In March 2025, the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) published new guidance on the taxation of cryptocurrencies. Here you’ll find a concise overview of what’s changing for you as an entrepreneur or crypto investor.
The key changes in crypto taxation from 2025 onwards:
1. Tax-free after one year still applies
Gains from selling cryptocurrencies remain tax-free under the new BMF guidelines if the holding period exceeds one year – even if the coins were used for staking or lending during that time.
Germany thus remains attractive for long-term crypto investments.
2. Stricter documentation and cooperation obligations
Starting in 2025, the requirements for documentation and proof will become significantly stricter – both for individuals and companies.
What this means for you:
Each transaction (buy, sell, swap, lending, staking, airdrop) must be documented individually.
Mandatory details include:
Date
Type and quantity of cryptocurrency
Euro value
Wallet address or platform used
Order of use (e.g. FIFO)
Missing records can lead to estimations by the tax authorities.
Tax reports generated by tools are only accepted if they are complete and verifiable.
3. Updates for businesses
For companies, crypto assets held as part of business assets continue to be subject to accounting obligations. The new cooperation duties also apply to you as a business owner – especially for cross-border matters, where you are required to fully disclose all tax-relevant information.
4. Terminology updates and new definitions
The BMF now refers to “crypto assets” instead of “virtual currencies and tokens,” and clearly distinguishes between:
Currency tokens (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum)
Utility tokens
Security tokens
For the first time, Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and passive staking are also addressed from a tax perspective.
5. NFTs and liquidity mining remain unregulated
NFTs and liquidity mining are not yet conclusively addressed in the current BMF guidance. Further clarification is expected in the future.
Conclusion & Practical Tips
Gains after a one-year holding period remain tax-free – but only if documentation is complete and accurate.
Use certified tax tools
Secure all supporting documents (exchange reports, wallet backups, blockchain explorer links)
Review your internal processes to ensure they meet the new requirements – especially as a business owner holding crypto in your company assets
Our tip: If you have questions about crypto taxation, proper documentation, or how to classify your crypto transactions for tax purposes, we’re here to support you as your digital tax advisor.
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