Canada's stablecoin regulatory draft continues to prohibit issuers from paying interest, while allowing transaction-based rewards

Canada's Department of Finance has launched a 60-day public consultation on its stablecoin regulatory draft, with a deadline of December 23. The draft continues to prohibit issuers from paying interest to holders directly or through third parties, but allows rewards tied to transaction activity; non-bank issuers must back circulating fiat-pegged stablecoins 1:1 with equivalent reserve assets and hold reserves with eligible Canadian financial institutions. User redemptions should be completed within 3 business days, with fees not exceeding 1%; the related framework is expected to take effect around the end of 2027.