Wednesday, December 31, 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

Airline unions call for $7 billion in loans

Airline unions call for $7 billion in loans
The 10-year credit plan being requested includes loan guarantees and direct financial aid, but no grants and aligns with the support extended by other countries, they said.

Airline unions call for $7 billion in loans

Campaign fundraising error less than $10K: Greens

Campaign fundraising error less than $10K: Greens
The party says in a statement today it has forwarded $9,630 from 35 donors to Murray's campaign, and added under 10 people to the membership list whose memberships weren't properly approved.

Campaign fundraising error less than $10K: Greens

Liberals retool infrastructure bank funding

Liberals retool infrastructure bank funding
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the three-year plan would create 60,000 jobs by expanding access to high-speed internet, building out agricultural irrigation infrastructure in western provinces and greening transit fleets.

Liberals retool infrastructure bank funding

Second hospital worker fired after woman's death

Second hospital worker fired after woman's death
The regional health authority that represents the Joliette hospital confirmed today that a patient attendant who was at Joyce Echaquan's bedside has been fired.

Second hospital worker fired after woman's death

No word on when Desmond inquiry will resume

No word on when Desmond inquiry will resume
Provincial Justice Minister Mark Furey confirmed Thursday that work is underway to either expand the existing hearing room or find a larger venue to ensure the inquiry can comply with physical distancing protocols.

No word on when Desmond inquiry will resume

Government to propose hybrid Senate sittings

Government to propose hybrid Senate sittings
Frustration over the Senate's failure to find a way to resume full operations in the midst of the pandemic prompted some senators Wednesday to block Gold's attempt to speed Bill C-4 through the chamber.

Government to propose hybrid Senate sittings