- The AfD party is advocating for Germany to classify Bitcoin as a strategic national asset.
- The AfD Bitcoin reserve initiative seeks exemption from MiCA and favorable tax policies.
- AfD promotes Bitcoin as “state-free money” to enhance sovereignty.
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has introduced a parliamentary resolution calling on the government to acknowledge Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
The concise, assertive proposal insists that Bitcoin warrants special consideration separate from other crypto-assets and demands tax and regulatory relief to foster innovation and national sovereignty.
The Bitcoin strategic reserve initiative by AfD
The AfD initiative urges legislators to differentiate Bitcoin from tokens and stablecoins under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
It contends that Bitcoin’s decentralized nature and capped supply render it a unique form of digital currency that should not be forced into regulations designed for centrally issued crypto assets.
The party explicitly suggests that the government should consider adding Bitcoin to national reserves as a safeguard against inflation and currency volatility.
A key demand in the resolution is tax certainty.
AfD legislators aim to maintain the current 12-month holding exemption for private capital gains and uphold Bitcoin’s VAT exemption.
They also seek to classify private mining and operation of Lightning Network nodes as non-commercial activities, easing administrative burdens for individuals.
The resolution emphasizes the right to self-custody and warns that legal ambiguity discourages long-term private investment.
AfD presents the proposal as part of a larger defense of digital sovereignty.
The party opposes a European digital euro and positions Bitcoin as “state-free money” that can protect freedoms and reduce reliance on centrally issued currencies.
This proposal emerges amidst discussions about Germany’s decision in mid-2024 to sell nearly 50,000 BTC seized from criminal cases — a move AfD and others now describe as a policy error given the subsequent market fluctuations.
The initiative contends that stringent national implementation of MiCA risks capital flight and undermines Germany’s position in blockchain innovation.
AfD legislators assert that excessive regulations will drive companies and talent to more favorable jurisdictions, harming competitiveness in a swiftly evolving technological field.
AfD also points out potential synergies between Bitcoin and energy policy.
The resolution suggests that productive applications of surplus renewable energy — including mining — could align Germany’s energy transition with the Bitcoin network.
The party describes the state’s acquisition of Bitcoin as a wise diversification of reserve assets, drawing parallels with other European nations that have considered or enacted similar strategies.
Beyond advocating for a strategic stance from the federal government, the resolution seeks concrete commitments: maintain tax benefits, exempt certain private activities from commercial classification, protect self-custody rights, and explore Bitcoin’s potential role in reserves and energy integration.
AfD demands that the Bundestag formally acknowledges Bitcoin’s unique status and limits national regulation that would extend MiCA beyond its intended application.
The public’s response
Supporters in crypto communities celebrated the initiative as a sign that mainstream political discourse is shifting away from negative perceptions of digital currencies.
Critics, however, fear that the plan could politicize reserve policies or conflict with EU regulatory intentions.
Observers note that Germany holds a significant place in Europe’s economy, so any decision to treat Bitcoin strategically could have widespread effects on markets and policy discussions.
As the Bundestag examines the AfD’s initiatives alongside the broader question of how national policies should align with EU regulations, the proposal’s success will hinge on cross-party evaluations regarding economic advantages, sovereign risks, and regulatory consistency.
