The Canadian Parliament is reviewing Bill C-25, which aims to prohibit political donations in cryptocurrencies.
The restrictions apply to the entire political system of the country, encompassing registered parties, electoral associations, candidates, and third parties engaged in election advertising.
The “Strong and Free Elections Act” cites concerns that the pseudo-anonymity of cryptocurrency poses transparency issues, and identifying participants is “fundamentally challenging.”
The provisions include a fine amounting to twice the value of the improper contribution.
C-25 marks the second attempt to ban cryptocurrency donations. Its predecessor, Bill C-65, contained identical provisions, but the document was rejected following the dissolution of parliament in January 2025.
The new version is currently at the first reading stage in the House of Commons.
From Regulation to Prohibition
In Canada, cryptocurrency donations have been permitted since 2019 under an administrative system that classifies them as non-monetary contributions, similar to property. However, no major federal party publicly accepted cryptocurrency during the 2021 and 2025 elections.
Moreover, such contributions could not be considered for tax credit calculations, and contributors of more than $200 had to be publicly identified.
Over time, Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, adopted a “prohibitive” stance. After the elections in June 2022, he recommended tightening the rules regarding cryptocurrency donations.
In November 2024, Perrault proposed a complete ban on crypto contributions due to identification issues.
In March 2026, the UK government enacted urgent legislative changes to restrict political donations in cryptocurrency.