Hedge, Diversity, Liquidity: Building a Business Crypto Treasury in Canada

Worldwide and in Canada, crypto treasury adoption is on the rise as businesses seek more efficient and resilient financial tools. As more businesses, large and small, are adopting MicroStrategy’s approach in purchasing cryptocurrency for their reserves, the world is also increasingly starting to see crypto’s usefulness when it comes to daily operations.

Aside from often being cited as a hedge against inflation and a market diversifier, business crypto adoption allows for rapid rebalancing. It also enables cross-border payments while saving on time and on foreign exchange fees, and overall, has the potential to improve liquidity management by freeing companies from a strict Monday-to-Friday calendar and therefore providing greater flexibility during emergencies.

Yet taking the dive into the world of crypto can be intimidating. From setting up a self-custody wallet to keeping it secure and understanding blockchain terminology, the learning curve is steep, but worth it, as it unlocks a world of possibilities powered by the blockchain. Secure bitcoin treasury management is within reach.

In this article, we look into why and how companies in Canada use crypto in their treasury—and how they are exploring the benefits of crypto exposure, as well as from business crypto adoption for day-to-day applications.

In Sum

• Crypto offers businesses new ways to hedge, diversify and access 24/7 liquidity.
  
  
• Bitcoin stores value; stablecoins power fast, low-cost payments.
  
  
• Sound strategy and security are key to managing a crypto treasury.
  
  
• EZO makes crypto adoption simple, secure and compliant.

How Companies Use Crypto: Hedge and Liquidity

For some companies, developing a crypto treasury management strategy represents a strategic evolution in how they manage their assets to support daily operations and longer-term goals. First, a crypto treasury can enhance resilience across different market environments. It may also introduce diversification relative to traditional markets and provide access to the 24/7 liquidity of crypto markets.

Crypto as Hedge and Store of Value

Many individuals and companies alike, disillusioned with traditional financial systems as they watch their earnings and savings being eaten away by inflation, are turning to bitcoin as a store of value. While in Canada, at the time of writing, the rate of yearly inflation was  around 2.4%, slightly above the Bank of Canada’s target rate of 2%, many remember the years after the worldwide pandemic where inflation reached record high levels. Canadians lost 8% on average of their purchasing power in 2022.

Citizens of  countries like Venezuela, on the other hand, face catastrophic hyperinflation between 229% to 548.6%. Many Venezuelans, as did Nigerians and Argentines, turned to cryptocurrency to store value and remain afloat in a context of extreme economic instability. 

Since 2023, crypto operations have scaled back in Venezuela as its main regulator has been paralyzed since a crackdown on government corruption revealed billions in diverted funds, with government entity Superintendencia Nacional de Criptoactivos actively involved in the illegal scheme. Still, on an informal basis, citizens of Venezuela have been shielding their money from hyperinflation and currency devaluation, to send and receive payments locally and internationally, and even to pay salaries.

Beyond an individual scale, companies too can profit from building a crypto treasury—it is reported that increasingly, Venezuelan businesses are adopting cryptocurrency. Using cryptocurrency for business in Canada can be useful even beyond the context of hyperinflation and currency devaluation, as major retailers or tech giants from around the world now accept payments in cryptocurrency or otherwise hold cryptoassets in their reserves and treasuries.

But it’s not only the MicroStrategies and Teslas of this world that are profiting from adding cryptocurrency to their business strategy.

Tahini’s started out as a Canadian family fast-food joint and has now become a major chain across Canada. They started adding bitcoin to their treasury management strategy in 2020, following in Michael Saylor’s footsteps. Of Egyptian origin, Aly Hamam is familiar with the consequences of hyperinflation.

Their bitcoin treasury management strategy allows them, according to Omar Hamam, to preserve wealth over time and space. Profits from the increase in bitcoin price since 2020 gave them the means to compete with established companies like McDonald’s and Chipotle’s.

Crypto as Diversifier

Claims that crypto allows for diversification relative to the stock market have been challenged recently as cryptocurrency increasingly enters the mainstream. The relative correlation observed between cryptocurrency and traditional equities is due, according to Investopedia, to the way investors treat crypto, rather than an inherent correlation between the two. At the start of 2025, a correlation of 0.88 (where 0 demonstrates complete independence and 1 means complete correlation) between crypto and stocks was reported by Trading View.

Still, in the long term, cryptocurrency can bring exposure to an expanding and innovative crypto sector, potentially adding value to companies and signalling to potential clients and partners open-mindedness in regard to blockchain’s transformative technology. A Deloitte report shows 85% of surveyed merchants view payments in crypto as a way to reach new customers, whereas 77% enjoy the lower transaction fees.

Crypto for Payments

On a daily basis, bitcoin’s practicability is somewhat limited by how volatile its price can be. Despite this, over 15,000 companies worldwide already accept bitcoin, a number which is only expected to grow.

Stablecoins, on the other hand, offer a more practical alternative for day-to-day transactions. These are cryptocurrencies pegged to the value of traditional assets—most commonly the U.S. dollar—allowing users to perform rapid on-chain transactions without the friction of conversion fees or exchange rate risk. Their stability makes them increasingly attractive to both consumers and businesses looking for the efficiency of blockchain payments without speculative risk.

Major retailers such as Walmart and Amazon have expressed growing interest in stablecoin and blockchain-based payment systems, signaling potential mainstream adoption in the near future. Meanwhile, many smaller and mid-sized companies—especially those engaged in international trade—already leverage cryptocurrencies to simplify cross-border payments, reduce transaction costs and bypass the delays of traditional banking systems.

Considerations

While the advantages of holding digital assets can be significant, building a crypto treasury in Canada also comes with new responsibilities. For businesses exploring this path, understanding the strategic, operational and regulatory layers involved is essential. A thoughtful approach, driven by strategy and purpose, is essential.

Managing Volatility

Crypto’s round-the-clock markets offer liquidity but also introduce volatility. Businesses need to be prepared for rapid price movements that can impact balance sheets overnight. Diversifying across assets—such as combining bitcoin with stablecoins—can help stabilize overall exposure.

Custody and Security

Perhaps the most practical challenge lies in safekeeping. Unlike funds in a bank account, crypto holdings rely on private keys and losing them—or your wallet’s seed phrase—means losing access to your funds. Companies can opt for self-custody solutions or work with institutional custodians such as Balance Custody and Tetra Trust, offering insurance and regulatory compliance. In either case, strong security practices are non-negotiable.

Accounting and Regulation

The regulatory and accounting treatment of digital assets continues to evolve worldwide and in Canada, where a stablecoin regulatory framework is in progress. Each transaction—whether a sale, a payment or a conversion—may also have tax implications. Working with accounting and compliance teams familiar with crypto is therefore important.

Future of Corporate Crypto Treasuries

As digital assets become increasingly integrated and institutional infrastructure matures, more businesses are expected to incorporate crypto into their financial strategy. The growth of regulated stablecoins, blockchain-based settlements and tokenized assets will likely make crypto treasury management more common and essential.

Liquidity Provision

To establish a crypto treasury, businesses often rely on over-the-counter (OTC) desks to bring their funds on-ramp into their wallets securely and discreetly. Particularly relevant for business, OTC desks facilitate large trades without creating slippage or signaling activity to the broader market. OTC desks typically offer personalized service, including dedicated experts who can provide real-time quotes and trade settlement assistance.

By leveraging OTC desks, businesses not only access better liquidity and pricing but also gain operational efficiency. Transactions can often be settled in fiat or stablecoins, reducing friction when moving between traditional and crypto financial systems. Once funds are on-chain, companies can manage liquidity themselves, and can swap or convert back to fiat currency (off-ramp) using OTC desks again, ensuring smooth and timely transitions between digital assets and traditional money when needed.

Why Is EZO a Trusted Choice?

EZO is a growing Quebec-based OTC desk offering on-ramp, off-ramp and swap services at competitive rates on a non-custodial basis. Our degressive fee structure rewards customer loyalty, making each transaction more cost-effective over time.

For your peace of mind, EZO is fully compliant with Canadian regulators. We are a Money Services Business registered with FINTRAC (#C10000000157) and licensed with Revenu Québec (#18845) and we are among the first Payment Service Providers operating under the supervision of the Bank of Canada.

With over $40 million processed pre-launch, EZO’s OTC desk is well-equipped to handle transactions of all sizes, providing a secure and seamless experience for individuals and institutions alike.

Whether you’re already familiar with cryptocurrency or just beginning to explore it, EZO makes it easy to buy, sell and swap digital assets for your Canadian business’ crypto treasury. We send your purchased cryptocurrency directly into your non-custodial wallet. Your company’s crypto remains entirely yours at all times.

When the need for the dollar arises, you can also count on us as your trusted off-ramp partner. Upon receiving your crypto, we send its CAD equivalent to your bank account. The process is quick and handled personally by our team of professionals.

If self-custody crypto treasury management is not for you, we can also connect you with secure custody and wallet solutions through our trusted network of partners, ensuring your crypto is safely managed at every step.

Building a crypto treasury in Canada doesn’t have to be complicated—and with the right partner, it can become a strategic advantage for your business. Whether you’re exploring bitcoin as a hedge, stablecoins for operational liquidity or looking for seamless on- and off-ramp solutions, EZO is here to assist you. Contact our OTC Desk team to get started now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are more businesses adding cryptocurrency to their treasury?

Companies are adopting crypto to hedge against inflation, diversify assets and access 24/7 liquidity. Unlike traditional markets, crypto operates around the clock, allowing rapid rebalancing and flexibility during emergencies or outside banking hours.

How can a business use crypto for day-to-day operations?

Beyond serving as a store of value, crypto—especially stablecoins—enables fast, low-cost cross-border payments without the friction of exchange rate conversions or banking delays. This makes it practical for businesses handling international transactions or managing liquidity across markets.

What should companies consider before building a crypto treasury?

Businesses should plan for volatility management, secure custody and regulatory compliance. Choosing between self-custody and institutional custodians, understanding accounting and tax obligations, and working with a registered OTC desk like EZO ensures crypto integration is safe, compliant and efficient.