Germany vs Nepal
Crypto regulation comparison
Germany
Nepal
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.
Nepal has banned cryptocurrency trading, mining, and transactions. The Nepal Rastra Bank declared crypto trading illegal in 2017, and the Nepal Telecommunications Authority has been directed to block crypto exchange websites. Law enforcement has arrested individuals for operating crypto exchanges. Despite the ban, some citizens use VPNs to access crypto.
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
- NRB declared all crypto trading and transactions illegal in 2017
- Mining cryptocurrency is also prohibited
- NTA directed to block access to crypto exchange websites
- Arrests have been made for operating crypto trading platforms
- NRB exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC) as an alternative