Security

Security-first Bitcoin lending and custody. Your Bitcoin is protected by institutional-grade controls, qualified Canadian custody, and transparent operational practices.

Custody controls

Your Bitcoin is held by a qualified third-party Canadian custodian using institutional-grade security protocols.

Security scope and shared responsibility

DWM Canada is responsible for platform security, custody coordination, and loan operations. However, Bitcoin lending involves risks that extend beyond our control. Here's who is responsible for what:

DWM Canada's Responsibilities

Platform security and operational controls
Coordination with qualified custodian
Loan agreement execution and monitoring
Compliance with Canadian regulatory requirements
Protection of client data and account information

Custodian's Responsibilities

Secure storage of Bitcoin collateral
Multi-signature cold storage protocols
Physical and technical security of custody infrastructure
Insurance coverage for custodied assets (subject to policy terms)

Client's Responsibilities

Securing account login credentials
Protecting devices and email accounts from compromise
Monitoring loan health and responding to margin calls
Verifying withdrawal addresses before authorizing transfers
Understanding loan terms and Bitcoin market risks

External & Inherent Risks (No Party Controls)

Bitcoin price volatility and market movements
Bitcoin network protocol changes or disruptions
Regulatory changes affecting digital assets
Force majeure events (natural disasters, war, etc.)
This framework establishes clear boundaries. DWM Canada secures the platform and coordinates custody. The custodian secures your Bitcoin. You secure your account and manage your loan. Market and protocol risks are inherent to Bitcoin.

Operational Controls

DWM Canada operates under documented rocedures and controls designed to protect client assets and platform integrity.

Access Controls

Multi-factor authentication is required for all staff access to critical systems. Access is role-based and logged. No single individual can authorize sensitive operations without review.

Transaction Monitoring

All Bitcoin transfers, loan disbursements, and account changes are monitored and logged. Suspicious activity triggers review procedures before execution.

Segregation of Duties

Critical operations require multiple parties. No single person can initiate, approve, and execute high-risk transactions. This prevents unauthorized actions and internal fraud.

Change Management

System changes follow documented approval processes. Production deployments require testing, peer review, and rollback procedures.

Audit Logging

All system access, transactions, and administrative actions are logged with timestamps and user attribution. Logs are retained and reviewed regularly.

Vendor Management

Third-party service providers (including custodians) are evaluated for security practices, regulatory compliance, and financial stability before engagement.

Account and user protection

Most security breaches target people, not systems. DWM Canada implements controls to protect you from phishing, social engineering, and account takeover attempts.

Email Verification

High-risk actions (withdrawals, account changes) require email confirmation.

Verify that emails come from @dwmcanada.com before clicking links or providing information.

Withdrawal Confirmation

Bitcoin withdrawals require explicit confirmation through a secure channel. You must verify the destination address before we authorize the custodian to release funds.

Account Takeover Protection

We monitor login patterns and flag suspicious activity. If we detect unusual access (new device, unusual location, rapid changes), we may temporarily restrict the account and require additional verification.

Support Verification

DWM Canada support will never ask you for:
- Your password
- Account login credentials
- Private keys or seed phrases
- Immediate action via email or text links

If someone claiming to be DWM Canada requests these, it's a scam. Contact us
directly through the verified website or phone number.

Phishing Awareness

Common phishing tactics include:
- Emails claiming "urgent action required"
- Links to fake login pages that look like DWM Canada
- Requests to "verify" your account via email
- Impersonation of DWM Canada support staff

Always access your account directly through dwmcanada.com, not through email
links.

Technical security

Encryption

All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3+) and at rest. Client information, including personal data and account details, is protected using industry-standard encryption protocols.

Multi-Signature Requirements

Bitcoin withdrawals from custody require multiple signatures. The custodian uses multi-signature wallets to prevent unauthorized access—no single party can move Bitcoin alone.

Infrastructure Security

DWM Canada's infrastructure is hosted in secure, SOC 2-compliant environments. Systems are hardened, patched regularly, and monitored for intrusions.

Data Protection

Client data is stored in Canadian data centers and subject to Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA). We collect only the information required for compliance and operations. Data is not sold or shared with third parties except as required by law.

Secure Development

Code undergoes security review before deployment. We follow secure coding practices and test for common vulnerabilities (SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, etc.).

Penetration Testing

DWM Canada conducts periodic security assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities. Testing includes application security, infrastructure, and social engineering resistance.

Risk management

DWM Canada manages collateral and platform risks to protect both clients and the business.

Collateral Monitoring

Loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are monitored in real-time. Automated systems track Bitcoin price movements and flag accounts approaching margin call thresholds (80-90% LTV).

Margin Call Procedures

When LTV reaches predefined thresholds, we issue margin calls requiring clients to add collateral or reduce loan amounts. If clients don't respond, we liquidate collateral to protect loan integrity. Specific thresholds are disclosed in loan agreements.

Conservative Underwriting

DWM Canada lends at 50% LTV, providing significant buffer against Bitcoin price volatility. This protects both clients (from forced liquidation) and DWM Canada (from loan defaults).

Liquidity Management

DWM Canada maintains operational reserves to fund loans promptly and manage short-term liquidity needs without relying on external funding during volatile markets.

Custodian Due Diligence

Custodians are selected based on security practices, regulatory compliance, insurance coverage, and financial stability. We review custodian operations regularly.

Regulatory Risk

DWM Canada monitors Canadian regulatory developments affecting digital assets. We adjust operations as needed to remain compliant with evolving requirements.

Compliance and regulatory

Regulatory Status

DWM Canada is in the process of obtaining FINTRAC Money Services Business (MSB) registration and OSC licensing. We are not yet a licensed or registered entity. We will update our regulatory status publicly as approvals are obtained.

AML/KYC Procedures

All clients undergo identity verification (Know Your Customer) and anti-money laundering screening before account approval. We verify:

  • Government-issued identification
  • Proof of address
  • Source of funds for large transactions (when required)

Sanctions Screening

We screen clients against Canadian and international sanctions lists. We cannot provide services to individuals or entities on prohibited lists.

Transaction Monitoring

Transactions are monitored for suspicious activity consistent with money laundering, terrorist financing, or fraud. Suspicious activity is reported to FINTRAC as required by Canadian law.

Privacy Compliance (PIPEDA)

DWM Canada complies with Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). We collect, use, and disclose personal information only as necessary for business operations and regulatory compliance.

Record Keeping

Client records, transaction history, and compliance documentation are retained in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Cooperation

DWM Canada cooperates with Canadian regulatory authorities and responds to lawful requests for information.

Business continuity and resilience

DWM Canada is designed to operate reliably even if individual staff members are unavailable or key personnel leave.

Multi-Person Controls

No single person can execute critical operations alone. Withdrawals, system changes, and sensitive decisions require multiple authorized parties. This prevents single points of failure and internal fraud.

Custodian Independence

The custodian operates independently from DWM Canada. Even if DWM Canada’s operations are disrupted, your Bitcoin remains securely held by the custodian in segregated accounts.

Documented Procedures

Operational procedures are documented and accessible to multiple staff members. Critical functions can be performed by backup personnel if primary operators are unavailable.

Succession Planning

DWM Canada maintains succession plans for key roles. If leadership changes, operations continue without disruption to client services.

Disaster Recovery

Systems and data are backed up regularly. In the event of infrastructure failure, DWM Canada can restore operations from backups hosted in geographically separate locations.

Communication Protocols

If operational disruptions occur, DWM Canada will communicate with clients through verified channels (website, email from @dwmcanada.com, direct phone contact).

What DWM does not do

Understanding what DWM Canada does not do is as important as understanding what we do.
We do not take custody ourselves
DWM Canada does not hold your Bitcoin directly. A qualified third-party custodian holds all client Bitcoin in segregated accounts.
We do not have unilateral access to your Bitcoin
DWM Canada coordinates with the custodian but cannot unilaterally withdraw your Bitcoin. Withdrawals require proper authorization following documented procedures.
We do not lend out or rehypothecate your Bitcoin
Your Bitcoin collateral is never lent to others, staked, or used for any purpose other than securing your loan.
We do not commingle client assets
Your Bitcoin is held in segregated accounts, separate from other clients and from DWM Canada's corporate assets.
We do not guarantee Bitcoin's price or value
Bitcoin is volatile. We do not guarantee protection against price declines, and we cannot prevent margin calls or liquidations if Bitcoin's price falls significantly.
We do not provide investment advice
DWM Canada provides Bitcoin-backed loans, not investment advice. Consult your own financial and tax advisors before borrowing.
We do not contact you via unofficial channels
DWM Canada will never ask for passwords, private keys, or sensitive information via email, text, or social media.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions answered. We keep things simple and direct about how we work.

Security-first Bitcoin lending

Your Bitcoin is protected by institutional-grade custody, transparent operations, and Canadian regulatory compliance.