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
Google’s Ad Tech Monopoly Ruled Illegal by U.S. Court
Antitrust | April 21, 2025
Image: Freepik/fabrikasimf
Google Hit With Second Antitrust Ruling as Court Calls Out Monopoly
On April 17, 2025, a federal judge ruled that key parts of Google's digital advertising ecosystem is a monopoly and it broke antitrust laws. It's the second time in less than a year that Google has been found guilty of abusing market power. The case was led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and was backed by 17 states.
Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled (115 page PDF)that the company “willfully engaged” in tactics that harmed competition and distorted prices in a way that left publishers and consumers worse off while strengthening Google's dominance. Could this result in a court ordered break-up of Google's advertising tech empire?
How Google Controls the Ad Market
The case focused on how Google linked its publisher ad server (DFP) with its ad exchange (AdX), tools used by websites to sell advertising. The court found that its an unfair combination that Google could control and steer traffic away from competitors, giving it monopolistic control over the ad ecosystem.
See: Canada Sues Google Over Anti-Competitive Ad Practices
By 2022, Google held over 90% of the publisher ad server market and between 55-65% of the ad exchange space. In Q4 2024, its advertising business brought in $72.5 billion or 75% of Alphabet's total revenue (see Alphabet's Q4 2024 Earnings). These are astonishing figures and akin to how the internet is monetized.
So Now What?
The court has ordered both parties to schedule a hearing to submit potential remedies to resolve Google's antitrust case, including ordering the break-up and divestiture of AdX and DFP. The outcome will likely change how digital ads are bought and sold on the internet.
CNN article says Google will appeal. “We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s VP of regulatory affairs.
Not Google's Only Battle
Last August 2024, a separate court ruled that Google illegally monopolized search by paying Apple over $10 billion a year to be the default engine on iPhones. The DOJ reportedly wants Google to sell Chrome and potentially it's Android operating system.
Google is also facing broad existential threats from the rise of generative AI platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT that are upending traditional search by fundamentally changing how people access information.
Let's not forget the added pressures that President Trump' sweeping tariffs on global tech are having on Google's revenue growth. Combined, Google's dominance is now in flux with Alphabet's stock falling more than 1% after the latest ruling and down 20% year to date.
What This Means for Canada
Canada’s Competition Bureau is watching closely, and in November 2024 filed its own antitrust suit against Google, claiming the company used similar tactics in Canada’s digital advertising market.
See: Trump’s Inauguration Marks New Chapter for Tech Giants
According to Commissioner Matthew Boswell, Google’s ad tech practices prioritized its own products in ad space auctions and restricted publishers from working freely with other platforms. Similar to the U.S. case, Canada seeks a forced sale of ad tech tools, financial penalties, and an end to exclusionary behaviour.
If the Tribunal agrees, Google could face fines up to 3% of its global revenues ~$12 billion CAD. These cases can take several years to conclude but Canadian regulators have been building their case for almost a decade, and the U.S. ruling may accelerate momentum, as it provides a strong legal precedent.
One Tech Giant Wobbling. Who’s Next?
U.S. regulators are not just going after Google but also currently pursuing Meta, Amazon and Apple for various antitrust violations.
Apr 2025: Meta for acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp to eliminate rivals.
Mar 2024: Apple for using the iPhone ecosystem to block competitors in messaging, digital wallets, and more.
Nov 2023: Amazon for allegedly punishing third party sellers and distorting its own marketplace.
Conclusion
Big Tech is being forced to answer how it gained and uses power, with Google now on the chopping block who may now face a court ordered breakup. Canada and other countries are following, so this antitrust case isn't about one company but a movement and will impact who controls the infrastructure of the internet.
TedX: This is what a digital coup looks like
It doesn't matter if you're in advertising or not. It affects anyone who uses the internet and the outcome will change how online markets work, who gets to participate and compete and the future of digital power.
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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Does CUSMA Support Fintech Services Across Borders?
CUSMA | April 16, 2025
Image: Freepik/rawpixel.com
Fintechs and Digital Finance Firms Can Still Scale in the U.S. and Mexico
If you’re building a fintech company in Canada, there’s a good chance you’ve thought about scaling into the U.S. or Mexico. But no doubt rising trade tensions and ever evolving regulations can raise questions about CUSMAs current status for financial technology service providers.
Earlier this month, President Trump introduced wide sweeping tariffs (he referred to as 'Liberation Day') on imports from more than 180 countries. Canada and Mexico were largely exempt (for now) thanks to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020.
See: Digital Export Trends and Global Trade Fintech Opportunities
CUSMA includes specific rules that make it easier for digital finance providers to operate across borders. Whether you're running a payments platform or a digital lending service, CUSMA could already be working in your favour.
What Fintechs Need to Know About CUSMA
Chapter 17 – Financial Services
If you operate a regulated fintech like one that moves money, offers loans, or handles investments then Chapter 17 – Financial Services is what applies to you. It helps you access the U.S. and Mexico markets but doesn’t fully protect you from things like local data rules, and applies to financial services such as:
- Digital banking and payments
- Lending, insurance, or wealth management
- Embedded finance products tied to licensed providers
See: Overcoming Barriers to Growth in Financial Regulation
Chapter 17 legally ensures market access and fair treatment but it doesn't stop governments from requiring certain data to be stored locally. So if you're offering regulated cross border services, your operations could still face compliance hurdles around data infrastructure.
Chapter 19 – Digital Trade
If your business focuses on digital tools that support, but don’t directly provide financial services, then you might fall under Chapter 19 - Digital Trade. Chapter 19 lays out stronger protections for items like cross-border data flows and electronic transactions but it doesn’t apply to regulated financial services. Some business model examples that may qualify under Chapter 19 include:
- Digital contracting or e-signature platforms used in financial workflows, such as mortgage pre-approvals or investment account setup
- Financial literacy and education platforms that help users understand credit, debt, or budgeting without offering licensed advice or handling money
- Tax prep or compliance reminder tools that provide content or automation but don’t process payments or require regulatory oversight
See: Insights from Jamie Dimon’s 2024 Letter to Shareholders
If you’re unsure where your business fits, it’s advised to contact your export trading representative or if you need help with CUSMA compliance you can contact CanadExport CUSMA compliance support line at 1‑833‑760‑1167. Alternatively, it's worth getting legal advice to help classify your service correctly to avoid unnecessary risks under CUSMA protections.
What About the New U.S. Tariffs?
During March and April of 2025, the U.S. government announced tariffs on over 180 countries, igniting global trade anxiety. Canada and Mexico were mostly exempt but only for products and services that are compliant with CUSMA (not for sectors like Steel and energy), and the pressure has forced Ottawa and allies to diversify supply chains to protect economic sovereignty.
After speaking with President Trump, Prime Minister Mark Carney called the old U.S.–Canada trade relationship “over” and is now pushing for a broad renegotiation of CUSMA and defence security to reflect Canada’s modern priorities. He announced a 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. autos that do not meet CUSMA standards, further escalating pressure around trade terms.
See: Carney Shakes Up Leadership and Vows to Protect Canada
For financial technology firms, the current economic environment is volatile with new tariff threats being contemplated by the Trump administration day by day, so stay current with evolving trade rules and do not assume that rules of 2020 still protect your business in the say way in 2025.
Why It Matters
For Canadian fintechs still looking to scale into the U.S. or Mexico, CUSMA still provides a foundation to operate if you know how to use it. Make sure you understand the classification of your business and revenue exposure across borders. This is a time of rising trade barriers, so any clarity around CUSMA could be a competitive advantage to support your 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 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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Insights from Jamie Dimon’s 2024 Letter to Shareholders
Markets and Economy | April 15, 2025
Image: Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JP Morgan Chase
Jamie Dimon’s 2024 Letter Outlines Global Risks and Advice for Leaders
On April 7 2025, CEO Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase published his annual 2024 letter to shareholders (58 page PDF), which is widely read by business and policy leaders around the globe. This year's edition, his messages are especially urgent. He describes a world of rising risks, and big decisions ahead with profound implications that stretch beyond simply Wall Street. Below are 5 insights that fintech founders, investors and Canadian decision makers need to know:
1. The U.S. Dollar’s Strength is At Risk
“History has shown that as countries become weaker, their currency loses reserve currency status.”
Dimon issued a clear warning that's rarely said out loud by execs of America’s biggest banks. That is the U.S. dollar’s global dominance is fading because it's strength relies on TRUST in U.S. institutions, alliances, and policy, BUT that trust is now eroding.
Last week, the U.S. dollar dropped significantly reaching a 3 year low against major global currencies. The decline is largely due to the Trump administration's escalating tariffs and trade tensions on imports from several countries, such as China, Canada and European nations. Tariffs led to increased market volatility, shaking investor confidence in American economic policies.
See: Ottawa Unleashes Policy Blitz to Support Economy
The WSJ published a report with the former Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, saying that investors "seem to be shunning dollar assets". Previously, for the past several decades, investors flocked to buy U.S. dollars during times of volatility and economic uncertainty because it was considered stable and safe.
American risks or lack of trust in its institutions is now prompting countries like Germany who hold 1200 tonne of their US gold reserve on American soil, to verify the existence of their gold and begin repatriating it back to Germany in case assets are suddenly frozen or risks spiral out of control. And they aren't the only country with concerns.
For Canada, this might open a window. If global capital starts looking for stable alternatives, Canadian institutions can position themselves as reliable partners. Our political stability and sound financial regulations are competitive assets. This is a moment to invest in confidence including the platforms and tools fintechs are building.
2. What Happens If the Free Ride Ends?
Dimon spells out just how much the U.S. benefits from being the world’s reserve currency:
“Being the reserve currency saves the United States $100 billion a year at current interest rates... People around the world actually carry approximately $2.5 trillion of paper U.S. dollars, which, in effect, is borrowing without paying interest.”
However, the U.S. being the global reserve currency isn't sustainable without continued global trust. For financial technology firms offering multi-currency accounts, global payments, and crypto on-ramps, this new reality is an opportunity.
See: Stablecoins Are Growing Faster Than You Think
If the dollar loses its unique place in the global system, financial firms will need to design for a world where volatility is the norm. That could mean hedging tools, stablecoins backed by liquid and diversified reserves, and tokenization of various assets could see a boost akin to gold, or a digital version of it.
3. A Weakened Financial System at Risk
“The U.S. deficit remains very large at just below $2 trillion, or 6.6% of GDP,” and warns that the “debt-to-GDP ratio is already over 100%.”
The U.S. government has borrowed nearly $11 trillion since the pandemic. The total U.S. federal debt is more than $34 trillion, which is greater than 100% of GDP. He says this is a structural issue and that America's fiscal path is on unstable footing. When debt continues to rise with no end in sight, global confidence wavers.
While in a different situation, Canada is under economic pressure from Trump's tariffs and trade war, persistent decline in productivity, and lower growth and foreign direct investment compared to many of its peer countries. It must restructure its own policies to support a fiscal agenda that supports innovation, digital infrastructure, supply chain and trading partner diversification, interprovincial trade, and green transitions that put Canada on a new path of economic growth. Canada can offer to the world what the U.S.'s current administration is turning, it's back against, a well managed democracy, and a country with ample resources (including human capital) that's serious about the future.
4. Fragmentation Could Break the System
One of Dimon’s strongest warnings is about fragmentation.
“Economic fragmentation from our allies may be disastrous in the long run… Keeping our alliances together, both militarily and economically, is essential.”
He’s not just just talking about political division but economic ones, such as trade wars, competing currencies and trading blocs, and digital standards that no longer align with alliances that underpin and support U.S. markets in the way they do today. A world where economic cooperation breaks down and different countries build their own separate systems for money, trade, and technology - leading to incompatible digital standard and higher costs while opening the door for bad actors to take advantage of new weak links in the system. It could also encourage allies to rally around a new financial power for stability.
See: Digital Export Trends and Global Trade Fintech Opportunities
For fintechs and Canada, it's a risk and opportunity. It means building our own rails, compliance protocols, and digital ID systems that work across borders. The more neutral, resilient, and standardized Canada's digital infrastructure becomes, the more relevant it is globally.
5 Pieces of Management Advice from Diamon's Playbook
In his letter to shareholders, Dimon shares lessons from decades of experience fro leading through crisis, transformation, and growth.
1. He warns that innovation can be smothered by too much money, too little clarity, or endless process. For startups, that’s a reminder to stay scrappy and experimental.
“You can kill innovation with too many resources, too few resources or bureaucracy… Evaluate innovative ideas through testing and learning rather than rote analysis.”
2. He also challenges the usual advice about delegation for mission-critical areas like cybersecurity, talent, or trust, and says leaders should get into the details.
“I changed my mind. I’m going to micromanage this one… In my entire career, I’ve rarely seen this kind of outsourcing of responsibility succeed.”
3. Don’t hide behind weak benchmarks.
See: Canadian Fintech Booms with $9.5B Despite Global Slump
4. Don’t sit through bad meetings, but "if a meeting is required, make it count… I ALWAYS do the pre-read… This has to stop: people checking notifications, texting, reading email. It’s disrespectful. It wastes time.”
5. In uncertain times, discipline is more powerful than vision alone.
Conclusion
The status quo is no longer. As geopolitical and economic risks take over, it's more pressing than ever for Canada to grow trust, build bridges, and invest in innovation with a strong economic growth mandate. Canada's fintech and financial ecosystem, can still thrive in a fragmenting world. We can't outspend superpowers but we can out think them.
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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Plaid Raises $575M to Scale Fintech Infrastructure
Financing | April 14, 2025
Image: Freepik
Plaid’s $575 Million Series D Signals a Deeper Strategy in Fintech Data and Embedded AI
Financial infrastructure provider, Plaid, announced on April 3 2025, that they raised $575 million Series D at a valuation of $6.1 billion valuation led by Frank Templeton, BlackRock, Fidelity, and others including existing investors such as NEA and Ribbit Capital. While the valuation is significantly lower than it's 2021 peak of $13.4 billion, Plaid's latest round is a story of consolidation of it's role at the heart of embedded finance, and not of decline.
Plaid is a backbone of embedded finance with a footprint that spans more than 8,000 apps, including many widely used fintech tools and providers in Canada and the U.S. For Canadian fintech companies, this raise hints at where industry is heading and who will control its most critical pipes.
A Profitable Platform in a Tough Market
Unlike most fintech firms still chasing break-even, Plaid finished off 2024 with positive operating margins, strong ash flows and a 25% yoy revenue increase. In Plaid's letter to shareholders, 2025, CEO and Cofounder Zach Perret explained that it has a usage based billing model where Plaid earns revenue when an end user signs-up, takes actions in connected apps, or remains active on a per-user-per-month basis. In a market where profitability is favoured over growth at all costs, these numbers speak volumes.
See: 12 Market Entry Approaches for Fintech Startups
The platform has achieved a core level of recurring annual revenue that allows it to reinvest confidentially in areas like AI powered fraud prevention and data-science enhanced credit scoring.
“Our core business has consistently grown double digits year-over-year despite 2022 and 2023 being the worst slowdown in fintech in the last two decades.”
Plaid's shareholder letter also reports that over 50% of Americans with a bank account have used the platform, either directly or through partner apps. Its customers include enterprise players like Affirm, Chime, Robinhood, SoFi, Citi, and H&R Block, plus thousands of fintech startups globally.
“Our products are the bedrock upon which many of the most well-known financial brands are built.”
Strategic Round
Unlike past funding frenzies, this round was strategic, institutional, and about positioning control over the infrastructure of financial data, an area about to be transformed by AI and embedded finance.
In the past few years, Plaid has transformed itself from a bank linking utility into an infrastructure platform with multiple tools, such as alternative credit data, anti-fraud solutions, and bank payments infrastructure. CEO Perret explained that "New products represented >20% of ARR in 2024, compounding at 93% annually.” So it's no longer just about the interface, the tools and stack is consolidating into robust infrastructure.
See: Why No Code AI Agents Matter for Fintech in Canada
A large portion of the funds are being allocated to convert restricted stock units (RSUs) into shares to provide liquidity for long term employees and retention strategy for talent. The rest of the funding will continue to support product development powered by data science, machine learning, and AI.
The Open Banking Delay That’s Costing Canada
Plaid’s expanding capabilities also highlight Canada’s open banking delays. Canada is expected to implement open banking in 2026, but it doesn't have it yet, despite Finance Canada researching it and promising its implementation for years.
Without a formal framework in place, Canadian fintechs must rely on third-party data aggregators like Plaid to access banking information, including firms like Wealthsimple and KOHO. While using Plaid's banking access tools enables fintechs to get up and running quickly and innovate in the short term, it places critical infrastructure in the hands of foreign companies, raising concerns about data sovereignty and long term competitive capacity.
See: The Crisis Canada and Fintech Can’t Afford to Waste
Daniel Eberhard, CEO of Koho to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance:
“In Canada, we do not have open banking. Every time we need to interact with the incumbent financial system, we’re forced to build workarounds.”
Closing Outlook
Plaid's $537 million strategic series D signals a consolidation of fintech infrastructure. Capital is becoming more selective and innovation is leading towards AI and embedded services, so the companies that control the access to data and financial infrastructure are gaining strategic ground. Canadian fintechs and policymakers of open banking in Canada should be watching developments closely to ensure Canada can remain competitive and not overly reliant on U.S. infrastructure.
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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Navigating SEO for Effective Crowdfunding
April 14, 2025
Image: Pexels/Tobias Dziuba
If you’re running a crowdfunding campaign, visibility is key. Without the right SEO strategy, potential backers may never find your project. Below is a practical, research-backed guide to improving your campaign’s visibility through SEO.
1. Understand Your Audience First
Start by knowing who you’re targeting. This helps shape your keywords, content, and messaging.
- Build a profile of your ideal backer
- Use keyword research tools like Google Trends or Ahrefs
- Read forum discussions and questions from your audience
The more specific your understanding, the more relevant your content becomes.
2. Focus on Search Intent, Not Just Keywords
Group your keywords based on what users are looking to do:
- Informational: “how to launch a crowdfunding campaign”
- Transactional: “support [campaign name]”
- Navigational: “[brand name] Kickstarter page”
Use these keywords naturally in:
- Headings and subheadings
- Meta descriptions
- Blog updates and campaign FAQs
- Image alt text
Write for people first, then optimise for search engines. For more insight into how keyword strategy aligns with intent and structure, consider following this website, which outlines foundational SEO practices that support long-term visibility.
3. Build a High-Converting, SEO-Friendly Landing Page
Don’t treat your landing page as just a pitch. Make it SEO-ready:
- Clear, keyword-rich headline above the fold
- Mobile-friendly layout
- Quick load time (under 3 seconds)
- Simple navigation
- Keyword-optimised FAQs at the bottom
- Add press mentions or testimonials with backlinks
Structure the page for easy scanning and clear action steps.
4. Publish Content Regularly to Stay Visible
Fresh content keeps your campaign relevant in search engines.
Create content like:
- Behind-the-scenes blog posts
- Product development updates
- Stretch goal announcements
- Weekly digest-style posts
Each piece should inform, engage, and bring new traffic to your page.
5. Build Quality Backlinks That Drive Authority
Backlinks are essential. Focus on quality over quantity.
Here’s how to earn them:
- Guest post on relevant blogs
- Answer questions on Reddit and Quora
- Reach out for inclusion in “top campaigns” roundups
- Create shareable visuals or infographics
- Encourage media coverage with a press kit
Always aim for links from reputable, contextually relevant sites.
5.5 Collaborate with Influencers and Niche Communities
Influencers and tight-knit online communities can add credibility and organic visibility to your campaign.
Here’s how to approach it:
- Identify micro-influencers in your niche with an engaged following
- Offer early access, exclusive perks, or co-branded rewards in exchange for exposure
- Join niche Facebook groups, Discord servers, or Slack communities where your target backers hang out
- Create tailored messages or landing pages specifically for these groups
- Monitor conversations and answer questions authentically—don’t just drop links
These grassroots tactics help generate buzz, drive referral traffic, and can lead to earned media or backlinks over time. When done respectfully, these partnerships become a genuine extension of your SEO strategy.
6. Promote Through Social Media to Support SEO
While social shares don’t directly affect rankings, they increase visibility and traffic.
Repurpose your content for:
- Twitter/X threads
- Instagram carousels
- Short-form TikTok videos
- Facebook group discussions
Include links in captions or bios. Aim to drive people to search for and share your campaign.
6.5 Optimise for Local and Niche Search Opportunities
If your campaign has a regional focus or appeals to a specific interest group, local and niche SEO can give you an extra edge.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use location-based keywords (e.g., “eco project in Melbourne” or “art collective NYC crowdfunding”)
- List your campaign on local directories or event sites
- Reach out to community blogs, local news, or forums that match your niche
- Use hashtags that align with niche movements or local causes
- Write blog content that addresses problems or interests specific to your region or audience
Targeting these smaller, high-intent search groups helps you stand out in less competitive spaces—and often converts better than broader traffic. For example, campaigns tied to community-based projects or charities often see higher engagement when they align messaging with specific funding goals relevant to their audience. Addressing local impact and demonstrating transparency in how funds are used can make a huge difference in discoverability and support—especially when SEO is tailored to highlight these values early on.
7. Tighten Up Your Technical SEO
Don’t overlook the back end of your campaign site.
Make sure to:
- Use HTTPS
- Submit an XML sitemap
- Set up Google Search Console
- Optimise image sizes for faster load time
- Use clean, short URLs
- Avoid duplicate content and broken links
- Set canonical URLs if you’re on multiple platforms
A well-structured site improves rankings and user experience.
8. Extend SEO Beyond the Campaign
After your funding window closes, keep the momentum going:
- Redirect your campaign page to your new store or pre-order site
- Turn campaign content into evergreen blog posts
- Continue posting fulfillment updates
- Maintain communication with backers through SEO-optimised updates
This helps you retain visibility and stay relevant after funding.
Final Thoughts
A crowdfunding campaign can’t succeed if people can’t find it. By applying smart, targeted SEO strategies from the start, you give your project the best possible chance to reach backers and exceed funding goals.
See: 10 Innovative Product-Led Growth Strategies
SEO isn’t an afterthought—it’s a core part of your campaign strategy. When done right, it drives attention, trust, and results.
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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Trump’s Tariff Pause Leaves Canada in the Cold
Economy | April 10, 2025
Image: Freepik/tawatchai07
Trump Temporarily Halts Tariffs for Most Countries But Keeps Pressure on Canada, Mexico, and China
On April 10, 2025, President Trump announced a 90-day pause on most of the newly implemented global trade tariffs after market backlash and political pressure. The break was extended to countries in Europe, Asia, and parts of South America, but Canada, Mexico, and China are still under tariff pressure.
Strategic Pause, Not for Everyone
While Trump paused the most recent tariffs for over 75 countries, U.S. tariffs still apply to Canada and Mexico primarily on cars and auto parts (25%), steel (25%), aluminum (10%), and some agricultural products like dairy, grains, and processed foods, and continue to affect cross border trade in manufacturing and farming sectors.
Trump's pause also didn't apply to China In fact, Tariffs on Chinese good were raised to 125%, as China hit back with an 84% tariff on U.S. goods and filed new complaints with the World Trade Organization.
See: Klarna Delays IPO As Markets React to Trump’s Tariffs
After the tariff pause was announced, markets surged with the S&P 500 exploding 9.5%, the largest one day gain since World War II, according to Business Insider.
But the rebound didn't last long, as markets opened the following morning on April 10, the S&P 500 dropped 2.3% out of the gate and is continuing its slide currently down 5%.
Timing of the Pause Raises Eyebrows
Right before the tariff pause was announced, Trump posted on social media telling people “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.” The DJT trading symbol referenced his Trump Media & Technology Group company. Hours later, markets soared. Some U.S. lawmakers are questioning whether Trump or anyone close to him benefited financially from his announcement (aka insider trading).
According to TIME, Senator Adam Schiff has called for an investigation, asking the White House to hand over records to see if anyone used that information to trade stocks before the news went public.
Innovation Caught in the Crossfire
Tariffs aren't just about physical goods. Canada’s fintech firms, software exporters, and digital infrastructure providers also face risks, as many of these companies work closely with U.S. partners, investors, and regulators. Every barrier, whether its through tariffs, compliance hurdles or market uncertainty and confidence, slows down innovation, especially in the most innovative emerging sectors like AI, open banking, blockchain and embedded finance.
See: Five Ways Countries Are Responding to Trump’s Tariffs
Early stage startups are especially exposed, as any cross border collaborations, capital raises, and pilot projects face second thoughts and/or delays from U.S. partners.
What’s next?
Expect heightened volatility to continue. Canadian companies need to stay alert, continue to diversify trade relationships, and build a stronger domestic economy and ecosystem that reduces exposure to abrupt, off the cuff U.S. policy changes impacting trade and relationships.
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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Tailscale Raises $230M to Power Identity-First Networking
Funding | April 9, 2025
Image from Tailscale's Series C blog announcement
Toronto’s Tailscale Secures $230M and $2B Valuation for Identity-First Networking
On April 8 2025, Toronto-based Tailscale announced that they raised $230 million CAD Series C (about $160 million USD), valuing the company at approx $2 billion CAD. The round was made up of U.S. investors, led by Accel, CRV, Insight Partners, Heavybit, and Uncork Capital, along with some prominent individual investors notably George Kurtz CEO of CrowdStrike (returning investor) and Anthony Casalena CEO of Squarespace. New funds will be used to grow product and engineering teams, expand globally, and improved support for fast scaling customers.
Tailscale - A Shift from IP Addresses to Identity
Tailscale was founded in 2019 by former Google engineers Avery Pennarun, David Crawshaw, David Carney, and Brad Fitzpatrick, and officially launched in April 2020 to help users connect devices and apps securely without relying on traditional VPNs, IP rules, or firewalls.
Tailscale uses a technology called WireGuard which is easy to setup and lets devices connect directly to each other, safely and privately. What's unique about Tailscale is its approach to solving networking challenges. Instead of relying on where a device is located (IP address), it focuses on who or what is connecting. This approach is called identity-first networking, and is a more modern solution in a world where teams work remotely, apps operate across various cloud platforms, and security rules are becoming stricter.
See: AI Concierge Tech and the Future of Finance
So instead of trusting a device because it has a certain IP address, Tailscale checks and verifies the identity of every user, device, or service trying to connect, making it easier for companies working in the cloud. Models that rely on firewalls, assume that any device inside the network is trustworthy while the risk is outside. But today's networks are too distributed for that approach to hold up today, making identity-first networking a more flexible and secure alternative for modern times.
Avery Pennarun CEO Tailscale describes it as:
“You’re connecting to your app, your teammate, your service — wherever it happens to be running right now.”
Which sectors could be disrupted?
Tailscale's model reduces/eliminates the need for traditional VPNs, static firewall rules, and perimeter defence, placing VPN and firewall vendors on notice. Managed service providers on traditional network configuration, such as port forwarding, IP management or hardware firewalls, will be under pressure as they lose relevance, assuming the identity-first networking movement continues to grow.
See: Securing Your IoT Network Against Emerging Threats
Further, any 'zero trust' solution that still relies on IP allowlists or geography-based filters are also at risk. Identity-first networking is meant to offer real Zero Trust, cryptographic identity access across dynamic environments, a better fit for compliance teams needing continuous monitoring and real time enforcement.
According to Betakit, Tailscale is already being used by over 10,000 clients, such as fast growing AI and tech companies like Perplexity, Cohere, Groq, Mistral and Hugging Face, alongside enterprises like SAP, Instacart, Telus, and Duolingo.
Notable Absence of Canadian Capital?
Although Tailscale is proudly based in Toronto, none of the firms participating in this $230M Series C were Canadian, reflecting a troubling pattern of Canadian innovation meets U.S. capital.
See: How Secure Networking Can Protect Your Business Data from Threats
While deep liquidity and quick deployment of global funding accelerates Tailscale's growth, the lack of domestic institutional investors in large scale Canadian tech rounds raises questions about ecosystem competitiveness, strategic alignment and ultimately, ownership retention long term. It's great for Canadian fintechs to have this kind of access to foreign capital but a real hurdle to build stronger investment pipelines at home.
Why It Matters for Fintechs
As digital interactions and businesses become more complicated, they need better ways to keep things secure by focusing on who or what is connecting, not just where it's coming from. Financial technology companies deal with reams of sensitive data, multiple cloud deployments, third party integrations, and remote teams, and are key prospects for using an identity-first networking solution. One that's secure and can scale with real-time access control by identity (user, device, or service), improved auditability for KYC and compliance, and easier cross-border infrastructure. Fintechs should take a fresh look at how their systems are built, and retool if necessary. The future of security, compliance, and growth will likely rely on identity-based technology at the core.
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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