Tuesday, December 23, 2025
ADVT 
National

Feds uneasy with Facebook cryptocurrency: Document

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Mar, 2021 05:58 PM
  • Feds uneasy with Facebook cryptocurrency: Document

Internal Finance Department documents show officials have deep concerns about the effect of Facebook's planned digital currency on Canada's financial stability.

Officials wrote in the briefing note last summer that they believed the company had yet to address multiple concerns and risks its digital currency posed to the financial system.

The July briefing note, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act, also says the government was working on options to ease the risks.

Officials appeared less concerned about rivals like Bitcoin, which the briefing note says has not played a large role in everyday transactions in Canada for various reasons.

Unlike Bitcoin, Facebook's offering would be a "stablecoin" whose value would be less volatile, and could be easily used by hundreds of millions of the social media giant's users upon release.

The ease of use and stability of value are among the reasons governments and central banks like the Bank of Canada have taken a keen interest in the currency.

MORE National ARTICLES

Man killed in Richmond, B.C., shooting

Man killed in Richmond, B.C., shooting
The deadly attack is the first in Richmond in 2021 and comes just two days after a targeted shooting in Surrey killed 24-year-old Gary Kang.

Man killed in Richmond, B.C., shooting

B.C. COVID-19 restrictions extended to Feb. 5

B.C. COVID-19 restrictions extended to Feb. 5
The public health rules prohibit social gatherings among people from different households, as well as adult team sports and other activities.

B.C. COVID-19 restrictions extended to Feb. 5

B.C. care home outbreak spurs calls for oversight

B.C. care home outbreak spurs calls for oversight
The outbreak, among the deadliest in long-term care homes in B.C., is raising questions about oversight at such facilities.

B.C. care home outbreak spurs calls for oversight

Woman walking in Nanaimo, B.C., showered with cash

Woman walking in Nanaimo, B.C., showered with cash
Police say in a news release the woman was walking on a street in north Nanaimo on Monday when a car "went flying past her."

Woman walking in Nanaimo, B.C., showered with cash

Site C dam report 'helpful,' says energy minister

Site C dam report 'helpful,' says energy minister
Bruce Ralston says the report by former deputy finance minister Peter Milburn is "helpful," but he wouldn't discuss its findings until they are reviewed by the cabinet and Premier John Horgan.

Site C dam report 'helpful,' says energy minister

B.C. public health school head admits to travel

B.C. public health school head admits to travel
Dr. Peter Berman wrote in a public letter that he recognizes he should not have travelled and he truly regrets the decision.

B.C. public health school head admits to travel