11. Building Bitvo: The Importance of Compliance and Regulatory Foresight in Canada’s Evolving Crypto Economy

In this episode of the DACOM Digital podcast, Pamela Draper, the co-founder, CEO, and president of Bitvo, one of Canada’s oldest crypto platforms with a focus on regulation and safety, shares her journey from traditional finance to crypto. Beginning her career in investment banking, Draper shifted to the crypto industry five years ago and has since seen significant changes in the landscape, especially in terms of regulatory frameworks being applied to crypto. She discusses her decision to transition from banking to crypto, the initial challenges faced when starting a new business in a then-unregulated industry, and Bitvo’s commitment to operate within an anticipated regulatory framework even before it was established. Draper believes this early emphasis on regulation helped Bitvo transition smoothly as formal regulations came into effect in Canada. The discussion offers insights into Bitvo’s role in the market and its future plans in the rapidly evolving crypto industry.