French lawmakers approved an amendment aimed at including certain cryptocurrencies in the category of “unproductive wealth.” The amendment, introduced by a centrist member of parliament, was adopted by 163 votes to 150, with support from lawmakers across different political groups.
However, the measure will still need to pass several legislative stages before becoming law, particularly in the Senate, as part of the 2026 budget bill.
Digital assets now targeted
According to the text, the definition of “unproductive assets” is expanded to include items such as non-productive real estate, luxury goods, private jets… and now digital assets.
The threshold is set at €2 million: only wealth exceeding this amount would be subject to this new tax. The proposed rate would be 1% on the value of assets above that limit.
Until now, non-productive real estate assets were taxed progressively, with a rate that could reach up to 1.5% for very high-value estates.
Reactions within the crypto ecosystem
The community of cryptocurrency holders in France reacted with concern. The co-founder of a crypto wallet company stated that this measure “punishes all savers who seek to protect themselves with gold or Bitcoin.” He emphasized that the political message is clear: “crypto is being treated as an unproductive reserve, not useful to the real economy.”
They also warned that holders could be forced to sell their digital assets in order to pay the tax if their liquid assets are insufficient.
