As part of our mission **_to build the future of money_**_,_ we have built an institutional-grade exchange that operates on the principles of security, regulation, and compliance while providing our customers with speed and reliability. This has made Gemini a cornerstone of cryptocurrency markets and we believe it is important that our market data helps power and enhance cryptocurrency indices and financial products that are integral to moving our industry forward.

To that end, we are excited to announce that we will be joining the **CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR), CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index (BRTI),** and six other cryptocurrency indices provided by CF Benchmarks.  As a constituent of the BRR, Gemini’s market data will be used to help price the CME Group’s Bitcoin Futures contract ([contract specifications](https://www.cmegroup.com/trading/equity-index/us-index/bitcoin_contract_specifications.html) | [fact sheet](https://www.cmegroup.com/trading/bitcoin-futures.html)).

Implementation is scheduled for Friday, **August 30th**, **2019 4:30pm BST**.

As part of joining the BRR, we had to meet the CME Group’s eligibility criteria for quality of data submitted, market surveillance practices, security, and regulation. We appreciate these standards and look forward to continuing to build trust in crypto; **trust is our product**.

Please visit our website to learn more about accessing our [APIs and consuming Gemini market data](https://docs.gemini.com/rest-api/), and our [institutional offering](https://gemini.com/institutions/) as well as cross-connects to our matching engine.

Onward and Upward,

Team Gemini

Gemini will join the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR) and CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index (BRTI)

Today, we are pleased to announce the acquisition of Omniex, a trading technology platform that provides order, execution, and portfolio management system solutions for institutional crypto trading. 

The acquisition enables Gemini to publicly launch [Gemini Prime](http://www.gemini.com/prime), a crypto prime brokerage offering that has been supporting a select client base over the past year. Following the full rollout of Gemini Prime in Q2 2022, the integration of Omniex with Gemini’s existing custody, clearing, and OTC trading capabilities will simplify trading for institutional investors by providing:

- A single point of access to multiple exchanges and OTC liquidity sources
- Sophisticated tools and algorithms to ensure best execution and trade transparency
- An institutional-grade trading experience with full API connectivity

There has been unprecedented demand among institutional investors for access to the full breadth of the digital asset ecosystem over the past year and Gemini has been building an institutional business focused on providing the best crypto trading technology available. Combined with our institutional-grade security and proactive regulatory approach, the integration of Omniex's technology with Gemini's unique clearing and custody capabilities creates a full-service industry-leading crypto prime brokerage service tailored to the needs of institutional investors.

Gemini brings a variety of specialized services focused on the institutional community including: [Gemini Fund Solutions](https://www.gemini.com/blog/gemini-fund-solutions-a-unified-offering-for-fund-managers), Gemini Wealth & Investment Solutions, Hedge Fund & Liquidity Solutions, and Corporate & Family Office Solutions. These offerings are tailor-made for the differing needs of the wide swath of institutions that are seeing a need to participate in the crypto ecosystem.

Omniex was founded by CEO Hu Liang and Chief Strategy Officer John Burnett. Hu was most recently an SVP at State Street where he oversaw the bank’s Emerging Technologies Center (focused on crypto and blockchain) and the bank’s APAC electronic FX platforms and data businesses. He joined State Street in 2007 through the acquisition of Currenex, the first internet based electronic FX ECN platform. John was most recently a Managing Director at State Street within the Emerging Technologies Center, leading all crypto and blockchain efforts globally for the bank starting in 2015. As part of this acquisition, the Omniex team will be joining Gemini to expand and drive platform capabilities for the Prime Services division.

To learn more about Gemini Prime, please visit [gemini.com/prime](http://www.gemini.com/prime) or [reach out to us here](https://exchange.gemini.com/register/institution). 

Onward and Upward!

Team Gemini

Gemini Acquires Trading Technology Platform Omniex, Launches Gemini Prime

Recently, you might have seen advertisements for the upcoming [Gemini Credit Card](https://www.gemini.com/credit-card)1 displayed on some of the most iconic U.S. billboards and across digital platforms with the tagline: __“What’s the Best That Could Happen?”__ What you’ve come across are one-of-a-kind Gemini ads that double as NFT art pieces you can buy on [Nifty Gateway](https://niftygateway.com/).

The Gemini Credit Card is a seamless way to earn crypto on everyday purchases and start building your financial future with the swipe of a card. When you can receive crypto rewards every time you make a purchase, “What’s the Best That Could Happen?”2

Conceptualized by five emerging NFT artists, the campaign brings “art not ads” to iconic billboards in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and Dallas. 

The featured NFTs are:

- [__Can Shirts Become Yachts?__](https://www.gemini.com/card/tshirt-to-yacht) Artist: Steven Baltay
- [__Can a Lawnmower Become a Lambo?__](https://www.gemini.com/card/lawnmover-to-lambo) Artist: Bryan Brinkman
- [__Can Shoes Become a Private Jet?__](https://www.gemini.com/card/sneaker-to-private-yet) Artist: Christopher Rutledge
- [__Can Groceries Become a Private Island?__](https://www.gemini.com/card/groceries-to-private-island) Artist: Ruye
- [__Can Salad Become Retirement?__](https://www.gemini.com/card/salad-to-retirement) Artist: Zigor

Scan the billboard QR codes or click-through on the digital ads, and you’ll be directed to a Nifty Gateway page where editions of 50 NFTs are on sale for $500 each and an edition of 25 NFTs is on sale for $1,000 each. The artists will donate 20% of their proceeds from the initial sale to a charity of their choice. Additional versions of these ads will appear on other mediums.

At Gemini, we are inspired by the promise of Web3, and how it can change the way we engage with daily activities. The merging of the physical and digital worlds with these innovative ads is a new way to explore the potential of Web3, while at the same time providing a powerful platform to showcase the work of these exciting new artists.

As we enter 2022, at Gemini, we are energized about the year to come and are committed to unlocking the future of financial, creative, and personal freedom through crypto! What’s the best that could happen?

Onward and Upward!

Team Gemini

1 Issued by WebBank. WebBank and Gemini Constellation, LLC are not affiliated with the sale of NFTs. 
2 Engaging with crypto involves risks; seek expert advice. Past performance no guarantee of future results. Learn more at [gemini.com/credit-card](http://www.gemini.com/credit-card).

Gemini Ads Available For Purchase as NFTs: ‘What’s the Best That Could Happen?’

At Gemini, we are committed to __building the next generation of financial services by harnessing the transformative power of blockchain technology and crypto__. 

Through the [__Gemini Frontier Fund__](https://www.gemini.com/frontier-fund) — our strategic venture investment arm — we’ve embarked on a journey to support crypto startups and entrepreneurs as they develop, build, and experiment on the crypto frontier. 

It has been a thrilling year for the Gemini Frontier Fund. Following our [public launch in March 2021](https://www.gemini.com/blog/introducing-the-gemini-frontier-fund-betting-on-the-future-of-crypto), we’ve focused our investments in three main areas of innovation: [__Web 3.0__](https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/web-3-0-definition-open-internet-decentralized), [__Decentralized Finance (DeFi)__](https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/what-is-defi-crypto-decentralized-finance-projects), and __Institutional Tools__. From NFTs and the metaverse to crypto payments and data-driven lending, below is a rundown of some of the companies we’ve invested in this year.

![Blog inline web3.0](//images.ctfassets.net/jg6lo9a2ukvr/32FPdokifghrzXtiPGHd6B/0792743a2877d488e8eb2f2c628c582b/Blog_inline_web3.0.jpg)

- [__Alethea AI__](https://alethea.ai/) is a decentralized protocol to create intelligent and interactive NFTs, or iNFTs. 
- [__RECUR__](https://www.recurforever.com/) designs and develops on-chain branded experiences for fans to buy, collect, and resell NFTs while maintaining smart contract royalties for the creator. 
- [__Somnium Space__](https://somniumspace.com/) is an open, social and persistent virtual reality world, or metaverse.
- [__The Sandbox__](https://www.sandbox.game/en/) is a community-driven platform where creators can monetize gaming experiences in a metaverse built on the Ethereum blockchain. 
- [__Spruce Systems__](https://www.spruceid.com/) is a decentralized identity tool that allows users to control their data across the web. 

![Blog inline Defi](//images.ctfassets.net/jg6lo9a2ukvr/27dTJVijfRjIsyIZwLbriu/e22ac7cba9170fa7e1ec53dbe60d3136/Blog_inline_Defi.jpg)

- [__1inch__](https://app.1inch.io/) is a leading decentralized exchange aggregator. 
- [__Flexa__](https://flexa.network/) is the global leader in pure-digital payments, allowing users to spend crypto at thousands of retailers worldwide.
- [__Zebec__](https://zebec.io/) is a platform built on Solana that empowers real-time, frictionless, and continuous payments, streamlining the settlement of financial transactions. 

![Blog inline institutional tools](//images.ctfassets.net/jg6lo9a2ukvr/3BDp63WLDtqW3SHAWbnPnP/1fe089d35d5b67500fa96f3bb9343dd6/Blog_inline_institutional_tools.jpg)

- [__Elementus__](https://elementus.io/) is the first universal blockchain search engine and institutional-grade crypto forensic solution, with a focus on building the search and analytics capabilities for blockchain and crypto companies. 
- [__Meow__](https://meow.co/) provides corporate treasuries with a regulated way to source yields from new asset classes, serving as a conduit to the expansive world of crypto for legacy financial services.
- [__Messari__](https://messari.io/) has built a suite of data tools to demystify the crypto-economy, including watchlists, charts, research, and more. 
- [__Notabene__](https://notabene.id/) is a compliance platform that helps companies manage regulatory and counterparty risk in crypto transactions. 
- [__Onramp Invest__](https://onrampinvest.com/) is a crypto integration platform for financial advisors, helping managers seamlessly invest in crypto. 
- [__X-Margin__](https://xmargin.io/) is a data-driven lending platform that provides tools to manage the lending and borrowing lifecycle. 

We’ve invested in these companies because, like us, they recognize the profound ways that crypto and blockchain networks will revolutionize society. We believe they will transform the way we interact with, share, and exchange *value* and *ownership*, in the same way that the internet changed the way we interact with, share, and exchange information.

The Gemini Frontier Fund will continue to support entrepreneurs who share our mission to unlock the next era of financial, creative, and personal freedom. Here’s to the brave ones on the cutting edge of crypto and blockchain innovation.

Onward and Upward!

Team Gemini

Gemini will join the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR) and CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index (BRTI)

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