Montréal-based cryptocurrency platform Shakepay has officially joined Payments Canada, marking a major milestone as the first crypto-native company and only the third fintech—after Questrade and Wealthsimple—to secure membership in the national payments body.
This achievement follows Shakepay’s successful registration as an investment dealer with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) earlier in 2025, a regulatory requirement that paved the way for Payments Canada eligibility. The company’s membership applies exclusively to its Canadian dollar-denominated products and does not extend to direct Bitcoin transfers to Canadian bank accounts.
Payments Canada, traditionally composed of banks, credit unions, and select financial institutions, is in the process of broadening access to its ecosystem. Membership grants Shakepay the ability to apply for direct access to Canada’s core payments infrastructure, including the upcoming Real-Time Rail (RTR) system.
In a statement, Jean Amiouny, Co-Founder and CEO of Shakepay, said the milestone “will help the company deliver faster, more reliable payment options to customers while reducing reliance on third-party intermediaries.”
Eric Richmond, General Counsel and Head of Business Development, added: “This recognition underscores the hard work we’ve invested in building a trusted and regulated platform. It enhances our ability to deliver secure and seamless payment products that support our crypto offerings, and empowers us to actively shape the future of payments in Canada.”
Founded in 2015 by Amiouny and CTO Roy Breidi, Shakepay started as a Bitcoin-enabled Visa card before evolving into a crypto exchange focused on simplifying Bitcoin access for Canadians. The platform now serves over one million users and has raised $45 million CAD, backed by investors such as BoxOne Ventures, QED Investors, and Boost VC.
