Gemini has introduced some changes to crypto transfers procedures for customers based in the UK. The decision was made in response to new regulations which require virtual asset service providers (VASPs), like Gemini, to share information about the sender and the receiver on both ends of a crypto transaction.

Gemini has partnered with Travel Rule Universal Solution Technology (TRUST) to enable these changes, which are designed to crack down on fraudulent activity in the industry. TRUST's tech allows us to safely share data in order to comply with the regulatory requirements, while prioritising your security and privacy.

What is the Travel Rule?

The Travel Rule is a set of global standards that require financial institutions and VASPs to share information about the senders and recipients of virtual assets.

The Travel Rule is designed to make it more difficult for criminals to use cryptocurrencies or other virtual assets for illicit activity. The additional information you will now be asked to supply when depositing and withdrawing crypto can be used to track and trace virtual assets and help prevent bad actors conducting illegal activity.

In the UK, the Travel Rule applies to all transactions, necessitating VASPs to share data such as the sender and recipient names and crypto address. The specific information required may differ based on the risk profile of the transaction.

What's changing?

Outbound transfers from Gemini to non-TRUST VASPs

To ensure transparency of data, from 17th November 2023, Gemini will only permit outbound transfers to other registered TRUST VASPs. Gemini will block any outbound transfers to a non-TRUST VASP. You can view the full list of registered TRUST VASPs here.

Inbound transfers from a non-TRUST VASP to Gemini

From 8th December 2023, Gemini may freeze and/or restrict users who are attempting to make inbound transfers to Gemini from a non-TRUST VASP. This is due to these transactions potentially missing the required information to ensure transparency of the transaction.

Deposits and withdrawals from your Gemini wallet

When depositing or withdrawing from your Gemini wallet to another crypto address, we will need to request additional information from you, such as your name, the beneficiary of the funds, and in some cases, your address. This data will only be shared between the sending and receiving providers, and with no one else.

Unsupported tokens when depositing and/or withdrawing

From the 17th November 2023, only transfers of ERC-20 tokens, ETH, and BTC will be supported on Gemini. Whilst you can still freely trade and hold these unsupported tokens within Gemini, we will be removing the unsupported tokens from deposit and withdrawal options, with the exception of transfers to and from a self-hosted wallet.

For an overview of all assets available to trade on the exchange and the network they are sent through, please visit  this Support Page.

API functionalities

At this time the User Attestation process is only available on the Gemini app and Gemini web interfaces. Because of this, from the 22nd November 2023 we will disable all API functionalities for our UK customers. This means that all active API Keys will be disabled and we will not allow the creation of new Keys.

Our team is working to implement all changes required to comply with the UK Travel Rule and ensuring the API functionalities are re-enabled in January 2024. 

What do you need to do?

We recommend that all UK customers familiarise themselves with the changes described above, however no other action is required at this time.

Gemini continues to be committed to working collaboratively with regulators around the world to help the crypto industry flourish in a compliant, sustainable and safe manner. The implementation of the Travel Rule is the next step on this journey.

If you have any more questions, please reach our support team here.