Bank of Canada Trademarks ‘Digital Canadian Dollar’

The move comes despite public consultations that found a large majority of Canadians (85 percent) say they would not use a central bank digital currency.

The Bank of Canada wording on a Canadian $50 bill is pictured in Ottawa on Jan. 11, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

The Bank of Canada has taken its first steps toward trademarking a “digital Canadian dollar,” records show. The move comes despite the central bank saying last year that its future actions on a digital dollar would be decided by voters.

The BoC, in December 2023 filings under the Trademarks Act, claimed ownership of any “digital dollar” launched within the country.