Germany vs Iraq
Crypto regulation comparison
Germany
Iraq
Legal
Banned
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.
Iraq has banned cryptocurrency dealings. The Central Bank of Iraq issued a directive in 2017 prohibiting banks, financial institutions, and exchange companies from dealing in cryptocurrency. Despite the ban, some underground and peer-to-peer crypto trading reportedly persists.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0-45%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht)
Regulator
CBI (Central Bank of Iraq)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under MiCA; BaFin already licensed crypto custody under existing German law since 2020
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable; crypto activities prohibited
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
- CBI banned all crypto dealings by financial institutions in 2017
- Exchange companies are prohibited from handling cryptocurrency
- No regulatory framework for crypto businesses
- Underground and P2P crypto trading reportedly exists despite the ban
- The ban is motivated by AML concerns and financial stability considerations
