A survey by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) showed a significant increase in cryptocurrency ownership since 2023. However, many investors still misunderstand the scope of client protection or regulation, while the government has proposed a ban on digital asset ATMs.

From ten percent to a quarter of the population

The participation of Canadian residents in the crypto-asset market has undergone a significant shift in recent years. According to a survey by the Canadian regulatory authority OSC, at the beginning of 2026, cryptocurrencies were already owned by a quarter of adult Canadians, exactly 25% of respondents. By comparison, in 2023, the share of crypto-asset holders in the country reached only 10%. The survey, which involved 2,360 adult participants aged 18 and over between December 2025 and January 2026, also showed that overall awareness of the existence of digital assets reached 59%. According to the published results, not only ownership itself but also general awareness and direct public participation in this sector increased significantly in the country.

Risks associated with low awareness

Although the survey confirmed growing awareness of the risks associated with crypto-assets, it also pointed out that investors’ knowledge remains limited in many respects. Approximately half of cryptocurrency holders admitted that, before using a specific platform, they had not verified whether it was subject to the necessary regulation by the relevant authorities. Significant gaps were particularly evident in financial literacy concerning security guarantees. Many investors misunderstand the actual scope of applicable regulation and mistakenly believe that their digital assets are protected by insurance schemes in a similar way to traditional bank deposits. There is also insufficient knowledge about how transactions themselves work, their possible recoverability, or the limited options for making a complaint in the event of an error or fraud.

The regulator’s approach

Naizam Kanji, Executive Vice-President of Strategic Regulation at the OSC, also commented on the research results. He emphasized that crypto markets are undergoing constant development and that the level of participation by the Canadian public is currently higher than in the past. Regular data collection is intended to help the supervisory authority identify emerging trends and the behaviour of retail investors in a timely manner, so that it can respond quickly to developing risks and opportunities. The objective of state supervision remains to establish a regulatory approach that effectively supports consumer protection while preserving the fair, transparent and efficient functioning of the market.

State interventions

Growing public interest in crypto-assets is also prompting a response at the legislative level. Canadian authorities are promoting several measures aimed at reducing the risks of fraud and the misuse of technology. The federal government has advanced a bill that would completely prohibit the financing of political parties and political contributions through cryptocurrencies, with the aim of increasing the transparency of political processes. At the same time, a blanket ban or significant restriction on the operation of digital asset ATMs is being prepared. The Canadian government cites concerns about fraud, the misuse of cryptocurrency payments for illegal purposes and risks to ordinary consumers as the main reasons for this step.

Warning: The content of this article is intended exclusively for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to purchase a specific asset. Investments in crypto-assets involve a high level of risk. The value of crypto-assets may fall as well as rise, and you may lose the entire amount invested. Crypto-assets are not protected by deposit guarantee schemes. Past returns are not a guarantee of future results.