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
How MSPs and IT Services Are Powering Canada’s Digital Future
Oct 14, 2025
Image: Freepik/DC Studio
In today’s fast-changing digital world, Canadian businesses are under constant pressure to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s maintaining smooth operations, protecting sensitive data, or scaling technology efficiently, the demand for expert IT management continues to rise. This is where Managed IT Services have become a game-changer for organizations of all sizes.
Across Canada, companies are increasingly turning to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to handle complex IT needs. Instead of juggling in-house infrastructure challenges, these businesses rely on specialized partners who deliver reliable, secure, and cost-effective technology solutions. From cloud optimization to system monitoring, MSPs ensure businesses focus on growth while leaving the technical headaches to professionals.
Why MSPs Are Crucial for Modern Businesses
MSPs are more than just IT vendors — they are strategic partners that help businesses thrive in an increasingly connected economy. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), outsourcing IT Services to an MSP offers flexibility, scalability, and financial predictability.
Rather than maintaining an internal IT team, which can be expensive and resource-intensive, businesses gain access to a full suite of technical expertise. MSPs manage everything from network performance to software updates and cybersecurity compliance.
This approach not only ensures smooth operations but also minimizes downtime — a critical factor in business success. In an era where even a few minutes of disruption can lead to lost revenue, MSPs play an essential role in keeping systems efficient and secure.
Moreover, MSPs enable organizations to focus on what they do best. When technology works seamlessly in the background, productivity naturally increases. This alignment of business and technology goals is why MSP-driven IT management has become a key differentiator in competitive markets like Canada.
How Canadian Companies Benefit from Proactive IT Support
One of the biggest advantages of working with an MSP is the shift from a reactive to a proactive IT model. Instead of waiting for systems to fail or security breaches to occur, MSPs continuously monitor and maintain infrastructure health.
Canadian businesses benefit from 24/7 network oversight, remote management tools, and automated issue detection — all designed to prevent problems before they disrupt operations.
For example, MSPs often implement advanced analytics and AI-driven alerts to track network anomalies. This real-time monitoring ensures that potential threats or inefficiencies are handled swiftly. Over time, this reduces IT costs and improves reliability.
Additionally, proactive IT management offers businesses peace of mind. With regular maintenance, data backups, and security patching, companies can focus their energy on innovation rather than troubleshooting. It’s a smarter, more strategic way to handle technology in a landscape where digital downtime is simply not an option.
The Growing Importance of Digital Protection
As Canada becomes more digital, cyber threats have also grown more sophisticated. Businesses face phishing scams, ransomware, and data breaches at an alarming rate — making strong cybersecurity essential.
That’s why investing in professional cybersecurity services has become a top priority. These services go beyond installing antivirus software or firewalls; they create comprehensive protection frameworks tailored to each business.
A well-structured cybersecurity plan includes employee training, multi-layer authentication, real-time threat detection, and disaster recovery solutions. For MSPs like Cypher, this means providing clients with complete visibility into their risk landscape while implementing proactive defense measures.
By combining Managed IT and cybersecurity under one roof, businesses can ensure both performance and protection — a combination that’s vital in today’s digital-first economy.
How Cypher Empowers Businesses Through MSP Excellence
Cypher stands out as one of Canada’s forward-thinking technology partners, delivering customized solutions that merge efficiency with innovation. Their approach to IT management is built on trust, transparency, and measurable performance.
Cypher’s expertise extends across cloud computing, data security, system integration, and remote technical support. They don’t just react to issues — they anticipate them. By implementing predictive analytics and continuous improvement models, Cypher helps businesses stay one step ahead of evolving challenges.
What truly sets Cypher apart is their dedication to client success. Whether working with startups or established enterprises, Cypher tailors its Managed IT approach to meet specific industry demands. From optimizing cloud infrastructure to ensuring compliance with Canadian data laws, every service is designed to strengthen a company’s digital foundation.
In a world where technology is the backbone of business, Cypher’s MSP and IT solutions are empowering organizations to operate confidently and securely.
Choosing the Right Technology Partner
Selecting the right MSP can make or break a business’s IT strategy. With so many providers in the market, it’s important to choose a partner that aligns with your company’s vision, values, and long-term goals.
When evaluating potential providers, businesses should look beyond price and focus on reliability, scalability, and service depth. A good MSP will offer transparent communication, 24/7 support, and a proactive approach to technology management.
Certifications and proven experience in cybersecurity, cloud management, and data compliance are also critical factors. The best providers — like Cypher — not only resolve immediate issues but also act as strategic advisors, guiding businesses toward future-ready technology solutions.
Ultimately, the right partnership fosters confidence. It allows companies to innovate, scale, and compete effectively in a rapidly digitalizing marketplace.
The Future of Managed IT in Canada
Canada’s tech ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and so are the expectations from MSPs. With artificial intelligence, edge computing, and automation becoming mainstream, Managed IT providers are expanding their capabilities.
The future lies in integrated service models that merge technology management, cybersecurity, and digital strategy. Companies that embrace this shift early will gain a competitive edge — reducing risk, improving agility, and enhancing customer trust.
As digital transformation accelerates, MSPs will continue to be indispensable partners for businesses navigating the complexities of modern IT.
Conclusion
In today’s interconnected economy, technology is more than a tool — it’s the lifeline of every successful organization. Businesses across Canada are realizing that maintaining reliable and secure systems requires more than just in-house effort; it demands the expertise of professional partners who understand the evolving digital landscape.
See: Canada’s Public Sector Costs and Productivity Gap
Through trusted providers like Cypher, companies gain access to world-class IT support, proactive monitoring, and robust security frameworks. Whether it’s optimizing workflows through Managed IT Services or strengthening defenses with expert cybersecurity services, these solutions empower businesses to focus on what truly matters — growth, innovation, and long-term success.
The message is clear: the future belongs to businesses that embrace smart technology management. And with the right MSP by their side, that future looks bright, secure, and full of potential.
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 aa 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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Deloitte Australia’s AI Error Shakes Consulting Trust
AI Ethics | Oct 10, 2025
Image: Freepik
AI Oversight Failure Exposes Deloitte’s Costly Governance Gap
On October 7, 2025, AP news reported that Deloitte Australia has agreed to refund part of a $440,000 AUD government contract for not disclosing the use of AI and delivering a 237 page welfare report to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) that was riddled with AI generated errors, fabricated quote, non-existing sources and incorrect legal references.
See: Which Fintech Processes Are Most Ready for Agentic AI
Deloitte Australia subsequently returned part of its fee and reissued a corrected report with full disclosure that AI had been used while correcting the identified errors, raising questions around how oversight can keep pace with growing enterprise AI adoption.
AI Misuse Went Unnoticed for Months
According to the Guardian's analysis of Deloitte's AI mistake, the DEWR report was first published in July 2025, and not until several months later did University of Sydney researcher Chris Rudge first detect the fake academic references embedded throughout Deloitte’s report. He described the contents as clearly AI generated, such as strange book titles and misattributed legal quotes.
Senator Barbara Pocock later criticized the firm’s use of AI saying, "[Deloitte] misused AI and used it very inappropriately: misquoted a judge, used references that are non-existent”.
Shame on Deloitte. Bigger shame on Govt: $440k contract for rubbish work: “Deloitte has admitted to using generative AI for a core analytical task; but it failed to disclose this in the first place.” pic.twitter.com/QLM1Y4kp3u
— Barbara Pocock (@BarbaraPocock) October 5, 2025
Policy Implications
The Deloitte case shows how unchecked automation can weaken confidence in institutions that depend on verified data and transparent reporting. For fintechs and financial institutions, it reinforces that every AI-assisted process from compliance to portfolio analysis needs accountable oversight and clear audit trails.
"Oversight can be human, automated, or hybrid, but it must always be explainable and verifiable."
See: AI Psychosis Threatens Trust in Innovation
Canadian regulators are also under pressure to ensure that AI tools used in finance meet standards of traceability and accountability. Embedding disclosure requirements, validation checkpoints, and auditable review logs can prevent governance breakdowns before they escalate.
In Conclusion
Consulting and financial firms that apply AI ethically and responsibly will maintain (and grow) their credibility, while those that don’t risk lasting damage to their reputation. According to news reports, at least the report recommendations were in tact. Accountability is the real audit.
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 aa 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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Stingray Security Wins ScamShield Challenge
Cybersecurity | Oct 9, 2025
Image: Stingray Security demo image (Winner of ScamShield Challenge, Oct 2025)
Alberta’s Investor Protection Challenge Crowns Stingray Security for Advancing Real-time Fraud Prevention Innovation
On October 9, 2025, the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) announced that Stingray Security had won first place in the ScamShield: Investor Protection Challenge, a collaborative initiative launched last year by the ASC, Edmonton Police Foundation (EPF), and Edmonton Police Service (EPS).
The challenge was created to find new ways to fight the growing problem of online crypto investment fraud. More than 30 solutions were submitted after the program’s launch in September 2024. Two concepts were chosen to move forward in January 2025, and Stingray emerged as the top solution after further testing and development.
Why The Challenge Matters
According to the ASC’s January 2025 update, more than 60% of the $309 million in investment fraud losses in 2023 were tied to crypto scams, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. There's an urgent need for better tools and collaboration to protect investors.
See: How to Avoid Phishing Attacks on Your Crypto Wallet
ScamShield is focused on prevention and education by combining regulatory oversight, community engagement, and fintech innovation. For fintechs, investors, and digital finance leaders, the initiative demonstrates how regulators and entrepreneurs can co-create solutions that build confidence in online markets and reduce fraud risk.
Ron Anderson, CIO/CTO at the Edmonton Police Service Innovation and Information Bureau:
"Online investment scams have emerged as a preferred method for fraudsters, exploiting the public's limited experience in the fast-changing world of digital finance. These crimes are far from victimless – behind every fraudulent scheme are hardworking individuals whose savings have been compromised. As law enforcement, our mission goes beyond holding perpetrators accountable, we must also build public confidence in the integrity of our financial systems. The Stingray Security solution is another powerful tool that investors can use to safeguard themselves and avoid becoming victims of these devastating crimes."
Stingray Security’s Winning Innovation
Canadian cybersecurity company Stingray Security developed a browser-based protection tool that identifies risky website links and blocks threats in real time. The product defends users against phishing, fake investment platforms, and other fraudulent activity linked to crypto scams. It is available free of charge and can be downloaded directly from the Google Chrome Web Store. The technology uses in-browser protection to stop malicious activity before harm occurs, offering instant protection for individuals, families, or workplaces.
See: $4.3M in Crypto Scams Triggers Operation Avalanche
Ian MacKinnon, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Stingray Security:
“We built Stingray so anyone can start using state-of-the-art protection in seconds, whether at work, at home, or to protect loved ones—all for free.”
Closing Thought
Programs like ScamShield prove that regulators and entrepreneurs can collaborate to develop practical tools that deliver measurable results for investors and communities. As fraud continues to evolve, public and private cooperation will be essential to maintaining trust in digital markets and strengthening financial resilience coast to coast.
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 aa 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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Crypto Finance Finding Scale and Clarity in 2025
FT Partners Crypto and Blockchain Update | Oct 9, 2025
Source: Financial Technology Partners
Institutional Capital Into Regulated Crypto Infrastructure and Transparent Growth Channels
Financial Technology Partners (FT Partners) October 2025 Crypto and Blockchain Update shows that capital is flowing back into regulated digital asset infrastructure.
The Financial Technology Partners (FT Partners) October 2025 Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies Monthly report shows that digital asset M&A and financing activity has rebounded, led by exchanges, custody networks, and compliance technology. Institutional demand is piling into the market as regulated entities capture a growing share of capital and deal flow, with climbing valuations across regulated segments.
Select 2025 Deal Transactions
The FTP report data indicates that infrastructure remains the strongest and most resilient part of the market. Custody systems, settlement networks, and tokenization technology are attracting the largest investments as firms position to meet higher institutional and compliance standards. Transactions through 2025 is proof of how global players are consolidating around regulated platforms, liquidity access, and cross-border interoperability.
Custody and Infrastructure Led Deal Activity
Ripple Labs acquired Standard Custody & Trust for $120 million in January, expanding its regulated tokenization and trust charter capabilities.
In April, Fireblocks raised $150 million at a $10 billion valuation to scale enterprise-grade custody and settlement systems. Komainu attracted $25 million in strategic investment during the same month to strengthen its institutional custody platform and compliance integrations.
See: Investing in the Future of AI and Blockchain
May brought a $100 million raise for Anchorage Digital to expand its regulated digital asset banking and custody operations.
BitGo followed in June with a $100 million Series C round at a $1.75 billion valuation to deepen institutional tokenization services.
By September, Galaxy Digital acquired GK8 for $44 million, adding institutional self-custody and wallet management capabilities.
Exchange Consolidation
WonderFi completed a $100 million merger with Coinsquare and Bitbuy in January, forming one of Canada’s largest regulated crypto trading platforms.
Then later in March, Robinhood acquired WonderFi for C$250 million (around US$179 million), uniting Coinsquare and Bitbuy under its global exchange network.
Coinbase expanded twice, acquiring Circle’s European operations in February to enhance stablecoin settlement systems, then Deribit in August for $2.9 billion in cash and stock to extend crypto derivatives trading and clearing.
Compliance and Analytics Remained Strong
Chainalysis closed a $200 million Series F in June at a $4.2 billion valuation to expand blockchain intelligence and compliance monitoring.
A month later, Elliptic raised $50 million in a Series D extension to develop new anti–financial-crime tools for banks and exchanges.
Tokenization and stablecoin infrastructure gained momentum
Circle completed its acquisition of Archblock in February, integrating cross-chain USDC routing and compliance layers.
See: Canada’s Payments Innovation Push Gains Speed
In May, Tether acquired Bitfinex Securities’ minority stake to reinforce its regulated token issuance network.
Ripple invested $285 million in August to expand global tokenization and CBDC settlement projects.
Institutional investment
Kraken Ventures launched a $200 million fund in July focused on blockchain infrastructure and fintech platforms.
Further Insights
FT Partners’ 2025 data confirm that regulated infrastructure has become the foundation of digital finance. Valuations for infrastructure and compliance platforms now exceed eight times revenue, while consumer trading firms remain below four.
That spread shows that investors see real value in predictable, institutionally integrated systems rather than volatile retail flows. Institutional adoption continues through regulated products such as spot Bitcoin ETFs, tokenized funds, and custody-integrated settlement rails.
See: SEC Clears Crypto Staking. What It Means for Canada
These channels represent a transition from speculative trading to reliable yield generation. Capital is rewarding throughput, compliance, and interoperability the same factors that define successful cross-border fintech models.
Outlook
Growth will continue through robust compliance-oriented networks linking tokenized assets, stablecoins, and regulated exchanges. 2025 transactions signal global alignment toward clearer regulatory frameworks across Canada, Europe, and the United States. Taken together, these developments are building a more mature, data-driven digital finance ecosystem that's preparing for institutional scale.
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 aa 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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Best Shopify Plus features to help enterprise stores grow faster
Oct 8, 2025
In today's world, where the majority of sales are now online, it is the speed of development that determines whether a company will be successful in selling online. For a large corporation, a delay of literally minutes or an error in the process can turn into a loss of several millions. That's why large-scale businesses choose Shopify Plus - a platform that not only gives the business a sense of stability, but is also ready for daily updates and upgrades.
In this article, we'll look at what challenges Shopify Plus can handle for large businesses.
Challenge 1: A large number of orders and customers
When the store increases sales from several hundred to several thousand per day, the usual steps cease to bring the same result as before. The workload on employees increases, as a result of which errors may occur during the processing of orders.
Shopify Plus Solution: the platform, thanks to powerful tools, is ready to withstand tens of thousands of payments every day. Automation of the load on the servers is a guarantee of stable operation even at the time when the most purchases are made.
Result: customers are served quickly and without interruptions, and the company saves budget that could have been lost due to technical errors.
Challenge 2: International expansion
The ambitions of large corporations are always to enter the international market. But the language barrier, different currencies and payment systems often become an obstacle to the realization of this idea.
See: Resources for Canadian Resiliency and Competitiveness
Shopify Plus Solution: built-in multicurrency and multilingualism allow you to serve customers from different parts of the world and not create a separate site for one or another country. The platform also integrates with local payment systems.
Result: the company quickly starts working on an international scale and develops new markets, without spending a lot of time and resources on it.
Challenge 3: Sophisticated Marketing
Marketing in large corporations is not only about banners and promotional offers. This is about complex work on many levels, thanks to which offers are built to meet the needs of different segments of customers.
Shopify Plus Solution: automation tools (Flow, Launchpad) help plan, launch and monitor campaigns. They allow you to segment customers according to their needs, automatically adjust discounts for them, and launch promotions at the right time.
Result: the company keeps the resource of its employees, but at the same time gets the desired result from each marketing strategy.
Challenge 4: Working with corporations
Flexible pricing and multi-level accounts are important to B2B companies.
Shopify Plus Solution: client orientation – individual conditions, personalized discounts, special conditions of cooperation. And also access to different representatives of the corporation with different rights.
Result: loyal relations with strategic partners and transparent conditions of cooperation are formed.
Challenge 5: Data control and analysis
Big brands need to get accurate numbers to make certain decisions. Analytics makes it possible to understand which internal processes are slowing down and inhibiting development.
Shopify Plus Solution: integrations with analytical systems and advanced reports allow you to analyze customer behavior, conversions and profitability.
Result: the business quickly receives all the necessary data and quickly adjusts processes.
Binary Future: a guide to scaling
To fully utilize the Shopify Plus functionality, you need a team that knows not only technical parameters, but also is competent in business processes. It is this assistant Binary Future – experts in shopify ecommerce development, capable of creating scalable online platforms and integrating advanced analytics and marketing tools."
The team helps large corporations:
- automate processes;
- create UX/UI design that will sell;
- integrate Shopify Plus with ERP, CRM and marketing tools;
- build strategies for entering new markets.
Binary Future's mission is to create seamless and intuitive shopping experiences that convert visitors into repeat customers and deliver measurable growth.
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 aa 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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Swift Launches Blockchain Ledger Prototype With RBC and TD
Blockchain | Sep 29, 2025
RBC and TD Join 30 Global Banks For Swift's Cross-border Payments Test
On September 29, 2025, Swift announced its blockchain-based ledger at Sibos 2025. The initiative brings together more than 30 financial institutions worldwide, including Royal Bank of Canada and TD Bank, to design and test a prototype with Consensys. The project is aimed at enabling real time, 24/7 cross-border payments to more than 200 countries and territories.
Javier Pérez-Tasso, Swift CEO:
“We provide powerful and effective rails today and are moving at a rapid pace with our community to create the infrastructure stack of the future. Through this initial ledger concept we are paving the way for financial institutions to take the payments experience to the next level with Swift’s proven and trusted platform at the centre of the industry’s digital transformation.”
Swift's Multiple Blockchain Tracks
Swift’s prototype will provide a secure log of transactions between banks that is updated in real time. The ledger will validate and sequence payments while using smart contracts to enforce agreed rules automatically. Unlike a public blockchain, this shared ledger is a permissioned infrastructure operated by Swift and its member banks. While it's blockchain-based in design, drawing on distributed ledger technology for resilience and transparency, it's not an onchain network like Ethereum.
See: Citi and BofA Plan Stablecoins as Regulation Advances
Rather than creating new tokens itself, Swift’s role will be to provide the infrastructure for financial institutions and central banks to settle regulated tokenised value. By focusing on interoperability, Swift is designing the ledger so that it can operate alongside both traditional rails and emerging blockchain networks to reduce fragmentation and help financial institutions transition smoothly.
Also as a separate blockchain track, Swift is also experimenting with onchain migration of its messaging system using Ethereum Layer 2 Linea, as reported by The Block, which includes banks such as BNP Paribas and BNY. Swift is undergoing a parallel strategy to both upgrade existing rails while also preparing future digital rails.
Canadian Banks At the Table
The direct participation of RBC and TD gives Canada a seat at the table in Swift's financial infrastructure modernization initiatives. Their involvement means that Canadian banks intend to remain competitive globally as tokenised settlement gains traction. For Canada, the implications could be far reaching, making it easier for businesses to manage international trade and for capital to move efficiently across borders.
Tokenised Payments Outlook
Swift’s work comes at a time when market forecasts suggest rapid growth in tokenised payments. Citi’s GPS report on stablecoins 2030 projects that stablecoin issuance could reach $1.9 trillion under a base case and as high as $4 trillion in a bull case by 2030, with transaction volumes approaching $100 trillion if stablecoins circulate at payment velocity.
See: VersaBank USA Launches Tokenized Deposits Pilot
The report also says stablecoins will likely coexist with tokenised deposits and bank-issued tokens, which may surpass them in scale.The question is whether Swift’s infrastructure approach will become the primary neutral rails that digital assets need to move securely across borders, or not.
Conclusion
After years of blockchain push-back denial, the launch of Swift’s blockchain ledger prototype is a key milestone in the modernization of global financial infrastructure. With RBC and TD among the participants, Canada is positioned within the group to contribute to the design and development of standards from the start. Digital assets and traditional financial networks seem to be converging at a global scale.
Other reads you may like:
- Canada's Stablecoin Race Enters Critical Phase
- Swiss digital franc tokenized bond pilot deemed a success
- Swift and Wise Announce Strategic Collaboration at Sibos 2023 in Toronto
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 aa 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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Cohere Adds $100M as Ottawa Launches AI Sprint
AI | Sep 29, 2025
Image: Freepik AI
Canada’s AI Story Now Spans Billion Dollar Funding, Infrastructure Alliances, and a National Policy Push
On September 24, 2025, Canada's AI darling Cohere announced a second close to their latest round with an additional $100M added to their coffers, valuing the company at approx $7B, positioning the company at the center of secure enterprise deployments while Ottawa launched a 30 day consultation to reset the national AI strategy.
Cohere’s new funding builds on traction with its Command A models and the North platform, both designed for private solutions across finance, healthcare, and government.
See: Canada Risks Falling Behind as UK Lands AI Megadeals
Alongside the capital, the technical story is about compute diversity. On September 24, 2025, AMD and Cohere expanded their global AI collaboration for enterprise and sovereign deployments while also adopting North internally. The widens buyer choice and lowers total cost of ownership for organizations handling sensitive data.
Cohere’s Nick Frosst said customers now have ‘significantly greater flexibility’ in how they use Cohere’s AI, while AMD’s Vamsi Boppana noted they benefit from better cost efficiency and energy performance.
30 Day Policy Sprint
On September 26, 2025, the federal government launched an AI Strategy Task Force with a 30 day consultation window from October 1-31 to set priorities around safety, sovereignty, and procurement readiness, with the goal of moving quickly toward digital sovereignty and economic adoption.
Hon. Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister for FedDev Southern Ontario:
“The Government of Canada is moving quickly toward our vision for AI and digital sovereignty. The AI Strategy Task Force and the ideas gathered through our national sprint will generate bold, pragmatic and actionable recommendations to guide Canada’s next AI strategy. This strategy will accelerate the development of nation-building AI and data infrastructure, drive economy-wide adoption and help build the strongest economy in the G7.”
Regional Funding Expands AI Beyond Major Centers
FedNor confirmed $595,400 across three projects in Northern Ontario, spanning powerline mapping, healthcare automation, and First Nations training. One example is a $500,000 repayable contribution to CircuitIQ for a live powerline mapping tool, which will support hospitals and transport infrastructure. The same program provides $67,200 for Waive to automate healthcare forms and $28,200 for Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation to prepare training for more than 50 communities.
See: Canada’s Opportunity In Efficient Reasoning AI
PwC Canada’s Value in Motion analysis projects that if Canada accelerates AI adoption, the economy could reach $3.65T by 2035 (up from $2.89T in 2023). The study stresses that faster uptake depends on capital investment, access to compute, and clear policy direction the very areas now in motion with Cohere’s new funding, AMD’s infrastructure partnership, and Ottawa’s task force.
Why AI Alignment Strategy Matters
The alignment of capital, computing power, and policy confirms that Canada’s AI story is entering an execution phase. Growth and success will depend on measuring real productivity gains in the near term."
For institutions that handle sensitive data, having more choice in computing power and proven enterprise models lowers risk and gives them more leverage. For policymakers, the inclusion of regional funding shows that AI adoption isn't just an urban story.
See: Cohere Picks Paris as New EMEA Hub For Enterprise AI
For fintechs, October is the time to prove that their models are reliable, that data stays in Canada when required, and that costs are clear enough for procurement teams to sign off.
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 aa 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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