In a landmark development for Canada’s financial sector, Bow Valley Credit Union (BVCU) has partnered with digital asset custodian Balance and liquidity provider Bull Bitcoin to launch the country’s first credit union-integrated Bitcoin purchasing platform—the Bitcoin Gateway.
This innovative service allows BVCU members across Alberta to seamlessly convert Canadian dollars into Bitcoin directly from their credit union accounts. Unlike many crypto investment products, Bitcoin acquired through the Gateway is fully owned, insured, and securely stored via Balance’s institutional-grade custody infrastructure, which has safeguarded Canadian digital assets since 2017.
George Bordianu, CEO and co-founder of Balance, remarked, “We’re extremely proud to empower the first credit union in Canada to give its members access to Bitcoin, the highest returning asset of the last 15 years.”
Designed with accessibility in mind, the platform eliminates the complexity and jargon typically associated with crypto trading. With real-time pricing and liquidity provided by Bull Bitcoin, the Gateway offers a user-friendly experience tailored for both new and experienced users.
This initiative marks a significant shift as smaller financial institutions begin responding to rising demand for secure, compliant access to digital assets. With this launch, BVCU positions itself at the forefront of financial innovation, potentially setting the stage for broader adoption of digital asset services within Canada’s credit union ecosystem.
