As of last Friday (September 7, 2018) the comment period for Canada’s draft AML amendments has closed (if you have something to say, they’ll likely still accept submissions for a few more days).
TLDR?
Check out our summary here, or this panel digging into the details.
Want to read our submissions? Here they are!
2018Sep07_OutlierCanada Submission to Finance
2018Sep07_Apendix_SurveyResults
What Now?
The Department of Finance is going to head back to the Bat Cave to revise the policy. We expect that a final version will be published at some point in 2019, and that the content will include “dealing in virtual currency” (including businesses like bitcoin exchanges).
Once the final version is published, there will be a transition period (we expect a year or more) before everything is in force. In the meantime, if you’re expecting to be considered a money services business (MSB) when the final version is published, we recommend checking out some of the community events for MSBs, like the Canadian MSB Association (CMSBA)’s Fall Conference in Toronto.
We’re Here To Help
If you have questions about virtual currency and regulation in Canada, or regulation in Canada in general, please contact us.