Facts

Sourced answers, not estimates

10 questions on crypto-assets, German bookkeeping and the DAC8 reporting duty. Each answer stands on its own, names the source that settles it, and carries the date we last checked it against that source. Anything not traceable to a statute, an official journal, a BMF or BZSt publication or one of our own disclosed datasets is not here.

How many crypto-asset service providers are authorised in Germany under MiCAR?86 firms, holding 89 authorisations between them. That is the largest pool in the entire European Economic Area; France follows with 35, the Netherlands with 29.When is the first DAC8 report due in Germany?On 31 July 2027, for reporting period 2026. The report goes to the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).By when must self-certifications for existing customers be on file?By 1 January 2027, for every user whose business relationship already existed before 31.12.2025.Which exchange rate applies when valuing crypto-assets in the books?The market rate at the time of the transaction, from a named source, meaning a trading platform or a recognised rate portal.Is there an ECB reference rate for crypto-assets?No. The European Central Bank publishes reference rates for currencies, not for crypto-assets. There is no ECB rate for USDC.How long must accounting records be retained in Germany?Eight years, not ten. For books and annual financial statements it remains ten years.In which format is a DAC8 report filed with the BZSt?Exclusively electronically as CARF XML, via the DIP mass-data interface or portal upload. There is no form-based route.What is a crypto-asset service provider under MiCAR?A legal person whose business is providing one or more of the ten crypto-asset services listed in Art. 3(1)(16) MiCAR, and which is authorised to do so.How many German crypto-asset service providers are authorised for Germany only?70 of 86. Only 16 may provide their services in further states of the European Economic Area.What do the GoBD require regarding the immutability of bookings?Once recorded, a booking must not be silently changeable. Corrections happen as a new, visible entry, not by overwriting.