Shopify and National Bank of Canada Invest $10 Million in Digital Currency 'CADD' for 24/7 Real-Time Payments

As of May 5, 2026, the constraints of '9-to-5' banking hours, a long-standing issue in Canadian commerce, have faced a significant challenge. Calgary, Alberta-based Tetra Digital Group has secured $10 million in funding from Shopify, National Bank of Canada, and others, and is preparing to launch 'CADD', a real-time stablecoin to replace existing batch systems. This project aims to modernize financial infrastructure through a compliant digital currency pegged 1:1 with the Canadian dollar.

CADD aims for institutional 24/7 cross-border payments, real-time corporate treasury management, and direct transfers between fintechs, innovating beyond existing slow batch systems.

In addition to Shopify, Wealthsimple and National Bank of Canada participated as major investors in this funding round. Based on the secured funds, Tetra Digital Group plans to build a compliant stablecoin that maintains a 1:1 value with the Canadian dollar. This project demonstrates that the Canadian fintech ecosystem is evolving beyond theoretical 'digital loonie' discussions into a private-sector-led, practical institutional payment tool. The table below summarizes the key details of the CADD project.

1:1 Collateral Structure and Regulatory Compliance Framework

CADD adopts a mechanism where value is guaranteed 1:1 through Canadian dollar deposits. Aiming for a launch in early 2026, this asset is predicated on meeting Canada's regulatory framework, which differentiates it from existing unregulated crypto assets. Tetra Digital Group is focusing on ensuring transparency of physical asset collateral while awaiting regulatory approval.

• 1:1 value peg with the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and backed by fiat deposits
• Strategic support from major financial and technology companies such as National Bank of Canada and Shopify
• Support for 24/7 real-time cross-border payments and corporate treasury management
• Central bank oversight and regulatory compliance under the Canadian Stablecoin Act

The reason Shopify and National Bank of Canada are leading this project aligns with their respective strategic interests. Shopify can strengthen its platform competitiveness by providing faster settlement to merchants, while National Bank of Canada seeks to modernize inter-institutional payment systems through a strategic shift to blockchain technology. In particular, National Bank is focusing on testing real-world application cases of the technology through this initiative.

Unlike the batch processing methods of traditional banking systems, CADD utilizes blockchain technology to enable 24/7 real-time settlement. This is expected to provide companies engaged in cross-border trade with opportunities to maximize liquidity and dramatically increase the efficiency of corporate treasury management. As of 2026, the Canadian payments market is undergoing a period of rapid change in conjunction with the introduction of the Real-Time Rail (RTR).

Regulatory Environment and Relationship with Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

The Bank of Canada has been strengthening its oversight authority over payment stablecoins through the Stablecoin Act. Currently, there is active discussion in the market regarding the coexistence or competition between private stablecoins like CADD and the digital loonie (CBDC) being reviewed by the central bank. Tetra Digital Group is focusing on establishing its position as an 'institutional digital currency' operating within government regulatory guidelines.

The participation of fintech companies like Wealthsimple suggests the possibility that CADD will expand beyond a simple institutional tool into the retail financial ecosystem. As the Real-Time Rail (RTR) becomes fully operational in 2026, CADD is expected to play a complementary role with such national infrastructure and accelerate the modernization of payments in Canada. This is interpreted as a strategic move to ensure Canada does not fall behind in the global digital asset competition.

As of May 2026, Tetra Digital Group's focus is on real-world market application testing and expanding institutional adoption rates. In the initial launch phase, how many companies switch from existing systems to CADD-based real-time settlement systems will be a key metric for the project's success. The Canadian financial sector is watching to see if this project will become a successful case of combining traditional finance with decentralized technology.