A new OSC survey finds 25% of Canadian adults own crypto, up from 10% in 2023, but half skip registration checks. Coinbase expansion and an ATM ban test the regulatory balance.
Alpha Score of 38 reflects weak overall profile with weak momentum, weak value, poor quality, strong sentiment.
Canada's cryptocurrency ownership rate hit 25% in 2026, more than double the 10% recorded three years earlier, according to an Ontario Securities Commission survey of 2,360 adults. The findings, collected between December 2025 and January 2026, showed that 59% of respondents were aware of crypto assets.
The jump means one in four Canadian adults now holds some form of digital currency. Growth has accelerated even as regulators warn that many investors still misunderstand how platforms are regulated, whether assets carry insurance, and which transactions can be reversed.
“Crypto markets continue to evolve, and Canadians are participating in them more than ever before,” said Naizam Kanji, executive vice president of strategic regulation at the OSC. “By identifying emerging trends and behaviors with our research, we can look around corners, anticipate potential opportunities and risks, and ensure our regulatory approach supports investor protection while fostering fair and efficient markets.”
The survey arrives alongside efforts by major crypto firms to expand in Canada. Coinbase is preparing to launch its "Everything Exchange" strategy in the country, combining tokenized stocks, traditional financial products and blockchain-based services in a single app for Canadian users.
Ownership gains have been accompanied by persistent knowledge gaps. About half of crypto owners told the OSC they checked whether a platform was registered before opening an account or sending funds. That leaves a large portion of investors transacting without confirming the platform's regulatory status.
Misunderstandings around protections are significant. Crypto holdings typically do not receive the same deposit insurance as bank accounts, and blockchain transactions can be difficult or impossible to reverse once sent to a fraudulent address.
Canada's federal government outlined plans in its Spring Economic Update 2026 to ban crypto ATMs nationwide, citing their use by scammers to collect money from victims. Officials said the machines are a frequent channel for fraud, and that payments sent through them are harder to recover than conventional bank transfers.
A separate bill introduced in March would restrict cryptocurrency donations to political groups, part of a wider push to tighten election-financing rules before the next federal election.
If approved, the measures would split Canada's approach: continue allowing regulated ownership and financial products while blocking channels seen as vulnerable to fraud or hidden funding.
The rising ownership rate puts more pressure on regulators to balance market access with investor protection. The OSC survey suggests adoption is moving faster than investor understanding. Registration checks, insurance assumptions and transaction recovery remain central risks as more Canadians enter the market.
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