Canadian crypto participation is rising quickly, according to fresh research from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). The regulator’s latest survey suggests that the share of Canadians who own cryptocurrencies has climbed to 25% in 2026, up from 10% in 2023—an expansion that also coincides with broader awareness of crypto assets.
The OSC released the findings Tuesday, based on a poll of 2,360 Canadians aged 18 and over conducted between December 2025 and January 2026. The study found that 59% of respondents said they are aware of crypto assets, while 25% reported that they currently hold cryptocurrencies.
Key takeaways
- The OSC survey reports crypto ownership has reached 25% in 2026, compared with 10% in 2023.
- Awareness increased alongside ownership, with 59% of respondents indicating they know about crypto assets.
- About half of crypto owners said they check whether a platform is registered before using it.
- Despite growing caution, the OSC found widespread confusion about regulation, insurance protections, and transaction capabilities.
Ownership and awareness move upward
The OSC’s survey points to a clear jump in both familiarity and direct engagement with crypto. In 2026, a majority of respondents—59%—reported awareness of crypto assets, while one-quarter said they hold cryptocurrencies.
That shift matters for regulators because it implies crypto is moving from a niche activity toward mainstream consumer behavior. As more Canadians participate, investor protection issues typically become more urgent, particularly around how users choose platforms, understand risk, and interpret what protections (if any) apply when assets are held or transacted through a service.
OSC executive vice president of strategic regulation Naizam Kanji said the regulator expects “emerging trends and behaviors” to help it anticipate opportunities and risks, with the goal of supporting investor protection while fostering fair and efficient markets.
Checking registrations—alongside continuing misunderstandings
One of the more actionable details in the OSC findings is how some users evaluate platforms. The survey indicates that about 50% of crypto owners reported checking whether a platform is registered prior to using it.
However, the report also suggests that heightened awareness does not necessarily translate into a correct understanding of the rules that govern crypto activity in Canada. The OSC said many respondents still had “some misunderstanding” around key issues—namely regulation, insurance protections, and transaction capabilities.
For investors, this mix of behavior is significant. Register checks can be a useful step, but misunderstanding the practical meaning of registration—or assuming protections exist where they do not—can expose users to avoidable losses. The OSC’s results imply that more effective education and clearer disclosures may be needed, even as adoption rises.
How Ottawa’s crypto proposals fit the trend
The OSC’s survey lands amid ongoing policy debate in Canada about the appropriate ways to regulate different crypto-related activities. According to the report, lawmakers in Ottawa have been considering measures tailored to how cryptocurrencies are used in practice.
Earlier this year, the federal government advanced a bill that could prohibit political donations made using crypto. The government also proposed banning crypto ATMs, citing concerns about scams and money laundering. Taken together, these proposals highlight a broad regulatory theme: as crypto use grows, authorities are focusing not just on trading and custody, but also on high-risk channels that can enable fraud.
While the OSC survey focuses on awareness, ownership, and user understanding, Ottawa’s legislative direction underscores a parallel concern among policymakers—reducing harm where crypto intersects with consumers and enforcement challenges.
What to watch next for Canadian investors
The OSC’s data suggests that Canada’s crypto base is expanding while gaps in consumer understanding remain. The most important question for users and market participants is whether regulators will translate these survey insights into clearer requirements, better consumer education, and more targeted enforcement—especially in areas where misunderstanding could lead to financial harm.
As the next rounds of research and policy developments emerge, Canadians should pay close attention to how platform registration is communicated in practice, what protections users can realistically expect, and which services regulators move to restrict or supervise more tightly.
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