Canada House Passes Bill Banning Crypto Donations

Canada's House of Commons passed second reading of Bill C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, on Friday, advancing a prohibition on cryptocurrency donations to federal political campaigns.

The legislation, which now moves to committee for detailed review and possible amendments, would bar registered political parties, candidates, electoral district associations, leadership and nomination contestants, and third-party advertisers from accepting crypto contributions. Lawmakers grouped cryptocurrencies with money orders and prepaid payment products as methods difficult to trace under campaign finance rules. If such a donation is received, recipients must return it within 30 days or remit the funds to the Receiver General of Canada.

The bill forms part of a broader package of election reforms aimed at enhancing transparency in political financing, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and mitigating risks from foreign interference and artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes. Introduced on March 26, it builds on prior efforts; a predecessor bill with identical crypto provisions, C-65, lapsed when Parliament prorogued in January.

Elections Canada has permitted cryptocurrency...