MSB registration — virtual currency dealing in Canada

About This Company

Marketing a business as licensed or endorsed by FINTRAC is prohibited and illegal under federal compliance rules. FINTRAC operates from its seat in Ottawa as Canada's financial intelligence unit, supervising virtual currency dealers, currency exchangers and crowdfunding platforms. Initial capital and official application fees are CAD 0. On 2026-09-24, the regulator counted 4059 entities on its register. It records active entities simply as Registered. Public searches run by organisation name reveal legal titles, trade names, physical addresses, permitted service categories, registration numbers and approval or expiry dates. Monthly downloadable spreadsheet files provide the entire directory for offline inspection. Before signing any acquisition contracts, the buyer should examine the online registry to verify that the target company holds Registered status rather than an Expired record. Registration lapses after two years. Failure to lodge a renewal before the expiry date renders subsequent commercial activity unlawful. Ongoing supervision focuses on conduct and compliance, covering KYC routines, transaction monitoring and biennial independent reviews. In Quebec, the buyer must confirm compliance with the Money Services Businesses Act administered by Revenu Québec / AMF. Provincial securities regulators also maintain distinct standards for crypto trading platforms. Any ownership change requires notice within 30 days.