Gemini vs River — Head-to-Head Custody Comparison

An independent, data-driven comparison of Gemini and River across security, insurance, fees, regulatory compliance, and more.

Verdict

Quick Verdict

Gemini scores 7.9 vs River's 6.6. Gemini leads in 5 of 8 categories.

Gemini is better suited for Compliance-focused users, NY-based investors, Security-conscious traders. River is better suited for Bitcoin-only investors, DCA enthusiasts, Beginners.

7.9

GoodCustody Score

Gemini

6.6

FairCustody Score

River

Scores

Score Comparison

Weighted scores across all 8 custody criteria.

Criterion	Weight	Gemini	River	Winner
Security	20%	8.5	7.5	Gemini
Insurance	15%	7.5	4.0	Gemini
Regulatory	15%	9.0	7.0	Gemini
Fee Transparency	10%	7.0	7.5	River
Track Record	15%	7.5	7.0	Gemini
Withdrawal Flexibility	10%	8.5	9.0	River
Reporting & Audit	10%	9.0	6.0	Gemini
Counterparty Diversification	5%	2.0	2.0	Tie
Overall Score	100%	7.9	6.6	Gemini

Visual

Score Radar

Visual overlay of Gemini and River across all categories.

GeminiRiver

Deep Dive

Category-by-Category Analysis

A deeper look at how each provider performs in every scoring criterion.

Security (8.5 vs 7.5)

Gemini uses Institutional hot/cold custody key management with 95%+ in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: SOC 2 Type 2. Incident history: Gemini Earn issues (Genesis lending). Exchange itself unbreached..

River uses Proprietary cold storage key management with Majority cold in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: SOC 2. Incident history: No incidents.

Insurance (7.5 vs 4.0)

Gemini offers $200M+ hot wallet insurance via Leading carriers. One of the highest disclosed insurance amounts among exchanges.

River offers Not explicitly disclosed via N/A. US-regulated Bitcoin-only platform.

Regulatory (9.0 vs 7.0)

Gemini holds NY Trust Company (NYDFS), SOC 2 Type 2, Multiple state licenses and is a qualified custodian operating in United States. NY Trust Company charter — highest US regulatory standard for crypto.

River holds FinCEN MSB, State money transmitter licenses and is not a qualified custodian operating in United States. US-regulated Bitcoin financial services company.

Fee Transparency (7.0 vs 7.5)

Gemini charges None in annual custody fees with 0.2-0.4% maker/taker (ActiveTrader) per transaction. 10 free crypto withdrawals per month. ActiveTrader has competitive fees.

River charges None in annual custody fees with 1.0-1.5% (spread) per transaction. Zero-fee recurring buys. Spread-based pricing. Free withdrawals.

Track Record (7.5 vs 7.0)

Gemini was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in New York, NY. AUM: $30B+ in assets. Incident history: Gemini Earn issues (Genesis lending). Exchange itself unbreached..

River was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. AUM: Not publicly disclosed. Incident history: No incidents.

Withdrawal Flexibility (8.5 vs 9.0)

Gemini withdrawal fees: Free withdrawals (10/month). Minimum account: $1 minimum. Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, 100+ cryptocurrencies.

River withdrawal fees: Free Bitcoin withdrawals. Minimum account: No minimum. Supported assets: Bitcoin only.

Reporting & Audit (9.0 vs 6.0)

Gemini: SOC compliance is SOC 2 Type 2. As a qualified custodian, it meets SEC reporting requirements.

River: SOC compliance is SOC 2. Not classified as a qualified custodian.

Counterparty Diversification (2.0 vs 2.0)

Gemini is a exchange custody provider. Key management: Exchange-managed custody with SOC 2 Type 2 certified infrastructure..

River is a exchange custody provider. Key management: Bitcoin-only exchange with proprietary custody infrastructure..

Fees

Fee Comparison

Side-by-side fee breakdown for Gemini and River.

Fee Type	Gemini	River
Setup Fee	Free	Free
Annual Custody	None	None
Transaction	0.2-0.4% maker/taker (ActiveTrader)	1.0-1.5% (spread)
Withdrawal	Free withdrawals (10/month)	Free Bitcoin withdrawals

Gemini: 10 free crypto withdrawals per month. ActiveTrader has competitive fees.

River: Zero-fee recurring buys. Spread-based pricing. Free withdrawals.

Features

Feature Comparison

Checklist of features across both providers.

Feature	Gemini	River
$200M+ insurance	✓	✗
10 free withdrawals/month	✓	✗
ActiveTrader low fees	✓	✗
Bitcoin education resources	✗	✓
Bitcoin-only focus	✗	✓
Excellent mobile app	✗	✓
Free Bitcoin withdrawals	✗	✓
Gemini Dollar (GUSD)	✓	✗
Lightning Network support	✗	✓
NY Trust Company charter	✓	✗
SOC 2 Type 2 certified	✓	✗
Zero-fee recurring purchases	✗	✓

Recommendation

Who Should Choose Which?

Gemini is better if you…

✓Are a compliance-focused users
✓Are a ny-based investors
✓Are a security-conscious traders
✓Are a stablecoin users
✓Want: NY Trust Company — highest regulatory standard
✓Want: SOC 2 Type 2 certified
✓Want: $200M+ disclosed insurance

River is better if you…

✓Are a bitcoin-only investors
✓Are a dca enthusiasts
✓Are a beginners
✓Are a us-based bitcoiners
✓Want: Bitcoin-only — aligned with Bitcoin ethos
✓Want: Zero-fee recurring purchases
✓Want: Free Bitcoin withdrawals

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gemini or River better for Bitcoin custody?

Gemini scores 7.9 vs 6.6 in our weighted Custody Score. Gemini leads in 5 of 8 scoring categories. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs: Gemini is best for Compliance-focused users and NY-based investors, while River suits Bitcoin-only investors and DCA enthusiasts.

What is the difference between Gemini and River?

Gemini is a exchange custody provider, while River is a exchange custody provider. Gemini excels in Regulatory, whereas River is strongest in Withdrawal Flexibility.

How do Gemini and River fees compare?

Gemini charges None annual custody fees with 0.2-0.4% maker/taker (ActiveTrader) transaction fees. River charges None annual custody fees with 1.0-1.5% (spread) transaction fees.

Which is more secure, Gemini or River?

Gemini scores 8.5/10 for security while River scores 7.5/10. Gemini uses Institutional hot/cold custody key management, and River uses Proprietary cold storage.