The move signals Ottawa’s intent to close the regulatory gap that has left Canada lagging behind the United States and other advanced economies in defining how fiat-backed digital tokens should operate.
For years, Canada has lacked a clear legal framework for stablecoins, leaving issuers uncertain whether their products qualify as securities or derivatives under existing law. Now, after weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions between government officials, regulators, and crypto industry leaders, a structured set of rules is reportedly near completion.
Insiders describe the initiative as part of a broader financial modernization effort aimed at balancing innovation with consumer protection. Ottawa’s move could also mark the first time that stablecoin regulation is directly tied to the federal budget — a sign that policymakers view digital assets as an increasingly relevant component of the national economy.
A Market Still Finding Its Footing
Unlike the United States, Canada’s domestic stablecoin market remains relatively small. The QCAD token, launched by Toronto-based Stablecorp, is one of the few Canadian-dollar-backed options in circulation, maintaining a 1:1 peg to the CAD. Most Canadian crypto users, however, rely on U.S. dollar–denominated stablecoins like USDC, especially after Tether’s USDT was delisted from major local platforms in 2023.
The limited availability of homegrown options has prompted calls for regulatory clarity to encourage domestic issuers to enter the space without fear of noncompliance.
Central Bank Pushes for Action
The Bank of Canada has become increasingly vocal about the need to regulate digital payment instruments. Ron Morrow, the bank’s head of payments and oversight, recently warned that Canada risks “falling behind the rest of the world” unless it sets formal standards for stablecoins and digital settlements.
According to Morrow, introducing clear rules would allow Canadians to benefit from blockchain-based payment efficiency while ensuring protection from credit and liquidity risks — a balance he says is crucial as financial systems evolve toward tokenized money.
U.S. Regulation Sets the Tone
Across the border, the regulatory blueprint has already been drawn. The GENIUS Act, signed into law earlier this year by President Donald Trump, established the first comprehensive U.S. regime for fully collateralized, dollar-backed stablecoins. It enforces strict audit requirements, capital transparency, and anti–money laundering measures — rules that have since boosted confidence across the industry.
The law will officially take effect in 2027, but its influence is already global. Since its passage, stablecoin circulation has surged past $300 billion, as new issuers enter the market under clearer compliance expectations.
Global Momentum Builds
Canada’s pending update suggests it could become one of the first G7 economies to follow America’s lead. Analysts expect Ottawa’s proposal to resemble elements of the GENIUS Act while adapting them to domestic financial structures. If successful, the framework could encourage further cooperation between North American regulators and accelerate mainstream adoption of digital payment instruments.
The coming budget announcement could therefore represent more than a fiscal update — it might signal Canada’s formal entry into the next phase of monetary evolution, one in which stablecoins bridge traditional finance and blockchain-based innovation.