{"id":4079,"date":"2026-06-30T10:41:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T08:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bitcoin-bundesverband.de\/accepting-open-bitcoin-payments-why-germany-must-set-the-right-course-now\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T10:58:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T08:58:10","slug":"accepting-open-bitcoin-payments-why-germany-must-set-the-right-course-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bitcoin-bundesverband.de\/en\/accepting-open-bitcoin-payments-why-germany-must-set-the-right-course-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Accepting Open Bitcoin Payments \u2013 Why Germany Must Set the Right Course Now"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782808833702{margin-top: -50px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;background-color: #F7931A !important;}”]\n

Accepting Open Bitcoin Payments \u2013 Why Germany Must Set the Right Course Now<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1738314649405{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782808869402{border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”]\n

The German Bitcoin Association advocates for an open Bitcoin payment system<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

Bitcoin was originally developed as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system<\/strong>. The idea was that anyone should be able to pay any other participant directly using their wallet\u2014without closed networks and without central intermediaries.<\/p>\n

It is precisely this openness that makes Bitcoin a unique innovation.<\/p>\n

However, we are currently seeing a trend that could change this fundamental principle.<\/p>\n

More and more Bitcoin payment providers are evolving into closed, account-based payment systems<\/strong>. At the same time, regulatory uncertainties surrounding self-custody and the Lightning Network are on the rise.<\/p>\n

The German Bitcoin Association views this development with concern and is committed to ensuring that Europe\u2014and Germany in particular\u2014remains a place that fosters innovation for open Bitcoin payments.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1738314649405{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782809014274{border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”]\n

Developments in the United States<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\n

A look at the U.S. already gives us an idea of where the market might be headed.<\/p>\n

Many well-known Bitcoin payment providers there already operate using a closed-account model<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

These include, among other things:<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782809043798{margin-left: 50px !important;}”]\n

    \n
  • BitPay<\/li>\n
  • Coinbase Commerce<\/li>\n
  • Crypto.com Pay<\/li>\n
  • Binance Pay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\n

    The process is similar to that of a traditional credit card system.<\/p>\n

    The merchant has an account with the respective payment provider.<\/p>\n

    The payer must also have an account with that exact provider and must first complete the identity verification process (KYC).<\/p>\n

    Payment can be made only after that.<\/p>\n

    Technically, Bitcoin is used.<\/p>\n

    In practice, however, the payment takes place within a closed network.<\/p>\n

    For the user, this means:<\/p>\n

    If you want to pay at a retailer, you often have to use the exact same payment provider that the retailer uses.<\/p>\n

    This contradicts the original idea of an open Bitcoin network, in which every wallet should be interoperable with every merchant.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1738314649405{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782809075441{border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”]\n

    Is this trend also emerging in Europe?<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\n

    The first signs of a similar trend are also evident in Europe.<\/p>\n

    One example is the Danish payment provider Coinify<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Coinify states on its website that the payer’s personal data is collected in accordance with the Travel Rule.<\/p>\n

    These include, among other things:<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782809100901{margin-left: 50px !important;}”]\n

      \n
    • full name<\/li>\n
    • Email address<\/li>\n
    • Home Address<\/li>\n
    • Date of birth<\/li>\n
    • Wallet Type<\/li>\n
    • Wallet address or exchange used.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\n

      This data is either transmitted to Coinify by the merchant or requested directly from the payer during the payment process.<\/p>\n

      Coinify creates its own customer dataset for this purpose and can identify repeat payers using a customer ID.<\/p>\n

      The key question, therefore, is:<\/p>\n

      Is this merely a particularly conservative implementation of regulatory requirements, or is an account-based payment model gradually taking shape in Europe as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      From the outside, it is not currently possible to provide a definitive answer to this question.<\/p>\n

      One thing is certain, however:<\/p>\n

      For the payer, this approach means that personal data is also transmitted to a payment service provider\u2014even though the merchant may not actually need this information.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1738314649405{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782809131288{border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #F7931A !important;}”]\n

      Why This Development Should Be Viewed Critically<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\n

      The German Bitcoin Association supports effective measures against money laundering and terrorist financing.<\/p>\n

      However, regulation must not result in Bitcoin losing its essential characteristics.<\/p>\n

      When paying at a brick-and-mortar store, no one expects a customer to first, when buying a cappuccino,<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1782809159322{margin-left: 50px !important;}”]\n