The following crypto asset trading platforms have received exemptive relief to offer crypto products to investors in Ontario:
Name | Category of Registration | Date of Exemptive Relief (Most recent decision only) |
Bitbuy Technologies Inc. (Bitbuy) | Restricted Dealer (Dealer and Marketplace) | |
Bitvo Inc. | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Coinberry Limited (Coinberry) | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. | Investment Dealer (Dealer and Marketplace) | |
Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC (Fidelity Digital Assets) | Investment Dealer (Dealer) | |
Fidelity Digital Asset Services, LLC | Exempt Marketplace and Clearing Agency | |
Hibit Technology Ltd. | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Netcoins Inc. (Netcoins) | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Newton Crypto Ltd. | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Shakepay Inc. | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Simply Digital Technologies Inc. (carrying on business as CoinSmart) | Restricted Dealer (Dealer and Marketplace) | |
VirgoCX | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Wealthsimple Digital Assets Inc. | Restricted Dealer (Dealer) | |
Wealthsimple Investments Inc. | Investment Dealer (Dealer) | December 18, 2023 [effective January 1, 2024] |
Registered crypto asset trading platforms are subject to terms and conditions, which can be viewed in the individual exemptive relief decisions linked in the chart above.
As explained in CSA Staff Notice 21-332 Crypto Asset Trading Platforms: Pre-Registration Undertakings - Changes to Enhance Canadian Investor Protection, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) expect unregistered CTPs that satisfy eligibility criteria to provide a pre-registration undertaking to their Principal Regulator while their applications for registration and related relief are reviewed. By giving these undertakings, unregistered CTPs agree to comply with provisions that address investor protection concerns and are consistent with requirements currently applicable to registered CTPs. These commitments are generally consistent with requirements currently applicable to registered CTPs and are intended to address investor protection and level-playing-field concerns, as explained below.
The following crypto asset trading platforms have entered into a pre-registration undertaking with their principal regulator to continue operations while their application for registration is reviewed.
Name | Date of pre-registration undertaking |
ByteX Financial Ltd. Et al operating as ByteX | |
CatalX CTS Ltd. operating as CatalX | |
Coinbase Canada, Inc. et al operating as Coinbase | |
Coinsquare Capital Markets Limited | [Replaced by exemptive relief decision above] |
Foris DAX, Inc. operating as Crypto.com | |
DigiFinex Canada Limited et al operating as DigiFinex | |
Gemini Trust Company, LLC et al operating as Gemini | |
Payward Canada Inc. et al operating as Kraken | |
NDAX Canada Inc. operating as NDAX | |
Satstreet Inc. | |
Shakepay Inc. et al operating as Shakepay | [Replaced by exemptive relief decision above] |
Uphold Worldwide Ltd. et al operating as Uphold |
On March 29, 2021, the OSC communicated to crypto asset trading platforms that they must contact Staff to initiate the registration process, or face enforcement action.
The OSC continues to work with firms (for which it is Principal Regulator) that initiated compliance discussions with Staff to assess the appropriate path to registration in Ontario.
Unregistered platforms operating in Ontario that are non-compliant may be included on the OSC Investor Warnings and Alerts Page and subject to regulatory action, including temporary orders.
Registered and unregistered platforms are reminded that OSC staff may review their compliance with securities law requirements, including in relation to advertising and marketing. False or misleading advertising and improper marketing strategies raise concerns about the fitness of a firm and its principals for registration. For recent guidance, see Joint CSA-IIROC Staff Notice 21-330 Guidance for Crypto-Trading Platforms - Requirements relating to Advertising, Marketing and Social Media Use.
Visit the Canadian Securities Administrators’ website for a list of crypto asset trading platform decisions in other jurisdictions.
last updated on December 21, 2023.
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