Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Gemini vs Independent Reserve
Gemini
Independent Reserve
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| 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 carries US and Malta licences and a regulated central exchange setup with card, bank and ACH funding. It suits buyers who want derivatives alongside spot and who can settle for a coin list of 76 rather than the widest range on HodlCue.
Independent Reserve
Independent Reserve suits Australian and New Zealand buyers who want a regulated custodial exchange with plain card and bank deposits. Fees of 0.02% to 0.5% are competitive with the site median of 0.2%, though the coin list is modest for traders who want broader markets.
Score breakdown
| Area | Gemini | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.3Taker fees of 0.8% and maker fees of 0.4% on ActiveTrader run above the 0.2% median for tracked exchanges. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.4HigherThe platform combines custodial, self custody and staking accounts with derivatives trading on the same venue. | 9.1Fees of 0.02% to 0.5% sit around the site median of 0.2%, but the list of 25 coins is small. |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 9.1 |
Which one suits you
Pick Gemini if offer, coins listed, and fiat deposit methods matter most.
Pick Independent Reserve if cost and taker fee matter most.
The bill, worked out
Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again
Gemini
16
0.8% of 2,000
Independent Reserve
0.4 to 10
0.02% to 0.5% of 2,000
Independent Reserve comes out 15.6 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Also worth a look
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 exchanges | 2 of 297 | 12 of 297 |
| Crypto futures exchanges | 4 of 78 | 9 of 78 |
| Where to buy crypto | 3 of 177 | 7 of 177 |
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 |
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 | 76at the median | 25lowest quarter | 76 |
| Maker fee | 0.4%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Gemini
Pros
- Regulated in the US and Malta, with NMLS (2403509) and MFSA (MiCA CASP 2138002QAMX8PPKSO715) references that can be checked.
- Fiat deposits accept card, bank and ach, covering the card, bank and ACH routes most buyers use.
- Proof of reserves is published, a practice shared by 79.4% of the exchanges tracked here.
Cons
- Taker fees of 0.8% on ActiveTrader sit above the 0.2% median for tracked exchanges, and Gemini ranks 97 of 118 on that measure.
- A coin list of 76 trails the 344.5 upper quartile across tracked exchanges, so deep long-tail trading stays limited.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, and phone support is offered on just 44.7% of the brands tracked here.
Independent Reserve
Pros
- Registered with AUSTRAC in Australia, so the exchange answers to a recognised anti-money laundering regulator.
- Publishes proof of reserves, which 79.4% of compared exchanges do.
- Card and bank transfers are both accepted through card and bank.
Cons
- The list of 25 coins is small next to the site median of 62.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Balances are custodial, so coins sit with the exchange rather than in a wallet the holder controls.
Who each suits
Gemini
Who it suits
- US and Malta residents who want a licensed custodian rather than a self-custody-only setup.
- Traders who want staking and derivatives next to spot trading on the same platform.
- Buyers who fund by card, bank or ACH and read a proof of reserves disclosure.
Who should look elsewhere
- Bitpanda, which lists from 650 coins and suits buyers chasing a longer coin list.
- bunq, which charges 0.25% to 1.99% as a taker fee and suits cost-first traders.
Independent Reserve
Who it suits
- Australian and New Zealand residents paying in by card or bank transfer
- Buyers of mainstream coins who want proof of reserves and a named regulator
- Traders who also want access to derivatives
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders chasing a long tail of altcoins, where the exchange is a broker for Australia and New Zealand rather than a global venue
- bitpanda, which lists from 650 coins for a much wider choice
- bunq, whose taker fees of 0.25% to 1.99% suit European bank customers
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
What does Gemini charge to trade?+
ActiveTrader pricing puts the taker fee at 0.8% and the maker fee at 0.4%. The taker rate sits above the 0.2% median for the exchanges tracked here, and Gemini ranks 97 of 118 on taker fee. Regular traders feel that more than occasional buyers.
Is Gemini regulated, and can the licences be checked?+
Yes. Gemini lists NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing) and Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) as its regulators. The US money transmitter licence is 2403509 and the Malta Financial Services Authority licence is MiCA CASP 2138002QAMX8PPKSO715, held by Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd. The listed headquarters country is MT.
Independent Reserve
What does Independent Reserve charge in fees?+
Taker fees run 0.02% to 0.5%, which brackets the site median of 0.2% and sits inside the upper quartile of 0.55%. Withdrawals are also charged: AUD transfers are free, while instant AUD and crypto withdrawals carry a fee.
Is Independent Reserve regulated?+
It is registered with AUSTRAC in Australia under DCE-100461150-001, the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulator. It also publishes proof of reserves, a step 79.4% of the compared exchanges report.