Do crypto transactions have to be reported?

Yes, crypto transactions must be reported under certain conditions. The AWG reporting obligation applies from a value of 50,000 euros.

Legal basis: The Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG)

The AWG regulates cross-border payment transactions and pursues foreign trade policy objectives.

<div class="u-blog-para">§ 11 Abs. 2 AWG verpflichtet inländische Personen – also natürliche oder juristische Personen mit Wohnsitz oder Sitz in Deutschland – zur Meldung bestimmter Zahlungen aus oder in das Ausland, wenn diese einen bestimmten Schwellenwert überschreiten.</div>

The details can be found in the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (AWV). The relevant standard here is in particular Section 67 AWV, which specifies the reporting obligation for capital movements.

When is there an obligation to report crypto transactions?

With the increasing importance of cryptocurrencies, the Deutsche Bundesbank has also clarified this: Cryptocurrencies are considered financial means within the meaning of Section 67 AWV - provided they are used as part of a cross-border payment transaction.

Since 01.01.2025, a uniform threshold of 50,000 euros per transaction has applied. This value replaces the previous limit of 12,500 euros.

Examples of reportable facts:

• You transfer Bitcoin worth over 50,000 euros to a foreign exchange or foreign wallet.
• You receive Ethereum in the same amount from a private individual or company not based in Germany.
• You make a payment in Stablecoins to settle an invoice outside Germany.

The decisive factor is not the currency, but the euro equivalent at the time of the transaction.

Who has to report - and how?

The following must be reported:

• Private individuals resident in Germany
• Companies that are domestic legal entities
• Financial service providers domiciled in Germany

In the case of regular payments, the report is submitted via the Deutsche Bundesbank's reporting portal "Allgemeines Meldeportal Statistik" (AMS) and must generally be submitted by the 7th calendar day of the month following the payment.

What are the consequences of a breach of the reporting obligation?

A breach of the reporting obligation constitutes an administrative offense under Section 19 AWG. The sanctions range from warnings to fines of up to 30,000 euros.

Self-disclosure as an opportunity to avoid a fine

Anyone who has neglected their reporting obligations to date should not hesitate: the AWG provides for the possibility of a so-called voluntary disclosure. Anyone who subsequently and voluntarily submits an omitted report before the authorities have discovered the violation can, under certain circumstances, avoid a fine entirely.

The prerequisite is that the notification is made in full and in good time. This offers crypto investors in particular an effective way to return to legality without sanctions - similar to the voluntary disclosure with exemption from punishment under tax law.

<div class="u-blog-haken">Unser Team von Kryptoanwalt.de unterstützt Sie gerne bei der rechtssicheren Erstellung und Einreichung einer Selbstanzeige sowie bei der Prüfung, ob überhaupt eine Meldepflicht vorliegt.</div>

Conclusion: compliance pays off - even with crypto

Cryptocurrencies (still) enjoy an air of anonymity - but this does not exempt them from regulatory obligations. The AWG reporting obligation does not serve the purpose of taxation, but rather the collection of foreign trade data by the German Bundesbank. Nevertheless, anyone who fails to comply risks severe sanctions.

Our advice: If you regularly carry out or plan to carry out large crypto transactions, we recommend a legal review of your circumstances - especially for cross-border transactions. Early self-disclosure can avoid fines and offers an uncomplicated route to legally compliant reporting.

<div class="u-blog-achtung"> Wir von Kryptoanwalt.de helfen Ihnen gerne dabei, den Überblick über Ihre Pflichten zu behalten – kompetent, diskret und effizient. </div>

Do you have any questions?

Kryptoanwalt.de provides you with comprehensive advice on reporting obligations, tax implications and compliance issues relating to cryptocurrencies. Contact us - discreetly, competently and practically.