What happened
Cointelegraph reports on a proposal by the German Finance Ministry to introduce a 25% tax on cryptocurrencies starting in 2028.
Why it matters
The proposal could change tax conditions for cryptocurrency owners in Germany and eliminate the advantage of long-term holding, but its official status remains unconfirmed.
According to a Cointelegraph report, the German Finance Ministry is seeking to introduce a 25% tax on cryptocurrencies starting in 2028. This initiative diverges from the current rule under which profits from cryptocurrencies held for more than one year are tax-exempt.
If the proposal gains official status, investors and tax consultants will need to account for a different approach to long-term holdings of crypto assets in Germany. However, the source does not disclose the taxation mechanism, the list of covered assets, or the subsequent review procedure.
Currently, this relies on a single independent report based on metadata and a publication synopsis rather than an available primary document. The ministry's official position and project details require separate confirmation.
Confirmed facts
- Cointelegraph reported that the German Finance Ministry is allegedly seeking to introduce a 25% tax on cryptocurrencies starting in 2028.
- The initiative is reported to depart from the current rule where profits from cryptocurrencies after one year of holding are not taxed.
- The source package contains one independent publication by Cointelegraph; its evidentiary basis is designated as metadata_only.
Context
The report was published by Cointelegraph on 9 September 2026. The provided package contains no primary statement from the German Finance Ministry or text of the draft law.
What remains unknown
- Has the German Finance Ministry published an official document or statement regarding this proposal?
- Which crypto assets and transactions would fall under the 25%? rate?
- Will the exemption for profits after one year of holding be retained, and what would a transition period look like?
- What is the official process for reviewing the initiative and what is its current status?
Editorial context
Confidence: medium
A likely consequence is increased uncertainty for long-term holders of crypto assets in Germany and the need to revise tax planning if the initiative is formally enacted. The next signal to observe is the publication of a document or statement by the German Finance Ministry. Significant uncertainty remains as the details of the proposal and its status have not been confirmed by a primary source.