Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Gemini vs Independent Reserve
Gemini
Independent Reserve
Higher score in this comparison
Where Gemini and Independent Reserve differ
| Compare | GeminiReviewVisitVisit | Independent ReserveReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.8% | 0.02% to 0.5%Lower |
| Coins listed | 76Higher | 25 |
| Regulators | NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing), Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) | AUSTRAC |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank, ACHCovers more | Card, Bank |
| Withdrawal fee | Crypto withdrawal fees are dynamic and correspond to current network/gas fees; USD wire transfer out $252; Custody to Exchange crypto withdrawal $125 | AUD EFT free; AUD 1.50 PayID/NPP instant; USD 25 SWIFT; NZD 29; BTC 0.0001 |
| Maker fee | 0.4% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Proof of reserves (Yes), Derivatives (Yes), Exchange type (Cex).
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Key differences
- Independent Reserve scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Gemini offers NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing), Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
- Regulators: only Independent Reserve offers AUSTRAC.
- Founded is lower at Independent Reserve: 2013 vs 2014.
- Gemini is licensed in 1 more country.
- Gemini is available in 62 more countries.
- Taker fee is lower at Independent Reserve: 0.02% to 0.5% vs 0.8%.
- Coins listed is higher at Gemini: 76 vs 25.
- Fiat deposit methods: only Gemini offers ACH.
- Features: only Gemini offers Self custody, Staking.
Our verdict on each
Gemini
Gemini suits traders who want a regulated exchange and a self-custody wallet in the same product, and who want to check a licence rather than take a promise. It lists 76 coins and offers derivatives, and the European business, Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd, is based in Malta.
Independent Reserve
Independent Reserve is an Australian custodial exchange suited to traders and savers who want low trading fees and a regulated account. Taker fees run 0.02% to 0.5%, and AUSTRAC registration with published proof of reserves adds reassurance, though the coin list is short.
Score breakdown
| Area | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.3Taker fee of 0.8% and maker fee of 0.4% both sit above the typical rate of 0.25% here. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.3HigherProof of reserves is published, derivatives are offered, and the feature set covers custodial, self custody and staking. | 9.1Taker fees of 0.02% to 0.5% sit under the 0.25% median, but 25 coins trail the 71.5 median. |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 9.1 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | AUSTRAC DCE-100461150-001 |
| Malta | Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) MiCA CASP 2138002QAMX8PPKSO715 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Available in 2 countries for both. Additional countries for Gemini: 63. Additional countries for Independent Reserve: 1.
Side by side, item by item
| Fiat deposit methods | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Card | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | Yes |
| ACH | Yes | No |
If neither fits
ActivTrades has taker fee at 0%, against 0.8% for Gemini and 0.02% to 0.5% for Independent Reserve.
ActivTrades reviewWhat we checked
Gemini
- gemini.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- defillama.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Independent Reserve
- independentreserve.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | 4 of 428 | 17 of 428 |
| Crypto exchanges | 2 of 330 | 15 of 330 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Custodial, Self custody, StakingCovers more | Custodial |
| Legal entity | Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd | Independent Reserve Pty. Ltd. (ABN 46 164 257 069) |
| Headquarters | Malta | Australia |
| Founded | 2014 | 2013Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Browser | Not confirmed |
| Price | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Custody | Self custody | Not confirmed |
| Coins supported | 76 | Not confirmed |
| Secure element | No secure element; passkey-based smart wallet signing on-device | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Gemini | Independent Reserve | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.8%highest quarter | 0.02% to 0.5%lowest quarter | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 76below the median | 25lowest quarter | 89.5 |
| Maker fee | 0.4%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.1% |
Median across 222 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Gemini
Pros
- Regulated on both sides of the Atlantic through NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing) and Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), so the licence can be checked rather than taken on trust
- Fiat deposits run by card, bank and ach, and the self-custody wallet itself costs $0
- Founded in 2014, with the exchange listing 76 coins and the wallet supporting 76
Cons
- On the ActiveTrader schedule, the taker fee of 0.8% and maker fee of 0.4% both sit above the typical rate of 0.25% here
- Support runs on email, help centre and community, with no phone line listed
- The wallet is browser based with no secure element, so it relies on passkey signing on-device
Independent Reserve
Pros
- Taker fees of 0.02% to 0.5% come in under the 0.25% median for the category.
- AUSTRAC registration in Australia under licence DCE-100461150-001.
- Proof of reserves is published, so customer balances can be checked against assets held.
Cons
- The coin list is short at 25, against a 71.5 median across the exchanges compared.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only.
- Withdrawal costs vary by rail: AUD bank transfers are free, while SWIFT, New Zealand dollar and Bitcoin withdrawals cost more.
Who each suits
Gemini
Who it suits
- US traders who want state money transmitter licensing alongside a European regulator, both named in NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing) and Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)
- European customers who want a home market entity: Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd is based in Malta
- People who want to hold their own keys, since custody is self custody
Who should look elsewhere
- Cost-first traders, since the typical taker fee here is 0.25% and bunq runs 0.25% to 1.99%
- eToro and Vivid Plus customers, whose listed charges are 1% and 2.25%, when a licensed exchange listing 76 coins matters more
Independent Reserve
Who it suits
- Traders who care about the trading fee more than the length of the coin list.
- Australian residents who want an exchange registered with AUSTRAC in their own country.
- People happy with a custodial account, where the exchange holds the coins, as listed under custodial.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders after a long coin list, since Independent Reserve lists 25 coins while the median here is 71.5.
- Anyone who wants phone or live chat help, since support runs on email, help centre and community.
- Readers heading to bunq or eToro for a cheaper trade, at 0.25% to 1.99% and 1% against 0.02% to 0.5% here.
Country by country
| Country | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Bahamas | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bermuda | Yes | No |
| Bhutan | Yes | No |
| Brazil | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
8 of 66 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Gemini
How much does it cost to trade on Gemini?+
Trading runs on the ActiveTrader schedule, with a taker fee of 0.8% and a maker fee of 0.4%. Makers pay less than takers, so the cheaper side of the book is the one that adds to the order. The account itself costs $0, which keeps the charge in the trade.
Is Gemini regulated?+
Gemini is listed under NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing) and Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which covers US state money transmitter licensing and the Malta Financial Services Authority. The European business is Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd, based in Malta. The exchange also publishes proof of reserves, and the wallet gives self custody rather than platform custody.
Independent Reserve
What does Independent Reserve charge to trade?+
Taker fees run 0.02% to 0.5%, which is below the 0.25% median across the exchanges compared here. For contrast, bunq charges 0.25% to 1.99% and eToro 1%, so the rate here is among the lower ones. What you pay depends on the market you trade.
How many coins can I buy?+
The exchange lists 25 coins, well under the 71.5 median across the exchanges compared and the 74.5 median for this category. Pick it for the main pairs rather than for breadth of listings.