Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Regulation Crowdfunding Report | May 9, 2024

Image: SEC, Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation (OASB) published a report by researcher Melody Cheng called "Women and Minority-owned Businesses in Regulation Crowdfunding' showcasing the increasing trend of how Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) is reshaping the demographics of access capital, moving away from traditional venture capital and angel investment avenues.
The policy recommendations from the SEC report on minority and women activity under Reg CF include strategies aimed at boosting participation and providing ongoing support for these groups of entrepreneurs.
These recommendations are intended to remove barriers and enhance the ability of minority and women entrepreneurs to access and benefit from crowdfunding opportunities, thus promoting a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As policymakers and industry stakeholders continue to refine these platforms, the potential for fostering a more equitable business environment looks promising.
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
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
March 29, 2024

Image: Yahoo Finance, CAD/USD Chart
The world of international finance is characterized by millions of transactions daily. Canada remains an important player on the global stage, with the Canadian foreign exchange market offering plenty of exciting opportunities to traders and investors worldwide. The CAD/USD currency pair is a hot favorite among traders in North America and Europe, with interesting volatility for the year to date. On January 1, 2024, the pair started trading at 0.7553, and six weeks later, it's hovering around 0.7431. A marginal strengthening of the Canadian dollar bodes well for bullish traders in Maple country.
Many retail and institutional traders are taking to the virtual arena to test the waters. Given the extreme volatility of the forex market, many opt for demo trading accounts to better understand the nuances, intricacies, and fluctuations possible in FX trading. To this end, demo trading accounts prove invaluable when learning how to trade forex in real time. This fast-paced market is characterized by trillions of dollars in daily trades, dwarfing the collective trading volume of stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrency combined.

Image: DoF, Debt to GDP
According to Budget Canada, responsible fiscal stewardship has placed the country in an enviable position. The pandemic ravaged the global economy. However, Canada was largely spared economic ruination owing to proactive government support and investments within the broader context of a robust monetary and fiscal framework. Viewed in perspective, these measures have ensured the long-term prosperity of the Canadian economy. Based upon the September 2023 survey (private-sector economists), a budgetary balance of under $40.1 billion (deficit) is forecast for 2023/2024. That amounts to 1.4% of the gross domestic product.
Projecting ahead to 2028/2029, the deficit is expected to improve to $18.4 billion, or -0.5% of GDP. From an optimistic POV, analysts anticipate a budgetary improvement of $5.2 billion annually, with a debt/GDP ratio dropping to 41.6% in 2024/2025 (from 42.0% in 2023/2024). Of course, the flip side is also possible, with a deterioration in the budgetary balance to $8.5 billion annually, with an additional 1.7% added to the debt/GDP ratio by 2028/2029. Regardless, the downside alternative is less than one percentage point of GDP in the forecast timeframe.
A variety of macroeconomic variables, domestic and global, heavily influence the Canadian dollar. These include a confluence of forces, notably:
The forex trading industry is certainly robust and regulated across Canada. This ensures the integrity of operations for stakeholders – platform providers, retail and institutional traders alike. Various regulatory authorities, foremost among them the Canadian Securities Administrators and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organisation, are leading the way in this regard.
Indeed, the CSA defines Forex trading as buying one currency and selling the other currency in the same pair and attempting to generate profit through speculative measures. With online trading platforms, there are many traditional and non-traditional options – notable among them buying hard currency and selling it to realize gains and CFDs (contracts for difference) where traders speculate on the underlying financial instruments' price movements without owning any currencies.
Given the outsized volatility of these financial instruments, it is important to point out that any form of Forex trading is risky. Currency trading in CFD format comes with many risks, which may not be suitable for all types of traders. Given the leverage in play, it is possible to generate substantial profits or losses, depending upon which way the trades go. Forex trading is a volatile proposition, with one side profiting and the other losing. However, careful and systematic analysis of the financial markets can certainly ameliorate downside potential and lead to more favorable outcomes.
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
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
March 18, 2024

Image by macrovector on Freepik
While Gold Coins provide endless fun, Fortune Coins are the real adrenaline boosters. They're your ticket to rewards beyond the platform.
We dish out freebies left and right — you can collect a healthy stash of free Fortune Coins just by showing up. But why stop there? Let’s crank up your harvesting efficiency a notch. Here’s how you can scoop up Fortune Coins more quickly and position yourself for bigger wins.
Simply log in daily, and you can collect a generous batch of both Gold and Fortune Coins. You can trigger this Fortune Coins no deposit bonus every 24 hours. The sweetest part? You don’t have to lift a finger — except to log in, of course. With no effort, you can bump up your stash of Fortune Coins as long as you stay consistent.
![]()
Make it a habit to check our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages regularly. Trust us, it'll pay off — we're always hosting giveaways there, giving you more chances to win a free Fortune Coins boost. There are plenty of opportunities to snag some extra coins, whether it's through quizzes or random drawings. You're probably browsing through social media anyway, so why not visit our channels and make your scrolling time profitable, too?
Tell your pals about us, and we’ll reward you for spreading the word. Through our referral promotion, we’ll hook you up with free Fortune Coins for every friend you bring on board. Just a heads-up — your friend needs to sign up using a special link. The rest of the onboarding is standard, so you can give them the rundown. It’s a win-win: they get to join the fun, and you’ll receive a nice little bonus for making it happen.
A pretty straightforward strategy to get more Fortune Coins is to play games that tend to give out more, i.e., ones with high Return to Player (RTP) percentages. The RTP varies from slot to slot, so make sure to check beforehand. Remember that this percentage is a long-term metric — a slot with 96% RTP does not necessarily yield more coins than one with 95.5% RTP. But it does put you in a position to win more often in the long run.
Take some time to review the paytable and the rules before you start playing. Getting a good grasp on the game’s features, its variance, and how its elements play out can make a big difference. While slots are a game of pure chance, learning the rules can improve your bankroll management and the effectiveness of the coins you put in. You can devise smarter strategies by understanding how the game works and, ultimately, get a better chance of boosting your Fortune Coins.
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
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Philanthropy | Feb 28, 2024

We're helping rally innovators, influencers, and drivers of change—to join Tech4SickKids in a monumental challenge: raising $25 million to revolutionize SickKids with big-data solutions and a state-of-the-art hospital. This initiative isn't just about building walls; it's about breaking down barriers to the limitless possibilities of AI and modern medicine.
By aligning with Tech4SickKids, you join a community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who understand that true success comes from making a positive impact on the world. This is your chance to leave a philanthropic legacy that transcends your business achievements, demonstrating the powerful role that entrepreneurs can play in solving real-world problems.
Video: Precision Child Health Campaign
"When we started Willful it was important for us to bake giving back into our strategy from day one. One early commitment we made was pledging 1% of Willful's equity to SickKids via The Upside Foundation. We're both passionate about having a world-class children's hospital available for our own kids and those in our community, so it was an easy choice to make. This has been a signal to employees, investors, and the larger community that we care about more than just the bottom line."
We invite you to learn more about how you can contribute to this transformative mission. Whether through equity pledges, offering your expertise, or advocating for the cause, your involvement can help build a new SickKids that stands at the forefront of pediatric healthcare innovation.
For more information and to make your pledge, simply submit a pledge form at upsidefoundation.ca/pledge or reach out to Leonard Nolasco at leonard.nolasco@sickkidsfoundation.com
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
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |