In a first for Canada’s banking sector, digital asset custodian Balance has teamed up with Bow Valley Credit Union (BVCU) and Bull Bitcoin to launch the Bitcoin Gateway—a seamless way for Albertans to purchase Bitcoin directly from their credit union accounts.
Powered by Balance’s institutional-grade custody platform, the new service allows BVCU members to move funds between Canadian dollars and Bitcoin with just a few clicks. Unlike pooled or paper-derivative crypto products, the Bitcoin purchased through the Gateway is fully owned, insured, and stored securely by Balance, which has been safeguarding Canadian digital assets since 2017.
“We’re extremely proud to empower the first credit union in Canada to give its members access to Bitcoin, the highest returning asset of the last 15 years,” said George Bordianu, Balance’s co-founder and CEO. “The infrastructure required took us years to build and we hope other institutions will follow BVCU’s lead outside Alberta.”
The partnership is designed to strip away the technical complexity that often deters new users. With liquidity and real-time pricing provided by Bull Bitcoin, the Gateway avoids the typical trading dashboards and crypto jargon—making the experience approachable for beginners and efficient for seasoned users.
BVCU’s move signals a broader shift among smaller financial institutions looking to meet growing demand for digital asset access without compromising safety or compliance. The Bitcoin Gateway is now live for all BVCU members across Alberta.
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