Gemini for privacy coin buyers
New York-based, NYDFS-regulated. One of few exchanges with a BitLicense. ZEC only.
Pros for privacy coin buyers
- Available in all 50 US states including New York
- NYDFS BitLicense holder, held to higher regulatory standard
- SOC 2 Type 2 certified with strong security posture
- Insurance on digital assets held in custody
Cons for privacy coin buyers
- No Monero, no other privacy coins besides ZEC
- Transparent t-address withdrawals only
- Gemini app uses spread pricing, ActiveTrader is more economical
- Fewer coins listed overall than Kraken or Coinbase
Privacy coin support
ZEC listed. XMR never listed. Gemini holds a BitLicense, which limits the assets they can list.
Fees
ActiveTrader starting tier (under $10K 30-day volume). Gemini app convenience fees are higher.
What you pay at different purchase sizes
| Purchase amount | ActiveTrader 0.40% |
Gemini app 1.49% |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $0.40 | $1.49 |
| $1,000 | $4.00 | $14.90 |
| $10,000 | $40.00 | $149.00 |
Fiat on-ramp
ACH free, wire $0 deposit. Card purchases have a dynamic convenience fee.
Availability
Available in 70+ countries with USD, EUR, GBP, HKD, SGD, CAD, AUD fiat pairs.
Company
- Headquarters: New York
- Founded: 2014
- Licenses: NYDFS BitLicense, NY trust company, SOC 2 Type 2
- Official site: gemini.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Gemini available in New York?
Yes. Gemini is headquartered in New York and holds a BitLicense from NYDFS. It is one of the few US exchanges available to New York residents.
Does Gemini support Monero?
No. Gemini does not list XMR and has never listed it. Gemini's BitLicense restricts which assets they can offer.
What fees does Gemini charge for ZEC?
On ActiveTrader, maker/taker fees start at 0.20% / 0.40% at the lowest tier. The Gemini retail app uses spread-based pricing which is more expensive.
Does Gemini offer shielded ZEC?
No. Gemini supports transparent t-addresses only. After withdrawing ZEC, you can shield the coins yourself using a privacy-preserving wallet.
Is Gemini safer than other exchanges?
Gemini holds a NY trust charter and SOC 2 Type 2 certification, which are stricter regulatory bars than most crypto exchanges meet. That does not guarantee safety but means Gemini is held to higher standards.