Gemini Review

Gemini fees: Gemini mode vs ActiveTrader

Gemini prices its two ways of trading differently. Gemini mode shows a fee on the trade review screen and builds a spread into the quoted price, with no fixed rate published. ActiveTrader uses maker and taker fees that fall with volume. Moving cash in and out has its own schedule.

• Gemini modeGemini mode fees are calculated when you place the order and can vary with payment method, order size, market conditions, jurisdiction and asset. They are shown on the trade review screen before you confirm. Instant orders, recurring orders and crypto-to-crypto conversions include a spread in the quoted price, and Gemini may retain excess spread. The schedule publishes no fixed rate.1 source
• ActiveTrader1.200%taker fee at the first spot tierActiveTrader charges maker and taker fees by tier. The first spot tier is 0.600% maker and 1.200% taker. Fees fall with trailing 30-day volume or asset balance, down to 0.000% maker and 0.020% taker at $250M in volume. A partially matched order pays the taker fee on the part that fills at once and the maker fee on the rest.1 sourceOn ActiveTrader the RLUSD/USD, USDC/GUSD and GUSD/USD pairs carry no maker or taker fee. Other stablecoin pairs are 0.00% maker and 0.01% taker.1 source
• Cash deposits3.49%fee on debit card depositsACH and wire deposits carry no Gemini fee, though your bank may charge for a wire. Debit card deposits cost 3.49% of the purchase amount and PayPal deposits cost 2.50% of the deposit amount.1 source
• Cash withdrawals$25per USD wire withdrawalACH withdrawals carry no Gemini fee. A USD wire withdrawal costs $25, and your bank may charge to receive it.1 source
• Crypto transfersCrypto deposits are free. Crypto withdrawals carry a dynamic fee meant to cover the network fee, shown before you confirm the withdrawal. Gemini says it does not keep that fee.1 source

To compare like for like, read maker vs taker fees explained and how to compare crypto trading fees.

Features

What Gemini offers, from its own fee schedules.

• Mobile appGemini has one mobile app that switches between Basic and Advanced trading modes, with limit orders, recurring orders, candlestick charts, an order book and price alerts. The page does not name the operating systems it supports.1 source
• Gemini mode and ActiveTraderGemini has two ways to trade, each with its own fee schedule: orders placed through the Gemini mode interface on the website or mobile app, and orders placed through the ActiveTrader and exchange API interfaces.2 sources

Is Gemini safe? Security controls and certifications

Safety on an exchange has two sides: what the company protects, and what you protect. Here is what Gemini documents, including its limits.

• CustodyGemini says its hardware security modules are rated FIPS 140-2 Level 3 or higher, sit in geographically distributed data centres and need several employees acting together to operate. It says multiple signatories are required to move crypto out of cold storage and that no private keys are kept in its offices. The security page does not say what share of assets is held in cold storage.1 source
• CertificationsGemini says it has completed SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 exams, holds ISO 27001 certification, complies with PCI DSS for card data and hires independent firms for penetration tests at least once a year. These are Gemini’s own statements.1 source
• Two-factor authenticationTwo-factor authentication is required by default to access a Gemini account and to make withdrawals. Gemini supports hardware security keys, and address allowlisting can restrict crypto withdrawals to approved addresses.1 source

No exchange is risk-free. Two-factor authentication, a unique password and care with support “callbacks” matter as much as the company’s controls.

Gemini by country: US, UK, Canada and Brazil

What Gemini publishes differs by country. Being offered in a country does not mean every person, state or product is eligible.

Editorial verdict

Our verdict will say who Gemini may suit, who it may not, and why. A commercial relationship never determines the verdict. It will be added after an editor reviews this research.