Compliance hub for crypto and stablecoin payments
Plain-language, dated explainers of the Canadian rules that touch crypto and stablecoin payments, each linked to its primary source. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Anti-money-laundering: MSB registration for dealing in virtual currency, large virtual currency reports, travel rule, records.
CRAIncome tax on crypto received (barter, fair market value in CAD) and GST/HST on that value.
Provincial securities regulators (CSA)Crypto trading platforms and value-referenced crypto assets (stablecoins) under interim terms.
Bank of CanadaRPAA supervision of payment service providers; future supervisor of stablecoin issuers under the Stablecoin Act.
PCI Security Standards CouncilIndustry standard (not a regulator) for anyone storing, processing or transmitting cardholder data.
- 01
FINTRAC MSB registration: when crypto activity becomes an MSB service
What FINTRAC means by dealing in virtual currency, why the word solely matters in the merchant exclusion, and when to ask FINTRAC for a determination.
- 02
The travel rule for virtual currency transfers in Canada
How FINTRAC's travel rule works for virtual currency transfers since June 1, 2021: originator and beneficiary details, and the $1,000 MSB record threshold.
- 03
Large virtual currency transaction reports: the $10,000 rule
FINTRAC's LVCTR explained: the $10,000 single or 24-hour linked threshold, the five-working-day deadline, who reports, and what merchants should understand.
- 04
Crypto-asset payments and business income: how the CRA frames it
How the CRA treats crypto received for goods or services: barter treatment, fair market value in CAD, business income or capital, T4002, T4037 and records.
- 05
GST/HST when your business accepts crypto-assets
How GST/HST applies when a registrant accepts crypto-assets: tax on fair market value, the virtual payment instrument exemption, and 2025 provincial rates.
- 06
Stablecoins under Canadian securities rules: the CSA's VRCA approach
How the CSA treats stablecoins as value-referenced crypto assets: Staff Notices 21-332 and 21-333, the 2024 extension, and what it means for merchants.
- 07
Canada's Stablecoin Act: what is enacted and what is still pending
Canada's federal Stablecoin Act explained: Budget 2025, Bill C-15 Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, Bank of Canada supervision, reserves and what is pending.
- 08
The Retail Payment Activities Act and how to check a provider
The RPAA explained: registration since November 1, 2024, risk-management and safeguarding since September 8, 2025, and how to check a payment provider.
- 09
PCI DSS and crypto-asset payments: what each one covers
PCI DSS v4.0.1 and the March 31, 2025 future-dated requirements, why there is no PCI equivalent for crypto-assets, and what takes its place for merchants.
- 10
Record-keeping for crypto-asset payments: a combined checklist
A combined CRA and FINTRAC record-keeping checklist for crypto-asset payments: per-payment fields, five-year FINTRAC retention, and monthly and annual tasks.