Key takeaways
- Pierre Poilievre opposes central bank digital currencies and supports Bitcoin and other digital assets.
- Poilievre advocates for favorable regulations for blockchain companies and sees crypto as a hedge against economic instability.
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Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, has positioned himself as a prominent advocate for crypto and DeFi while becoming a leading candidate for prime minister following the resignation of Justin Trudeau.
Poilievre joined a crypto podcast in February 2022 hosted by Robert Breedlove, a Bitcoin advocate known for making controversial comparisons between central bank policies and historical atrocities.
During the show, Poilievre said he and his wife often watch Breedlove’s crypto YouTube channel “late at night.”
“I find it extremely informative,” he said, adding that they learned a lot about Bitcoin and monetary issues from the host.
The Conservative leader demonstrated his commitment to digital assets by investing in the Purpose Bitcoin ETF in 2022, although his current holdings are undisclosed, according to CTV News. Its platform includes creating favorable regulations for blockchain companies and treating crypto assets as commodities for tax purposes.
Poilievre has actively opposed the implementation of central bank digital currency (CBDC), supporting Bill C-400 to regulate CBDCs while defending the right of Canadians to use Bitcoin and d other digital assets.
“The government is ruining the Canadian dollar, so Canadians should have the freedom to use other currencies, like bitcoin,” Poilievre said in a 2022 statement.
“Canada needs less financial control for politicians and bankers and more financial freedom for people. This includes the freedom to own and use cryptocurrencies, tokens, smart contracts and decentralized finance.
Prediction markets show varying predictions regarding Poilievre’s electoral chances, with Polymarket indicating an 89% probability of victory, while other platforms like Kalshi project lower probabilities.
Poilievre’s stance marks a departure from Trudeau’s more cautious approach to digital assets, which included banning some crypto wallets linked to the protests.
Since entering Parliament in 2004, Poilievre has advocated for reduced government intervention and greater economic independence, promoting a vision that Canadians can opt out of inflation through the use of crypto.
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