Germany’s Finance Committee has voted down a Green Party proposal that would have ended the country’s tax exemption for crypto assets held longer than one year.
The bill, introduced by Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, argued the existing rule was designed for physical assets like antiques stored in basements, not digital currencies.
Under current German law, Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies are exempt from capital gains tax when held for more than 12 months.
Four Factions, Four Different Objections
The CDU/CSU opposed the measure on fairness grounds, arguing it would create a new inconsistency rather than resolve an existing one. Under the Greens’ proposal, crypto assets would be taxed differently from comparable stores of value such as precious metals and foreign currencies. Germany has cultivated a crypto-friendly reputation largely because of rules like the one-year exemption.
The AfD rejected the bill on broader fiscal grounds, arguing Germany should reduce the scope of taxation rather than expand it. The party contended the state should focus on core functions such as domestic and foreign security and the justice system.
The SPD took a softer position. While the party supports crypto taxation in principle, it said it would hold off on specific legislation until Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil presents his own proposals. The SPD’s stance reflects the broader German crypto policy debate as the EU tightens oversight under MiCA.
Only Die Linke backed the Greens, but pointed to weaknesses in the draft. The party flagged significant administrative complexity and a missing cap on loss offsets from crypto trades, a gap it warned could erode net fiscal gains considerably.
€11.4 Billion Crypto Revenue Estimate Not Enough to Persuade
The Greens cited research from the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center projecting up to €11.4 billion in additional annual tax revenue. The party used roughly half that figure in its own calculations, citing conservative budgeting. The study found that German crypto investors realized €47.3 billion in gains in 2024, with nearly two-thirds escaping tax under the holding-period rule.
With the bill defeated, Germany’s one-year crypto tax rules stay unchanged even as 2026 brings new reporting requirements for investors across Europe. The coming months will show whether Klingbeil’s proposals reopen the debate or shelve it entirely.
