TL;DR: the short answer
BCSC warned on 2023-11-22 that cseso.com, trading as CSE, runs a crypto trading platform for BC residents without exchange recognition or dealer registration. It says CSE has no relation to the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Scambaba rates CSE critical risk with a risk score of 8.5/10, last verified 2026-10-24.
Key facts
| Risk score | 8.5 / 10 (Critical Risk) |
|---|---|
| Status | On BCSC Investment Caution List (not registered/recognized in BC) |
| Category | Crypto / Forex Scam |
| Primary scam vector | Unrecognised crypto trading platform (BCSC notes no relation to the Canadian Securities Exchange) |
| Reported domains |
|
| First listed | 2026-10-24 |
| Last verified | 2026-10-24 |
Red flags reported for CSE
- Name echoes a legitimate exchange: the BCSC says CSE has no relation to the Canadian Securities Exchange
- Website cseso.com claims to run an online cryptocurrency trading platform
- The BCSC says it is neither recognized as an exchange nor registered as a dealer in BC
- Accepts British Columbia residents as clients despite lacking that status
- A lookalike name or domain is used to borrow credibility from an established brand
Detailed threat analysis
What the BCSC says
On 2023-11-22 the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) published a warning about CSE, whose website is cseso.com. According to the notice, the site claims to operate an online cryptocurrency trading platform and accepts British Columbia residents as clients. The BCSC says that under the Securities Act a platform like this may need to be recognized as an exchange (section 25) or registered as a dealer (section 34), and that CSE has been neither. The notice also states that CSE has no relation to the Canadian Securities Exchange, and it urges BC residents to exercise caution with crypto trading platforms that are not recognized or registered in the province.
Why the name matters
The abbreviation CSE is the same as that of a real Canadian exchange, which is the reason the BCSC spelled out that there is no connection. The notice does not describe how people were approached, how much money was involved, or what happened to any clients, so we do not make claims about those points.
Practical guidance
This is general advice, not a statement about CSE's conduct. A name that resembles a well-known institution is not evidence of a link to it. Find an exchange's official domain from its own regulator or from a source you already trust, and compare it letter by letter with the address you were given. A domain with extra letters, such as the "so" in cseso.com, deserves a second look. For crypto platforms operating in Canada, check the registration status with your provincial regulator before depositing anything.
What to do if you dealt with CSE
- 01Compare the domain you were given with the official site of any exchange it seems to imitate.
- 02Ask your provincial securities regulator whether a crypto platform is registered or recognized before depositing.
- 03If you already paid, ask your bank or card issuer about a dispute and report to the BCSC and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501).
- 04Save screenshots of the account, deposit confirmations and any chat messages.
- 05Read the BCSC's InvestRight guidance on crypto platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Is CSE the same as the Canadian Securities Exchange?
No. The BCSC's 2023-11-22 notice says CSE (cseso.com) has no relation to the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Why did the BCSC warn about CSE?
The notice says CSE claims to run an online crypto trading platform, accepts BC residents as clients, and is not recognized as an exchange or registered as a dealer in BC.
What should I do if I deposited money with cseso.com?
Contact your bank or card provider, report to the BCSC or your own provincial regulator, and keep all records. Treat anyone offering paid recovery help with suspicion.
Sources
- CSE - Investment Caution List, BC Securities Commission, 2023-11-22
This report reflects publicly available information and reported patterns as of 2026-10-24. It is an opinion, not a legal determination. Spot an error or represent this entity? See our editorial and corrections policy.