Canadian securities officials have recently elaborated on their preliminary approach to stablecoin trading, referring to them as value-based digital assets. The Canadian Securities Regulators (CSA), a collective of provincial and territorial regulators, highlighted the potential benefits of stablecoins to Canadian investors. With this, the CSA has indicated its inclination towards endorsing the trade of specific stablecoins that are pegged to a single traditional currency, provided they adhere to set guidelines.
These provisional rules aim to ensure investor protection within the stablecoin sector. A fundamental clause requires stablecoin providers to keep an appropriate reserve with an accredited custodian, safeguarding digital asset holder’s interests. Additionally, both the issuers and trading platforms must disclose essential details about their governance, operations, and reserves to the public.
Previously, in February, the CSA mandated that crypto platforms couldn’t handle stablecoin trades without prior regulatory consent. Following this, they granted a one-month period for unlicensed crypto platforms to register or halt their operations in Canada. As a result, in May, several exchanges, including Binance, Bybit, and others, exited the Canadian market, primarily due to regulatory challenges.
Ahead of the deadline for crypto platforms to refrain from stablecoin dealings, the CSA has provided guidelines to issuers and platforms, enabling continued trading of crypto assets backed directly by fiat currencies. Per the CSA’s new directive, by December 29, trading of non-fiat-backed stablecoins should cease; and by April 30, 2024, fiat-backed crypto trades should align with the CSA’s conditions.
The CSA’s latest announcement provides interim conditions applicable to crypto trading platforms and fiat-backed crypto issuers, if they continue to serve Canadian customers. This guidance, formed with crypto sector feedback and inspired by global regulatory efforts, emphasises that stablecoin providers maintain sufficient reserves with a credible custodian. It also mandates public disclosure about governance, operations, and reserves.
CSA’s Chair, Stan Magidson, emphasised the importance of transparency for these digital assets to ensure Canadian investors’ protection and uphold market integrity. He stated that the current framework, which will be further refined, aims to provide investors with necessary insights, including associated risks.
Lastly, the CSA is open to further discussions regarding the long-term regulatory landscape for stablecoins.
