According to a recent survey conducted by the Ontario Securities Commission, 25 per cent of Canadians currently possess cryptocurrency, which is more than twice as many as it was in 2023. Fifty-nine per cent of the 2,360 Canadian individuals surveyed between December 2025 and January 2026 said they were aware of cryptocurrency assets. According to the survey, one in four Canadian adults currently hold cryptocurrencies, which is indicative of growing investor interest and adoption.
These findings suggest that Canada is adopting more cryptocurrency assets, but there are still concerns about consumer safety and regulation. Amid Canadian authorities’ continuous efforts to strike a balance between innovation and consumer protection, this survey was conducted.
In Canada, the percentage of people who hold cryptocurrency increased dramatically from 10 per cent in 2023 to 25 per cent in 2026, while 59 per cent of people were aware of them. The proportion of Canadians who say they are very likely to invest in cryptocurrencies increased from 20 per cent to 38 per cent, and the percentage of those looking to register on cryptocurrency investing platforms increased from 38 per cent to 50 per cent.
After 2023, the market stabilised due to compliance regulations and improved education; banks accepted cryptocurrency in diversified portfolios; technological advancements made the platforms safe and easy to use; and increased media exposure all contributed to Canada’s massive surge in crypto adoption.
The OSC survey shows not only rising ownership but also shifting attitudes. Financial products that make use of blockchain technology are becoming more popular among Canadians. Digital assets are being seen as payment, financing, tokenisation, and decentralisation tools rather than just investment vehicles.
Naizam Kanji, Executive Vice President of Strategic Regulation at the OSC, said understanding investor behaviour helps regulators identify emerging risks and opportunities while supporting fair and efficient markets.
According to the findings of the OSC survey, the market for cryptocurrencies in Canada is expanding rapidly; however, investors’ understanding of crypto markets lags behind. An increasing number of people are investing in digital currencies without fully understanding how the market works or the safeguards available.
Positively, the proportion of cryptocurrency owners who verify whether the trading platform is registered before making an investment has increased from 38 per cent in 2023 to 50 per cent currently.
Still, some investors believe that the same insurance that covers traditional bank deposits also covers their cryptocurrency investments. There is also a belief that if money is stolen, transactions made using blockchain technology may be reversed.
A nationwide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs has been proposed in Canada’s 2026 Spring Economic Update. Authorities claim that such a ruling will contribute to the reduction of fraud cases in which individuals are tricked into sending money by converting their cash into cryptocurrency and transferring it to fraudulent wallets.
This is due to the irreversible nature of Bitcoin transactions, which makes it extremely challenging to recover lost money. It is thought that prohibiting ATMs will contribute to a reduction in fraud. ATM transactions have been linked to numerous fraud cases because they provide criminals with an easy way to obtain digital currency.
A bill that would prohibit cryptocurrency contributions to political parties and elections is presently under consideration. There are grounds to believe that adopting cryptocurrencies makes it considerably harder to comply with transparency regulations because of concerns about foreign interference.
Canada’s regulators are trying to strike a balance between the country’s growing cryptocurrency market and consumer safety. As the use of cryptocurrency grows, the Canadian federal and provincial governments are putting policies in place to stop fraud, money laundering, and electoral abuse. This approach places much greater emphasis on limiting risky behaviour than outright prohibition.
For the OSC, investor education, platform registration, and compliance remain critical. The Canadian government is considering restrictions that apply specifically to cryptocurrencies when they have been connected to illicit activity. These decisions clearly demonstrate that although regulators recognise the potential of cryptocurrencies, they nevertheless remain risk averse.
