A bombshell for all crypto enthusiasts: the German government has made a drastic decision behind closed doors - from January 1, 2026, trading in cryptocurrencies is to be completely banned in Germany!
The reasons: Climate, tax evasion and consumer protection
According to official sources, the main reasons for this drastic step are the enormous energy consumption of cryptocurrencies, the increasing cases of tax evasion and the high risk of fraud for consumers.
"We can no longer stand idly by while cryptocurrencies destroy the environment, trick the tax authorities and rob bona fide citizens of their savings," says a leaked internal paper. Bitcoin in particular is in the spotlight due to its massive power consumption and the difficulty of tracing transactions.
Shock for investors - expropriation looming?
Not only trading, but also holding cryptocurrencies is to be made a punishable offense from 2026! Anyone who still owns Bitcoin & Co. will face heavy fines. The government is even planning a transitional phase in which citizens can report and surrender their holdings - a kind of "compulsory levy" to enable an orderly return to the regulated financial market. During this transition phase, citizens will have the opportunity to exchange their cryptocurrencies tax-free for the digital euro, which is to be introduced as a state-regulated digital currency.
"There is no future for speculative digital currencies in Germany," is the clear message. At the same time, banks are instructed to consistently block crypto transactions in future. Access to foreign exchanges could also be made more difficult through network blocks.
Industry in turmoil - fleeing underground?
The crypto community is furious. Experts warn that such a ban would only lead to trading shifting to illegal channels. Companies developing blockchain technology in Germany are talking about a "death blow for innovation" and threatening to move abroad.
Private individuals are also horrified. Many see their savings at risk and feel dispossessed. The reactions on social media are overwhelming - from anger and protest to gloomy predictions of an impending financial exodus from Germany.
What comes next?
There is still no official announcement, but the evidence is mounting. Critics see this step as a massive encroachment on financial freedom and are calling for an open dialog instead of a sudden total ban.
Is this really the end of Bitcoin & Co. in Germany? Or are we experiencing an April Fool's joke? $BTC (+0,17%)
$ETH (-0,98%)
$SOL (-1,02%)
$XRP (-0,19%)
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