Coinbase plans full brokerage push in Canada with tokenized stocks
Coinbase is bringing tokenized stocks to Canadian users this month as part of a broader push to become a one-stop financial app that threatens traditional brokerages.
Coinbase Canada will introduce tokenized stocks to local users this month. These are shares in real companies recorded on a blockchain rather than a traditional brokerage system. The assets will offer instant settlement, round-the-clock trading, and full dividend rights.
The move is the initial step in a broader push to build an "Everything Exchange" north of the border. "I think chapter one of Coinbase in Canada was really about being a crypto exchange," Richmond said. "But now phase two of that is the Everything Exchange."
This pivot pits the crypto-native platform directly against traditional Canadian brokerages and banks. By using blockchain to record shares, Coinbase removes the standard settlement delays and restricted trading hours that define legacy capital markets.
Richmond framed the tokenized stock rollout as a matter of basic market access. "I think people are starting to realize the fact that banks close at 4 p.m., or the markets close at 4 p.m., or that wires can take days to settle, or that access for high-net-worth individuals to certain products are gated for just those high-net-worth individuals," he said.
The Canadian rollout mirrors an aggressive build-out already underway in the United States. Coinbase opened stock and ETF trading to American users in February 2026 and launched prediction markets in January via Kalshi, a regulated operator now valued at $22 billion. The company’s roadmap features nearly 10,000 stocks and ETFs.
A full Canadian launch does not yet have a hard date. The final major regulatory barrier is the Bank of Canada's stablecoin framework, which is expected to be finalized in 2027. Coinbase needs those rules in place before it can list a Canadian dollar stablecoin and unlock the complete platform.
Richmond downplayed the competitive threat from incumbents like Robinhood and domestic brokerages. He summarized his stance on the evolving market in five words: "Rising tide lifts all boats."
Coinbase has spent the past year laying the regulatory groundwork for this expansion. It became the first international crypto exchange registered in Canada in April 2024, building a track record it now hopes will smooth the transition from a niche crypto platform to a mainstream financial hub.
