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The Canadian Bitcoin Consortium has launched Blockchain Insurance Inc., a newly licensed Alberta-based insurer serving digital asset and fintech businesses. Structured as an association-owned captive insurer, the entity is owned by its members rather than a third-party carrier. The goal is to reduce insurance costs and improve coverage access for crypto-adjacent firms.

Executive director Koleya Karringten called the move “historic,” signalling recognition that digital asset risk is now quantifiable and manageable. The company does not insure cryptocurrencies directly but provides commercial coverage for exchanges, custodians, and infrastructure providers. The launch marks a step toward institutional maturity within Canada’s digital asset ecosystem.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

Bitfarms is converting its eight Quebec crypto mining facilities into AI and high-performance computing data centres, redirecting 170 megawatts of provincial power away from blockchain and toward artificial intelligence.

The shift comes as Hydro-Québec doubles electricity rates for large data centres to 13 cents per kilowatt hour, pending regulatory approval. The utility expects provincial data centre demand to grow sevenfold by 2035. Hydro-Québec previously restricted new crypto mining projects, citing limited job creation and high energy use. Critics note AI data centres raise similar concerns. Bitfarms’ pivot signals AI may now command the megawatts once reserved for cryptocurrency.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

Canada’s leading startup hubs have missed out on an estimated US$66 billion in value since 2019 due to slower growth than global peers, according to a report from the National Angel Capital Organization and Startup Genome.

The study finds Toronto-Waterloo, Vancouver, and Montreal grew at just 2.2% annually, compared to nine to 17% elsewhere. Smaller seed rounds—about 40% below comparable U.S. hubs—and longer fundraising timelines are limiting scaleups. The shortfall translates into roughly 133,000 fewer startup jobs and weaker public-market outcomes. NACO says strengthening early-stage capital is critical to reversing the cascading funding gaps.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

Canada’s banking regulator will fast-track licence applications from credit unions, fintechs, and other technology-driven firms under a 12-month pilot launching in June. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions says applicants will receive feedback within four weeks, a recommendation to the finance minister within a year, and final approval within three months. The regulator will also publish a public dashboard tracking progress.

The move aims to boost competition in a sector dominated by the Big Six banks, which hold 93% of assets. Industry groups welcomed the change, though experts warn licences still bring significant compliance obligations and oversight.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

Hydro-Québec plans to significantly raise electricity rates for high-consumption digital infrastructure users as demand surges. The public utility proposes charging 13 cents per kilowatt hour for data centres drawing more than five megawatts, while crypto mining rates would rise eight per cent to 19.5 cents.

The increases, pending approval from the provincial energy regulator, would take effect in the second half of 2026. Hydro-Québec expects provincial data-centre demand to grow sevenfold by 2035, surpassing 1,000 megawatts. Officials say higher pricing will protect households and smaller businesses from rising bills while reflecting infrastructure and capacity costs created by energy-intensive computing facilities.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.