrapped versions of traditional equities at any hour, outside normal market times.
Gemini’s tokenised stock service joins a wider trend, and other platforms have rolled out similar offerings. The move positions Gemini to pair its new licence with on-chain trading tools and 24/7 access for European customers.
Where Gemini sits among peers
The MFSA register lists Gemini among many crypto asset service providers to get a MiCA licence from Malta. Other licensed firms include Bitpanda, Crypto.com, OKX and ZBX.
This cluster of approvals shows Malta is a busy jurisdiction for crypto firms that want a foothold in Europe.
This year also saw other major moves in the region, and Bybit launched a new EU platform under a licence in Austria, and OKX opened a fully regulated exchange in France under MiCA passporting rules.
Kraken recently won MiCA approval from the Central Bank of Ireland. Those steps underline how more exchanges are using clearer EU rules to scale.
Regulatory backdrop and oversight
The MFSA faced scrutiny from the European Securities and Markets Authority in July over parts of its authorisation process for an unnamed crypto firm. The MFSA later said EU peer reviews did not threaten any issued MiCA licences and stressed ongoing cooperation with EU authorities.
Gemini’s approval comes as regulators across Europe press firms to meet strict compliance and consumer protection rules. That compliance work is now central to most major exchanges’ growth plans.
Why this matters to investors?
For customers, the licence offers more choice and a regulated path to trade crypto products. For institutions, a regulated exchange can reduce legal and operational friction when moving funds across markets.
For Gemini, the licence lowers a barrier to offering products across different EU markets without needing a bespoke licence in each country.
At the same time, tokenised stocks and derivatives will be subject to MiFID II rules when offered in the EU. That means those products must meet standards similar to other financial instruments, including disclosure and conduct guidelines.
What to watch next?
Gemini’s public filings and its Nasdaq listing plans suggest the firm is aiming for a bigger global profile.
Watch for details on which products go live first in Europe and how the exchange handles cross-border compliance. Liquidity, fees and custody arrangements will shape whether customers switch or stay.
Regulators will also keep an eye on how tokenised equities and other on-chain offerings fit into existing market rules. Any hiccups in execution could prompt closer scrutiny of how exchanges list and clear these new products.
Also Read: Coinbase Becomes First U.S. Exchange To Secure MiCA License In Luxembourg