Costa Rica vs Germany
Crypto regulation comparison
Costa Rica
Germany
No Regulation
Legal
Costa Rica has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Central Bank has stated crypto is not legal tender and not backed by the government, but has not prohibited its use. Some businesses accept Bitcoin, and there is a growing crypto community, particularly in tech-focused areas.
Germany has one of the most well-defined crypto regulatory environments in Europe. BaFin has regulated crypto custody as a financial service since 2020. Notably, crypto held for over one year by individuals is completely tax-free, making Germany one of the most favorable jurisdictions for long-term holders.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
0-45%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCCR (Banco Central de Costa Rica), SUGEF
Regulator
BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht)
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under MiCA; BaFin already licensed crypto custody under existing German law since 2020
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation exists
- BCCR does not recognize crypto as legal tender but has not banned it
- Crypto businesses operate in a legal gray area without formal licensing
- A Bitcoin and crypto community has emerged, especially around tech hubs
- Tax obligations on crypto gains are unclear due to lack of specific guidance
Key Points
- Crypto held for more than 1 year is completely tax-free for individuals
- Short-term gains (under 1 year) taxed as income at up to 45% plus solidarity surcharge
- Annual exemption of €1,000 for short-term crypto gains (since 2024, previously €600)
- BaFin licenses crypto custody businesses under the KWG (German Banking Act) since January 2020
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024, complementing existing German regulation