The German Bitcoin Association rejects the European DAC8 Directive in its current form and supports initiatives in France, Austria, and Slovenia that oppose the unwarranted collection of sensitive financial data. To take action in Germany as well, the association is calling for the establishment of a DAC8 working group. Members, lawyers, companies, and interested supporters are invited to participate.
DAC8: When Tax Transparency Turns into Financial Surveillance
As of January 1, 2026, the new provisions of the DAC8 Directive will take effect in the European Union. These regulations require reportable crypto-asset service providers to collect extensive information about their customers and their transactions and to submit it to the tax authorities.
This includes, among other things, names, addresses, tax identification numbers, and aggregated information about purchases, sales, exchanges, and certain transfers of crypto assets. Transfers to self-managed wallets may also be subject to reporting requirements.
In Germany, DAC8 was implemented through the Cryptocurrency Tax Transparency Act (KStTG). The first reports on transactions from 2026 must generally be submitted by July 31, 2027. The data will then be exchanged between the competent tax authorities of the EU member states.
DAC8 does not introduce a new Bitcoin tax. The goal of the directive is to combat tax evasion through the automated exchange of information.
But the crucial question is: How far can the government go in collecting private financial data?
Our Position: Data Protection and Financial Privacy Are Fundamental Rights
The German Bitcoin Association recognizes that tax evasion must be combated and that tax authorities have a legitimate interest in obtaining information.
However, government interference in privacy must be appropriate, necessary, and proportionate.
In our view, DAC8, as currently drafted, crosses that line.
The indiscriminate collection of extensive personal financial data also affects people who duly fulfill all their tax obligations. We view the reporting of transfers to self-managed wallets as particularly problematic.
Transferring Bitcoin from a trading platform to one’s own wallet does not constitute a taxable sale. Self-custody of Bitcoin is a fundamental aspect of financial self-responsibility and should not be treated as a suspicious activity across the board.
On top of that, there is a significant security risk.
Linking personal identities and home addresses to information about Bitcoin transactions creates sensitive data sets. If such information falls into the wrong hands due to data breaches or unauthorized access, it can be misused for fraud, extortion, or targeted robberies.
Financial privacy is not a privilege reserved for people who have something to hide. It is a fundamental right that must apply to everyone.
The German Bitcoin Association therefore rejects DAC8 in its current form and calls for a redesign of the reporting requirements that is consistent with fundamental rights, minimizes data collection, and is proportionate.
Europe-wide opposition to DAC8 is gaining momentum
The German Bitcoin Association is not alone in its stance. Initiatives have already been formed in several European countries to oppose the far-reaching data collection required by DAC8.
France: Bull Bitcoin takes legal action against DAC8
The first step was taken by the company Bull Bitcoin , which in February 2026 initiated legal proceedings before the French Conseil d’État against the national implementation of the DAC8 directive.
One of the goals of the ongoing proceedings is to have the European Court of Justice review the European regulations.
Through the dac8.com initiative, Bull Bitcoin is calling for resistance to DAC8 to be expanded across Europe.
Austria: Bitcoin Austria Launches dac8.org
In Austria, Bitcoin Austria, supported by the Bitcoin company Coinfinity, launched the dac8.org initiative.
In October 2026, attorney Dr. Oliver Völkel of the law firm CERHA HEMPEL, as an affected customer of a crypto-asset service provider, filed a complaint with the Austrian Data Protection Authority.
The aim is to examine the legality of the data collection and, if necessary, to seek a judicial ruling, potentially all the way to the European Court of Justice.
The initiative is also supported by public awareness campaigns and donations.
Slovenia: Bitcoin Slovenia joins the cause
The Slovenian Bitcoin association, Bitcoin Slovenia, also publicly spoke out against DAC8 in early November 2026.
The association supports the objectives of the French and Austrian initiatives and calls on its community to participate in the discussion about further measures. The possibility of legal action is also being considered.
More information: Bitcoin Slovenia on X
The Bitcoin Federal Association supports the European initiatives
. We expressly welcome the commitment of Bull Bitcoin, Bitcoin Austria, Coinfinity, and Bitcoin Slovenia.
Their efforts demonstrate that the protection of financial privacy is not purely a national issue.
We stand in solidarity with these initiatives and would like to help ensure that a strong voice against the disproportionate surveillance of Bitcoin users is also established in Germany.
In doing so, we aim to engage with European initiatives, share experiences, and coordinate potential joint activities.
We are establishing a DAC8 working group in Germany
Conviction alone does not bring about change. That is why the Bitcoin Bundesverband would like to launch its own DAC8 working group.
The goal of the working group is to bring together interested members, lawyers, businesspeople, and committed individuals to first gather ideas and possible courses of action and then develop a joint strategy based on them.
In doing so, we would like to explore the following approaches, among others:
- Legal Action in Germany: What options are available to have DAC8—or its German implementation—reviewed by the courts? Do we need a plaintiff who is directly affected, as in the Austrian model? Can companies or the Bitcoin Federal Association, as a representative body, also take legal action?
- Legal Support: Which attorneys and law firms with experience in data protection, constitutional, and European law would be willing to contribute their expertise or support potential litigation on a pro bono basis?
- Petition and political initiative: Can we launch a public petition, modeled after our ProHaltefrist initiative, to draw political attention to the issue and secure a parliamentary hearing?
- Public Outreach and European Cooperation: How can we raise awareness about the impacts of DAC8, engage policymakers, and coordinate our activities with initiatives in other European countries?
We also expressly welcome additional ideas and suggestions.
At this time, it has not yet been decided whether the Bitcoin Federal Association will support its own lawsuit, launch a petition, or take other measures. These are precisely the questions we would like to explore together in the working group.
Our goal is to develop a strategy based on sound legal and technical grounds that offers realistic prospects for success.
Get involved now: Working together for financial privacy
The German Bitcoin Association cordially invites all members and interested parties to participate in the DAC8 working group.
This isn’t just about legal expertise. We also welcome people who would like to provide organizational support, contribute political contacts, handle public relations, or develop new ideas.
We are particularly pleased to have lawyers and law firms who are willing to contribute their expertise and assist with any potential legal action.
Companies, other associations, and committed individuals are also expressly welcome. Membership in the Bitcoin Federal Association is not required to participate in this initiative.
Would you like to get involved?
Then contact the Bitcoin Federal Association at:
vorstand@bitcoin-bundesverband.de
Subject: DAC8 Working Group
Feel free to send us a quick note letting us know in which area you’d like to get involved or what ideas you have.
We will bring interested parties together and coordinate the next steps jointly.
For Bitcoin. For data protection. For financial freedom.
Bitcoin stands for self-determination, personal responsibility, and the ability to hold and transfer value independently of central institutions.
These characteristics must not be undermined by disproportionate government surveillance.
The Bitcoin Federal Association therefore advocates for a legal framework that reconciles legitimate tax interests with citizens’ fundamental rights.
We support the European resistance against DAC8. Now we want to work together to determine what contribution we can make in Germany.
