Coinbase Adds Eight Tokens to German Platform Amid Regulatory Clarity

Coinbase has introduced eight new digital assets to its platform, but with a significant caveat: these tokens are exclusively available to users in Germany. The tokens include Rocket Pool (RPL), Reserve Rights (RSR), Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), Renzo (REZ), Aethir (ATH), Syrup (SYRUP), Pendle (PENDLE), and Layer3 (L3). These assets are now accessible through Coinbase’s mobile and desktop apps, allowing German users to buy, sell, receive, and store them. The platform has confirmed that some users may need to refresh or update their app to see the new listings.

Germany’s regulatory environment has been a key factor in Coinbase’s decision to launch these tokens in the region. The country has been working on rules for digital assets since 2013, with BaFin, the Federal Financial Supervisory regulator, being one of the first in the EU to classify cryptocurrencies as “units of account.” This legal term put them under financial control, providing a clear regulatory framework for crypto companies to operate within. In 2020, Germany became the first country in the EU to issue fully controlled custody licenses to cryptocurrency companies, allowing Coinbase and other similar companies to operate legally through Coinbase Germany GmbH, a business licensed by BaFin. This level of compliance not only makes Coinbase’s operations in Germany legal but also allows other regulated companies, such as banks, investment funds, and pension plans, to get involved.

Germany’s regulatory evolution has been a gradual process, starting with the classification of Bitcoin as a “unit of account” in 2013. This paved the way for regulatory oversight and legal certainty for crypto startups. In 2020, BaFin introduced a licensing regime for crypto custody services, requiring any company storing digital assets for others to be registered and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) rules. The following year, Germany passed the Fund Location Act, allowing special funds to invest up to 20% of their portfolios in crypto, opening the gates to institutional capital. By 2023, digital finance had become a central agenda item for German economic strategy, with several banks exploring tokenized securities and crypto ETFs gaining traction. This progression has established Germany as a regulatory safe zone and a growing digital asset hub with one of the most structured legal frameworks in Europe.

The specific tokens chosen for the German market reflect strategic thinking, with a focus on utility, growth potential, and legal acceptability. Rocket Pool (RPL) is a decentralized Ethereum staking network, aligning well with Germany’s focus on DeFi infrastructure. Pendle (PENDLE) offers yield-trading products and has been among the top-performing altcoins of Q2 2025. Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) taps into NFT culture, which has seen a rebirth in Germany’s art and Web3 spaces following partnerships with retail giants. Layer3 (L3) and Syrup (SYRUP) are emerging platforms that promote user rewards and gamified engagement — both growing themes in the European retail market. The inclusion of lesser-known names like Renzo (REZ) and Aethir (ATH) suggests that Coinbase is using Germany as a testing ground for mid-cap assets with growth upside, under close regulatory observation.

While the U.S. faces challenges such as lawsuits, Congressional gridlock, and turf wars between regulatory bodies, Germany and the EU are pushing forward with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), set to take effect across member states. Germany’s existing structures mirror the upcoming MiCA guidelines, making it a preferred entry point for global firms like Coinbase and Binance, as well as local banking institutions starting to offer crypto products under full compliance. Berlin’s growing tech scene and developer community, aligned with regulatory clarity, position it as a potential Web3 capital for Europe, attracting increasing attention from venture capitalists and cross-border projects seeking a stable base.