Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Online Funding / Investing Portals
MEXC vs Binance: Comparison of Fees, Leverage & Features 2026
December 31, 2025
In the cryptocurrency landscape of 2026, the battle for dominance isn't just about size; it's about Efficiency. For years, Binance has been the undeniable giant, offering a sprawling ecosystem of services. However, sophisticated traders are increasingly migrating to MEXC, a platform that has aggressively positioned itself as the "High-Performance Engine" of crypto trading.
Choosing between them isn't about which one is "better" in a vacuum, it's about which one aligns with your strategy. While Binance functions as a broad "Crypto Bank," MEXC serves as a specialized tool for traders who demand Speed, Discovery, and Maximum Profit Retention. This in-depth comparison breaks down why MEXC is becoming the preferred choice for the modern trader.
The Core Philosophy: Ecosystem vs. Efficiency
To understand the difference, you must look at their focus. Binance functions like a "Super App," offering everything from Spot trading to NFT marketplaces, Loans, and Web3 Wallets. It is designed for the user who wants to do everything in one place, even if it means navigating a complex interface and paying standard fees.
MEXC, serving over 40 million users globally, takes a different approach. It focuses strictly on the trader. The platform is streamlined for Speed (1.4 million transactions per second), Discovery (3,000+ assets), and Cost Reduction. It strips away the bloat to provide a pure, institutional-grade trading environment where the primary goal is maximizing your ROI.
Trading Fees: The "Zero-Fee" Gap
For high-frequency traders, fees are the most critical metric. This is where MEXC delivers a knockout blow to Binance.
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- The Policy Difference: While Binance charges a standard 0.1% for Spot and 0.02%/0.04% for Futures, MEXC sets a new standard with 0% Maker Fees as a core policy for major pairs. But the real difference lies in their promotional events.
- The "Event" Advantage:
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- Binance: Occasionally runs zero-fee promotions, but they are typically restricted to Spot trading on specific stablecoin pairs (like FDUSD/USDT). Futures trading almost always incurs fees.
- MEXC: Frequently organizes massive "Zero-Fee Events" that cover both Spot and Futures. These campaigns often include up to 100+ trading pairs like BTC/USDT, allowing traders to execute high-volume derivatives strategies without paying a single cent in Maker or Taker fees.
- The Math: If you trade $1,000,000 in monthly Futures volume:
- On Binance, you pay roughly $400.
- On MEXC (during events or using Maker orders), you pay $0.
- Result: You save $4,800 per year simply by switching platforms. For active scalpers, this makes MEXC the only logical choice.
Asset Selection: Blue Chips vs. Hidden Gems
Liquidity follows opportunity. Binance, listing around 400-500 tokens, acts as a conservative gatekeeper. They typically list projects only after they have already achieved a multi-billion dollar valuation. It is excellent for "Blue Chip" safety but offers limited upside for early adopters.
MEXC operates as the "Gem Hunter's Paradise." With over 2,681 Spot pairs and 1,465 Futures contracts, it is the primary destination for finding tokens before they go mainstream. Whether you are tracking the CORE coin price to catch a Layer-1 breakout or hunting the latest AI meme coin, MEXC provides the deep liquidity and charting tools needed to trade these assets early. By the time a token hits Binance, the 100x gains are often already gone, MEXC allows you to capture that initial growth curve.
Leverage & Flexibility: Power to the Pro
Advanced traders demand control over their capital efficiency. Binance typically caps leverage at 125x for major pairs and reduces it significantly for altcoins. It adopts a protective stance, suitable for conservative capital.
MEXC empowers the experienced trader with up to 200x leverage on Coin-M futures and an industry-leading 500x leverage on select USDT-M pairs. While such high leverage requires strict discipline, it offers unmatched capital efficiency. A scalper on MEXC can control a substantial position size with a fraction of the margin required on Binance, allowing for more agile capital deployment across multiple strategies.
Security & Trust
Both platforms are titans of security, but they prove it differently. Binance relies on its massive SAIFU insurance fund and global regulatory licenses. MEXC builds trust through transparency, publishing bi-monthly Proof of Reserves (PoR) showing over 100% backing ($2.32 Billion USDT reserves). Additionally, MEXC offers a more streamlined onboarding process, appealing to global users who value privacy and speed alongside security.
Rewards: Passive Income
Binance offers "Simple Earn" with standard APYs. MEXC gamifies rewards through its Kickstarter program. By simply holding MX tokens, users receive daily airdrops of new listings. In 2025, these airdrops yielded an annualized return of up to 29.02%, providing a lucrative passive income stream that complements trading profits.
Final Verdict: Why MEXC Wins
While Binance remains a formidable ecosystem for holding assets, MEXC is the superior platform for trading them.
- For Fee Efficiency: MEXC wins effortlessly. The combination of 0% Maker Fees and frequent Zero-Fee Futures Events (which Binance lacks) saves active traders thousands of dollars annually.
- For Opportunity: MEXC wins by volume. Accessing 3,000+ tokens gives you a massive advantage over Binance’s limited selection.
- For Flexibility: MEXC wins on leverage. Offering up to 500x leverage provides professional traders with the capital efficiency they need.
In the end, if your goal is to maximize profit and minimize cost, the data points to one conclusion: MEXC is the most optimized exchange for the modern trader.
See: How to Avoid Phishing Attacks on Your Crypto Wallet
Sign up on MEXC today to claim your Welcome Bonus and start trading with Zero Fees!
FAQs
- Does MEXC have lower fees than Binance?
Yes. MEXC offers 0% Maker Fees as a standard, whereas Binance typically charges 0.1%. More importantly, MEXC frequently runs Zero-Fee Futures events for over 100 pairs, a benefit Binance does not offer.
- Is MEXC safe?
Yes. MEXC maintains a 1:1 Proof of Reserves ratio ($2.32 Billion USDT) and uses cold storage for 95% of assets, matching top-tier security standards.
- Can I trade meme coins on MEXC?
Absolutely. MEXC is known as the top exchange for meme coins and early-stage tokens, listing over 2,600 pairs, whereas Binance lists fewer than 500.
- Does MEXC require KYC?
MEXC has a flexible approach. While Primary KYC is recommended for higher withdrawal limits (up to 80 BTC), basic trading is accessible with streamlined verification, making it faster to get started than Binance.
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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NCFA Weekly Fintech Intelligence Dec 13-19, 2025
December 19, 2025 | NCFA Fintech Whisperer Weekly Intelligence | Capital Markets And Market Infrastructure, Payments And Money Movement, Regulation And Policy, Open Banking Open Finance And Data Sharing, Digital Assets, Blockchain And Tokenization
Image: Freepik
This NCFA intelligence for the period Dec 13-19 tracks financial technology developments that significantly affect how fintechs build, sell, raise capital, and operate under scrutiny. Coverage prioritizes Canada and includes global events that directly influence competitive conditions, market access, and execution realities across fintech sectors. (Missed the prior week's Fintech Whisperer? Fintech December 6-12)
Weekly Fintech Market Intelligence Dec 13-19, 2025
Open Banking Open Finance And Data Sharing
Bank of Ghana Publishes Draft Open Banking Directive
December 20, 2024, Ghana
- The Bank of Ghana published a Draft Open Banking Directive for regulated financial institutions to support secure customer-consented financial data sharing across Ghana's financial system.
- The draft establishes rules covering data protection, security protocols and operating standards for participating institutions, with the Bank linking open banking to competition, product choice and digital financial service innovation.
- Stakeholders were given 30 days to submit comments. The Bank said it would engage participants on operationalizing the directive after an implementation date is announced.
Ghana moved open banking from policy ambition into a formal regulatory design with explicit requirements around consent, security and participant operations. The next operating trigger is implementation: regulated institutions need clarity on technical standards, liability, accreditation, API access and the timetable for moving from consultation into live data sharing.
Market Infrastructure
DTCC And Digital Asset Partner To Tokenize DTC Custodied US Treasury Securities
Dec 17, United States
- DTCC and Digital Asset announce a partnership to tokenize a subset of US Treasury securities custodied at DTC using the Canton Network.
- The initiative targets an MVP in a controlled production environment in the first half of 2026, with expansion based on institutional demand.
- The effort ties tokenization directly to existing post trade custody and settlement infrastructure rather than standalone pilots.
This moves tokenization into regulated market plumbing where adoption decisions sit with custody, risk, and operations teams. For fintechs selling into capital markets workflows, the opportunity shifts toward integration and tooling that fits institutional settlement and collateral processes.
Payments And Money Movement
Visa Brings USDC Settlement To US Issuers And Acquirers
Dec 16, United States
- Visa launches USDC settlement in the United States and lets US issuer and acquirer partners settle with Visa in Circle’s USDC.
- Visa discloses more than $3.5B in annualized stablecoin settlement volume and names Cross River Bank and Lead Bank as initial participants settling over Solana.
- Visa plans broader US availability through 2026, which pressures treasury teams to treat always on settlement as a competitive baseline.
This matters because stablecoin settlement moves from a pilot talking point to a bank ready treasury workflow. Fintechs that ride existing card and bank rails now face a higher bar on weekend liquidity, reconciliation, and cost of funds, especially for cross border payouts and merchant settlement.
PayPal Files To Establish PayPal Bank As A Utah Chartered Industrial Bank
Dec 15, United States
- PayPal submits applications to the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the FDIC to form an industrial bank called PayPal Bank.
- PayPal says PayPal Bank aims to expand access to financial services for US small businesses, including business lending and potentially interest bearing savings accounts.
- PayPal says it seeks direct connections to card networks for processing and settlement, which can reduce reliance on partner banks and reshape unit economics.
This pushes fintech toward vertical integration under supervision. Canadian fintechs that compete in SMB lending, merchant credit, or cross border commerce should assume tighter competition on price and speed from platforms that control both distribution and the balance sheet wrapper.
Digital Assets, Blockchain And Tokenization
Tetra Completes First Smart Contract Deployment And Partner Testing For CADD
Dec 16, Canada
- Tetra Digital Group announces its first smart contract deployment and initial partner testing for CADD ahead of a planned Q1 launch.
- The release positions partner testing as a step toward production readiness rather than a concept demo, with a defined near term timeline.
- Production grade Canadian dollar stablecoin infrastructure can change treasury, settlement, and cash management playbooks for Canadian fintechs that operate across borders.
This signals a practical path from Canadian stablecoin design to bank and platform execution. Fintechs should focus on operational readiness like ledger integration, compliance controls, and payout design, not only token mechanics, because distribution wins the market.
Regulation, Policy And Market Structure
Bank Of Canada Sets A Hard Bar For Trust In Digital Money
Dec 16, Canada
- Governor Tiff Macklem describes new responsibilities that include regulating stablecoins and implementing consumer driven banking.
- The speech states close to 1,600 payment service providers sit registered with the Bank of Canada or sit in the registration pipeline.
- The speech describes Real Time Rail as a system that clears and settles instantly, 24 7, 365 days a year, with direct access for payment service providers.
This puts real constraints around which stablecoin models earn institutional distribution in Canada and which ones remain niche. It also tightens the competitive loop because Real Time Rail and consumer driven banking push more switching and more product bundling pressure into everyday financial services. Fintechs win when they build for regulatory grade trust and operational resilience instead of treating compliance as an afterthought.
CIRO Launches Review To Improve Access To Affordable Tailored Online Investment Advice
Dec 17, Canada
- CIRO posts a news release for a review that targets access to affordable, tailored online investment advice.
- The framing points to investor access and suitability expectations intersecting with online advice models.
- The review signals more scrutiny on how digital advice products deliver outcomes, not just onboarding and UX.
This matters for wealthtechs because distribution now depends on how clearly a firm shows fit, guardrails, and investor outcomes in digital channels. Firms that rely on generic risk questionnaires or one size models face more friction as CIRO tightens expectations. The advantage goes to teams that harden advice governance and product suitability evidence early.
FCA Opens Consultation On Proposed UK Crypto Rules
Dec 16, United Kingdom
- The FCA opens consultations on proposed UK crypto rules and sets a consultation close date of Feb 12, 2026.
- The FCA publishes consultation papers that cover regulated cryptoasset activities, admissions and disclosures, market abuse, and a prudential regime for cryptoasset firms.
- These proposals raise the compliance and capital planning bar for exchanges, brokers, lending and staking models that want UK market access.
For Canadian firms that sell into the UK or route liquidity through UK counterparties, this consultation defines the future cost of compliance. Fintechs that build custody, lending, staking, or brokerage should model authorization pathways and operational controls early, because late compliance adds both time and valuation risk.
Conclusion
This week highlighted where fintech momentum is real and where it remains aspirational. Capital continues to concentrate around trusted platforms, infrastructure is scaling inside regulated environments, and experimentation increasingly gives way to execution. For fintechs and investors alike, the gap between announcement and adoption remains the defining test. NCFA offers various curated resources to help founders and investors stay current on developments that impact fintech markets, subscribe to NCFA’s weekly newsletter, view a rundown of current fintech news and insights, or dive into the latest fintech industry research.
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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The Most Profitable Digital Assets for Canadians Right Now
December 15, 2025
Image: Freepik/rawpixel.com
The Most Profitable Digital Assets for Canadians Right Now
The rise of digital assets have changed how people resident in Canada think about money. These are basically online investments that range from cryptocurrencies to non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Canadians are becoming more and more interested in digital assets as the evolution of technology has made them easier to own.
But just like the number of old and new casinos canada (reviewed here), there are numerous digital assets you can invest in. These virtual currencies and tokens are becoming popular at online casinos because they allow players to deposit and withdraw funds quickly and anonymously.
However, the variety of digital assets available can make some Canadian investors a bit confused. Don't worry, though. There's good news. We'll point you towards digital assets that boast great returns in this guide. Let's get going.
Bitcoin Remains at the Top
Adam Draper once said: “For Bitcoin, if it becomes a thing, it will become an enormous thing. It will be world-changing. But if it's nothing, it's nothing. There is no in between.”
Well, Bitcoin has become a thing that has become everything. For context, when Bitcoin first came out in 2009, 1309.03 BTC went for $1. Currently, 1 BTC is valued at over $89,000. Back in October 2025, the cryptocurrency hit an all-time high of around $126,000. These numbers are nothing short of terrific; as such, it isn't surprising that Canadian investors are trooping to make BTC investments.
BTC appeals to investors because it doesn't work like real money. For context, it isn't regulated by any government or financial institution. What's better? All BTC-related transactions happen on the blockchain; as such, they're safe and swift.
Many Canadians own BTC through an investment fund called exchange-traded funds (ETFs). For context, Canada was the first-ever country to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF back in 2021. These investment funds let people in Canada invest in Bitcoin's price movements without buying and storing the cryptocurrency themselves. This is excellent, especially for those who want to make BTC investments without understanding all the cryptocurrency’s technical details.
Ethereum and Alternative Cryptocurrencies
Ethereum is the second biggest crypto worldwide after Bitcoin. However, it stands out with different features. One of the most notable is that ETH lets people create smart contracts. These are basically agreements that let people make safe transactions without needing a middleman.
Canadians can invest in Ethereum without needing to have knowledge on blockchain technology. This is made possible through Ethereum ETFs, which were launched alongside Bitcoin ETFs back in 2021.
What's more? Bitcoin and Ethereum aren't the only sectors of the blockchain you can invest in as a Canadian.
In the second quarter of 2025, Canada-based ETFs organizations officially launched spot ETFs for Solana and Ripple. This was the first time ETFs created for these tokens became valid in North America. These ETFs are proof that Canada is a country doing all it can to ensure its residents aren't left out when it comes to digital asset investments.
NFTs: Digital Collectibles With Actual Value
Jack Conte once said: “What I will say about crypto and NFTs in general is I really love the idea of creators owning their media and owning their content.” Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique. Think of them as trading cards that only exist in the digital world. The kicker? These virtual items have real-world value.
According to a report on Statista, the global sector for NFTs is expected to reach $523.1 million in 2025. That said, the market’s annual growth is estimated to be at the rate of 6.50%. Today, the finest NFTs aren't just pictures you can use for bragging rights on social media. The top variants give their owners several perks, including invitations to exclusive events and online communities.
The demographic of NFT owners in Canada and around the world show that young people own these digital collectibles more. And in today's world, artists and content creators use NFT technology to get full ownership over their creations.
FUN FACT: The first NFT was called “Quantum.” It was sold for $4. Now, you'll find NFTs valued at thousands or even millions of Canadian Dollars.
Image: Freepik/pikisuperstar
How You Can Start Investing as a Canadian
Putting your money into digital assets isn't difficult. The first thing you'd need to do is research the options we've highlighted in this guide. Once you do so, find banks or regulated third-party services that'll allow you to buy cryptocurrencies and NFTs without jumping through so many steps.
See: Investing in the Future of AI and Blockchain
Investments, especially those on digital assets, are great. If you've done your research and still intend going this route, make sure you use money you can afford to lose. This isn't to scare you. But the reality is that these investments, albeit great for now, can go sideways in the coming years or months. The successful investors you see today are those that didn't go all-in, but started out small and saw their investments rise over time.
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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MetaMask Adds Polymarket to Its Self Custody Wallet
Crypto | December 9, 2025
Image generated by AI
Prediction Markets Inside Mainstream Self-custody Wallet
On December 4 2025, MetaMask expanded its self custody wallet by adding Polymarket prediction access to over 30 million monthly active users, enabling instant reach and impact across a vast user base. MetaMask wants to serve as a financial gateway where users form views on news and markets while maintaining full control of their digital assets.
The company already expanded into derivatives through a partnership with Hyperliquid in early October, and aims to centralize trading, rewards and identity inside its self-custody interface. The company also confirmed plans to launch a token that will connect activity across features.
What Polymarket Adds To MetaMask
Polymarket brings user growth, event liquidity and cultural relevance into MetaMask.
Coincentral reported that Polymarket's October 2025 trading volume was $3.02 billion with 477,850 monthly active traders, and 38,270 Polymarket event markets were created the same month (quickly growing demand for detailed, news-driven event prediction markets.
This growth is paired with scrutiny. A Columbia University study found that about 25% of Polymarket’s historical trading volume may involve wash trading, with peak periods where nearly 60% of weekly trades in December 2024 showed characteristics of wash activity and clusters of about 43,000 wallets linked to suspected wash networks.
See: TradingView and MetaTrader4: Recipe for Success?
Polymarket’s growing institutional interest must be recognized. Intercontinental Exchange announced that it would invest up to $2 billion in Polymarket at an $8 billion valuation and distribute its data through the ICE ecosystem. This deal places prediction markets inside the realms of one of the most established global financial groups, and likely why MetMask chose Polymarket.
Regulatory Fault Lines Around Prediction Markets
Prediction markets still remain one of the more fragmented regulatory categories in global finance. Polymarket’s regulatory pathway in the United States shows how quickly oversight can move from pressure to approval. In 2022, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fined Polymarket $1.4 million for operating without proper registration and required it to block US users.
In November 2024, NCFA reported that federal agents searched the New York home of Polymarket chief executive Shayne Coplan and seized his phone and other devices after an election prediction market drew national attention. The company described the event as politically motivated, though no public evidence confirmed that claim.
In mid-2025, Polymarket acquired QCEX for $112 million, a CFTC regulated and licensed derivatives exchange, seeking approval to relaunch in the US. Soon after the deal closed, the CFTC issued a no action letter that relaxed several reporting and recordkeeping requirements tied to event contracts. Together, these steps cleared the way for Polymarket to return to the US market for the first time in three years.
Ontario regulators ruled that Polymarket’s earlier model offered short-maturity binary options to Ontario users in breach of the province’s ban, outlined in the OSC’s settlement with Polymarket, and formalized through the tribunal’s decision approving the enforcement agreement.
Across Europe, the sector sees similar barriers. Belgium added Polymarket to its blacklist as an illegal gambling service. Romania blocked access to Polymarket over election betting after a surge in election markets. Poland placed Polymarket.com on its register of illegal gambling domains.
For MetaMask, it means that access to its prediction markets is still limited in some regions.
Outlook
Instead of sending users to third-party apps, MetaMask is funnelling activity inward and rewarding it, as a competitive advantage. Certainly interesting to see a self-custody platform evolve to become a wider financial interface. Investors should watch the competitive race between Kalshi and Polymarket. A rivalry that will influence pricing efficiency, liquidity and retail adoption, especially as MetaMask becomes a distribution channel.
See: NHL Bets on Fintech’s Future with Kalshi and Polymarket
The Columbia study and the OSC decisions show increasing scrutiny. As these markets move inside mainstream wallets, regulators may demand new disclosures, limits and reporting standards. Policymakers will need to address how prediction markets intersect gambling laws, derivatives rules and securities oversight.
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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Tokenwell Partners with Talos for New Crypto Basket
Crypto | December 4, 2025
Tokenwell Expands Talos Partnership To Develop A New Institutional Crypto Basket
On December 4 2025, Tokenwell Platforms Inc announced an expanded partnership with Talos to develop a proprietary crypto basket using the Coin Metrics Multi Asset Series Methodology, which uses clear data rules to help the basket protect value and adjust to different market conditions. It uses trends, price ranges and strength signals to guide monthly updates and remove guesswork from how the basket changes over time. The strategy is in development and the company expects to complete backtesting in January 2026 before releasing the basket on its platform in the first quarter of 2026.
Background On Tokenwell
Tokenwell Platforms Inc (TWEL) trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange and focuses on diversified crypto baskets built from institutional data while keeping all assets in user exchange accounts in a non-custodial structure, as outlined on its investor overview page.
See: Rails’ Hybrid Crypto Exchange and $14M Raise
In August 2025, Trilogy AI Corp acquired WealthAgile Inc, which appears in the fundamental change listing statement. That filing describes WealthAgile as a financial technology business focused on structured cryptocurrency investing. After completing the acquisition, Trilogy changed its name to Tokenwell Platforms Inc and advanced a platform built around data-driven portfolio tools for retail investors.
Uses Talos Data To Engineer A Technical Basket
Tokenwell uses the Talos Coin Metrics platform to design a new crypto basket that uses a rules-based model that updates monthly and follows clear technical criteria supported by institutional data.
The company laid the foundation for this approach in July 2025 when it licensed Coin Metrics data to build benchmarking tools and index models which led to the CMBI 10 Even basket (CMBI10e). Users can already access the CMBI10E and CoinDesk 20 baskets inside the Tokenwell app.
Then Talos acquired Coin Metrics and Tokenwell gained a unified data environment that now supports the development of its proprietary strategy.
Expands Retail Platform and Leadership Team
In September 2025, Tokenwell announced the launch of its retail crypto investing app in the United States that connects users to structured crypto baskets without taking custody of assets. Users invest through existing Coinbase or Crypto.com accounts while the Tokenwell app provides the portfolio layer.
In October 2025, Tokenwell announced its first major exchange partnership with Crypto.com who integrated its platform so investors could access and trade Tokenwell's crypto baskets.
Read: Why Policy Scenarios Now Matter for Fintech Strategy
The leadership team also expanded earlier in the year, adding Abraham Theodore NDAX's former Head of Product (COO), Darryl Irwin (accounting/tax expertise), and Matthew Lee Morgan as strategic advisor to help scale.
Outlook
2025's been a big year for Tokenwell, including structured platform development, fundamental change transaction, a corporate rebrand, leadership expansion, a United States app launch, exchange infrastructure integration and multiple index baskets designed with Coin Metrics and CoinDesk Indices. The Talos partnership now anchors the next growth phase of Tokenwell’s product strategy with a proprietary institutional model designed for retail access.
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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KYC Automation and Digital Identity for Betting Platforms
December 3, 2025
AI generated image
FinTech and new authentication technologies are impacting how online betting sites follow the rules. They are defining a speedier and more trustworthy standard. Instead of slow human inspections, operators now employ AI-driven verification that happens right away.
That renders the process speedier and safer for both players and platforms such as a non GamStop casino, where trust is highly required, especially when exploring safe casinos off GamStop for British punters. The move isn't merely an industrial advancement, but it's a strategic need since digital hazards are growing and rules are becoming stricter.
Advanced identification systems enable operators to fulfil severe AML and CFT standards while also enabling responsible gaming protections. These new features let platforms swiftly authenticate participants, lower risk, and keep a close eye on the rules in an online world that is becoming more complicated.
Regulatory Drivers Behind Automated KYC
Financial authorities throughout the globe are calling for stricter rules on digital transactions. Thus, betting sites now depend primarily on automated KYC systems. For transactions to be secure and transparent, they need to include basic things like Customer Identification Programs (CIP) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD).
Modern operators, like those who operate a non GamStop casino, must utilise technology that quickly examines worldwide sanctions lists, PEP databases, and sources of bad news. Quick and accurate screening makes it easy to follow the rules and maintain platforms up to date with real-time regulatory requirements. As requirements change, adaptable automated technologies enable operators to remain ahead, making compliance a benefit instead of a perpetual problem.
AI Verification for Faster Player Onboarding
AI has changed how players are onboarded by making identification verification quick, accurate, and straightforward. Modern verification methods can authenticate a player's identification against official records in seconds using machine learning and biometric matching. This gets rid of the delays that typically make people give up on signing up. Players who like a non GamStop casino also care about a pleasant experience, where rapid access is a big part of what they anticipate.
Advanced systems now include liveness recognition, which makes sure that a genuine person, not a picture or edited video, is doing the operation. Faster verification lowers costs, makes things safer, and increases conversion rates, which gives platforms a distinct edge over their competitors.
Fraud Prevention Through Continuous Monitoring
To stay up with fraudsters who change their approaches quickly, such as stealing identities, setting up many accounts, and abusing bonuses, platforms need to be watched all the time. AI systems aid by watching how players behave and searching for strange trends in deposits, withdrawals, or betting behaviour that might be signs of money laundering or coordinated schemes.
Machine learning may find little changes that a human review would overlook, letting teams know about problems before they become worse. Some systems additionally employ graph databases to show how accounts that don't seem to be linked are really linked. With this continual, data-driven supervision, platforms can quickly stop questionable behaviour and keep both users and operations safe.
Decentralised Identity for Player Data Control
Decentralised digital authentication will completely change how player verification works by letting people have complete control over their own data. A gamer may use blockchain to authenticate their identity once with a trustworthy source and get a digital credential that is safe and can be used again.
After that, they may send it to any betting site without having to submit papers over and over again. This makes the onboarding process quicker and easier and gives consumers more privacy.
It takes away the stress of keeping a lot of sensitive information safe for operators while still making sure that identification checks are accurate. The method lowers compliance friction, lowers risk, and generates a higher level of trust, making the betting environment safer and ready for Web3.
FinTech Leadership in Compliance and ROI
FinTech innovation is moving KYC automation from a requirement of the law to an entrepreneurial benefit. Betting companies now know that following the rules is suitable for their bottom line and establishes a brand that people can trust.
Investing in AI and digital identification systems pays off in the long run by lowering labour costs, reducing compliance fines, and increasing the lifetime value of customers since onboarding is quicker and easier.
See: Which Fintech Processes Are Most Ready for Agentic AI
Platforms that use these technologies are making sure they stay at the front of the FinTech wave by being responsible and growing securely. Their dedication to quick, apparent compliance is creating a new standard for the business, where trust is the most essential thing in every digital encounter.
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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CSA Review of EMD Selling Groups Exemption
Capital Raising | Dec 2, 2025
Regulators Launch Consultation to Assess Temporary EMD Selling Groups Exemption
On November 27 2025, Canadian securities regulators released CSA Multilateral Staff Notice 31-367, confirming that the temporary rule under Coordinated Blanket Order 31-930 will end on December 20, 2025 (see release). The consultation remains open until January 26, 2026, which creates a timing gap that matters for exempt market dealers, founders and investors who want clarity on whether a revised model may support stronger capital raising across Canada.
The EMD Selling Groups exemption started in June 2024. It enabled exempt market dealers to join selling groups in prospectus offerings. The policy goal looked straightforward. Most Canadian companies start in the exempt market. Many later raise growth capital under a prospectus. Allowing exempt market dealers to stay involved as companies advance could strengthen continuity, expand distribution and support investor access.
See: How Fintechs Are Unlocking Value in Private Markets 2024
The results did not match that intent:
According to the Staff Notice, only 3 exempt market dealers filed the required notice to participate, and only 2 of those exempt market dealers actually joined selling groups. Each took part in two prospectus offerings. That means the entire pilot produced four transactions nationally. The low participation explains why regulators want to close the temporary rule and collect feedback on the structural issues that affected the outcome.
What EMDs, Founders and Investors Said Through the Pilot
Regulators identified four barriers that influenced participation, according to the Staff Notice.
1. Exempt market dealers cannot access electronic settlement through the Canadian Depository for Securities. Issuers that chose to work with exempt market dealers needed to use paper certificates. This added time and cost to prospectus stage financing.
2. Exempt market dealers cannot advise clients on securities purchased under a prospectus. This restriction makes it difficult for them to support clients after closing.
See: Budget 2025 Accelerates Fintech, AI, and Capital Growth
3. Compensation limits created a barrier. Exempt market dealers faced a scale back on economics when compared with other activities available to them.
4. Issuers and investment dealers were not fully aware that exempt market dealers could participate. Some exempt market dealers reported that investment dealers did not understand the conditions required to include them in selling groups.
Although most issues seem like practical challenges, companies and intermediaries tend to choose the path with the fewest obstacles. Any friction at the distribution or settlement layer reduces interest in a new route, especially if the upside is limited.
Regulators also outlined the questions they want the market to address during the consultation. They want to understand whether the compensation limits reduced interest in the exemption and whether a different structure could support fair incentives. They also want feedback on how the lack of electronic settlement access affects issuer decisions, how the advice restrictions affect client relationships, and whether issuers and investment dealers need clearer guidance on how to include exempt market dealers in selling groups.
Why This Outcome Matters to the Market
Founders want financing routes that feel clear and predictable. Investors value trusted relationships and efficient execution.
Exempt market dealers want a model that supports their clients as they grow, along with fair compensation.
Read: DealMaker Raises $20M to Expand AI Capital Platform
The exemption tried to bridge the exempt market with the prospectus market but with only four completed transactions under the temporary exemption, data suggests that the approach wasn't sustainable for both issues and dealers who want reliable access to distribution during growth stage financing.
For founders, this means they will need to continue to rely on investment dealers when they reach the prospectus stage.
For investors, this means their EMD cannot guide them through a prospectus purchase because the rules doesn't allow exempt market dealers to advise clients on prospectus securities.
Regulators are now looking for feedback that reflects what founders, investors and dealers experience on the front line to better understand incentives, bottlenecks and market behaviour.
Regulators Look for Practical Market Insight
The Ontario Securities Commission recently launched a program offering $30,000 in grant support to academic researchers for new research work on Ontario capital markets. This program encourages research that helps regulators understand how companies raise capital and how the market supports growth. Note, NCFA previously wrote about how wider participation may better unlock the kind of innovative policies required in 2026 and beyond to support a dynamic and competitive capital market while protecting investors.
See: Market Forces Pressuring Fintech Plans For 2026
The combination of the CSA consultation and the OSC research program are signs that regulators want practical input grounded in real activity. The pilot produced limited use, so regulators now want to hear from market participants before they consider any new approach.
Outlook
Canada needs rules that help companies raise growth capital and help investors access opportunities backed by clear standards. The temporary EMD selling group exemption didn't move the needle enough in the practical world to support extension.
The CSA consultation now gives the market a chance to highlight what helps and what slows down capital formation. Founders, investors and dealers have an opportunity to provide inputs that supports growth and strengthens Canada’s competitiveness in capital markets innovation. Submit your consultation comments to the CSA here before January 26, 2026.
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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