Why Canada Needs a Comprehensive Blockchain Strategy According to Coinbase's Lucas Matheson

As Canada prepares for a pivotal election, Lucas Matheson, CEO of Coinbase Canada, emphasizes the importance of creating a favorable business environment for cryptocurrency. With a background in traditional finance and tech startups, Matheson believes Canada is poised for blockchain innovation. He urges the Canadian government to swiftly integrate crypto into the economy. Matheson's conversation reveals not only Coinbase's strategic ambitions but also his personal passion for advancing blockchain adoption in Canada. Matheson joined Coinbase after nearly six years at Shopify and has been a Coinbase customer for over a decade. He now leads a team building a platform for Canadians to diversify their assets into the digital economy. Coinbase has been operating in Canada for almost four years and has achieved significant regulatory milestones, including being the first international exchange to be registered in Canada. Matheson notes that Canada is a crypto-literate country, ranking third in crypto awareness globally. He believes this presents a significant opportunity for the country to embrace blockchain technology. Matheson emphasizes the need for regulatory clarity and stability to support the growth of the crypto industry in Canada. He suggests that the Canadian government should encourage financial institutions to participate in the digital economy and provide clear rules for crypto trading platforms. Matheson also highlights the importance of educating Canadians about the benefits of blockchain technology and its potential to drive economic growth. He believes that Canada can become a global leader in crypto by embracing this technology and creating a national strategy to support its development. Matheson's advocacy initiative, 'Stand with Crypto,' aims to promote clear rules and regulations for the crypto industry in Canada. He also notes that decentralized finance will play a significant role in the future of the financial economy, but centralized exchanges like Coinbase will continue to provide a valuable service by managing risks and ensuring compliance. Ultimately, Matheson urges the Canadian government to prioritize the adoption of crypto and blockchain technology to drive economic growth and rebuild the country's economy.