Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Fintech International
Takeaways from the SEC’s Crypto Custody Roundtable
Regulation | April 29, 2025
Image: Freepik/brgfx
Crypto Leaders Discuss Challenges of Digital Asset Custody
On April 25, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hosted a crypto roundtable discussion together with select industry experts and legal participants, "Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody" at the SEC's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
SEC's Opening Remarks
The opening session included remarks from Crypto Task Force Chief of Staff Richard Gabbert and SEC Chair Paul Atkins, followed by Commissioners Hester Peirce, Caroline Crenshaw, and Mark Uyeda.
See: SEC Issues Covered Stablecoin Statement, Risks Remain
Chairman Paul Atkins emphasized the importance of finally fixing long standing regulatory problems for digital assets and blockchain technology. He thanked Commissioner Hester Peirce for her leadership and described her as the right person to push forward a 'common sense' approach to crypto markets. Atkins made it clear that he wants the agency to end the uncertainty that has stifled innovation in the sector for years. He essentially confirmed what industry has been saying for years. That is that entrepreneurs across the country are building better, safer, and cheaper financial services using blockchain tech but regulatory confusion has held them back. He committed to working with Congress and the Trump Administration to set up a fit for purpose regulatory framework for crypto assets. Read his remarks here.
Commissioner Hester Peirce compared the current U.S. regulatory approach of crypto custody to a children’s game called “the floor is lava” except that regulators are making it much harder by leaving the room dark and not providing clear guidance. She said today’s rules make it very difficult for brokers, investment advisers, and investment funds to engage with crypto assets safely or legally. The SEC should make the rules clearer and recognize that not all crypto assets are the same, and in some cases using blockchain technology could even make custody safer than traditional systems. She also stressed that investors should be allowed to self-custody their assets without having to go through intermediaries like banks or broker-dealers, warning that the rules should not force unnecessary middlemen onto investors who prefer to manage their own assets securely. Regulation should encourage safer crypto markets without crushing innovation or forcing outdated models onto new technology.
Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw said that the lack of robust custody standards for crypto assets is a serious gap, and that the current environment is a risk for both retail and institutional investors. She mentioned the collapse of FTX and mismanagement in several crypto lending firms as examples of what can go wrong without the appropriate oversight, and questioned whether existing broker-dealer and advisory regimes were sufficient. Crenshaw said that any framework for custody must be technologically sound and legally enforceable to avoid paper compliance without real safeguards.
See: SEC’s First Crypto Roundtable Reveals Friction, Few Answers
Commissioner Mark Uyeda stressed that regulatory requirements must be clear or they'll drive companies offshore and that innovation was important. Cautioned against applying a single rule in a digital asset sector where one size doesn't fit all and could stifle experimentation. He asked whether digital custodians should be assessed like their traditional counterparts, if they meet the equivalent operational and risk controls.
5 Key Areas of Discussion
While the roundtable had two different focused panel discussions, here are five key challenges that were discussed when trying to apply traditional custody regulations to crypto assets.
1. Can existing securities laws accommodate crypto custody?
- Commissioner Peirce said regulation must evolve with the technology. “We must not conflate innovation with noncompliance.”
- Uyeda questioned whether the existing framework is flexible enough to accommodate “truly novel asset classes.”
- Justin Browder of Simpson Thacher noted: “There is a need for the SEC to either tailor the safeguarding rule to account for tokenized assets or recognize an evolving standard of control in the digital context.”
Takeaway: Some consensus that federal securities laws need to be modernized to support custody models for crypto assets, and compliant innovation.
2. Risks of custodying crypto versus traditional securities
- Rachel Anderika of Anchorage Digital Bank explained that “custody of bearer assets like crypto requires entirely different risk controls than custody of registered securities.”
- Adam Levitin of Georgetown Law said digital assets create “a mismatch between traditional custodial concepts and decentralized ownership structures.”
- Commissioner Crenshaw added that commingling functions in crypto markets introduces unacceptable risk.
See: UK FCA Plans Full Crypto Licensing Regime by 2026
Takeaway: The SEC must recognize that crypto custody involves new forms of risk that current frameworks do not address (nor were they designed to).
3. Impact of SAB 121 on crypto custody
- The SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 was repeatedly raised as a barrier to secure custody practices. SAB 121 requires crypto custodians to report customer assets as liabilities, which discourages institutional participation. Note, the SEC already rescinded SAB 121 earlier this year, replaced by SAB 122 but industry participants are still dealing with the aftermath, such as how to rework financials for the new SAB 122 guidance.
- Jason Allegrante of Fireblocks stated: “The current path for broker dealer custody is economically unviable for most providers due to capital treatment, operational restrictions, and indefinite timelines.”
Takeaway: SAB 121 may have made it harder for trusted firms to offer crypto custody, which could reduce investor protection.
4. Limitations of broker dealer structures
- Many speakers argued that special purpose broker dealers (SPBDs) are not scaling effectively due to narrow guidance and rigid requirements.
- Veronica McGregor of Exodus said self custody wallets “complicate one size fits all assumptions,”
- Kraken’s Mark Greenberg warned that “legacy rules built for equities do not address the technological neutrality required for crypto infrastructure.”
See: OCC Opens Doors for U.S. Banks to Engage in Crypto
Takeaway: Broker dealer models need updated guidance to allow more participation in digital asset custody while still protecting investors.
5. Bankruptcy remoteness and client protection
- Several experts highlighted the issue of bankruptcy remoteness or the ability to protect customer crypto assets if a custodian fails. It's even a bigger risk when firms use pooled wallets and rehypothecation (or reuse assets for its own purposes like collateral for borrowing).
- Charles Mooney of Penn Carey Law and Larry Florio of 1kx both emphasized that regulatory clarity on ownership and segregation is essential.
- Ryan Louvar of WisdomTree said, “We need consistent expectations across custodians, advisers, and technology providers, or we risk regulatory arbitrage and fragmentation.”
Takeaway: Custodial frameworks must guarantee client protections to the equivalent of traditional systems (expectations) to support long term growth.
Upcoming Roundtables
- May 12, 2025: Tokenization: Where TradFi and DeFi meet
- June 6, 2025: DeFi and the American spirit
Regulatory Outlook
The SEC roundtable series is a clear sign that key SEC regulators are open to revisiting current rules. As more investors and institutions enter crypto markets, the need for clear rules on how to safely hold these assets is becoming urgent.
See: DOGE Goes After SEC Offers $50K Buyout to Resign
The collaboration and engagement with industry should move the U.S. closer to having a practical crypto framework that supports both innovation and safety.
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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ProShares XRP Futures ETFs Set to Launch April 30
Crypto | April 28, 2025
Image: Freepik/DC Studio
ProShares Wins SEC Approval for XRP Futures ETFs, Opening Doors For New Investors
As reported by Coindesk, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially approved three XRP futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from ProShares, with trading scheduled to begin on April 30, 2025. This is another major milestone for XRP and crypto, even though the approval is for futures contracts and not direct XRP ownership. This means that investors can trade price movements of XRP without having to buy, store, or manage crypto itself.
Here are the 3 ProShares ETFs set to launch:
- ProShares Ultra XRP ETF (2x leveraged exposure to XRP futures price movements)
- ProShares Short XRP ETF (investors can profit if XRP futures prices decrease)
- ProShares Ultra Short XRP ETF (-2x leveraged exposure against XRP futures)
Notably, the SEC has still not approved a spot XRP ETF. According to Coingecko, the spot price of XRP at the time of writing is currently trading at $2.88 per token with an increase of 8.9% in the last 7 days.
See: Canada Launches First Spot Solana ETFs With Staking
Also, the CME Group, derivatives exchange, plans to introduce a cash settled XRP futures contract on May 19, 2025, pending regulatory approval.
Institutional Interest in Crypto Grows
Institutional demand for cryptocurrencies continues to grow. Below is a snapshot provided by Nate Geraci on X of the Bitcoin ETF's that launched in 2024, including the Assets Under Management (AUM) and implied revenue.
Nearly 16mos after spot btc ETFs launched, GBTC still making more $$$ than all of the other ETFs combined...
And it's not even close. pic.twitter.com/Tfn7g1j5Su
— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) April 27, 2025
Why It Matters
While Canadian regulators have approved spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, there have been no filings for XRP ETFs in the country to date. Developments in the U.S. indicate growing demand for institutional interest in XRP, which could influence future offerings here in Canada.
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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Will Crypto Lobbying Tokens Change Political Fundraising?
Crypto | April 28, 2025
Image: Freepik/pikisuperstar
Trump's Meme Coin Dinner Contest Raises Questions About Crypto's Role in Political Fundraising
Never a dull moment. Last week, Trump announced a special dinner with the President for the top 220 token holders (see gamified leaderboard) of his $TRUMP meme coin. The event is scheduled to take place May 22, 2025 at the at Trump National Golf Club near Washington, D.C.
See: Memecoins, Regulation, and the SEC’s Changing Strategy
Following the news the token surged more than 50% in value, however the presidential self-promotion has triggered more ethical concerns including calls for impeachment by U.S. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff who warns that selling access to a sitting president via a crypto contest could constitute 'an impeachable offense'.
Beyond Traditional Donations
Historically, political donations are highly regulated with disclosure rules, donation caps, and transparency requirements but Trump's meme coin crypto model offers anyone who buys his $TRUMP token and holds it during the contest (no political donation required), can get access to a sitting president without any sort of formal tracking or financial reporting.
The Federal Election Commission regulates official campaign fundraising but crypto tokens tied to personal brands or unofficial committees fall outside of their oversight.
The contest fuelled interpretation rumours that a minimum of $300,000 would be required to get on the list, however Trump's meme coin social team clarified on x.com that anyone could join the dinner if they are one of the top 220 token holders. As of April 28, the 220th on the leaderboard is holding about 898 tokens or a value of approx 13k USD. Participants in the contest must register their rankings which are based on time weighted holdings for the duration of the contest period.
See: Trump’s Launch Meme Coins Sparking Crypto Frenzy
The $TRUMP team also clarified that insider held tokens will remain locked for an additional 90 days to avoid concerns of a rug pull where early holders dump tokens after promotional events.
Ethics Storm and Impeachment Threats
Offering personal access to a sitting president in exchange to boost their personal token value has alarmed lawmakers. As reported by Decrypto, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Adam Schiff have called for a federal ethics investigation. Senator Jon Ossoff went further, suggesting that the arrangement could justify impeachment if it is found that Trump broke the rules of how public officials and sitting presidents are supposed to behave.
Why It Matters
President Trump is sidestepping rules of how politicians are meant to act, and at the same time, cryptocurrencies are enabling politicians to raise money directly with fewer rules.
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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7 Reasons to Sign Up with a Digital Bank for Your Next Bank Account
April 25, 2025
Image: Freepik/lyashenko
Most people choose to manage their finances by maintaining accounts across different banks. They often do so to take advantage of specialized offerings, such as higher interest rates for savings, better rewards for spending, or tailored features for specific financial goals like emergency funds, investments, or travel expenses. It’s also overall better for financial security to have multiple accounts, as this reduces the risk of someone losing access to all their funds in case of technical issues, fraud, or unexpected account freezes in an institution.
Of course, it’s no walk in the park to determine where you should open your next bank account, given the sheer number of options on the market. However, there are plenty of reasons to turn your attention toward digital banks in particular. Unlike traditional banks with physical branches, digital banks operate entirely online and are purpose-built for the highly tech-driven world of today. They utilize technology to offer fast, convenient, and innovative financial solutions without the hassle of in-person visits or cumbersome processes.
All of the above mentioned qualities are making digital banking an increasingly popular choice among modern consumers around the world. According to data from the American Bankers Association, for instance, up to 71% of consumers in the country now prefer digital banking. In the Philippines, digital banks have seen growth by leaps and bounds, collectively accumulating more than PHP 80 billion worth of deposits by June 2024.
If at this point you’re still unsure about letting yourself get caught up in this rising tide, then read on; this article will outline why a digital bank might be the perfect choice for you.
Better Interest Rates
If you’re looking to grow your savings faster, digital banks might give you just the incentive you need. With fewer operational expenses, they can afford to give higher interest rates on savings accounts compared to traditional banks. These competitive rates can make a significant difference over time and help you maximize the returns on your deposits without requiring any extra effort on your part.
If you’re looking for the best digital bank account Philippines’s consumers go to for a rewarding saving experience, then you’ll definitely want to bank with Maya. All Maya savings accounts start with a competitive interest rate of 3.5% p.a.—and from there, you can boost it as high as 15% p.a. by paying bills and buying load through the Maya app, as well as making purchases using your Maya Card, QR, or via online checkout. There are also other savings products like Personal Goals and Time Deposit Plus, both of which have higher interest rates compared to their counterparts from other providers. It’s without a doubt the bank account that can make your savings work the hardest.
Lower Fees
High banking fees like monthly maintenance fees and withdrawal charges can chip away at your money over time. Though the one-time cost of these fees is often not that high, the sheer quantity of fees you often have to pay at a traditional bank can make the amount snowball quickly. Digital banks, in contrast, are designed to eliminate many of these expenses. Since they operate without physical branches, they save on overhead costs and pass those savings directly to their customers. This means you can enjoy low or even no fees on services like account maintenance, fund transfers, and ATM withdrawals, which allows you to keep more of your hard-earned money.
Accessible 24/7
Picture this: it’s late at night, and you suddenly need to transfer funds, check your account balance, or pay a bill. Traditional banks with fixed hours might leave you stranded until morning, but digital banks will never lock you out. Their platforms are accessible round-the-clock through your smartphone or computer—a convenience their traditional counterpart just can’t match. Whether you’re traveling across time zones or just need banking services during unconventional hours, digital banks keep you connected to your money at all times.
User-Friendly Technology
Navigating the world of finance doesn’t have to be complicated and digital banks excel at making their platforms intuitive and easy to use, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Features like clean interfaces, real-time notifications, and built-in budgeting tools transform digital financial management into a seamless experience. These thoughtful designs help you stay in control of your money without the frustration that often accompanies the experience of using traditional banking apps.
Cutting-Edge Online Security
Fear of online threats like identity theft and scams is one of the biggest roadblocks preventing consumers from embracing digital finance. For this reason, digital banks will always prioritize the safety of your finances and personal information. The latest cybersecurity technologies—such as biometric authentication, two-factor verification, and encryption—form the backbone of their security systems. In addition, you can set up real-time alerts to keep you informed of every transaction, so you can act swiftly in case of suspicious activity.
Quick Account Setup
Gone are the days of lengthy paperwork and multiple trips to a bank branch just to open an account. Digital banks streamline the process by letting you sign up entirely online, often in just a few minutes. With straightforward instructions and minimal documentary requirements, you can start managing your money without delay.
Access to More Innovative Services
Why settle for standard banking when you can access tools that help you save, invest, and spend more effectively? Digital banks often lead the way in offering innovative features, like the ability to create multiple accounts for different savings goals or integrated investment options. These unique offerings cater to the evolving needs of modern customers and elevate the user experience far beyond the basics of banking.
See: Future of Neobanking: Exploring the Landscape of AI-Powered Digital Banks
Digital banks represent the future of personal finance, surpassing traditional banks in terms of accessibility, affordability, and innovation. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, choosing a digital bank could be the step that modernizes how you manage your money. Explore your options and see how a digital bank might fit seamlessly into your financial life.
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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UK Authors Might Earn Royalties from AI Training
AI Licensing | April 24, 2025
Image: Freepik
New UK Licensing Consortium to Offer License to Access Copyrighted Content
As reported by the Guardian, the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA), a collaboration between the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and Publishers' Licensing Services, is currently developing a licensing model to launch in Q3 2025 to ensure authors get paid when their books, articles, and other creative assets are used to train generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) models. The CLA's goal is to provide a legal framework that will allow AI developers to access copyrighted content while ensuring that authors and publishers receive fair compensation.
Key Insights
- This is a proactive, industry-led initiative that is responding to growing concerns from UK writers over unlicensed data. According to ALCS, 81% of its members support a collective licensing model
- Some individual authors have filed lawsuits against tech companies like Meta and OpenAI already, like Lord Price (ex-Waitrose boss and author) who has accused Meta of illegally using his and other British authors' books to train its AI systems without permission
- The collective licensing agreement would be an alternative to the controversial UK governments proposal to allow AI companies to train AI systems on copyrighted work by giving them an exemption for 'text and data mining', while offering writers and creatives the option to opt out via a 'rights reservation' system.
See: 1,000 Artists Protest AI Copyright Plans with Silent Album
- The CLA argues that a collective licence would be both scalable and enforceable, helping AI developers meet legal requirements without having to negotiate with thousands of individual rights holders
- Some giant AI firms like Meta and Google have pushed back against large scale licensing proposals, claiming they'd too expensive given the volume of data their models require
Why It Matters
For fintechs, digital content platforms, writers creatives, and key stakeholders, this move signals a step towards regulated, rights-based access to data. A test case for how governments and publishers globally may seek to regulate AI development with existing copyright frameworks. As AI adoption grows so will the hunger for data and the need to resolve the conflict between innovation and copyright law.
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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BIS on Embedding Regulation Inside Smart Contracts
DeFi | April 24, 2025
Image: Freepik/fullvector
Embedding Regulation in Smart Contracts Helps But Real World Accountability Still Needed
In April 2025, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published a new report called 'Cryptocurrencies and decentralised finance: functions and financial stability implications' that could impact how regulators approach decentralized finance (DeFi). For the first time, the BIS explores the idea that smart contracts could help enforce certain regulatory rules within the code itself. To be clear, the BIS doesn't say that smart contract algorithms will replace oversight but it suggests that certain protections like disclosure requirements or prohibiting (or limiting) risk transactions could be built directly into the code.
See: Innovative Approaches to Smarter Regulation
At the same time, the BIS makes it clear that code alone is not enough. Behind every protocol is a developer, a team, or a group of people in-real-life (IRL) that makes decisions when designing or maintaining the system. These people often manage access, risk settings and upgrades. The BIS is saying that if DeFi is going to be safe and trusted then regulators must consider both the smart contract system and the people who develop and influence it.
Can Regulation Be Embedded Directly in Smart Contracts?
Self-executing smart contracts are at the heart of DeFi. They allow users to lend, borrow, trade, and stake assets without relying on intermediaries like a centralized financial institution. Once a smart contract is deployed to the blockchain, it executes transactions exactly as coded, without exceptions. This fact makes them potentially powerful tools for embedding and enforcing basic safeguards to protect stakeholders that interact with these contracts like investors.
The BIS seems to support this concept (BIS Paper No. 156, page 22):
“Regulation could then be embedded in smart contracts to make sure that rules were met. Examples… include ensuring that smart contracts were executed in line with the status of the ledger, that the disclosure of information took place or that ‘best execution’ requirements have been met.”
See: Stablecoin Payments Have Wings – Are You Ready?
What this means is that if a smart contract fails to meet a preset condition, such as price fairness or a collateral threshold requirement, it could automatically trigger a manual review. This would reduce the need for full manual checks on all transactions, and the smart contracts could require public disclosures are met before transactions were allowed. These types of technical safeguards would run automatically and help reduce fraud, bias, or delay. But the BIS says, automation has limits.
Someone Still Interprets Rules and Writes Code
The BIS highlights that smart contracts do not govern themselves. That is, behind every DeFi protocol is a group of developers (tech/business/legal/investor or otherwise) that decides how the code will work, who can update it, and affect the direction it takes.
BIS quotes on Page 21:
“It would be useful to analyse the entities (and persons) exerting de facto control of a DeFi protocol…”
See: BIS and Bank of Canada Launch BIS Toronto Innovation Centre
In many DeFi systems, the people involved are often anonymous or semi-anonymous, yet they can often have administrative access or governance power. Given the high stakes in such a financial system, it raises serious questions about accountability. Who is on the hook when problems arise?
Why It Matters for Canada
Canada has a strong, innovative, and growing DeFi community with many projects being launched and experimented with. These project teams often create complex and secure smart contracts but may lack a clear acc0untability structure so users can face real risks. The BIS's report outlines two layers of protection related to governance.
1. The first is technical. Smart contracts could/should enforce baseline rules around transparency, fairness, and market integrity, without human intervention.
2. The second is organizational. Developers and governance teams must be identifiable, transparent, and where appropriate, regulated. That could mean setting minimum standards, requiring disclosures, or creating a new legal category for protocol operators.
The HM Treasury in the United Kingdom released a paper in February 2023 titled "Future financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets" that discusses various options for bringing DeFi activities into the regulatory perimeter - section 11.6:
See: DeFi Technologies Eyes Nasdaq Listing and Global Expansion
"One option for regulating DeFi is to define a set of DeFi-specific activities – e.g. 'establishing or operating a protocol' – as regulated activities under the RAO (or DAR). The persons carrying out those activities would then require authorisation, and the FCA could design a bespoke regime around these regulated activities."
Outlook
The BIS report covers a range of updated views on cryptocurrency topics, as adoption continues to grow globally. The BIS is looking for a path that DeFi can grow (not advocating to centralize or shut it down) but with guardrails to protect users and the financial system. Smarter regulation is where 'code and community' can collaborate with a novel system pushing boundaries.
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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NewCo Capital Launches Canadian Operations
Capital Markets | April 23, 2025
Image: Freepik
U.S. Non-Bank Lender, NewCo Capital, Brings Same Day Funding to Canadian Small Businesses
On April 21, 2025, U.S.-based alternative finance provider NewCo Capital Group announced the official launch of its Canadian operations. The expansion to Canada is fuelled by a strategic partnership with Bizcap, a global business lender in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Singapore.
Since launching in 2020, NewCo Capital Group has provided over $2 billion USD in funding to more than 45,000 businesses worldwide. They boast a Trustpilot score of 4.8/5, and now offer small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fast access to working capital right across Canada.
See: Canada’s $300M AI Funding Targets SMEs for Growth
Omer Navon, Director of Operations for NewCo Canada:
"The uptick in demand we've seen across Canada since our initial rollout has been both strong and consistent. We've built the infrastructure to scale efficiently across all provinces and territories, including Quebec, ensuring businesses receive timely access to capital with the same level of speed, service, and reliability that defines NewCo's model."
What Canadian Businesses Can Expect
NewCo Capital Group specializes in providing non-banking lending solutions for small businesses (no equity financing options), such as on-demand access to pre-approved working capital and receivables-based financing. Their focus is on speed and flexibility to support SME growth.
- Funding range: $10,000 to $2,000,000 CAD
- Approval time: As little as 3 hours
- Payout: Within 12 hours of approval
- Evaluation: Based on business performance, not just credit scores
See: FundThrough Acquires Ampla and Raises $25M Series B
Closing Thought
Small businesses need to keep all funding options on the table, given that capital is a key barrier for growth. NewCo Capital Group's expansion into Canada offers a tech driven funding solution that provides low friction liquidity, pushing the bar for modern SME lending.
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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