Winklevoss-led Gemini takes key step in global expansion

New York-based cryptocurrency exchange Gemini is pressing forward on an aggressive European expansion.

Gemini Europe, a division of the Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss-led exchange and crypto custodian, today announced the hiring of Blair Halliday, former Circle compliance lead, as its new chief compliance officer. Halliday will also serve as Gemini Europe’s money-laundering reporting officer.

Among Halliday’s duties will be to keep the firm's European division compliant with all relevant crypto and blockchain-focused legislation, according to a statement from the firm. Halliday will also manage relationships with regulators and report directly to Julian Sawyer—the U.K. managing director—who, himself, only joined Gemini just one month ago.

In securing its compliance officer, Gemini takes another key step toward its eventual launch in Europe.

“Blair’s deep domain expertise makes him uniquely poised to drive Gemini’s compliance efforts in the U.K.,” said Sawyer in a statement. “His leadership will be critical in our mission to work with regulators to promote smart frameworks that encourage growth in the crypto industry.”

Prior to joining Gemini, Halliday served as Circle’s chief compliance officer for its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) divisions.

The UK and Europe is “an emerging region for the company,” according to the firm. Its services aren’t yet available to European clients, though the company invites prospective users to sign up for its waiting list. 

But it isn’t just Europe that the Winklevoss twins have their eyes on. Over the last six months, the exchange has increasingly made efforts to branch out of its New York-based headquarters. In August, the company expanded into Australia, giving Aussies a crack at trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets on its platform.

Where to next, Winklevii?