Canada — crypto regulation

Status: legal · Last reviewed 2026-11-05

First country to approve a spot Bitcoin ETF (2021). The CSA regulates crypto trading platforms as securities dealers, OSFI oversees bank crypto exposure, and FINTRAC requires MSB registration. The Stablecoin Act (Bill C-15) received Royal Assent in Mar 2026 but is not yet in force. Draft Stablecoin Regulations were published in Oct 2026: Bank of Canada registration, 1:1 HQLA reserves held in Canada, three-day redemption and a yield ban, with implementation targeted for fall 2027. CIRO introduced a 4-tier crypto custody framework in Feb 2026.

Legislation