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Netcoins users in Canada can now access crypto-backed loans through an integration with APX Lending, which provides capital and infrastructure for the service.
Netcoins has integrated APX Lending’s infrastructure to offer crypto-backed loans to its Canadian users, allowing clients to borrow against Bitcoin and Ether holdings without selling their assets [1, 2]. The move marks a shift for the Vancouver-based exchange, which is now providing credit products as a new revenue stream without the need to build in-house lending operations [1, 3].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Service Launch | July 21, 2026 |
| Provider | APX Lending |
| Collateral Assets | Bitcoin and Ether |
| Deployment Time | As fast as 60 days |
Under the partnership, APX Lending manages the full credit lifecycle, including capital, underwriting, collateral management, compliance, and loan servicing [2, 3]. While Netcoins serves as the customer-facing platform, APX provides the underlying technology to facilitate the loans, which users can access directly within the Netcoins app [1, 2]. This integration follows a similar expansion into the United States, where Netcoins USA has also signed a partnership agreement with APX to offer lending services [4].
APX Lending, which was granted exemptive relief by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) in April to provide these loans, is positioning itself as a "lending-as-a-service" provider [1, 2]. Founder and CEO Andrei Poliakov stated that the company’s long-term strategy is to provide infrastructure for other firms—ranging from crypto exchanges to traditional banks—rather than competing directly with them [1]. By offering a white-label or API-integrated solution, APX claims it can help partners launch credit products in as little as 60 days [2, 3].
The Canadian crypto market has seen increased activity in the lending sector, with firms like Ledn and Shakepay also pursuing similar offerings [1]. Ledn, which is based in the Cayman Islands, has historically provided Bitcoin-backed loans, while Montréal-based Shakepay has sought regulatory relief to enter the space [1].
Despite the growth in these offerings, the involvement of traditional financial institutions remains an open question. While Poliakov claims that APX is currently in "advanced discussions" with some Canadian banks and credit unions, these institutions have historically been reluctant to provide crypto-backed credit due to the high volatility of digital assets [1].
Whether the broader financial sector will embrace crypto-backed lending as a standard product remains the primary hurdle for the industry. For now, the success of the Netcoins integration serves as a test case for whether retail crypto users will adopt embedded credit as a primary tool for liquidity.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 4 outlets · Aug 30, 2026 · How we report
Crypto lending allows users to borrow funds by using digital assets like Bitcoin or Ether as collateral, or to deposit assets into smart contract-based vaults that allocate funds into yield-generating activities. As of 2026, these systems may be managed by centralized entities or operate through automated protocols that execute predefined strategies.
Crypto lending is subject to federal securities laws if the activities fall within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As of July 2026, Commissioner Hester Peirce has emphasized that developers cannot avoid these laws simply by moving financial activities onto blockchain networks.
The European Union is currently reviewing the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation to determine if decentralized lending and vault structures should be brought under its perimeter. As of September 2026, policymakers are debating how to distinguish between different forms of on-chain lending and the level of control exercised by participants.
Traditional banks and credit unions have generally been reluctant to provide crypto lending services due to the high volatility of digital assets. However, as of 2026, some infrastructure providers are in discussions with financial institutions to facilitate the integration of these services for their clients.