Canadian crypto ownership reaches 25%, doubling since 2023
In brief
- Canadian crypto ownership doubled to 25% from 10% in 2023, per OSC survey
- Nearly 39% of Canadian investors own some form of crypto product
- 74% of current crypto owners actively use their digital assets
- Crypto adoption has shifted from niche to mainstream Canadian finance
Adoption accelerates across investor demographics
Nearly 39% of Canadian investors now own some form of crypto product. The growth extends beyond passive holdings. Among current crypto owners, 74% said they have actually used their digital assets, signaling that ownership isn't purely speculative.
Stablecoin adoption is particularly active. 89% of stablecoin holders reported using their holdings, with 20% of stablecoin owners saying they had used them for international money transfers. This utility-driven usage suggests crypto is filling genuine financial needs, not just serving as a trading vehicle.
Understanding and motivation
Nearly 59% of Canadians can now correctly identify what a crypto asset is, up from 54% in 2023. Yet knowledge gaps remain. Many Canadians still misunderstand how crypto works, particularly in areas of regulation, investor protection, and insurance coverage.
When asked why they bought crypto, Canadians cited three motivations almost equally: portfolio diversification (28%), long-term belief in crypto and blockchain technology (27%), and speculative investing (26%). The near parity suggests crypto is no longer viewed as a pure gamble.
Regulatory awareness grows
Among crypto owners, 50% said they check whether a trading platform is registered before investing, up from 38% in the previous survey. This shift reflects growing sophistication and caution in the investor base.
"Digital assets have entered the financial mainstream." — Eric Richmond, Coinbase Canada Country Director
The Ontario Securities Commission's survey captures a market in transition. Crypto is no longer exotic. It's a portfolio staple for millions of Canadians.
