A ChainCatcher report published on 11 November 2026, citing CryptoTicker, describes a ministerial draft dated 28 October from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance. The draft indicates that Germany’s account inquiry system would in future cover cryptocurrency accounts.
Under the draft, cryptocurrency exchanges and other crypto-asset service providers would be required to enter customers’ account master data into the account inquiry procedure set out in Section 24c of the German Banking Act. Authorities could then see on which platform a user opened an account, when the account was opened, and whether the account still exists. Balances and individual transactions would not be included.
The draft would also allow the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), where money laundering is suspected, to freeze crypto-asset accounts for up to five working days. An objection would not lift the freeze.
The draft is still being coordinated among government departments and has not taken effect. A new anti-money laundering law is planned to replace the current legislation on 10 July 2027.
