Overview
- Bill C-25, introduced Wednesday, March 26, would bar donations in cryptocurrency, money orders, and prepaid cards across federal parties, candidates, and third-party advertisers.
- The proposal is at first reading in the House of Commons and would require recipients to reject prohibited payments across the entire federal political finance system.
- Campaigns would have 30 days to return, destroy, or convert banned contributions and send proceeds to the Receiver General, with penalties up to twice the donation’s value and up to $100,000 for corporations.
- Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer shifted by November 2024 from tighter rules to calling for a full ban, arguing that crypto’s pseudo-anonymity makes confirming a donor’s identity fundamentally difficult.
- Crypto gifts were allowed since 2019 but saw little use, with no reported donations in the 2021 or 2025 elections, while the UK has just imposed a moratorium and the US continues to permit crypto contributions under FEC guidance.