The State of Crypto Adoption in Germany
Source: Envato
Ranked 21st on the 2024 Geography of Crypto Report by Chainanalysis, Germany is emerging as a key player.
The country shows promising signs of adoption, with about 311,000 daily active users on crypto exchanges as of December 2023 – a significant 69% increase from the previous year. This growth is particularly noteworthy when compared to other Western European nations.
Source: Chainanalysis
The financial scale of Germany’s crypto market is substantial, projected to reach US$1.9 billion in 2024, though it’s expected to see a slight decline of 2.62% in 2025.
To put this in perspective, while significant, it’s still much smaller than the United States market, which is projected to reach US$9.8 billion in 2024. The average German crypto user spends about US$70.3 on cryptocurrencies in 2024.
Observations of traffic to domains of more than 150 centralized cryptocurrency exchanges show that, over the past six months, the total visit volume from Germany and France was 48.17 million and 35.11 million, respectively, with the Netherlands ranking third with 30 million visits,” the Bitget’s report stated.
User adoption in Germany is quite impressive, with nearly one-third of the population (32.67%) engaging with cryptocurrencies in 2024.
This percentage is expected to grow slightly to 32.84% by 2025, representing around 27.32 million users. To put this in context, this adoption rate is noteworthy considering that even Facebook, a mainstream social platform, only has 38.4% penetration in Germany.
Source: Chainanalysis
The use of crypto is particularly strong in major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt, where startup communities are actively embracing cryptocurrency innovation.
A significant development is the Stuttgart Stock Exchange’s launch of a regulated crypto trading segment, marking it as a pioneer in Europe.
Crypto Law In Germany
Source: Envato
Germany has taken a friendly but careful approach to cryptocurrencies. While crypto isn’t considered official money like the euro, the country treats it as a financial asset and has clear rules about how it can be used.
The government created specific laws in 2020 to make sure crypto businesses operate safely – any company wanting to run a crypto exchange in Germany needs to get permission from BaFin, their financial watchdog.
The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) is Germany’s integrated financial regulatory authority, established on May 1, 2002. It supervises around 2,700 banks, 800 financial services institutions, and over 700 insurance companies, ensuring the stability and integrity of the German financial system.
German investors have several popular platforms to buy and sell crypto, including well-known names like eToro, Bitpanda, and UEEx.
The country is part of the broader European Union’s crypto framework called MiCA, which will start in the summer of 2024. This shows that Germany, along with other Western European countries, is working to create a stable environment where crypto can grow safely.
MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is a new EU regulation aiming to protect investors and promote responsible crypto development. It covers crypto-asset issuance, trading, custody, and lending, introducing transparency requirements, consumer protection measures, and licensing for service providers. MiCA aims to create a clear regulatory framework for the EU crypto market.
What makes Germany stand out is how organized they are about crypto regulation. Unlike some countries that are still figuring out their approach, Germany has clear rules about who can run crypto businesses and how they should operate.
This includes strict requirements for preventing money laundering and keeping customer information secure. This balanced approach – being open to crypto while having strong protective rules – has helped make Germany an important player in Europe.
Cryptocurrencies and AML Regulation
Source: Envato
If you want to run a crypto exchange or hold crypto for other people in Germany, you need special permission from BaFin. This is because Germany treats crypto assets like other financial products that need careful oversight.
The main rules come from Germany’s Money Laundering Act (GwG). These laws require crypto businesses to know exactly who their customers are – this is called Know Your Customer (KYC).
They must also watch transactions carefully to spot any suspicious activity that might be related to crime or terrorism. If they see anything suspicious, they must report it to authorities right away.
Crypto companies in Germany must also follow both German rules and European Union rules.
The EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive requires all crypto exchanges and wallet providers to register officially and check their customers’ backgrounds. This helps prevent criminals from using crypto to hide illegal money.
According to the country’s finance ministry, “the new law relaxes rules forcing issuers and holders of securities to document transactions with a paper certificate.”
For specific services:
- If you want to buy and sell crypto in Germany, you need BaFin’s permission.
- If you want to store crypto for other people (custody), you also need a special license.
- If you’re just making software or hardware for people to store their crypto, you don’t need a license as long as you can’t access their crypto yourself.
When it comes to newer crypto services like lending, borrowing, and staking, the rules aren’t as clear yet. While there are ways to offer these services legally, the government hasn’t provided detailed guidance on exactly how to do it.
All crypto users in Germany must also report their crypto transactions for tax purposes. Failing to do this can result in fines. This helps ensure transparency and prevents tax evasion in the crypto market.
How to Obtain a Crypto Licence From Bafin
Getting a crypto license from BaFin (the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany) is a detailed process that requires careful preparation.
- First, you’ll need to establish a company in Germany, typically a GmbH (Limited Liability Company). Virtual offices aren’t accepted.
- The initial requirement is having at least 125,000 euros in starting capital. You’ll also need to have at least one director who lives in Germany.
- When applying to BaFin, you must submit a comprehensive business plan covering your first three years of operation.
- The application needs to include detailed information about everyone involved in running the company.
- You’ll need to appoint someone specifically responsible for anti-money laundering compliance.
The application needs to be in German (unless you get special permission from BaFin to submit it in another language), and you’ll need to pay an application fee of 10,750 euros. Once you submit everything, BaFin has up to 6 months to make a decision.
After you get the license, you’ll need to pay annual supervision fees to BaFin, which can be quite substantial – up to 500,000 euros depending on how complex your business is.
| Period for Consideration | Up to 6 months | Annual Supervision Fee | Upto 500,000 € |
| State Fee for Application | 10,750 € | Local Staff Member | Required |
| Required Shared Capital | 125,000 € | Physical Office | Required |
| Corporate Income Tax | 15.83% | Accounting Audit | No |
You’ll also need to keep following all the rules, including having regular audits and keeping BaFin updated about any significant changes in your business.
One important thing to note is that while Germany is in the EU, crypto licenses from BaFin can’t be used to automatically operate in other EU countries. Each country still requires its authorization for crypto businesses.
Crypto Taxation in Germany
Source: Envato
In Germany, crypto taxes are quite favorable for long-term investors. If you hold your cryptocurrency for more than one year, you can sell it completely tax-free, regardless of how much profit you make. This is one of Germany’s most attractive crypto tax rules.
For shorter-term trading (holding less than a year), the tax rates depend on your total income and can range from 0% to 45%.
There’s also a small tax break – if your total crypto gains are under 600€ in 2023 (increasing to 1000€ in 2024), you don’t have to pay any taxes. However, if you go over this limit, you’ll need to pay tax on the entire amount.
In Germany, long-term crypto investments held for over a year are tax-free for individuals, but businesses are subject to regular income tax. Short-term crypto transactions within a year are taxed at up to 45% plus a 5.5% Solidarity Tax unless profits are below €600.”
There are some other tax-free situations too.
For example, if you give crypto as a gift to family or friends, it’s tax-free up to certain amounts (20,000€ for friends and 500,000€ for spouses). Moving crypto between your wallets is also tax-free, though you should keep good records of these transfers.
For crypto income from activities like staking or lending, there’s a small tax-free allowance of 256€ per year. If you earn more than this from these activities, the entire amount becomes taxable.
To file your crypto taxes in Germany, you need to report them as part of your annual tax return by September 30, 2024 (for the 2023 tax year). You’ll need to keep detailed records of all your crypto transactions for at least 5 years, including dates, values, and what each transaction was for.
If you don’t report your crypto taxes correctly, the consequences can be serious. Tax evasion in Germany is considered a criminal offense and can result in fines or even prison time in severe cases. It’s therefore important to keep good records and report everything accurately.
Tax evasion in Germany is a tax crime punishable by imprisonment or fines. The exact penalty depends on the amount of tax evaded. Approximately 5 years after the end of the offense (in serious cases of tax evasion only after 10 years), the statute of limitations for prosecution applies.
German tax authorities recommend using the FIFO (First In, First Out) method when calculating your crypto gains and losses. This means when you sell crypto, you’re considered to be selling your oldest coins first, which affects how your profits are calculated.
Challenges to Crypto Adoption in Germany
Crypto adoption in Germany faces several challenges:
Regulatory Complexity
Germany’s stringent regulations, including the need for licenses from BaFin to handle crypto assets, can be daunting for businesses and individuals. The requirement for a license to custody or trade crypto assets has created high regulatory standards that can be difficult to navigate.
Volatility
The high volatility of cryptocurrencies can deter potential investors and users who prefer stable investments. This unpredictability can make it challenging for people to trust and adopt cryptocurrencies as a reliable form of currency.
Lack of Understanding
Many people still lack a clear understanding of what cryptocurrencies are and how they work, which can hinder adoption. This knowledge gap can lead to skepticism and reluctance to invest in or use cryptocurrencies.
Potential Benefits of Crypto Adoption in Germany
The potential benefits of crypto adoption in Germany are numerous and significant:
- Faster Transactions: Cryptocurrencies enable near-instantaneous transactions, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional banking processes.
- Lower Fees: By eliminating intermediaries, cryptocurrencies can significantly reduce transaction fees, making it more affordable for individuals and businesses to transfer funds.
- Increased Security: Blockchain technology, which underpins cryptocurrencies, offers enhanced security and transparency, reducing the risk of fraud and hacking.
- Support for Startups: A thriving crypto ecosystem can provide support and resources for startups, helping them to innovate and grow.
- Economic Resilience: Diversifying financial systems with cryptocurrencies can enhance economic resilience, providing alternative options in times of economic instability.
Future of Cryptocurrencies in Germany
Germany is setting itself up to become a major player in cryptocurrency. The German government is taking positive steps to support crypto growth. They introduced new regulations in 2020 that allow financial institutions to legally hold and trade cryptocurrencies after getting a license.
About 800,000 Germans (1% of the population) own cryptocurrencies, with higher adoption rates among young, tech-savvy men aged 20-45, where it reaches 8-10%.
Looking ahead, experts expect Germany to focus on tokenizing traditional currencies and securities. This means creating digital versions of regular money and investment products.
Bitcoin and Ethereum are likely to remain the most popular cryptocurrencies among Germans. However, the government won’t accept private stablecoins like Facebook’s Libra.
Germany is positioned to become a leader in cryptocurrency adoption within the European Union.
The combination of supportive regulations, a growing user base, and institutional involvement suggests a promising future for crypto in Germany, even though adoption may happen gradually rather than overnight.
Conclusion
Germany has shown a strong interest in cryptocurrency, and it’s becoming an important player in the European crypto scene. While it’s not fully embraced yet, the government is taking steps to create a safe and regulated environment for crypto businesses.
The country’s focus on clear regulations and a supportive approach to crypto innovation could make it a leader in the EU’s crypto market.
However, challenges like regulatory complexity, volatility, and public understanding need to be addressed for wider adoption. Despite these hurdles, Germany’s commitment to a balanced approach to cryptocurrencies positions it for a promising future.
