Canadian Securities regulators warn public about entity claiming to regulate derivatives

Vancouver – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is warning the public about an entity falsely claiming to regulate derivatives in Canada.

The website of the so-called “Canadian Office of Derivative Trading” includes a number of fake claims, including that it regulates “the futures contract market in Vancouver” and that it oversees “all financial related activities of all business entities covered by this commission within British Columbia.”

There is no regulatory organization in Canada called the Canadian Office of Derivative Trading (CODT). In Canada, securities and derivatives trading is overseen by provincial and territorial securities regulators.

The CSA believes the website is being used by fraudsters to lend credibility to their investment scams. Prospective investors are referred to the website with promises that they can conduct checks on registration status and disciplinary history of the investment entities being promoted.

However, the search results are fake. When a prospective investor searches for the investment entity in question, the website indicates that the entity has no regulatory issues. That positive search result may encourage the investor to invest. 

Investors should not use the CODT website to conduct due diligence checks and they should not rely on any of the information contained on the website. 

The website makes a number of other false claims, including that the CODT:

  • “regulates investment schemes”
  • “supervises, and at all times regulates and inspects all financial-related institutions within its covered area of responsibility”
  • “develops financial regulations that directly applies to the administration of the Canada’s banking institutions, trust companies, insurance companies and investment business”

In addition, although the website uses the British Columbia provincial crest, it is not affiliated with any government or securities regulator in Canada.

CSA members are investigating who is behind the website and actively working to have it taken down.

Investors seeking to check the registration or disciplinary status of any individual or firm should visit the CSA’s website.

The CSA also encourages anyone who is considering buying or selling an investment to do research and talk to their registered investment advisor to ensure it is an appropriate decision. 

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co- ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

For Investor inquiries, please refer to your respective securities regulator. You can contact them here

For media inquiries, please refer to the list of provincial and territorial representatives below or contact us at media@acvm-csa.ca:

Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Brian Kladko
British Columbia Securities Commission
(604) 899-6713

Hilary McMeekin
Alberta Securities Commission
403-592-8186

Jason (Jay) Booth
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660

Sara Wilson
Financial and Consumer Services
Commission, New Brunswick
506-643-7045

David Harrison
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Steve Dowling
Government of
Prince Edward Island,
Superintendent of Securities
902-368-4550

Renée Dyer
Office of the Superintendent
of Securities,
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-4909

Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent
of Securities
867-667-5466

Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591

Tom Hall
Office of the Superintendent
of Securities
Northwest Territories
(867) 767-9305

Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs
Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160