The German Ministry of Finance is reportedly seeking to impose a 25% tax on cryptocurrencies, departing from current laws that make crypto gains tax-free after one year of holding. The German Federal Ministry of Finance reportedly issued a draft proposal to transition cryptocurrency trading profits to the standard 25% flat-rate tax starting in 2028. The ministry’s proposal would apply to all crypto assets acquired after Jan. 1, 2027, according to a draft proposal seen by local news outlet Die Welt on Wednesday. The draft also proposes grandfathering protections, meaning that digital assets bought before this deadline may be treated under the old taxation rules. Read more
Ethena Labs and Germany’s BaFin agreed on a 42-day USDe redemption plan, marking the end of a months-long regulatory dispute. Ethena Labs announced on Wednesday that the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, BaFin, and Ethena GmbH, the company’s German arm, have agreed on a redemption plan for USDe stablecoin holders. The regulator said it had initiated a 42-day redemption process for stablecoin holders. BaFin said USDe holders will have until Aug. 6 to declare redemption claims directly against Ethena GmbH. The process will be supervised by a special representative appointed by BaFin. After the deadline, Ethena GmbH will be deemed officially wound up within Germany, the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA). This means that any claims from Aug. 7 onward should be made through the company’s offshore affiliate, Ethena (BVI) Ltd. Read more
The German government sold its Bitcoin stash in the summer of 2024, which became a $2.3 billion missed opportunity for Europe’s largest economy. The German government missed out on more than $2 billion worth of Bitcoin profit after selling its holdings in 2024, according to blockchain intelligence firm Arkham. A “German Government (BKA)” labeled cryptocurrency wallet sold 49,858 Bitcoin (BTC) worth over $2.89 billion at an average price of $57,900 across multiple transactions during June and July in 2024. The decision to sell the Bitcoin early cost the German government over $2.35 billion, according to crypto intelligence platform Arkham. Read more