Overview
- The Bundesfinanzministerium has circulated a draft that would remove the current tax‑free treatment after a one‑year holding period and treat new crypto gains as capital income taxed under the Abgeltungsteuer.
- The plan would grandfather existing holdings purchased through December 31, 2026, apply the new tax to coins acquired from January 1, 2027, and require brokers and exchanges to withhold tax automatically from January 1, 2028.
- Reported tax rates mirror the Abgeltungsteuer at about 25 percent and roughly 26.375 percent when the solidarity surcharge is included.
- The ministry projects roughly €160 million in extra revenue in 2028 rising toward €350 million a year by 2031, but officials and experts warn the figures depend on market moves, loss offsetting rules and investor behavior.
- Political reactions are mixed and the industry warns of compliance and competitiveness costs, with experts saying the draft may push some investors to buy before the cutoff, raise record‑keeping needs and force technical changes at trading platforms.