Saturday, December 20, 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

One killed, two hurt in North Vancouver crash

One killed, two hurt in North Vancouver crash
Police say a vehicle with a lone male inside crossed the centre line, hitting the vehicle with the woman and her passenger.

One killed, two hurt in North Vancouver crash

Alek Minassian found guilty in Toronto van attack

Alek Minassian found guilty in Toronto van attack
The 28-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.

Alek Minassian found guilty in Toronto van attack

Tory MP David Sweet speaks out against lockdowns

Tory MP David Sweet speaks out against lockdowns
Ontario MP David Sweet says the pandemic-related restrictions are causing huge psychological and economic damage.

Tory MP David Sweet speaks out against lockdowns

PM 'optimistic' that vaccine timeline can move up

PM 'optimistic' that vaccine timeline can move up
He says that by the end of the month, Canada should receive more than the 6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines it initially expected.

PM 'optimistic' that vaccine timeline can move up

Federal funding for 100 new research projects

Federal funding for 100 new research projects
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $518 million Wednesday he says will support the work of nearly 1,000 researchers.

Federal funding for 100 new research projects

Fraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreak at Cindrich Elementary School in Surrey

Fraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreak at Cindrich Elementary School in Surrey
An individual at the school tested positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern. Only those staff and students who have been identified as close contacts need to be tested and have been contacted.

Fraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreak at Cindrich Elementary School in Surrey