Bow Valley Credit Union Enables Bitcoin Purchases for Albertans

Bow Valley Credit Union (BVCU) has partnered with Balance and Bull Bitcoin to roll out Canada’s first ‘Bitcoin Gateway’, a service allowing members to buy Bitcoin directly from their BVCU accounts. Starting today, members can buy Bitcoin directly from their BVCU account through their app, enabling straightforward purchases of bitcoin with Canadian dollars without needing deep technical knowledge and keeping full ownership title of the bitcoin. The Bitcoin Gateway platform serves as a bridge between BVCU, Balance and Bull Bitcoin, unlocking a secure and easy-to-use way to accumulate actual bitcoin. Unlike platforms offering crypto derivatives or pooled products, the Bitcoin purchased here is fully owned by the user, securely stored, insured, and never leveraged. Balance, Canada’s oldest bitcoin custodian since 2017, handles custody, while Bull Bitcoin’s API integration ensures competitive, real-time pricing. Francis Pouliot, CEO of Bull Bitcoin, stated that this marks the first large-scale integration of the Bull Bitcoin API to facilitate institutional adoption. BVCU has served Alberta since 1953 and continues its member-focused banking innovation. Members can sign up now through their BVCU accounts. The service’s simplicity could set a precedent for other Canadian credit unions. George Bordianu, co-founder and CEO of Balance, said they eventually plan to open this more broadly to the Canadian public.