– BMF sets new rules for staking rewards from March 6, 2025
– Claimed and unclaimed rewards must be taxed by year-end
– NFTs remain unaddressed in the latest guidance
Berlin, March 6 — Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) has issued new guidance on the taxation of cryptocurrency income, clarifying rules for staking rewards. The directive, dated March 6, 2025, separates staking income — especially from staking pools — for the first time, offering a simplified approach to valuation.
Updated Policy For Crypto Assets
Under the updated policy, crypto assets received through staking can now be valued at the time they are claimed. This streamlines the tax process by removing the need for continuous tracking of token values at the time the income economically arises.
However, the BMF also confirmed a stricter stance: unclaimed staking rewards are still subject to taxation. Regardless of whether rewards have been accessed, they must be recorded as taxable income by December 31 of each year. Investors are advised to claim rewards before year-end to ensure accurate tax reporting.
Why This Matters
This clarification ends a long-standing ambiguity in German crypto tax law. Until now, it was unclear whether unclaimed staking rewards could remain tax-free. The new rules ensure uniformity in reporting and provide relief for taxpayers through the simplified claiming-based valuation.
NFTs Left in Legal Limbo
Despite the progress, the latest BMF letter leaves open questions on the treatment of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Their unique nature and inconsistent usage have so far kept them outside of formal regulatory guidance.
The BMF’s latest stance signals a stronger regulatory grip on digital assets. As Germany solidifies its tax treatment of crypto earnings, market participants await further instructions — especially around NFTs and decentralized finance (DeFi) instruments.