Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Enterprise, Scaleup
CIX Summit 2026 Agenda Released Ahead Of Toronto Event
March 5, 2026 | CIX Summit 2026
Image courtesy of CIX, Powered by Elevate, March 25, 2026
CIX Investor Forum, Founder Sessions, Startup Meetings
On March 4, 2026, CIX Summit confirms the 2026 summit agenda now live and tees up the March 25 Toronto event, with NCFA participating as a community partner.
The agenda puts investor founder connection at the center of the day, with an Investor Forum built for candid capital conversations and a Founder Forum focused on fundraising and scaling. It also includes Scale Beyond Borders with Global Affairs Canada and founders sharing practical market entry experience, plus Cracking the VC Code on funding strategies for women founders and how to navigate fundraising in today’s market.
CIX also spotlights this year’s Innovator of the Year fireside chat with Wealthsimple CEO and co founder Mike Katchen
CIX also names 14 Canadian startup award winners for 2026, which helps founders and investors see who CIX is already ranking as standout teams.
Meeting Exchange Opens March 9 At 12:00 PM EST
CIX confirms that on March 9 at 12:00 PM EST Meeting Exchange bookings become open (must be CIX Startup passholder, format is one to one). These meetings are for startups from pre-seed to growth capital, with investor types that include incubators, accelerators, angels, venture funds, corporate venture teams, and debt providers across major tech sectors.
Get Tickets Now for March 25 at Design Exchange, Toronto
NCFA is sharing a 20% community partner discount on CIX Summit passes for its community. Use CIXNCFA20 for 20% off. CIX runs on March 25, 2026 in downtown Toronto. CIX publishes ticket options and event logistics on its official page for CIX Summit 2026 ticket details and March 25 venue information.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Open letter to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister responsible for Statistics Canada
March 5, 2026 | NCFA Advocacy | Data Governance
Sent by email:
Dear Minister
Power of Data
We (the undersigned – data driven tech and policy experts) very much support the letter of 4 Feb 2026 to you from CCPA – https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/open-letter-to-the-honourable-melanie-joly-minister-responsible-for-statistics-canada/.
We add to that letter the following points:
1. At a time when we need more data, not less, to support evidence-based decision making and community engagement in Canada, the staffing and other cuts already started at StatsCan are misguided. Even if the cuts will “have a ‘low’ or ‘limited’ impact on existing service levels” (a position which is contestable), we echo concerns about the long-term impact on data collection, statistical reliability, and public trust in government institutions.
We ask StatsCan to outline how core programs, release schedules, and quality standards will be maintained. How do we reconcile the cuts with the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy - https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/digital-research-infrastructure? Clarifying how “modernization” will offset reductions would strengthen confidence in the transition.
2. Our need for data is magnified by the attacks on data collection in the US, keeping in mind that in the past we have relied on much of that data. The attacks show how quickly statistical capacity can erode and how difficult it is to rebuild.
3. StatsCan plays an important coordinating role in maintaining statistical standards. Although StatsCan is not necessarily the body that should be collecting all the data we need in Canada, we suggest that StatsCan should be the body to oversee an inventory of what Canada does collect (or should be collecting) and to consult on and publish best practices for collection and governance. However, the cuts will clearly constrain an expanded governance role for StatsCan for the foreseeable future.
To provide some examples of data that is sorely needed:
(a) commercialization from Canadian universities, along the lines of the UKRI spinout registry (https://www.ukri.org/news/world-leading-register-of-uk-university-spin-outs-published); *
(b) data on emerging tech commercialization for defence (https://www.nato-pa.int/document/2024-dual-use-technologies-report-baldwin-051-esc and https://www.cigionline.org/publications/intellectual-property-is-economic-and-national-security/); and
(c) data on the outcomes of research spending.
4. Under the World Bank’s Statistical Performance Indicators, Canada’s statistical system ranks highly – https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/statistical-performance-indicators. While we do not doubt that reform of StatsCan is needed in an increasingly tech-driven economy, wholesale cuts are not the way to do it. Expertise will be lost, collaborative connections across organizations will be lost, mistakes will be made, there will be loss of morale, and direct costs of “redundancy” will be high, when strong statistical capacity is even more essential to support productivity and competitiveness.
5. The timing could not be worse. We are facing enormous challenges, and Canada’s need for reliable data is increasing as the economy evolves. To provide but one example, Canada is increasing defence spending under a new defence industrial strategy and engaging in “nation-building” projects. As noted in the Institute for Research in Public Policy report (https://irpp.org/research-studies/how-industrial-policy-can-strengthen-canada/), these projects must be “accompanied by rigorous evaluation and good governance practices” which can only be effective when Canadian institutions, including StatsCan, collect high quality data and use it to connect action to outcomes.
6. Rebuild or shred? (‘The Doom Loop’ and the future of the global order – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ULm87aidxM). This is a moment for careful planning to ensure institutional capacity is preserved and to plan for rebuilding, not shredding.
Respectfully
Signed
Kyle Briggs - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-briggs/
David Durand – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddurandavocat/
Craig Asano, CEO National Crowdfunding & Fintech Assn of Canada - https://ncfacanada.org/
Robin Ford, Robin Ford Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinericaford/
Peter Morand, Past President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Patrick Leblond, CN-Paul M. Tellier Chair on Business and Public Policy, University of Ottawa
José Carlos Marques, Associate Professor, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
* While Canada invests billions in research, we translate very little of the value created into long-term economic and social benefit for Canadians. StatsCan recently attempted to survey Canadian universities on their commercialization activities but was unsuccessful. StatsCan removed the report from the website following complaints that the data was incomplete.
In contrast, the UK recently created a “spin-out register” of all startups commercializing IP created during publicly funded research (https://www.ukri.org/blog/university-spin-out-register-a-step-change-in-insights-for-all/). This register is already providing valuable insights that are helping UK policy makers make better funding decisions.
Canada’s world-class research institutions could contribute far more to Canada’s economy and economic security (https://www.cigionline.org/publications/intellectual-property-is-economic-and-national-security/), but without high-quality data, we struggle to identify and fix the problems.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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US Crypto Rules To Clarify Onshore Market Structure
Mar 5, 2026 | NCFA Fintech Market Insight | Digital Assets And Policy And Regulation
Tokenized Collateral Perpetuals And Event Contracts Get Rules
On January 29 2026, at the joint SEC CFTC event in Washington titled CFTC SEC Harmonization U.S. Financial Leadership in the Crypto Era.
CFTC Chair Michael S. Selig’s remarks laid out a detailed US policy direction for crypto market structure. The speech goes past broad support for innovation and points to specific rule work on tokenized collateral, perpetual derivatives, software safe harbours, retail leveraged crypto trading, and event contracts.
SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins’ remarks support the same direction from the SEC side, which is part Project Crypto.
“Fragmented regulation in an integrated market is not a safeguard for investors so much as a source of confusion among them.”
That line from Atkins defines the problem. Unclear boundaries change how firms structure products, where they launch, and how much they spend on compliance before they can scale.
“Project Crypto recognizes that crypto markets span across our agencies’ respective regulatory boundaries.”
Selig starts from the point that crypto products don't fit neatly into older lines between agencies. Clearer lines are needed to cut the cost of operating in uncertainty.
1. Tokenized Collateral And Perpetuals Move Into The Rulebook
“I have directed CFTC staff to develop rules to enable the responsible deployment of additional forms of eligible tokenized collateral.”
Eligible collateral is what a trading venue accepts to back positions. It decides how much margin traders need, how fast funds move, and how safely trades settle. If the CFTC allows more tokenized assets to count as eligible collateral, more crypto trading can happen inside regulated U.S. markets, but custody and collateral movement will need tighter controls and clearer proof that assets are protected and available when they are needed.
“The CFTC will use the tools at its disposal to onshore perpetual and other novel derivative products so that they can flourish across both centralized and decentralized markets, subject to appropriate safeguards.”
Perpetuals are a popular kind of crypto futures that many platforms offer outside the U.S. If U.S. rules start allowing them in a regulated way, more trading, market making, and new product builds can move onshore. That would also make it harder for offshore exchanges to keep growing just because the U.S. has no clear legal path today.
2. Software Builders And Multi Product Platforms Get A Clearer Path
“The CFTC will explore ways in which the agency can encourage innovation in software development and support builders as they work toward product market fit, including by assessing whether an innovation exemption may be appropriate in certain circumstances.”
This targets a hard issue in crypto regulation. Wallets, interfaces, and on chain software do not fit cleanly into rules built around centralized intermediaries. If the CFTC creates clearer room for software development and early stage testing, legal uncertainty will be reduced for teams building core infrastructure.
“As part of this harmonization effort, we will examine whether substituted compliance can achieve equivalent or better regulatory outcomes at lower costs for market participants.”
See: Atkins Testimony Targets IPO Burden And Crypto Rules
This is about cost, duplication, and speed. Overlapping requirements can turn compliance into a barrier to entry. Substituted compliance can cut repeated work where two regimes are trying to solve the same control problem.
“Within the bounds of the law and where appropriate, market participants should be able to offer multiple products through a single platform without navigating an inefficient patchwork of registrations and overlapping regulatory regimes.”
This points to a model where firms can run more of their product stack under one platform instead of splitting activity across separate legal and operational silos. That can improve operating leverage for exchanges, brokers, and infrastructure firms that want to offer more than one regulated product. Also see broader SEC direction in Atkins crypto rules testimony.
3. Retail Leveraged Crypto And Event Contracts (eg. Prediction Markets) Get A Reset
“I have directed CFTC staff to begin drafting rules clarifying when leveraged, margined, or financed retail commodity transactions in crypto may be offered off-exchange under an ‘actual delivery’ exception.”
Retail users can already get leveraged crypto in some places, but U.S. rules have left big gaps in what is clearly allowed. If the CFTC writes clearer rules, firms will know which leverage products they can offer, which ones are off limits, and what steps they must follow to stay compliant.
“I have directed CFTC staff to explore the creation of a new category of DCM registration that is tailored specifically to retail leveraged, margined, or financed crypto asset trading.”
This suggests the CFTC may create a new kind of regulated exchange category built specifically for retail leveraged crypto trading. If it does, firms will be able to design products and go to market using a clearer venue rulebook, and exchanges will compete on who can offer the best compliant access and distribution.
“First, I have directed CFTC staff to withdraw the 2024 event contracts rule proposal that would prohibit political and sports-related event contracts and the 2025 staff advisory.”
This removes a major source of uncertainty around prediction markets.
“Second, looking ahead, and in the spirit of markets that trade on expectations, I have directed CFTC staff to move forward with drafting an event contracts rulemaking.”
Withdrawing the old proposal reduces near term uncertainty, but new event contract regulations would spell out which event-based contracts are allowed, what monitoring and controls platforms must run, and how firms can build prediction style products without guessing where the line is.
What This Means For Builders And Investors
These speech commitments point to a practical attempt to aggregate more products, more liquidity, and more infrastructure into regulated US channels. Tokenized collateral, perpetuals, retail leveraged crypto, and event contracts are all in the spotlight with real market share potential. Companies that can meet the bar for custody, risk controls, disclosures, and auditable operations can begin building onshore products more confidentially than they could before.
Also, OCC Issues Rulemaking Notice for Stablecoin Issuance
The CFTC and SEC discussion focuses on market structure, but tokenized collateral and onshore crypto venues still rely on a settlement instrument that can hold up under supervision. That is why the stablecoin perimeter matters.
See: MiCA Vs UK Crypto Rules And Global Fintech Competition
On February 25, 2026, the OCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (See: OCC stablecoin NPRM) to implement the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act) for payment stablecoin issuance and related activities under OCC jurisdiction, including national banks and their subsidiaries, federal savings associations and their subsidiaries, federal branches and their subsidiaries, and foreign payment stablecoin issuers, along with entities approved as federal qualified payment stablecoin issuers and certain state qualified issuers. The OCC points to a new 12 CFR 15 that covers reserve assets, redemption, risk management, audits and supervision, custody, applications and registrations, examination of foreign issuers, and a capital and operational backstop.
Also, Congress Hits New Impasse On Stablecoin Rules
While the OCC moves ahead with rulemaking under the GENIUS Act, the legislative framework for crypto market structure is still contested in Washington. A Reuters report from March 5, 2026 on the crypto bill impasse in Congress describes renewed disagreement over stablecoin related customer rewards and whether they could draw deposits away from banks. The dispute shows that even as regulators move ahead with rules for trading infrastructure, tokenized collateral, and stablecoin issuance, Congress is still debating how far crypto firms should be allowed to compete with the traditional deposit system.
Talking Point
If the CFTC and SEC push tokenized collateral, perpetuals, and event contracts into regulated channels while the OCC pushes stablecoin issuance into a bank style rulebook, does the next U.S. advantage move to firms that can run both market structure and the cash leg under supervision?
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Why Hosted PBX Is Becoming the Backbone of Modern Business Communication
March 5, 2026
Image: Cloud hosted PBX
Business communication has evolved significantly over the past decade as organizations increasingly adopt digital tools and cloud-based platforms. Traditional phone systems that once relied on on-site hardware are gradually being replaced by flexible internet-based solutions that support modern work environments. When researching these modern systems, many organizations explore resources such as canada hosted pbx to better understand how cloud-hosted communication platforms function and how they can support growing business needs.
As companies expand, work remotely, and collaborate across multiple locations, the communication infrastructure must adapt accordingly. Hosted PBX systems provide a modern approach that helps organizations manage calls efficiently while maintaining the flexibility required for today’s dynamic work environments.
Understanding Hosted PBX Technology
Hosted PBX, or Hosted Private Branch Exchange, is a cloud-based telephone system that allows businesses to handle their voice communications over the internet rather than relying on traditional landline infrastructure. Instead of installing complex hardware within an office, the entire system operates through secure data centers managed by a service provider.
Employees connect to the system through internet-enabled devices such as IP phones, desktop applications, or mobile devices. This setup enables businesses to maintain a professional phone system without managing on-site physical servers or switching equipment.
Because the service provider hosts the infrastructure, businesses gain access to advanced communication features while reducing the technical burden associated with maintaining traditional systems.
How Hosted PBX Differs from Traditional Phone Systems
Traditional PBX systems require physical equipment installed within the office. These systems typically involve hardware maintenance, wiring infrastructure, and specialized technicians to manage upgrades or repairs.
Hosted PBX systems function differently. Instead of relying on local equipment, they operate through cloud servers that manage call routing, voicemail, conferencing, and other communication features.
This shift from hardware-based systems to cloud-hosted solutions provides several advantages:
- Reduced infrastructure requirements
- Remote accessibility
- Easier system updates
- Simplified scalability
Because the system operates through the internet, businesses can manage their communication networks from centralized dashboards without physically modifying office equipment.
Key Features of Hosted PBX Systems
Hosted PBX platforms typically include a wide range of communication tools designed to streamline business operations. These features allow organizations to manage calls more efficiently and improve internal collaboration.
Auto Attendants
Auto attendants provide automated menus that guide callers to the appropriate department or employee. This feature helps organizations manage incoming calls more efficiently and ensures customers reach the right destination quickly.
Call Forwarding and Routing
Hosted PBX systems automatically route calls based on time of day, department availability, or employee schedules. Calls can also be forwarded to mobile devices, remote offices, or voicemail systems when necessary.
Voicemail-to-Email
Many hosted PBX platforms include voicemail-to-email functionality, which converts voice messages into digital files and delivers them directly to an employee’s email inbox. This feature allows employees to check messages quickly without logging into the phone system.
Conference Calling
Built-in conference calling features allow multiple participants to join calls without using external conferencing platforms. This can be useful for team meetings, remote collaboration, and client discussions.
Mobile and Desktop Integration
Hosted PBX systems often integrate with desktop applications and mobile devices. Employees can make and receive business calls from smartphones or laptops while still appearing as part of the organization’s main phone network.
These features help create a more unified communication system that supports both internal collaboration and customer interactions.
Supporting Remote and Hybrid Work Environments
The rise of remote and hybrid work models has significantly influenced the adoption of hosted PBX technology. Businesses today often have employees working from multiple locations, including home offices, coworking spaces, and satellite offices.
Hosted PBX systems offer this flexibility, allowing employees to access the phone system from any internet-connected device. Whether someone is working remotely or traveling, they can still answer business calls, access voicemail, and participate in conference calls.
This flexibility ensures that organizations can maintain consistent communication regardless of where employees are located.
Scalability for Growing Businesses
As organizations grow, their communication needs expand as well. Traditional PBX systems can make expansion complicated because adding new users often requires additional hardware installation and configuration.
Hosted PBX systems simplify this process. New users can be added through administrative dashboards in minutes. Businesses can scale their communication systems up or down based on operational needs.
This scalability makes hosted PBX particularly useful for:
- Growing companies
- Seasonal businesses
- Organizations opening new locations
- Businesses hiring remote employees
Because the infrastructure is cloud-based, the system can easily accommodate changes without requiring physical upgrades.
Cost Efficiency and Budget Predictability
Another reason businesses adopt hosted PBX systems is cost efficiency. Traditional phone systems typically require large upfront investments in hardware, installation, and maintenance.
Hosted PBX solutions usually operate on subscription-based pricing models. This approach allows organizations to spread communication costs over time rather than making significant upfront investments.
Additionally, because the service provider manages infrastructure maintenance and updates, businesses often avoid the costs of system repairs or hardware replacement.
Predictable monthly pricing can also make it easier for organizations to manage communication budgets.
Security and Reliability Considerations
Communication systems play a critical role in business operations, which makes reliability and security essential considerations.
Hosted PBX providers generally operate secure data centers designed to protect voice communications and maintain service availability. Many systems include features such as encrypted call transmission, redundant servers, and backup infrastructure.
These safeguards help ensure that communication networks remain operational even during technical disruptions. Reliable systems are especially important for organizations that depend heavily on customer calls, support services, or sales communication.
Integration with Modern Business Tools
Modern businesses rely on a variety of digital tools for productivity and collaboration. Hosted PBX systems often integrate with other software platforms, including customer relationship management (CRM) systems, collaboration tools, and help desk platforms.
These integrations allow organizations to connect voice communication with broader workflows. For example, incoming calls may automatically display customer information from a CRM system, helping employees provide more personalized service.
By connecting communication systems with other digital tools, businesses can create more efficient operational processes.
The Future of Business Communication
As technology continues to evolve, cloud-based communication solutions are expected to become even more prevalent. Hosted PBX systems offer a flexible foundation that aligns with the needs of modern workplaces, including remote work, digital collaboration, and scalable infrastructure.
Organizations increasingly seek communication systems that are easy to manage, adaptable to growth, and capable of supporting employees in various locations. Cloud-hosted phone systems address many of these requirements while reducing the technical complexity associated with traditional telephony.
Conclusion
Effective communication remains one of the most important foundations of successful business operations. As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, traditional phone systems are gradually giving way to more flexible, cloud-based solutions that better support modern workflows.
Hosted PBX technology enables businesses to manage voice communication via internet-based platforms while benefiting from features such as scalability, remote access, and simplified system management. These advantages make it easier for organizations to adapt to changing workplace structures, including remote and hybrid work environments.
See: Expert Tips For Managing Small Business Finances
By removing the need for complex on-site infrastructure and providing access to advanced communication tools, hosted PBX systems enable businesses to focus more on productivity and collaboration rather than technical maintenance. As communication needs continue to evolve, cloud-based phone systems are likely to remain a central component of modern business communication strategies.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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MiCA Vs UK Crypto Rules And Global Fintech Competition
Mar 4, 2026 | NCFA Fintech Market Insight | Digital Assets And Policy And Regulation
Image: Freepik/diana.grytsku
Passporting Scale Versus Tighter Supervision
On February 27 2026, the FCA set the application window for UK cryptoasset permission under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The window opens on September 30 2026 and closes on February 28 2027. FCA webinar guidance also points to October 25 2027 as the date the new regime goes live.
This confirms the UK is moving crypto firms into the same permissioned structure used across traditional financial services (UK draft crypto rules). A firm that already operates under anti money laundering registration now faces a full authorisation process, a narrower transition path, and a higher standard on governance, controls, safeguarding, financial resources, and senior accountability.
Two Regulatory Models Are Competing
The UK model prioritizes integration with established financial regulation. It raises the operating bar and can favour firms with stronger compliance infrastructure, clearer ownership structures, and the capital to support ongoing supervision. That can improve institutional credibility, but it also increases readiness cost and raises the threshold for smaller firms.
The EU model is different. MiCA creates a dedicated crypto rulebook, and that structure supports cross border expansion through one member state authorisation and EU passporting. One licence can open access across the single market. NCFA has already covered that operating advantage in MiCA licence unlocks EU access.
Canada Sits In A Different Middle Ground
Canada has a domestic passport framework, but it's not the same as EU style passporting across sovereign countries inside a single massively connected market. CSA regulatory cooperation reduces duplication across participating provinces and territories, but Ontario does has not formally adopted the passport rule despite Canada's need to reduce duplication and regulatory burden. Ontario's passport status still emains outside MI 11-102, with Ontario using an interface and reliance model instead.
A Canadian crypto platform can use the passport process to expand across much of Canada, but of course it doesn't get the scale benefit that MiCA passporting provides across the EU with market access to 450 million. The compliance cost can still be high, while the addressable market remains much smaller. Canada also continues to raise the operating bar through supervision and custody expectations, including CIRO’s digital asset custody framework. See: NCFA’s Weekly Fintech Intelligence Jan 31-Feb 6, 2026.
Collectively this puts Canada's approach to crypto regulation closer to the UK on operating discipline than to the EU on market scale. Also worth noting varying consumer differences between UK and Canada crypto consumers.
What Builders And Investors Need To Decide
These models now reward different business strategies. The UK offers deeper integration with traditional financial supervision and may suit firms that want institutional positioning, bank grade credibility, and a tighter regulatory perimeter.
The EU offers faster regional scale through passporting and may suit firms that need broader customer reach across multiple markets.
Canada offers a more controlled path, but one that can be slower to scale and more operationally demanding relative to market size.
See: Atkins Testimony Targets IPO Burden And Crypto Rules
For exchanges, brokerages, wallets, custody providers, and compliance firms, this is now a jurisdiction choice with direct consequences for licensing cost, expansion speed, product sequencing, and capital planning. For investors, it changes where operating leverage may be easiest to achieve. The question is not whether crypto gets regulated. The question is which regulatory architecture creates the best conditions for durable growth.
Talking Point
When the UK raises the authorisation bar, the EU offers passporting scale, and Canada keeps a tighter supervised path, which model attracts more builders, more capital, and more long term market share?
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Vivox AI Raises £1.3M To Scale Compliance Agents
Mar 4, 2026 | NCFA Fintech Market Activity | Regtech And Financial Crime Compliance
AI image robot analyzing financial data in office
AI Agents Enter Financial Crime Operations
On March 4 2026, UK based Vivox AI raised £1.3 million to scale AI agents built for AML, KYB, and KYC workflows inside regulated financial institutions.
Vivox AI ties the raise to current deployment claims across enterprise customers operating in more than 100 countries, including the UK, Europe, the United States, and Singapore. The release says complex compliance case processing time falls from about six hours to about 30 minutes, false positive screening alerts fall by up to 86%, and straight through processing reaches up to 50% for selected onboarding and due diligence workflows.
AI Agents Move Into AML And KYC Workflows
AML, KYC, and KYB work is repetitive, document heavy, and costly. Time per case, alert volume, and exception handling drive staffing levels and backlog risk. The goal is to target those exact cost drivers. Less time per case reduces analyst hours. Lower false positive rates reduce review load. Higher clean through processing reduces manual touch rates.
See: Which Fintech Processes Are Most Ready for Agentic AI
The product is described as separate task agents rather than one general AI layer. That design fits regulated workflows more closely because onboarding, due diligence, screening, and case handling can be controlled, tested, monitored, and audited as separate processes. In practice, compliance teams need faster file handling, cleaner audit trails, and fewer manual reviews that do not add risk insight.
Canada recently updated its Canada anti fraud policy and continues to raise expectations on prevention, detection, and reporting. That pushes more pressure through AML, KYC, and KYB operations while boosting financial crime compliance innovation.
Vivox AI is entering a category where established Canadian and Canada connected firms already cover adjacent parts of the stack. Trulioo identity verification supports global KYC and KYB onboarding. iComply compliance automation covers modular AML, KYC, KYB, and KYT workflows. Nasdaq Verafin financial crime controls serves financial institutions with AML, fraud, and investigation tools. Vivox AI’s stated position is narrower and more execution focused: task specific agents inside case work, screening, and due diligence workflows.
For operators key metrics such as time saved per case, false positive rates, exception rates, audit evidence quality, and post approval error rates will determine whether automation lowers cost or adds a second layer of review.
Talking Point
If compliance automation cuts a six hour case to 30 minutes and reduces false positives by up to 86%, does workflow design replace compliance team size as the main scaling lever?
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Wealthsimple Wins Direct Swift Access For Global Wires
Mar 3, 2026 | NCFA Fintech Market Activity | Payments And Market Infrastructure
First Canadian Fintech On Core Traditional Global Payment Rails
On March 3 2026, Hanna Zaidi, VP Payments Strategy and COO of Wealthsimple announced on LinkedIn that Wealthsimple just became the first Canadian fintech to earn direct access to Swift, and the second non-bank fintech globally to gain direct access. The Globe and Mail reported that Wealthsimple will be offering cheaper international money transfers than larger Canadian competitors and a spring launch for the new service.
From reviewing WS's website, Wealthsimple wire fees lists CA$15 for outgoing CAD wires (US$15 for outgoing USD wires), while inbound wires will have no fee on Wealthsimple’s side. There's also a per transfer limit of up to CA$1,500,000 or US$1,500,000.
Swift membership rules explain why direct access is hard to secure. Applicants must qualify under Swift’s user categories and Swift's onboarding requires mandatory security controls and a security attestation before a new member can go live. Meaning WS earned a direct network membership milestone, not a reseller arrangement.
Swift's network scale connects 11,500+ institutions across 220+ countries and territories, handles 53 million+ FIN messages each day on average, and routes 75% of payments to destination banks within 10 minutes.
The table below highlights the price gap Wealthsimple is attacking, compared with TD fees and RBC fees for incoming/outgoing wire transfers which are more expensive. Wealthsimple enters the wire market below the published outgoing wire fees at both banks and below the published incoming wire fees in both schedules.
| Comparison | Wealthsimple | TD | RBC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outgoing international wire | CA$15 CAD wire / US$15 USD wire | $50 | Starting at $45 |
| Incoming wire | $0 (WS's side) | $15 | Starting at $17 over $50 |
| Published transfer limit | Up to CA$1.5M / US$1.5M | Not stated in cited fee schedule | Not stated in cited fee page |
| SWIFT Access | Direct member access as a fintech | Direct bank member access | Direct bank member access |
The strategic value goes beyond a wire product though. In addition to direct Swift access, Wealthsimple has also earned direct participation in Payments Canada, Interac, and the Bank of Canada’s coming real time rail. That gives one non-bank platform direct reach across more of the domestic and global payment stack that sets pricing, speed, and settlement.
See: Stablecoin Data Shows Payments Reality Gap
For Canada, from a competitive perspective, when a fintech now has direct entry into the same global messaging network used for bank wires and is attaching a lower listed fee to that access, consumers benefit. That puts direct pressure on wire pricing and strengthens Wealthsimple’s position in cross-border money movement services.
Talking Point
When a non-bank fintech gets direct Swift access and lists lower wire fees than major banks, does the competitive edge move to firms that control the rail instead of firms that only package the service?
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