A Canadian fintech is integrating cryptocurrency into its core platform, bringing digital assets into the same space as everyday spending and savings tools.
BNN Bloomberg spoke with Daniel Eberhard, CEO at KOHO, about the company’s crypto launch and how it plans to position digital assets within a consumer finance app.
Key Takeaways
- The platform limits crypto access to about 20 coins, aiming to reduce exposure to highly speculative assets.
- The offering emphasizes education and avoids marketing strategies tied to hype or emotional trading behaviour.
- Crypto functionality is integrated directly into everyday financial tools, enabling funding from existing balances.
- A partnership with a regulated Canadian exchange handles custody and infrastructure, separating roles between provider and platform.
- The strategy reflects a broader push toward all-in-one financial apps combining spending, saving and investing features.
Read the full transcript below:
LINDSAY: KOHO, a Canadian money management app known for spending, saving and credit tools, is expanding into digital assets. The company has announced the launch of KOHO Crypto, allowing users to buy and hold digital assets directly inside the app. With crypto still highly volatile, why make this move now? We’re joined by KOHO CEO Daniel Eberhard to break it down. It’s great to have you with us. Thanks so much.
DANIEL: Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
LINDSAY: Before we get into those questions, for viewers who may not be familiar, can you explain what KOHO is?
DANIEL: KOHO is one of the leading fintechs in Canada. We offer spending and savings accounts. We have about 2.5 million Canadians on the platform. We offer everything from short-term loans to credit-building products, some of the highest savings rates in the country and cashback rewards. We’re often referred to as a challenger bank or a neobank. To be clear, we are not a full-fledged bank. We partner with regulated financial institutions to hold deposits. We do have a bank licence application in progress with OSFI.
LINDSAY: Yes, I saw that application. So with all the volatility we’re seeing, why launch this crypto program now?
DANIEL: Crypto is something we’ve talked about for a long time. Timing the market is very difficult. We weren’t planning around this volatility. We think it’s an important asset class, and our job isn’t to prohibit users from accessing it, but to help them understand what it is and what it isn’t.
There is a rational case for allocating a portion of assets to crypto, but volatility is here to stay. We take that responsibility seriously. We’re limiting the offering to about 20 coins and avoiding more speculative areas. We think it’s important to provide access, while making sure users are informed and educated.
LINDSAY: You mentioned limiting the number of coins. How else are you helping customers manage the risks of trading crypto?
DANIEL: Users ultimately have to make their own decisions, but we can help guide behaviour. One key part is how we communicate. We avoid messaging that leans on hype or emotion. We present crypto as an asset class that may have a place in a diversified portfolio.
We’re also focused on simplicity and transparency, including fees that are among the lowest in Canada. Because we’re not solely a crypto company, we can offer competitive pricing. We’re not on the other side of trades, and we avoid some of the complexities seen elsewhere. The goal is to educate users and grow with them over time.
LINDSAY: You’re partnering with NDAX, a Canadian regulated exchange. What risks does that partnership mitigate, and what remains with KOHO?
DANIEL: A lot of responsibility sits in how we communicate and ensure informed consent. CIRO has clear expectations around that, and we work closely with NDAX and regulators.
On the technical side, including custody and infrastructure, we rely on NDAX. The trading is powered by them, while we focus on the user experience, communication and education within the app.
LINDSAY: Canadians can already trade crypto through other platforms, banks and brokerages. Why should customers use KOHO?
DANIEL: We approach crypto in a more straightforward way. Investing should be simple and responsible. Our fees are transparent and competitive, and the experience is integrated into users’ everyday finances.
Because we already have a large user base and strong unit economics, our incentives are different. That allows us to offer a more streamlined and cost-effective product.
LINDSAY: Finally, what do you think traditional banks have misunderstood about crypto?
DANIEL: Crypto is often painted with a broad brush. Assets like Bitcoin, Solana and blockchain technologies are very different. There has been problematic behaviour in areas like NFTs and some altcoins.
At the same time, banks have been slow to recognize potential use cases. For example, if gold is viewed as an inflation hedge, there are arguments for Bitcoin playing a similar role. We think there is a middle ground, and that’s where we’re positioning ourselves.
LINDSAY: We’ll leave it there. Daniel Eberhard, CEO of KOHO, thanks for joining us.
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This BNN Bloomberg summary and transcript of the May 1, 2026 interview with Daniel Eberhard are published with the assistance of AI. Original research, interview questions and added context was created by BNN Bloomberg journalists. An editor also reviewed this material before it was published to ensure its accuracy and adherence with BNN Bloomberg editorial policies and standards.
