Germany’s Bundestag approves customs powers to seize suspected illicit assets, including crypto

The Customs Financial Justice Act lets German customs freeze suspect assets before any criminal case begins, with crypto squarely in scope Germany’s Bundestag has approved a law that lets customs authorities temporarily seize assets they suspect come from illicit sources. They can do it before a criminal case has even started. Crypto is explicitly on the list. In Germany, a large wallet balance with a murky backstory may now draw the attention of customs officers. The law is formally called the Zollfinanzgerechtigkeitsgesetz. In English it is the Customs Financial Justice Act. The Bundestag passed it on November 12, 2026. The core change is simple. Customs can now investigate and secure assets whose lawful origin looks doubtful, without first opening criminal proceedings. Two thresholds decide what qualifies.

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