Germany vs Denmark
Crypto regulation comparison
Germany
Denmark
Legal
Legal
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.
Cryptocurrency is legal in Denmark and regulated under EU frameworks including MiCA. Denmark has notably high tax rates on crypto gains, treated as personal income and taxed at rates up to 52%. The Danish Tax Council confirmed in 2018 that gains and losses on Bitcoin are taxable.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
0-45%
Tax Rate
37-52%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht)
Regulator
Finanstilsynet (Danish FSA), Skattestyrelsen
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under MiCA; BaFin already licensed crypto custody under existing German law since 2020
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework (Denmark is EU member but outside eurozone)
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
Key Points
- Crypto gains taxed as personal income at 37-52% (among the highest in the world)
- Losses on crypto can be deducted against gains
- Finanstilsynet supervises crypto businesses under the Danish AML Act
- Denmark does not have its own crypto-specific legislation beyond EU frameworks
- Skattestyrelsen (tax authority) actively monitors crypto transactions and issues guidance