Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange owned by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has received a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) license in Malta. The approval came from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) on Wednesday, according to official MFSA records.
Gemini said in its statement that the MiCA license will allow the company to expand its services to customers in more than 30 European countries and jurisdictions. The exchange described the license as a key regulatory step in its European operations.
The license approval follows Gemini’s recent filing to list its Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker GEMI. The filing was submitted last Friday.
Gemini Welcomes Clear MiCA Regulation
Gemini underlined the importance of the MiCA license in supporting its European operations.
“Today’s announcement cements Gemini’s long-standing dedication to upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance as we scale in the region,”
the company said.
The exchange added:
“We believe that clear regulation of the industry is the foundation of global crypto adoption, and MiCA’s implementation has proven that Europe is one of the most forward-thinking regions regarding this.”
The MiCA framework provides a unified regulatory structure for crypto firms in the European Union. It sets requirements for licensing, supervision, and compliance of crypto asset service providers.
Gemini Builds on MiFID II Derivatives License
Gemini already holds a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license. The approval, received in May 2025, authorizes the exchange to provide derivatives services in Europe.
By holding both a MiCA license and a MiFID II license, Gemini can operate under two distinct frameworks in the European Union. MiCA covers crypto asset spot services, while MiFID II covers derivatives and tokenized financial instruments.
The licenses expand Gemini’s regulatory footprint and allow the exchange to deliver its products under European oversight.
Gemini Launches Tokenized Stocks in EU
In late June 2025, Gemini introduced tokenized stocks on the Arbitrum blockchain for European customers. These tokenized assets allow users to trade digital versions of company shares, such as MicroStrategy (MSTR), with 24/7 availability.
Tokenized stocks differ from traditional securities because they operate on blockchain networks, offering continuous access outside traditional trading hours. In the EU, tokenized stocks are regulated under the MiFID II framework, which classifies them as financial instruments.
The launch added Gemini to a group of exchanges offering tokenized equities. Kraken launched tokenized stocks on Solana on June 30, while Robinhood introduced its Arbitrum-based platform for EU users the same day.
Malta Adds Gemini to MiCA Register
According to the MFSA register, Gemini is the fifth crypto asset service provider (CASP) to obtain a MiCA license in Malta. Other licensed firms include Bitpanda, Crypto.com,OKX, and ZBX.
In July 2025, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) reviewed the MFSA’s authorization process. ESMA reported shortfalls in the approval of one unidentified CASP.
The MFSA later stated that all five MiCA licenses remain valid. The authority confirmed that none of the licenses were at risk and stressed its ongoing cooperation with EU regulators to maintain compliance standards.
