Nearly 39% of Canadian investors now own some form of crypto product, signaling broader engagement beyond direct ownership.

People are investing in crypto for diversification, long-term belief in crypto and blockchain, and some for pure speculative risk-taking.

Motivations include diversification (28%), long-term conviction (27%), speculative investing (26%), and use for digital cross-border transfers.

OSC officials stress evolving markets and the need for research to anticipate opportunities and risks, aiming to protect investors while keeping markets fair and efficient.

Industry perspectives say digital assets have entered the financial mainstream, with investors seeking reliable platforms to manage holdings.

A survey by the Ontario Securities Commission shows mainstream adoption of crypto in Canada, with 25% of Canadians owning crypto assets or funds—up from 10% in 2023 and 13% in 2022.

Awareness is up as well, with 59% of respondents knowledgeable about crypto assets.

Investors are growing more confident that crypto will play a significant role in the future of finance.

Most holdings are acquired via dedicated platforms, with Coinbase, Wealthsimple Crypto, Crypto.com, and Binance among the most popular.

Information sources show reliance on friends and family (34%), social media influencers (21%), and purported crypto experts (23%), with advisor guidance now on par with influencers.

Legislation is advancing measures in Ottawa, including potential bans on political donations via crypto and digital asset ATMs to curb fraud.

Investor diligence is improving, as half of crypto owners now verify platform registration before investing, up from 38%.