Gemini strengthens its European leadership team with key appointments from Kraken and Stake, positioning for expansion as the UK and EU implement comprehensive crypto regulations.
Gemini, one of the leading digital asset trading platforms based in the United States, has confirmed hiring a new leadership team that comprises senior managers who will focus on the platform’s growth in Europe, a region known for its strict regulation of cryptocurrencies with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which has been fully applicable since December 2024.
According to a report from Bloomberg, Gemini has hired Mark Jennings, the former chief operating officer for Europe at rival company Kraken, who will be joining the crypto exchange as Gemini’s head of European operations. Additionally, Daniel Slutzkin, the former country manager (UK and Europe) for the investing platform Stake, has joined Gemini as the head of UK operations.
Gemini’s Strategic Leadership Expansion & Vision
While sharing the news on his LinkedIn, Slutzkin highlighted that there is a big opportunity for Gemini to expand in the UK as the government has expressed intentions of establishing a new crypto regulatory framework. Meanwhile, Jennings said:
“Crypto is revolutionizing the way we think about finance, freedom, and innovation. Gemini’s unwavering commitment to trust, security, and forward-thinking innovation makes it a standout leader in the industry.”
Vijay Selvam, the former chief legal officer for Nasdaq-listed digital asset management firm EQONEX Group, has also joined Gemini as the firm’s international general counsel and will be based in the United Kingdom. It is important to note that Selvam was a part of Gemini’s Asia-Pacific (APAC) team and has since then been relocated to the Europe and UK team.
Regulatory Landscape and Exchange Performance
The European Union (EU) gave a deadline of December 30th for all the crypto service providers operating in the region to comply with the new rules established by MiCA. The new standards are focused on preventing money laundering while also allowing the blockchain sector to flourish without the regulatory hammer knocking down crypto companies out of the region.
Moreover, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its crypto regulation roadmap, which includes fresh rules for capital requirements, insider trading, and execution. The authorities have planned to put the new rules in effect in 2026, but some parts of the roadmap have already been established, according to a report owing to the change of pace towards crypto adoption in the United States.
Founded by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss in 2014, Gemini currently ranks as the 24th-largest centralized exchange with a 24-hour spot volume of $180 million. The platform is ranked 14th in terms of crypto derivatives volume, which stands at $19.87 million, as per the data from CoinMarketCap.
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