Overview
- The Finance Committee rejected the Green Party proposal on May 22, 2026, so profits from crypto held more than 12 months remain tax free under the Haltefrist.
- Lawmakers from CDU/CSU, AfD and SPD opposed the Greens’ draft for reasons including regulatory inconsistency and a preference to wait for a formal federal plan, while only Die Linke supported the measure with reservations.
- The Greens argued the one‑year rule is outdated for digital assets and cited Frankfurt School research estimating up to €11.4 billion a year if crypto were fully taxed, but critics said the draft lacked limits on offsetting trading losses and would create heavy administrative work that could cut net revenue.
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil signaled in April that the government will propose targeted crypto tax changes tied to the 2027 budget with an aim of raising roughly €2 billion, and a formal proposal is expected in the coming weeks or months.
- Industry and banks warn that removing the exemption could push activity abroad and harm Germany’s crypto hub, even as firms and lenders expand regulated services such as DZ Bank’s BaFin‑approved meinKrypto under new EU reporting and market rules.