Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange owned by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has been granted the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). This makes the exchange the 40th to receive the MiCA licence.
Gemini stated in a press release shared with Cointelegraph.
“This license is a pivotal step in our regulated expansion across Europe, enabling us to bring our trusted crypto products to customers in over 30 European countries and jurisdictions. This milestone reinforces our dedication to meeting the highest regulatory standards as we grow in the region. Clear regulation is the cornerstone of global crypto adoption, and Europe’s implementation of MiCA positions it as a leader in innovative financial regulation.”
Gemini
In May, Gemini also secured a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license, enabling it to offer derivatives trading in the European market. Furthering its EU expansion, the exchange launched a tokenized stocks offering on the Arbitrum blockchain in late June. This allows European customers to trade tokenized shares of companies like Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) with round-the-clock market access.
Fed Governor Tells Bankers To Not Be Afraid Of DeFI & Stablecoins
At the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller encouraged policymakers and the private banking sector to shed their fears regarding decentralized finance (DeFi) and stablecoins.
In his speech, Waller explained that DeFi technologies such as smart contracts, tokenization, and distributed ledgers represent new ways to process payments.
While Waller expressed support for DeFi’s growth, he also emphasized the need for regulatory guardrails to address potential risks related to volatility and compliance. His stance represents a shift from prior caution to a more measured approach, focused on fostering innovation while ensuring regulatory oversight.
Last week, the Federal Reserve terminated its risk-focused “novel activities supervision program” that monitored crypto-related activities.
On Tuesday, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman proposed that staff should be permitted to hold limited amounts of crypto to gain a deeper understanding of the technology.
CFTC Advances White House Crypto Goals with Second ‘Crypto Sprint’
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has initiated its second “Crypto Sprint” to further the White House’s digital asset regulatory objectives. It emphasizes stakeholder input to refine spot crypto trading oversight.
Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham announced on Thursday that the CFTC is soliciting feedback from crypto market participants. This will help enhance regulation of leveraged, margined, or financed retail trading on CFTC-registered exchanges. Participants can submit their feedback by October 20, 2025.
“The input we receive will guide the CFTC in addressing key issues for retail crypto trading. The Trump Administration has opened a new chapter for crypto, and we invite market participants to help shape this era of innovation.”
Caroline D. Pham
This follows the CFTC’s first Crypto Sprint earlier this month. It explored enabling spot crypto asset trading on CFTC-registered futures exchanges.
The initiative was launched shortly after a 166-page White House report outlined crypto regulatory recommendations.
The President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets issued 18 recommendations to the CFTC, including:
- Clarifying which cryptocurrencies qualify as commodities.
- Outlining compliance paths for decentralized finance (DeFi) firms.
- Defining permissible crypto activities for CFTC-regulated entities.
- Adapting rules to support blockchain-based derivatives.
Sixteen recommendations involve collaboration with agencies like the Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Currently, the CFTC operates with only two commissioners: Pham and Kristin N. Johnson, who is expected to depart later this year. The CFTC’s ongoing efforts aim to balance regulatory clarity with fostering innovation in the crypto sector.
