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Netcoins users in Canada can now access crypto-backed loans via the APX Lending platform. The move marks a shift toward embedded credit in digital assets.
Netcoins, a Canadian crypto trading platform owned by BIGG Digital Assets Inc., launched an in-app crypto-backed lending service on July 21, 2026, powered by infrastructure from Toronto-based APX Lending [1]. The integration allows eligible users to borrow against their Bitcoin and Ether holdings without selling their assets, marking the first time a Canadian platform has deployed APX’s "Lending-as-a-Service" model [1, 2].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | July 21, 2026 |
| Service Provider | APX Lending |
| Collateral Assets | Bitcoin and Ether |
| Deployment Time | As fast as 60 days |
The partnership provides Netcoins with a new revenue stream while shifting the operational burden of lending to APX [1]. Under the agreement, APX manages the technology, capital, underwriting, collateral management, compliance, and loan servicing [3]. By embedding these services directly into the Netcoins app, the platform aims to retain customers who might otherwise look to external lenders for liquidity [1].
APX founder and CEO Andrei Poliakov stated that the company’s long-term strategy involves providing this infrastructure to a broad range of entities, including banks and other fintech firms, rather than competing directly with them [2]. APX, which was founded in 2023, previously secured exemptive relief from the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) to provide crypto-backed loans, a regulatory milestone that distinguishes its current operations [2].
The Canadian market for crypto-backed credit is becoming increasingly crowded. Toronto-based Ledn currently provides Bitcoin-backed loans, and Montréal-based exchange Shakepay has also signaled intent to enter the space after receiving regulatory relief earlier this year [2].
While traditional financial institutions have historically been hesitant to offer crypto-backed credit due to the volatility of digital assets, APX claims to be in "advanced discussions" with several banks and credit unions regarding potential partnerships [2]. For platforms like Netcoins, the primary benefit is the ability to offer credit products without the need to build in-house lending infrastructure or manage the associated collateral risks [3].
Whether this model of embedded credit becomes a standard feature for Canadian exchanges depends on the appetite of traditional lenders to enter the space and the continued regulatory approval of these loan structures. The success of the Netcoins integration will serve as a test case for whether retail users prefer accessing credit directly through their trading platforms over traditional, external lending channels [1, 3].
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 4 outlets · Aug 31, 2026 · How we report
Crypto Lending allows individuals to use digital assets like Bitcoin or Ether as collateral to secure loans without selling their holdings. As of 2024, companies like APX Lending provide the technology and underwriting to enable these credit products through partner platforms.
Crypto Lending and related vault strategies are subject to federal securities laws if they meet the criteria of an investment enterprise, according to U.S. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce as of July 2026. The SEC maintains that moving financial activity on-chain does not exempt it from existing regulatory oversight.
Regulating Crypto Lending vaults is complex because these structures often lack a centralized manager and operate on a spectrum of decentralization. As of September 2026, policymakers are debating whether to categorize these vaults under MiCA or create a separate framework that accounts for their unique technical and economic functions.