Canada has moved to ban cryptocurrency donations in election campaigns by introducing new legislation that mirrors similar steps recently taken in the UK.

If passed, the ban would broadly apply across the political system.

The proposed law, known as the ‘Strong and Free Elections Act’ (Bill C-25), would prohibit political parties, candidates, and third-party advertisers from accepting crypto donations citing concerns that such assets are difficult to trace and could be used to obscure the source of funds.

The bill follows years of warnings from Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer that crypto’s pseudonymous nature could undermine transparency in political financing. While crypto donations have technically been allowed since 2019, their actual use has been minimal with no reported contributions in recent federal elections.

How Crypto Got Included in Canada’s Emergency Act in 2022

Back in 2022, then Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, expanded the 1988 Act to include cryptocurrencies where crowdfunding platforms and payment services linked to them must register with the Financial Transactions… pic.twitter.com/1GaOmlrKVi

— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) March 29, 2026

Previously, contributions above $200 had to be publicly identified with a name and address. Only cryptocurrencies with verifiable public blockchains were allowed, which meant privacy coins like Monero and ZCash were excluded. In addition, acceptable crypto donations still needed to be liquidated into fiat before they could be spent.

If passed,

  • campaigns would be required to return or dispose of any illegal crypto donations within 30 days.

  • Violations could attract penalties of up to twice the value of the donation.

  • Violations for corporation would attract an additional administrative penalty of $100,000.

Canada’s move comes shortly after the UK introduced a ban on crypto donations to political parties, part of broader efforts to limit foreign interference and improve transparency in election financing.

REGULATION | A UK Commissioned Report Recommends Halting Political Crypto Donations Due to Foreign Interference Risks

 

 

 

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