Canadians Warm Up to Crypto: Advisors Play Key Role in Adoption

A new survey by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) reveals growing awareness and ownership of crypto assets among Canadian investors. Between December 18, 2025, and January 22, 2026, a total of 2,360 adults participated in an online survey, showing that 59% are now aware of crypto assets.

Notably, 25% of respondents own some form of crypto, indicating a significant increase in adoption. The survey also found that investors are increasingly discussing crypto with their advisors, with 22% reporting they have had such conversations, up from 13% in 2023.

Advisors are now more likely to recommend allocating a portion of their clients' portfolio to crypto, with 39% of respondents stating they were recommended to do so by their advisor. This is a significant increase from the 19% reported in 2023.

The primary reasons investors acquire crypto exposure include diversifying their portfolios, investing for the long term, or as a speculative gamble. The survey found that most investors are still getting information about crypto from friends and family (34%), with advisors on par with social media influencers (21%) and purported crypto experts (23%).