Gemini Review 2024: Pros, Cons and How It Compares

Gemini offers more than 70 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether, as well as a limited selection of crypto-to-crypto trading pairs.
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Written by Kevin Voigt
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Our Take

4.6

NerdWallet rating 

The bottom line:

For casual investors, Gemini offers a trading platform that’s easy for beginners, an advanced platform for serious traders and a portal for peer-to-peer trading.

Gemini
Gemini
Fees
0.5% - 3.49%
depending on payment method and platform
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
$20 of BTC
for new users after trading $100 or more within 30 days

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong selection of cryptocurrencies.

  • Available in all U.S. states.

Cons

  • Higher fees than some other crypto exchanges.

  • Unresolved legal issues regarding Gemini Earn.

Compare to Similar Brokers

NerdWallet rating 

4.8

/5
NerdWallet rating 

3.9

/5

Fees 

0% - 3.99%

varies by type of transaction; other fees may apply

Fees 

$0

per trade

Account minimum 

$0

Account minimum 

$0

Promotion 

Get $200 in crypto

when you sign up. Terms Apply.

Promotion 

None

no promotion available at this time

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on Coinbase's website

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Full Review

Where Gemini shines

Accessibility: Some cryptocurrency exchanges are available only in select states, but Gemini is available to residents in all 50 states.

Good for both beginner and advanced traders: Gemini has a simple interface for new crypto investors, while more experienced traders will appreciate its ActiveTrader platforms.

Where Gemini falls short

Debit card fees: Gemini charges 3.49% on debit card purchases, though you can avoid these fees by using an ACH bank transaction.

Gemini is best for:

  • Cryptocurrency beginners

  • Advanced investors.

  • Crypto-to-crypto trading.

Gemini at a glance

Minimum trade

0.00001 BTC

Trading and transaction fees

Up to 1.99% depending on trading platform; 3.49% for debit card purchases.

Number of cryptocurrencies

More than 70.

Crypto-to-crypto trading pairs

Around 20.

Website transparency

Important information easily found on the website.

Storage offering

Gemini says it carries $75 million in insurance for customer assets.

Staking and rewards

Gemini has options for earning rewards on 3 cryptocurrencies.

Mobile app

Highly rated apps for iOS and Android.

Customer service

Email and chat support.

More details about Gemini's ratings

Minimum trade: 5 out of 5 stars

Gemini has low minimum trade amounts, which vary by the type of cryptocurrency you want to trade. For example, the minimum Bitcoin trade is 0.00001 BTC.

Trading and transaction fees: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Gemini’s fees are slightly higher than some other crypto brokerages and vary depending on the platform you’re using. Gemini doesn’t charge transaction fees for deposits from U.S. bank accounts or wire transfers (although your bank might). But If you’re using a debit card for purchases, the fee is 3.49%, and other fees may apply.

For mobile and web app users, Gemini charges a flat 0.5% above the current trading price (which Gemini calls its “convenience fee”).

On top of that, it charges a transaction fee, similar to Coinbase, based on the amount traded: a tiered flat fee up to $200; orders above $200 are charged 1.49%.

Total trade amount

Fee

$10 or less

$0.99.

More than $10 and up to $25

$1.49.

More than $25 and up to $50

$1.99.

More than $50 and up to $200

$2.99.

More than $200

1.49% of your web order value.

For more serious, high-volume crypto traders, Gemini has a different rate structure based on 30-day dollar-volume of trades on its ActiveTrader platform. Rates also are based on liquidity of the asset at the time of purchase; if immediately available, you're charged a “taker” fee, and if your order needs to wait for a buyer, you are charged a “maker” fee. The “auction” option allows the sale of blocks of cryptocurrency at a maximum buy price or minimum sell price.

Pricing tier

Taker fee

Maker fee

Less than $10,000

0.40%

0.20%

≥ $10,000

0.30%

0.10%

≥ $50,000

0.25%

0.10%

≥ $100,000

0.20%

0.08%

≥ $1M

0.15%

0.05%

≥ $5M

0.1%

0.03%

≥ $10M

0.08%

0.02%

≥ $50M

0.05%

0%

≥ $100M

0.04%

0%

≥ $500M

0.03%

0%

Finally, Gemini in 2022 eliminated a feature that had previously given it an edge among competitors when it ended free withdrawals of cryptocurrency. Now, users must pay the cryptocurrency network fee associated with a withdrawal. Gemini says it doesn't keep this money, but it does add to the cost of trading there.

The average Bitcoin network fee in mid-September of 2023, for instance, was about $1.20.

Number of cryptocurrencies: 4 out of 5 stars

Gemini offers more than 70 cryptocurrencies.

Crypto-to-crypto trading pairs: 3 out of 5 stars

Around 20 crypto-to-crypto trading pairs are available through Gemini’s ActiveTrader platform.

Storage and security: 3 out of 5 stars

The exchange offers Gemini Wallet for users who don’t already have a cryptocurrency wallet. Digital assets are insured with a $75 million policy covering losses that result from a security breach or hack, a fraudulent transfer or employee theft.

Gemini says the bulk of customer assets are kept in “cold storage,” away from online threats that could breach security. That said, loss of assets due to unauthorized access to your personal account — such as theft of your private codes and logins — isn't covered by Gemini insurance.

Staking and rewards: 3 out of 5 stars

Gemini has an "earn" program that advertises rewards on some cryptocurrencies. But in November of 2022, the company said it had to delay withdrawals from that program amid the fallout from the collapse of rival exchange FTX. Nearly a year later, Gemini is still negotiating for the recovery of those assets. (Gemini said other investments held on its platform are safe.)

The company has since restarted a modest staking program, with three eligible assets earning somewhere between 3 and 4 percent.

Some context on staking and rewards: Staking programs operated by centralized businesses such as exchanges have been under regulatory scrutiny, with some facing allegations that their offerings amount to unregistered securities. In this fast-moving space, a company's outlook can change quickly, so it's possible that an exchange could end its program and unstake your tokens without your approval or knowledge.

Mobile app: 5 out of 5 stars

Gemini offers a free app for both iOS and Android. Both versions are highly rated by app store users and mimic many of the same functions and features as the desktop site.

Customer support options: 2 out of 5 stars

Gemini offers customer support via email and chat.

Other features you should know

Platform: Gemini has two platforms, both of which are free to join. The basic platform — a straightforward, simple interface to purchase cryptocurrency based on the total amount of crypto or the total amount of U.S. dollars you want to spend.

Gemini’s ActiveTrader platform has more bells and whistles, such as advanced charting, tracking multiple order types and block trading.

Is Gemini right for you?

Gemini offers a quick setup and convenient interface for new cryptocurrency investors, as well as strong tools for more serious traders. While some fees may be higher than some competitors on its mobile and web apps, Gemini’s security features, such as insurance for digital assets, are attractive — especially for those new to the crypto world.

How do we review cryptocurrency platforms?

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