Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Press Releases
Spendsafe Youth Financial Education Platform Launch
Dec 19, 2025 | NCFA Fintech Market Activity | Payments and Financial Inclusion
Image: Freepik/asier_relampagoestudio
Spendsafe Launches Youth Finance Platform Backed By Mastercard
On December 18 2025, Spendsafe launched a full service financial education platform for youth in Canada. The product combines financial education tools with a reloadable prepaid Mastercard program delivered through regulated Canadian payments partners.
The platform is built for children and teens aged 6 to 18. It provides a mobile app experience where young users can track spending, set savings goals, and learn money concepts as they use funds in real time. Parents retain control through features that include balance loading, spending limits, transaction visibility, and account oversight, while also helping children prepare for long-term goals through tools such as an education savings plan.
The launch arrives at a time when access to practical money education is lagging behind digital participation. The platform connects learning to everyday activity through a secure prepaid card, a connected mobile app, and a personalized digital coach that adapts as the child grows. Parents can assign chore based allowances, set financial goals, and guide spending in real time within a structured environment.According to the release:
- More than 8.5 million Canadians aged 6 to 18 are navigating increasingly digital financial environments
- Gen Z scores only 38% on financial literacy assessments
- 75% of teens wish they had been taught money skills earlier
- In 2024 more than 69% of parents used chores to build financial habits and 73% tied rewards to performance
Spendsafe operates its payments program through a structured partner stack. Peoples Trust Company acts as the prepaid card issuer, Berkeley Payments provides program management, and Mastercard supplies the acceptance network. This design places the product inside existing Canadian payments and compliance frameworks rather than outside them.
Vasanth Ratna, CEO and Founder of Spendsafe:
"Financial confidence isn't built overnight. It's developed through small, meaningful decisions made over time. Spendsafe gives families a smarter, safer way to raise financially independent children. With Mastercard as our network provider, we're proud to deliver a platform that brings together payment security, behavioral learning, and a clear path to lifelong financial wellbeing."
Spendsafe operates independently while relying on licensed partners to handle regulated functions such as card issuance and payment processing. The company has also attracted external backing. In November 2025, Malar Group announced a strategic investment in Spendsafe to support product development and expansion. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Talking Point
Spendsafe places financial education inside live payment behaviour. If habits form through daily use rather than instruction alone, will embedded learning models earn stronger long term engagement than classroom based approaches?
The launch highlights how prepaid payments, parental controls, and education tools continue to converge into single consumer products. Execution now depends on adoption, trust, and ease of use for families managing real money.
Related Stories
Canadian Payments Reach $12.2 Trillion in 2024
Good money trust innovation and Canada’s payments future
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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Nuvei MiCAR CASP License For EU Crypto Services
Dec 19, 2025 | NCFA Fintech Market Activity | Payments and Digital Assets
Image: Freepik/frimufilms
Nuvei Secures MiCAR License For EU Crypto Asset Services
On December 17 2025, Nuvei, a payments technology company founded in Montreal and later taken private through a $6.3bn buyout led by Advent International alongside Canadian investors, secured a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation MiCAR. The authorization enables Nuvei to deliver regulated crypto asset services and passport them across EU member states under a single regime.
Nuvei says the authorization lets it offer regulated services that include cryptocurrency storage and administration, transfers, and the exchange of crypto assets into funds, integrated into its payments infrastructure. For founders and operators, this matters because licensing turns crypto capability into something procurement, risk, and compliance teams can actually support across multiple EU markets without rebuilding the framework country by country.
MiCAR also creates a common baseline for authorization and oversight across Europe. ESMA outlines the framework and the register concept for authorized providers in its overview of Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation MiCA.
Nuvei also says it obtains a Payment Institution license that supports services related to electronic money tokens. Together, Nuvei positions these approvals as a way to run crypto asset flows, electronic money token flows, and fiat based payment and settlement flows through one regulated platform.
Talking Point
This license moves Nuvei from crypto enablement to regulated crypto execution across Europe, which changes how enterprise clients evaluate risk, continuity, and scale. Will more Canadian payments leaders pursue regulated crypto permissions in major global jurisdictions to win enterprise trust and defend cross border growth?
Phil Fayer, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Nuvei:
“This authorization marks an important milestone in the convergence of payments and digital assets. MiCAR brings long-needed regulatory clarity to Europe. Operating under this framework allows us to help customers move value across crypto and traditional payment rails with confidence, consistency, and scale.”
Nuvei also describes the customer impact in practical terms, including simplified access to crypto payments across Europe, compliant fiat to crypto and crypto to fiat flows, faster and more transparent settlement options, and reduced regulatory and operational complexity when scaling across EU markets.
Read: Nuvei Shareholders Approve $6.3B Advent International Buyout
For Canadian founders and investors, regulatory clarity is a growth lever. While a CASP license doesn't guarantee adoption, it removes a major blocker for enterprise decision makers who need clear accountability, clear supervision, and predictable operating rules before they integrate crypto settlement into production payment stacks.
This development is part of a wider move towards tokenized financial infrastructure, where digital versions of cash and assets are starting to connect directly with payment and settlement systems. NCFA’s recent piece on how tokenized infrastructure is changing how markets operate explains why regulated access to these systems matters as institutions look to move value faster, cheaper, and with stronger controls.
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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FrontFundr Achieves Record Investment Growth in 2025
FrontFundr | Nov 20, 2025
Image generated by AI
Strong Rise in Revenue and Investor Participation as Private Markets at Record Levels
On 18 November 2025, FrontFundr announced its fiscal year 2025 results for the year ending 30 September 2025. The company reported revenue of $1.85 million, which it stated was a 60% increase from fiscal 2024. FrontFundr also reported an EBITDA loss of $45,000, compared with a loss of $1.25 million in the previous fiscal year. The company described these results as its strongest annual performance.
See: Equity Crowdfunding Breaks Records in Canada
According to the release, FrontFundr processed $81.4 million in investment volume during fiscal 2025, representing a 45% increase over fiscal 2024. The company completed 5,729 investment transactions during the period, nearly double the number completed the year before.
The company also increased it's investor base in 2025 with 58,335 registered users, an increase of 24% over the prior year. The number of active investors reached 20,148, an increase of 28% compared with fiscal 2024.
FrontFundr cited several campaigns that contributed to activity on the platform. Edison Motors raised $6.9 million, and Blossom Social raised $1.93 million in under one week marking Canada’s most successful equity crowdfunding campaign.
The company also provided early results from the start of fiscal 2026. FrontFundr generated $255,200 in revenue for October 2025, which exceeded its internal monthly target by 68%.
FrontFundr mentioned in the release that these stellar fiscal 2025 results coincided with the firm's 10 year milestone from the day the company processed its first investment in May 2015. The release links the milestone with the reported increases in revenue, completed transactions, investment volume, registered users, active investors, and individual campaign outcomes.
See: Fintech Fridays EP57: 10 Years of Investment Crowdfunding: Past, Present & Future Since the JOBS Act
With equity crowdfunding as part of the wider private markets landscape in Canada, the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association reported that the first nine months of 2025 marked the strongest nine month period on record for private equity, with $56.5 billion across 483 transactions.
Congrats!
FrontFundr’s fiscal 2025 results highlight a year where the company reported growth across its platform, and reaching the 10 year mark offers a moment to congratulate Peter-Paul and the entire team and acknowledge the sustained multi year effort behind that progress. Recognizing this milestone is appropriate as the company continues its work within Canada’s developing investment crowdfunding and private market investing landscape.
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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Coinbase Opens a New Chapter for Token Sales
Token Sales | Nov 13, 2025
Image: Freepik/diana.grytsku
A New Standard for Fair and Transparent Token Launches
On November 10, 2025 Coinbase announced the launch of its new 2025 end-to-end token sales platform, with the goal is to make token launches more open, fair, and easy to understand, while helping projects build real communities and stable markets. The news is the return of U.S. retail access to public token sales for the first time since 2018, triggered by both market demand and a pro-crypto U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) who now says that most crypto tokens are not securities, a complete pivot from the Gensler years when regulators focused mainly on enforcement.
Redesigning Token Sales for a Fairer Market
Coinbase’s new model aims to redefine how tokens are launched and distributed by emphasizing fairness, compliance, and long-term project stability. Instead of fast paced selling campaigns that reward a small group of insiders and large buyers, Coinbase is implementing an algorithm that fills smaller requests first, giving retail users increased access to participate. Similarly, here you can find Coinbase black friday deals. This sale window remains open for a set period, usually about a week, and then once closed, allocations are finalized. This ensures a balanced distribution and greater transparency in how tokens reach users.
See: Coinbase Pushes for Tokenized Equities Approval
Every issuer must share verified information about its team, tokenomics, and goals before the sale begins. Coinbase requires a 6 month lock-up period for issuers and their affiliates, which prevents early sell-offs and maintains market trust. These requirements strengthen accountability and align with the platform’s focus on transparent and compliant token issuance.
Coinbase’s design also rewards true community participation. Users who hold tokens beyond the first 30 days receive higher priority in future sales, discouraging short-term speculation (a type of loyalty benefit). For issuers, the model offers exposure to Coinbase’s global retail base and a transparent way to build exchange liquidity over time.
Coinbase has confirmed that Monad (MON) will be the first project to use the new platform, with its token sale scheduled for November 17–22, 2025. A key test of how a compliant, exchange led distribution can work in practice.
The design directly addresses problems seen during the 2017–2018 ICO boom, when many projects raised funds without meeting disclosure or compliance standards. Coinbase’s structured, transparent model supports fair access for users while maintaining clear accountability for issuers.
Then and Now: Token Sales Compared
| Component | ICO Era (2017–2018) | Coinbase Model (2025) |
| Regulatory Clarity | Operated in uncertain areas with little oversight. Many projects later faced SEC actions | Built under SEC guidance that most tokens are not securities, supported by clear disclosures and verified governance |
| Access and Distribution | First-come systems rewarded speed and capital. Retail participation declined as regulators tightened oversight after widespread enforcement against unregistered ICOs, leading most platforms to limit token sales to accredited investors | Algorithm fills smaller requests first, expanding access and allowing U.S. retail buyers to join under defined limits |
| Issuer Accountability | Founders could sell immediately after launch and there were few restrictions or audits | 6 month issuer lock-up and Coinbase approval for any resale, keeping incentives aligned with buyers |
| Market Integrity | Tokens often listed quickly and traded on hype, leading to volatile price swings | Sales connect directly to Coinbase’s exchange roadmap, adding structure and steady liquidity over time |
| User Protection | Few safeguards or verified disclosures; frequent fraud cases | Verified project details, transparent sale process, and checks that reward real users over short-term traders |
Regulatory Perspective
Coinbase’s token sale model operates under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s current interpretation that most tokens are not securities when issued transparently and tied to legitimate network utility. This approach aligns with the SEC’s Project Crypto initiative, which promotes responsible innovation, fair access, and clear disclosure standards for digital assets.
In contrast, Canada maintains a more restrictive policy framework. Under current Canadian rules, most token sales are considered securities offerings unless they clearly fall outside investment contract criteria. The foundational guidance remains the CSA Staff Notice 46-308 – Securities Law Implications for Offerings of Tokens, which sets out how tokens may qualify as securities depending on their structure, purpose, and how they are marketed to participants.
See: Coinbase MiCA Licence Unlocks Europe Wide Crypto Access
Also, the Canadian Securities Administrators hosts an investor advisory titled Buying and Selling Crypto Assets, which cautions that token sales and trading platforms must comply with registration and disclosure requirements. Unlike the U.S., where retail investors are now permitted to participate in regulated public token sales, Canadian participation remains limited to accredited or exempt investors.
It's clear that the two markets are taking different paths. The United States is moving toward a system that rewards transparency and practical utility, while Canada’s framework continues to prioritize investor protection via restriction. Over time, Canada may need to modernize its regulatory approach to encourage innovation and maintain competitiveness in the global digital asset economy.
Outlook
It was also recently discovered that Coinbase is moving it's legal incorporation from Delaware to Texas, as detailed in a report on the company’s shift to Texas corporate law. Texas offers a more innovation-friendly business environment and growing digital asset economy. Overall, Coinbase's new token sale model could help define how token distribution evolves worldwide, offering a practical roadmap for compliance with 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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J.P. Morgan Launches First Public USD Deposit Token
Digital Money | Nov 12, 2025
Image: Freepik/Pikisuperstar
J.P. Morgan Becomes First Bank to Issue a Deposit Token on a Public Blockchain
On November 12, 2025, J.P. Morgan announced that it had become the first major bank to issue a USD deposit token on a public blockchain. The new JPM Coin (ticker JPMD) allows institutional clients to send and receive funds instantly using Base, the Ethereum Layer 2 network developed by Coinbase.
The project follows successful testing in June of this year with B2C2, Coinbase, and Mastercard, which achieved real-time issuance and redemption of the token. The initiative is led by Kinexys by J.P. Morgan, the bank’s blockchain division that has built digital financial infrastructure since 2015.
Why J.P. Morgan is Leading This Transformation
J.P. Morgan’s motivation goes beyond efficiency. By placing regulated deposits directly on a public chain, the bank is positioning itself for the next era of interoperable digital finance. Its clients can now settle cross-border trades, treasury flows, and digital asset transactions onchain, with the reliability and security of a regulated deposit. This model combines bank-grade security with blockchain’s speed and transparency.
See: Bank-Issued Deposit Tokens Emerge and JP Morgan Sees Them Going DeFi
Rather than competing with stablecoins, J.P. Morgan is building a framework where traditional deposits become programmable financial instruments, integrated with smart contracts.
The launch shows how large banks are implementing strategies for digital money. For global institutions, it reduces the friction of moving funds across time zones and platforms, offering constant access to liquidity and settlement.
By offering instant, always-on settlement and programmable deposits backed by a regulated bank, J.P. Morgan is setting a new standardfor how traditional finance can participate safely in the digital asset economy while maintaining oversight and trust.
Lessons for Canada’s Regulators
For Canada, J.P. Morgan’s approach provides a clear case study as the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and the Bank of Canada (BoC) advance their own stablecoin policy framework. If Canada adopts similar standards for CAD-denominated deposit tokens, it could enable cheaper, faster settlements while maintaining full regulatory oversight.
See: VersaBank USA Launches Tokenized Deposits Pilot
There's also an opportunity for Canadian fintechs to collaborate with banks on compliant blockchain payment rails. Domestic players like Interac and major banks may soon face competitive pressure if global stablecoin transactions become a new standard. This type of regulatory model would allow Canadian financial institutions to issue tokenized deposits that preserve trust while keeping innovation local.
How Deposit Tokens Could Impact Payment Payment Economics
Once Canadian regulators establish clarity around digital deposits, the cost of settlement could fall dramatically. Current payment systems such as e-Interac and card networks, rely on intermediaries that add delay and cost. Regulated tokens could settle value directly between wallets within seconds, removing several layers of friction.
While this could reduce traditional fee income, it also supports innovation and opens new business models.
See: Corporate Crypto Treasuries Cross $137B as DATCos Multiply
Banks could earn from providing liquidity, token custody, or smart contract services. Fintechs could integrate programmable money into real-time lending, payroll, or cross-border commerce.
If Canada aligns with international standards, the combination of stable onchain settlement and regulatory assurance could strengthen national competitiveness and attract global capital.
Outlook
J.P. Morgan’s entry into public blockchain payments proves that regulated institutions can safely participate in decentralized finance while meeting compliance standards. The ability to move regulated value instantly across borders could help Canadian firms compete globally, expand access to capital, and reinforce confidence in digital finance.
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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Ripple’s $500 million Investment and 2 Years of Expansion
Crypto | Nov 7, 2025
Image courtesy of AI
Strategic Growth Across Payments, Custody, and Treasury Punctuated by a $500M Investment
On November 5 2025, Ripple announced a $500 million strategic raise led by Fortress and Citadel Securities at a $40 billion valuation. The company positioned the funding round as confirmation of its recent trajectory and a way to deepen ties with financial partners after its strongest year on record.
See: Ripple Seeks US Bank Charter for Stablecoin Expansion
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO Ripple:
“This investment reflects both Ripple’s incredible momentum, and further validation of the market opportunity we’re aggressively pursuing by some of the most trusted financial institutions in the world. We started in 2012 with one use case payments and have expanded that success into custody, stablecoins, prime brokerage and corporate treasury, leveraging digital assets like XRP. Today, Ripple stands as the partner for institutions looking to access crypto and blockchain.”
Six Deal Stack to Build Ripple’s Institutional Platform
Ripple points to six acquisitions completed in just over two years that expand Ripple's ecosystem from a payments specialist to a broader institutional platform spanning custody, prime brokerage and corporate treasury.
On May 17, 2023 Ripple acquired Metaco for approx $250 million, adding an institutional custody stack and tokenization tooling that supports enterprise use cases.
On June 11, 2024 Ripple officially acquired Standard Custody and Trust Company (M&A price undisclosed), following regulatory approvals, expanding Ripple’s portfolio of licences and custody capabilities.
On April 8, 2025 Ripple acquired Hidden Road for $1.25 billion (now operating as Ripple Prime). The deal gives Ripple a global multi asset prime broker serving hundreds of institutional clients and positions RLUSD for collateral and cross margin uses.
See: XRP Price After Ripple vs SEC Lawsuit – Impact & Market Outlook
Then on August 7, 2025 Ripple acquired Rail for $200 million, a Toronto based stablecoin payments platform, strengthening Ripple Payments with virtual accounts, cross border flows and back office automation.
On October 16, 2025 Ripple acquired GTreasury for $1 billion, opening up the corporate treasury market to Ripple’s infrastructure and customers that want to use stablecoins and tokenized deposits at scale.
And on November 3, 2025 Ripple acquired Palisade for an undisclosed amount, adding wallet and custody technology designed for real time institutional payments and treasury use cases.
The Rail acquisition anchors part of Ripple’s stablecoin payments build in Toronto, tipping the hat that Canada can be a node for institutional stablecoin flows. For Canadian banks, credit unions and large corporates, the combination of Rail for payments, GTreasury for treasury systems and Ripple Prime for brokerage creates an end to end platform that could change how liquidity, collateral and settlements move across borders and time zones.
See: Budget 2025 Accelerates Fintech, AI, and Capital Growth
For regulators, Ripple’s accumulation of more than seventy licences via Standard Custody's acquisition suggest a regulatory path where custody, treasury and brokerage converge. This raises familiar questions about prudential oversight and new ones about stablecoin collateral, cross margining and non bank market infrastructure that interfaces with core payment systems.
Ripple continues to prioritize licensing and compliance as part of its core strategy. When announcing the Standard Custody deal in February 2024, CEO Brad Garlinghouse said the acquisition “underscores Ripple’s ongoing commitment to working closely with regulators and maintaining the highest standards of compliance.” That focus on regulatory engagement gives institutions and policymakers a clearer sense of how Ripple plans to connect custody, brokerage, and treasury activities within today’s legal frameworks.
Conclusion
Ripple’s institutional expansion now focuses on integrating custody, payments, and treasury capabilities gained through its recent acquisitions. The company said these additions strengthen its position as a full-service provider for financial institutions, combining secure custody infrastructure, stablecoin payment tools, and prime brokerage access within one platform.
See: Global Payments to Reach $2.4 Trillion and Tokenized Future
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO Ripple when announcin the GTreasury deal:
“For too long, money has been stuck in slow, outdated payments systems and infrastructure, causing unnecessary delays, high costs, and roadblocks to entering new markets problems that blockchain technologies are ideally suited to solve,”
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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Loon Raises $3M and Acquires CADC Stablecoin
Stablecoins | Nov 3, 2025
Image from Loon press release
Canada’s Stablecoin Activity Increases as Loon Builds Regulated Digital Dollar Ahead of the Federal Budget
On October 27, 2025, Loon announced a CAD $3 million pre-seed round and the acquisition of the CADC stablecoin, led by Version One Ventures with participation from Garage Capital and Canadian angels.
The company acquired CADC, a stablecoin originally launched by Paytrie Inc. in 2021 that has processed more than CAD $200 million in on-chain transactions, according to the announcement.
See: Stablecoin Payments Have Wings – Are You Ready?
Loon aims to develop a Canadian-dollar stablecoin that operates under Canadian regulation and has pre-filed a prospectus with the Alberta Securities Commission as the first step toward full approval. The company says it is working closely with regulators to define clear standards for the stablecoin sector and strengthen accountability across the industry.
Short term priorities for Loon include onboarding distribution partners (exchanges, fintech apps, liquidity providers) and building trust through clear rules, transparent reserves, and reliable operations in a market long dominated by US dollar stablecoins.
Connecting Canadian Banking to Blockchain Rails
CADC allows users and businesses to send and receive Canadian dollars on blockchain networks instantly and at any time. This means a developer in Halifax can receive payment from a client in Vancouver within seconds, or a Toronto-based importer can complete transactions with suppliers abroad without relying on traditional banking hours or payment delays.
The system is designed to provide continuous access, real time settlement, and deeper liquidity, while maintaining wholesale-level foreign exchange efficiency.
See: Canada’s Payments Innovation Push Gains Speed
Kevin Zhang, CEO of Loon:
"Canada is at a crossroads. We can either remain dependent on foreign financial infrastructure or build our own sovereign rails for the digital era. By providing a regulated, trusted digital Canadian dollar, we're unlocking the next generation of innovation, from payments to capital markets."
Stablecoin Activity Increasing Across Canada Ahead of Budget 2025
The timing of Loon’s raise aligns with national policy attention on digital assets. The Bank of Canada urged policymakers to weigh the merits of federal stablecoin regulation in September 2025, showing growing support in Canadian-dollar models. See NCFA’s analysis of Canada’s stablecoin race entering a critical phase, which describes how policy and market interest are converging.
Also see NCFA’s recent coverage of banks and fintechs backing a regulated stablecoin with Tetra Digital Group, expanding interest in compliant Canadian-dollar payment infrastructure. Related initiatives include Stablecorp’s $5M raise to accelerate QCAD adoption, VersaBank’s plan to launch VCAD, the world’s first bank issued deposit based digital currency, and its U.S. pilot of tokenized deposits, activity all contributing to Canada’s development of regulated digital currency infrastructure.
The policy backdrop includes expectations that the upcoming federal budget 2025 will address financial services modernization and digital assets.
Closing Thought
Canada is moving from talk to implementation on regulated digital currency rails. Loon's pre-seed round confirms that a trusted CAD-backed model can attract capital while engaging with regulators. Stablecoins are practical and essential financial infrastructure with potential benefits for payments, cross-border settlement, and market efficiency, all of which align with the need to focus on innovation, access to capital, and national competitiveness.
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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