Banking on Stability: Crafting a Stablecoin Framework for Canada

Roundtable Luncheon with Lucas Matheson, Lori Stein and Blair Wiley.

C.D. Howe Institute events and webinars are open to members and their guests.

Please follow this link or contact events@cdhowe.org to register.

Lucas Matheson, Chief Executive Officer, Coinbase Canada

As CEO, Coinbase Canada, Lucas Matheson is committed to helping create a more equitable financial system in Canada through the power of blockchain. 

Lucas opened his Coinbase account back in 2014, long before joining the company. In his role, he ensures Coinbase is built for Canadians and with their interests in mind. Working with partners, government and regulators, he is making crypto more accessible to Canadians.

Prior to Coinbase, he was the founder and CEO of Pinshape (exit Formlabs), and Senior Director at Shopify leading various operational and finance teams.

Lucas earned his MBA from the University of Alberta and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Beyond his professional pursuits, Lucas serves on the board of The University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. 

Lori Stein, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault

Lori Stein is Co-Head of McCarthy Tétrault’s Fintech Group and a partner in the firm’s Business Law Group, specifically the Securities Regulatory and Investment Products Group in Toronto. Lori advises Fintech businesses, portfolio managers, dealers, investment fund managers and institutional investors on all aspects of Canadian securities regulation. Lori is at the forefront of the fast-paced digital asset space, guiding clients on how to manage legal and regulatory risks associated with crypto assets and blockchain infrastructure.

Lori advised the first public bitcoin investment fund in Canada and the first crypto asset trading platform registered as a restricted dealer under Canadian securities laws. She helps clients obtain regulatory approval for innovative business strategies, and also advises on day-to-day compliance issues, investigations, regulatory audits and strategic transactions.

Lori is ranked by Chambers as a Leading Lawyer: Fintech Legal in Canada. She is a frequent speaker and author on key issues that impact clients in the digital assets sector. She is also a member of the Ontario Securities Commission Office of Innovation Beta Directory, providing pro bono legal services to Fintech start-ups.

Before returning to private practice in 2014, Lori spent a decade in-house in the hedge fund industry, including five years as a Chief Compliance Officer. Lori earned her J.D. from the University of Toronto and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002.

Blair Wiley, Chief Legal Officer, Wealthsimple

Blair Wiley is the Chief Legal Officer at Wealthsimple and leads Wealthsimple's regulatory innovation strategy. He is also the President and Director of Wealthsimple Investments Inc. (WSII), a registered securities dealer and member of CIR). He oversees Wealthsimple’s participation as a securities dealer, PSP and CTP, including its approval as a direct participant in the RTR. Under his leadership, Wealthsimple has achieved many regulatory firsts in Canada: the first in Canada to offer a mobile-first stock trading platform; the first regulated crypto trading platform; the first and only to offer a Shariah-compliant ETF; the first and only platform for fractional trading of Canadian shares; the first non-bank to enable direct deposit through our own financial institution number (703); and the first wealth management firm in Canada to offer retail investors access to high quality, private investments.

Throughout his career, Blair has served as an advisor, mentor and coach to a wide range of organizations, including Creative Destruction Labs, Web3 Canada and the Ontario Securities Commission.

Prior to joining Wealthsimple, Blair was a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP where he co-led the firm's fintech and crypto practice groups. He holds degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Waterloo, and is a member of the bar of the Law Society of Ontario.