Stablecoin Comparison Tool
Compare Stablecoins Based on Your Needs
Select what matters most to you to see which stablecoin is best for your situation.
Stablecoin Comparison
| Stablecoin | GUSD | USDC | USDT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backing | 1:1 USD, monthly audits | 1:1 USD, monthly audits | 1:1 USD, opaque reserves |
| Transparency | High - Public reports | High - Public reports | Low - No full reserve proof |
| Daily Volume | $28M | $30B | $70B |
| Blockchains | Ethereum, Solana | Ethereum, Solana, Tron, others | Ethereum, Tron, Omni, others |
| Best For | Safety, U.S. users on Gemini | DeFi, cross-platform use | Liquidity, international trading |
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Why this is the best choice for you
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People often ask, "What is Gemini crypto?" - but there’s no such thing as a coin called "Gemini." That’s a common mix-up. Gemini isn’t a cryptocurrency you can buy and hold like Bitcoin or Ethereum. It’s a crypto exchange - a platform where you trade real cryptocurrencies. The confusion comes from its own stablecoin, Gemini Dollar (GUSD), which is sometimes mistakenly called "Gemini coin." If you’re looking to buy a token named "GEMINI," you’re either on the wrong site or being misled.
Gemini is an exchange, not a coin
Gemini was founded in 2014 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the twins who famously sued Facebook over the idea for Facebook. They built Gemini as a regulated, secure place to buy and sell crypto. Unlike shady platforms that pop up overnight, Gemini is a licensed trust company in New York. That means it follows strict banking rules, keeps customer funds separate, and gets audited regularly by Deloitte. It’s one of the few U.S.-based exchanges that can legally hold customer money like a bank.On October 25, 2015, Gemini launched its trading platform. Today, it supports over 70 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Chainlink. But here’s the catch: it doesn’t list hundreds like Binance or Coinbase. If you want obscure altcoins, you’ll need to go elsewhere. Gemini focuses on quality over quantity, especially for U.S. users.
The real "Gemini coin": GUSD, the Gemini Dollar
The only token actually issued by Gemini is the Gemini Dollar (GUSD). Launched in September 2018, GUSD is a stablecoin - meaning it’s backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars held in reserve. Every GUSD you own equals one dollar in cash, and you can always redeem it for USD. It’s built on the Ethereum blockchain and is fully regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).Why does that matter? Most stablecoins like USDT (Tether) or USDC (Circle) are also pegged to the dollar, but GUSD stands out because of transparency. Every month, an independent auditor releases a report showing exactly how much cash backs the GUSD supply. That’s not true for all stablecoins. For example, Tether has faced years of scrutiny over whether it really has the reserves to back its tokens. GUSD doesn’t have that problem.
But here’s the downside: GUSD has very low usage. As of late 2023, its daily trading volume was around $28 million. Compare that to USDT, which trades over $70 billion a day, or USDC at $30 billion. That means GUSD isn’t widely accepted on DeFi platforms, DEXs, or wallets outside of Gemini. If you want to use a stablecoin for trading, lending, or earning yield, GUSD isn’t the go-to.
Why people still use Gemini
Even if you don’t care about GUSD, Gemini is still one of the safest places to buy crypto in the U.S. Here’s why:- Regulation: It’s a New York trust company - not just a tech startup. That means it follows banking laws.
- Security: 95% of customer assets are stored offline in cold storage. The rest is insured.
- Compliance: Gemini has SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS certifications - the same standards banks use.
- Beginner-friendly: The app is simple. You can buy crypto with a credit card or bank transfer in minutes.
- Customer support: Live chat responds in under 2 minutes on average. Most exchanges take hours.
For new users, Gemini is like a crypto bank with a clean interface. You don’t need to know what a limit order is to use it. The Basic platform walks you through buying Bitcoin or Ethereum with a few taps. But if you’re advanced, there’s also ActiveTrader - a professional interface with 300+ trading pairs, stop-limit orders, and up to 100x leverage on futures.
What’s wrong with Gemini?
No platform is perfect. Gemini has real drawbacks:- High fees: Credit card purchases cost 3.49%. Trading fees start at 0.20% for takers and 0.10% for makers - higher than Kraken or Binance.
- Slow withdrawals: Bank transfers can take up to 5 business days. That’s longer than most competitors.
- Limited coins: Only 70+ cryptocurrencies. Binance offers over 350. If you want Solana or Cardano, you’ll find them - but not obscure tokens like Arbitrum or Polygon zkEVM.
- Not available everywhere: Gemini isn’t available in 13 U.S. states, including Washington and Hawaii.
- Stablecoin isn’t popular: GUSD is safe, but no one uses it outside Gemini. You’re better off using USDC if you want liquidity.
Also, in 2022, Gemini shut down its Earn program - which paid up to 7.4% APY on crypto deposits - after regulators pushed back. That caused a lot of users to leave. Today, you can’t earn interest directly on Gemini unless you use third-party integrations.
Who should use Gemini?
Gemini isn’t for everyone. It’s best for:- U.S. beginners: If you’ve never bought crypto before, Gemini’s simple app and strong security make it a great starting point.
- Regulation-focused users: If you care about legal protection and transparency, Gemini is one of the few exchanges you can trust.
- Institutional investors: Over 247 hedge funds and family offices use Gemini’s institutional platform for custody and trading.
It’s not for:
- Advanced traders: If you need low fees, hundreds of altcoins, or deep liquidity, Kraken or Binance are better.
- International users: Gemini only operates in 60+ countries. If you’re outside the U.S. or EU, you might not even be able to sign up.
- Stablecoin users: Don’t pick GUSD unless you’re holding it on Gemini. Use USDC or USDT for DeFi, lending, or cross-platform trading.
What’s next for Gemini?
In late 2023, Gemini launched GUSD 2.0 - an upgraded version with better compatibility on Ethereum and Solana blockchains. It also integrated Chainlink’s price feeds to improve accuracy for its derivatives trading. The company says it plans to expand into Brazil, India, and Indonesia in 2024.But challenges remain. In September 2023, a $500 million class-action lawsuit was filed against Gemini, accusing it of misleading users about the safety of its Earn program. The SEC is also investigating whether tokens like Solana and Cardano listed on Gemini are unregistered securities. If regulators force Gemini to delist those coins, it could hurt its appeal to traders.
Still, Gemini reported $487 million in revenue in 2023 and holds $1.2 billion in assets under custody. It’s not going away anytime soon. It’s not the biggest exchange, but it’s one of the most trustworthy.
How to get started with Gemini
If you want to use Gemini, here’s how:- Go to gemini.com and click "Sign Up."
- Enter your email, password, and phone number.
- Upload a government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.).
- Provide your Social Security Number (if you’re in the U.S.).
- Wait 24 hours for verification - most people get approved in under a day.
- Link a bank account or add a credit card.
- Buy your first Bitcoin, Ethereum, or GUSD.
Don’t use a credit card unless you’re buying small amounts - the 3.49% fee is steep. Bank transfers are free and faster over time.
GUSD vs USDC vs USDT: Which stablecoin should you use?
| Feature | GUSD (Gemini) | USDC (Circle) | USDT (Tether) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backing | 1:1 USD, monthly audits | 1:1 USD, monthly audits | 1:1 USD, opaque reserves |
| Transparency | High - public reports | High - public reports | Low - no full reserve proof |
| Daily Volume | $28 million | $30 billion | $70 billion |
| Blockchains | Ethereum, Solana | Ethereum, Solana, Tron, others | Ethereum, Tron, Omni, others |
| Where to use | Mainly on Gemini | Most DeFi, exchanges, wallets | Most exchanges, especially outside U.S. |
| Best for | Safety, U.S. users on Gemini | DeFi, cross-platform use | Liquidity, international trading |
Bottom line: Use GUSD only if you’re staying inside Gemini. For everything else, use USDC. Avoid USDT if you care about transparency.
Is Gemini a real cryptocurrency?
No, Gemini is not a cryptocurrency. It’s a regulated cryptocurrency exchange based in the U.S. The only token it issues is the Gemini Dollar (GUSD), a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. Any claim that "Gemini coin" exists as a tradable asset like Bitcoin is false.
Can I buy Gemini (GEMINI) on Coinbase or Binance?
No, there is no cryptocurrency called "Gemini" or "GEMINI" listed on any major exchange. If you see a token with that name, it’s likely a scam or a low-quality memecoin created by someone else. Always check official sources - Gemini.com only lists GUSD as its own token.
Is GUSD safe to hold?
Yes, GUSD is one of the safest stablecoins because it’s regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services and audited monthly. Each GUSD is backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars held in reserve. However, it’s not widely used outside the Gemini platform, so if you plan to use it in DeFi or other wallets, USDC is a better choice.
Why is Gemini so expensive compared to other exchanges?
Gemini charges higher fees because it’s a regulated trust company with high compliance costs. It must follow banking laws, keep reserves, and undergo audits - things that free exchanges like Binance avoid. You pay more for security and legal protection. If you’re a beginner, that’s worth it. If you’re an advanced trader, you’ll want lower-fee platforms.
Does Gemini offer interest on crypto deposits?
No, Gemini suspended its Earn program in February 2022 after regulatory pressure. You can no longer earn interest directly on your crypto holdings through Gemini. Some users turn to third-party DeFi platforms, but that comes with added risk.
Is Gemini available in my country?
Gemini operates in over 60 countries but is not available in 13 U.S. states, including Washington, Hawaii, and New York (for certain services). Internationally, it’s available in the EU, Canada, and parts of Asia. Check gemini.com for your specific location before signing up.
I just don't get why people stress so much about GUSD when you can literally use USDC everywhere and it's way more liquid. Like, I've held GUSD for months just because I thought it was safer, but then I tried to send it to a wallet outside Gemini and it just... didn't work. Took me three days to figure out I had to move it back to Gemini first. Ugh. Why make life harder? I'm not even mad, just tired.
Let me guess - the SEC is gonna shut Gemini down next. They already know what’s happening. They’ve been watching. They don’t want you to have safe crypto. They want you to be stuck with Tether and their shadow banking empire. GUSD is the only honest stablecoin left. And now they’re suing them for ‘misleading’ users? Please. They’re scared because people are waking up. This is a setup. I’ve seen this movie before.
There’s a fundamental misunderstanding here. Gemini isn’t trying to compete with Binance on volume - it’s competing on regulatory integrity. The fact that they’re a licensed trust company under NYDFS means they’re subject to capital requirements, AML/KYC protocols, and quarterly audits that no unregulated exchange even attempts. Most users don’t realize that USDT’s reserve disclosures are voluntary, while GUSD’s are legally mandated. The volume difference? That’s a liquidity problem, not a safety problem. And honestly, if you’re using USDT because you ‘don’t care about transparency,’ you’re already gambling with your assets. Not all stablecoins are created equal - and that’s not opinion, that’s regulatory architecture.
Anyone who uses Gemini for anything other than buying Bitcoin and leaving is an idiot. Fees are insane, withdrawals take forever, and GUSD is useless. If you’re not using USDC, you’re doing it wrong. Period.
I started with Gemini because I was scared of crypto. The app felt like a bank, not a casino. I still use it to buy small amounts of BTC every month. I don’t care about DeFi or leverage. I just want to know my money’s safe. GUSD isn’t for me either - I keep it in USD. But I’m glad it exists. Not everyone wants to be a trader. Some of us just want to hold.
The real tension here isn’t between GUSD and USDC - it’s between ontological security and market efficiency. GUSD represents a sovereign-backed epistemological certainty - a tokenized assertion of fiduciary trust under state-regulated custodianship. USDC, while transparent, operates within a corporate framework that remains subject to jurisdictional capture. USDT? That’s a liquidity artifact of a globalized, unregulated arbitrage ecosystem. The question isn’t which stablecoin is better - it’s whether you prioritize institutional legitimacy or network effects. And if you’re asking that question on Reddit, you’ve already lost the plot.
Okay but like - why does anyone even care about GUSD? It’s not like you’re gonna get rich off it. I mean, it’s literally just a dollar with a blockchain sticker on it. And the fees? 3.49% on credit card? That’s like paying for a coffee and getting charged for the whole Starbucks. I get that Gemini’s safe, but safe doesn’t mean useful. I use Kraken now. Cheaper. Faster. Same vibes, less drama.