The Ontario Securities Commission's (OSC) Investor Office published a new research study today that examines Ontarians and cryptoassets. 

Five per cent of Ontarians currently own cryptoassets and an additional 4 per cent of Ontarians owned cryptoassets in the past but no longer do. Many Ontarians lack understanding of cryptoassets, and the study also revealed that an increasing number of people are being approached about participating in initial coin or token offerings, exposing them to potential risks given the lack of familiarity with these types of investments. Read the report

While Ontarians are approaching the cryptoasset sector with caution — half of cryptoasset owners spent under $1,000 on the cryptoassets they own — 9 per cent of cryptoasset owners surveyed reported spending $10,000 or more. Read the report

We asked Ontarians how familiar they were with “cryptocurrencies” (a term commonly used to refer to cryptoassets), and found that while most Ontarians (82 per cent) had heard of them before, very few (5 per cent) would feel comfortable explaining the details to others. Read the report

Cryptoassets Hub

You might be eager to get in on the cryptoasset trend, but you should first take the time to understand how they work and their potential risks.

Visit our Cryptoassets hub for information on cryptoassets and what you should know before buying them.

Investor Protection Initiatives

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which includes the OSC, recently published two notices concerning investor protection initiatives.

We sat down with Debra Foubert, Director of the OSC's Compliance & Registrant Regulation Branch, and Chantal Mainville, Senior Legal Counsel in the OSC's Investment Funds & Structured Products Branch, to talk about these two recent publications and what they mean for investors. Read the full interview

Retirement Ready Quiz

Are you retirement ready? Take our new Retirement Ready Quiz to find out how prepared you are and get tips to put yourself on the right track.

Visit GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca for more popular tools and calculators to help you with your finances.​

Interactive Investing Chart

Use our Interactive Investing Chart to see how stocks and other investments have performed historically or over specific time periods. 

While stocks have historically performed well over the long term, there’s no guarantee you’ll make money on a stock at any given point in time. The stock market is subject to short-term fluctuations, as well as bear markets.

How Stocks Work

Stocks are one of the most common types of investments. You can own them directly or through other investment products like mutual funds. When you buy stock — or equity — in a company, you own a share of the company. Learn how stocks work and understand their investment risks.

Inheritance

One of the lasting gifts grandparents can leave their grandchildren is an inheritance. If used wisely, this bequest can have a significant impact on their future. Big dreams — such as a post-secondary education — can suddenly seem closer. Learn about these key considerations for planning to get the most from an inheritance.

OSC in Northern Communities

OSC staff have hosted dozens of OSC in the Community events so far this year, including many in northern Ontario communities like Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Geraldton, Ignace and Elliott Lake. We're taking the Commission's regulatory mandate from Bay Street to Main Street with seminars on preventing fraud and making informed investment decisions.

​Find a free event near you or contact us to host an event in your community.