Accelerate Finance's goal is to collaboratively build out Canada's finance and fintech infrastructure so that companies in the ecosystem can thrive both in Canada and globally. Accelerate Finance will lead the charge to find new and disruptive solutions for finance by facilitating collaboration between startups and established financial institutions. It will also develop actionable recommendations to modernize Canadian regulatory frameworks for the fintech age.

"Decentral stands at the intersection of disruptive technology, fintech, and finance. Our consultancy work with startups, enterprise clients and banks means we understand how to find common ground and foster meaningful collaboration. We are pleased to apply our expertise on the national stage with Accelerate Finance," said Anthony Di Iorio, CEO of Decentral.

A founding sponsor of Accelerate Finance is TMX Group, whose companies include Toronto Stock Exchange, CDS, and Montreal Exchange, among others. TMX Group brings its expertise and an exceptional network of contacts in finance to the project. "We are very focused on ensuring that we are an innovative TMX in a Canada that is a global leader in innovation. This initiative will help drive that idea," said Jean R. Desgagné, President and CEO, Global Enterprise Services at TMX.

Accelerate Finance members will include representatives from key institutions, startups, and incubators from a broad spectrum of the finance and fintech industries. Areas of focus will include: innovations in banking and insurance, compliance and settlement, digital currencies and mobile transactions, peer-to-peer lending, social investing and equity crowdfunding, micropayments, digital wallets and identity and authentication management.

Dozens of Canadian companies were consulted in the development of this project, including banks and other finance entities, government and regulatory bodies, fintech startups, VCs and accelerators. Accelerate Finance is currently taking applications for potential members, as well as candidates for our Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will be participating in the applicant review process to ensure a national strategy that comprehensively represents fintech in Canada today.