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WonderFi expands down under
Nicolle Hodges
August 21, 2024
Founder’s Message: What’s the Gary Gensler plot twist?
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: Rolling the 🎲 on $9.5 million
🚀 FEATURE: Keven Paizanoglou & Nayan Patel of Maxx Capital Solutions
🥳 Futurist in Toronto: Missed the event? Well, don’t miss our roundup!
👎️ Fraud: Founder misuses $9.5M in funds
🪴 Regulation: Stablecoin rules for investor safety
💧 Advocacy: Exchanges lobby as elections near
🤑 Politics: Dems omit crypto in latest platform
🏗️ Innovation: New crypto index ETF proposal
💹 Growth: WonderFi enters Asia-Pacific market
🔔 Reminder: Join Blockchain North’s next episode of Crypto Canadians on X Spaces
👷♂️ Jobs alert: Exciting new opportunities await with Kraken and WonderFi
📅 Events: What to look forward to this fall?
FEATURE: Keven Paizanoglou and Nayan Patel of Maxx Capital Solutions on revolutionizing freight factoring.
Discover how blockchain technology is revolutionizing freight factoring with the innovative team at Maxx Capital. From small owner-operators to growing fleets, find out how Maxx Capital's impact is felt on the ground and why understanding these transformations is essential for grasping the true value of decentralized finance in transportation.
Canadian crypto exchange gambled away $9.5M of users’ Bitcoin and Ether
The BC Securities Commission revealed how ezBtc’s founder, Davis Smillie, misappropriated millions in customer funds for personal use, leading to significant investor losses. The BCSC panel found that Smillie diverted nearly one-third of users’ funds for gambling and personal use.
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“If we look at the actual substance of what the CSA is imposing as conditions - offering stablecoins - they are grounded in core investor protection and fair disclosure principles.”
According to CSA rules published in February 2023, crypto trading platforms operating in Canada need regulators’ prior written consent before users can buy or deposit stablecoins. In July 2023, guidance for investment firms holding digital assets was issued, prohibiting managers from lending assets that are not securities.
Exchanges gear up crypto advocacy in Canada as elections loom
Canada has been actively developing and refining its regulatory framework for digital assets over the previous years, but crypto exchanges are still lobbying for cooperation with leaders as the 2025 elections approach. Crypto exchanges Coinbase and Kraken have both been active in engaging regulators, launching initiatives like Stand With Crypto Canada” and holding frequent discussions to move the framework forward and to educate regulators on new products or new usages.
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Kamala Harris’ Alleged ‘Crypto Reset’ Absent in Democratic Agenda
While the U.S. Republican platform addresses the issue of cryptocurrency and bitcoin, the Democratic Party’s latest platform remained silent on the matter, with the document skipping over any mention of blockchain, bitcoin, etherum or anything linked to cryptocurrencies and the digital asset space. Adding to the buzz, there are rumours that Kamala Harris’ campaign might be eyeing Gary Gensler, current head of the U.S. SEC, for the role of Treasury Secretary.
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Franklin Templeton Files for ‘EZPZ’ Crypto Index ETF
Leading asset management firm Franklin Templeton has filed a proposal with the SEC to launch a new exchange-traded fund focused on cryptocurrencies. The proposed ETF aims to provide investors with exposure to a range of digital assets included in the CF Institutional Digital Asset Index.
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WonderFi expands to Australia
WonderFi, a global leader in centralized and decentralized financial services and products, announced the launch of subsidiary Bitbuy APAC in the Asia-Pacific region, and the company’s partnership with Kogan.com, a leading Australian e-commerce platform.
EVENT HIGHLIGHT: Blockchain Futurist Conference Recap Reel!
The Blockchain North team recently attended the Blockchain Futurist Conference—"Canada's Largest Crypto, Web3 & Blockchain Event."
We had a special “face in hole” setup that got a lot of laughs and we ran a giveaway for a laptop.
But most exciting of all?
Our team was supercharged this year! Not only did we have eight volunteers (up from ZERO last year), but we had two camera crews. Our founder Flo was set up with a booth that made us look like CNN (but better) where he was conducting professional interviews with industry leaders.
Then we had a second camera crew doing “street-style” interviews in the outdoor VIP area, asking people hard-hitting questions like, ‘have you ever been rug-pulled?’ or ‘how would you convince your grandmother to invest in crypto?’
We might be biased, but we think they’re pretty funny.
On-boarding your parents is easy with Boomer coin 👴 @brianrohaly
Filmed at @Futurist_conf#Futurist24 🚀
— Blockchain North (@BlockchaiNorth)
7:16 PM • Aug 21, 2024
JOIN US on X SPACES: Thursday, August 22 at Noon
Join us each week on X Spaces for a captivating discussion with top experts in crypto, AI, and tech! Hosted by Flo & Bobby from Blockchain North, and special guests!
This week, we are featuring:
@TanimRasul of @ndaxio
and Sheereen Khan of @Regulativity
Some experts we’ve already had on the show:
@sam_drissi
@rime_salmi
@JoshSeerattan
@WomanBlockchain
@fieldagronomy21
@AubreyNesbitt11
@theLTDtoken
@CryptoHero22
@Wonderfi_dean
@Akhparty
@JL_Pellerin
@marclijour
@wright_success
@JArroyoFerrer
@LandonOGardner
@thereadbaran
@rime_salmi
@AdoubleZI
This online event promises fun, authentic, and thought-provoking conversations. Don’t miss out—tune in for insights on the latest industry trends and news!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES: By any chance, do you want to be part of shaping the future of finance?
WonderFi—providing investors with diversified exposure across the global digital asset ecosystem—is hiring for a DevOps Engineer in Toronto or Vancouver.
The cryptocurrency exchange, Kraken, is hiring a Product Operations role to support our Asset Management (Custody, Asset Listings, Blockchain Data).
Exaion—”pionnier des services numériques responsables de demain”—is looking for a Kubernetes Architect (FR and/or EN) in Montreal.
Shakepay—a money app that allows you to pay friends, buy and earn bitcoin, and send money effortlessly—is hiring for multiple roles, including Content Strategist; Engineering Manager; Head of Credit; Head of Data; and many more!
Diagram—venture studio that builds companies in Web3, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and Climatetech—is hiring an analyst on the Crypto / AI team to help launch new ventures. The position is remote.
Binance—the leading global blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider whose suite of financial products includes the world’s largest digital-asset exchange—is hiring for Project Research and Due Diligence in Vancouver.
Chainlink Labs—the primary contributing developer of Chainlink, the decentralized computing platform powering the verifiable web—is hiring a Smart Contract, Solidity Engineer.
Noble—bringing real-world assets into the digital realm, focusing on security and cross-chain functionality—is hiring software + Rust engineers.
Want your job posted here? Get in touch!
CONFERENCES AND EVENTS IN CANADA: 2024
Toronto:
Elevate: October 1-3
Consensus Crypto Conference: May 14-16 (2025)
Montreal:
Nodes Montreal (Chainalysis + KPMG): September 26
Forum Incyber (FIC): October 29-30
Abroad:
Want your event posted here? Get in touch!
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