River vs Gemini: Which is Best? [2026]
Key differences
River vs Gemini in Comparison
Description
River is a trusted Bitcoin-only exchange based in the USA.
US-based exchange regulated by the New York DFS. Features include ACH transfers, PayPal integration, Apple Pay support, & automated purchases.
Supported Countries
USA
Available in over 60 countries globally including United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Brazil. Supports all 50 U.S. states and territories.
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Supported Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin-only
Over 70 cryptocurrencies including native assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Filecoin (FIL), Zcash (ZEC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Tezos (XTZ), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT), Avalanche (AVAX), XRP, Cosmos (ATOM), Optimism (OP) and more.
Fees
- Order Size: Up to $1,000,000 | Fee: 1.00%
- Order Size: >$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 | Fee: 0.70%
- Order Size: >$5,000,000 to $15,000,000 | Fee: 0.40%
- Order Size: >$15,000,000 | Fee: 0.25%
- Order Size: All recurring buy orders | Fee: 0.00%
- Mobile/Web Instant Orders:
- Under $10: $0.99 flat fee
- Over $200: 1.49% + 0.5% convenience fee
- Mobile/Web Limit Orders:
- Maker: 0.20%
- Taker: 0.40%
- Stablecoin-USD:
- Maker: Free
- Taker: 0.01%
- Crypto Conversion: 1.49%
- Staking: 15%
- ACH/Wire Transfers: Free
Ready to start buying Bitcoin?
Payment Methods
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.9 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.6 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.2 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Storage
River holds client Bitcoin in full reserve with no lending. They built their own custody systems from the ground up to minimize third-party dependencies. Security includes regular independent audits, mandatory 2FA, real-time notifications, 24/7 monitoring, and bcrypt password hashing. Users can verify holdings via Proof of Reserves.
Gemini is the world's first SOC1 Type 2 and SOC2 Type 2 certified crypto exchange and custodian. The platform features industry-leading security controls including mandatory 2FA, hardware security key support, and address allowlisting for withdrawals.
Regular third-party security assessments including SOC2 Type 2, ISO 27001 certification, and annual penetration testing verify security practices.
All customer assets are fully secured with institutional-grade storage solutions.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
No. Has never lost customer funds in any way.
No major hacks, though did lose customer funds during the Genesis bankruptcy. However, all customer funds were recovered.
Official Site
Exchange Review
"I really like the app so far. It does what it's supposed to and paired with the desktop web app, I could not personally ask for more. Great customer service and lots of upcoming features in the pipeline from my understanding."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
No review available
"My favorite crypto exchange! The customer service is great and the fees are not as bad as some other exchanges. I've been trading on Gemini for a couple of years and never had an issue. Thanks for the seamless experience guys!"
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
River vs Gemini Comparison
Fee Structures
River uses tiered fees based on order size, ranging from 1.00% down to 0.25% for large orders. Notably, River charges 0% for recurring buys (DCA). Gemini charges around 1.49% for simple trades, with lower fees available through Gemini Active Trader starting at 0.4% maker / 0.6% taker.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
River is exclusively focused on Bitcoin, making it ideal for Bitcoin maximalists. Gemini supports over 70 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many altcoins.
Geographic Availability
River is available in 48 U.S. states, excluding NY and NV. Gemini is available in all 50 U.S. states and over 60 countries worldwide.
Security Features
River ensures security through in-house custody, two-factor authentication (2FA), proof of reserves, regular independent audits, and 24/7 monitoring. Gemini is known for strong security with SOC 2 certification, cold storage, insurance coverage, and hardware security keys support.
Unique Features
River offers Bitcoin mining services and the ability to earn interest on USD paid in BTC. Gemini provides staking rewards, a credit card with crypto rewards, and the Gemini Earn program.
Mobile Apps
River's mobile apps are available on iOS with a 4.9 out of 5 rating and on Android with a 4.6 out of 5 rating. Gemini's mobile apps are available on iOS with a 4.8 out of 5 rating and on Android with a 4.5 out of 5 rating.
USA Only
