10 Best Crypto Exchanges (For Different Purposes) in Canada for 2024

1. Bitbuy

Bitbuy stands out as the prime choice crypto change for safety and compliance with Canadian laws, especially after its recent merger with major Canadian crypto exchanges like Coinberry, Coinsmart, and Bitvo. This consolidation has positioned Bitbuy as the top crypto exchange in Canada, demonstrating its commitment to serving Canadian users and aiming to dominate the local market.

Bitbuy is a Canadian-based cryptocurrency exchange, caters primarily to Canadian users, allowing deposits in Canadian dollars via Interac e-Transfer and wire transfer. The platform is designed to accommodate both beginners and advanced traders. It offers a diverse range of cryptocurrencies, including popular options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and newer additions such as Solana, Cardano, and Polygon (they have over 25 coins), with a commitment to continuously expanding its coin selection.

The major downside of Bitbuy was their deposit fees which were 1.5%! However, they listened to their customers and waived it in 2023 so the only fee you pay now is 1.5% withdrawal fee which makes BitBuy one of the cheapest crypto trading platforms in Canada.

The trading spreads range from 0.5% to 1%, which is competitive in the market.

Security is a significant focus for Bitbuy and this why they rated as a #1 crypto exchange in Canada on our list. It was voted as the most important factor for Canadian users when selecting crypto exchange. 

Bitbuy is registered with FINTRAC, a Canadian financial regulator, and ensures the safety of assets by keeping 95% of coins in cold storage. Highlighting its commitment to security, a Proof of Reserves Audit conducted in July 2021 showed that Bitbuy exceeded its cold storage policy, averaging 98.12% in cold storage. This demonstrates a strong emphasis on protecting investors' assets and maintaining transparency in its operations. This makes Bitbuy one of the safest Canadian crypto exchanges.

Featuring two reading platforms - Express and Pro - Bitbuy has both beginners and advanced traders covered.The exchange also prioritizes convenience and accessibility, providing mobile applications for both iOS and Android users. Customer support is available through email, ensuring assistance for users' queries and issues.

Bitbuy, has expanded its offerings by introducing a cutting-edge crypto staking option and an OTC desk. With this latest development, Bitbuy now caters to a diverse range of users, from novices to experts, accommodating both limited and substantial budgets.

Check more in our Bitbuy review.

Pros:

• Bitbuy caters to both beginners and advanced traders with its two separate platforms - Express Trade and Pro Trade. Great for both beginners and advanced users
• Free deposits via Interac e-Transfer
• Bitbuy has a solid reputation for providing Canadians with a secure trading platform 

Cons: 

• Bitbuy has a limited number of coins available compare to global crypto exchanges (but they have the most popular ones)
• High withdrawal fees

2. Bitget

After Binance's exit from the Canadian market, Bitget has secured the this spot on our list. It's the best crypto exchange for Canadians in terms of crypto coins selections (over 1000) and fees.

Bitget is a global exchange catering to skilled users and offers a vast selection of altcoins for Canadian crypto traders. Notably, Bitget stands out with its competitive trading fees of just 0.1%, which can be further reduced by paying with their token BGB. The trading fees are not comparable with many local Canadian crypto exchanges, it is very very low due to the high volume.

While deposits in cryptocurrency are free, purchasing crypto with CAD requires a debit card or a third-party bank transfer service like Banxa. For this reason, using Bitget's P2P marketplace is recommended where you can buy USDT in Canada with Interac e-transfer commission free and use it for trading crypto on the platform:

Compare to Bitbuy, it offers over 1000 cryptocurrency coins, so it’s the perfect choice for people who like to invest in altcoins.

Bitget boasts a robust daily trade volume of over $482 million, ensuring ample liquidity. With a CoinMarketCap rating of 683 out of 1000 for its BTC/USDT pair, Bitget demonstrates good liquidity, resulting in competitive fees and narrow spreads. The exchange profits from the spread, which is the difference between the highest bid price and the lowest ask price. Many Canadian crypto exchanges charge crazy spreads but not Bitget.

Despite not being FINTRAC-regulated, Bitget prioritizes security and employs measures to safeguard user accounts. Two-factor authentication is available, and email notifications are sent for logins and withdrawals. To identify genuine emails, an anti-phishing code can be set up, providing added reassurance. 

Bitget prioritizes the protection of customer funds and offers emergency insurance coverage of up to $300 million. In the event of asset loss through no fault of the account holder, a claim can be made. But remember, not your keys, not your coins so always get a personal hardware crypto wallet and transfer major crypto funds to your own crypto wallet for extra safety.

The Bitget app receives high ratings and offers user-friendly features on both iOS and Android. Additionally, their customer support impressed us with their prompt resolution of our specific crypto asset withdrawal issue within 24 hours.

While its platform is certainly not for beginners (even though, they made their interface user-friendly recently), once you get used to the advanced interface, Bitget offers so much that you’ll probably never look at another exchange again.

Check out more about this crypto trading platform in our Bitget review.

Pros: 

• Good for Canadians looking to buy and trade altcoins
• Extremely Low tradings fees
• DEX/P2P trading
• Advanced order types
• Margin trading
• Futures trading
• Stock token trading
• 1000+ coins
• Simple or advanced interface

Cons: 

• Not beginner-friendly
• No FINTRAC registration in Canada
• Not available in Alberta

3. Bull Bitcoin

If you want to trade Bitcoin only, then Bull Bitcoin is your best choice. 

Bull Bitcoin is a unique Bitcoin trading platform in Canada that lets you pay your bills with Bitcoin. This includes your phone, internet, water, insurance, electricity bills, and even taxes to CRA. It's perfect for people who only want to buy Bitcoin because that's all they offer.

Bull Bitcoin isn't like other crypto exchanges; it's simpler and great for beginners. You can put Canadian dollars into your account using Interac e-Transfer, wire transfer, or by paying with cash or debit at Canada Post.

Before you can buy or sell Bitcoin, you need to show who you are through a process called KYC (Know Your Customer). But, if you want to stay private, you can just pay with cash at the post office.

A cool thing about Bull Bitcoin is that they send the Bitcoin straight to your wallet. This means you don't have to pay the extra fees that other exchanges charge. Also, when you buy Bitcoin from them, there are no extra fees. You pay exactly the price they show, which makes it a cheap place to buy Bitcoin in Canada.

Bull Bitcoin follows all the Canadian rules because it's registered with FINTRAC, a government agency. Plus, their customer service is really good and people are happy with it.

Check more in our Bull Bitcoin review or my video review:

Pros:

• Send funds via e-Transfer or wire
• Trade anonymously with cash
• No withdrawal fees or wait times
• Recurring buys directly from your bank account
• Pay bills with bitcoin

Cons:

• Only bitcoin available 
• No advanced order types

4. NDAX.io

NDAX has consistently demonstrated its adaptability and commitment to compliance, earning it a spot in the top-5 of our latest rankings. This beginner-friendly crypto exchange offers an array of popular digital currencies and has recently enhanced its services to better accommodate Canadian users.

With the latest updates, NDAX now supports USD deposits, broadening its accessibility to include both Canadian and U.S. dollars. While it has discontinued accepting bank drafts, it has introduced more versatile withdrawal options, including Interac withdrawals for just $1.50. This improvement ensures that fiat withdrawals are not confined to the previous $4.99 Bank EFT fee. Additionally, NDAX has expanded its BTC withdrawal methods to include three more options, one of which is free, further reducing the cost for users. We even included NDAX as one of the best Canadian exchanges  to cash out crypto in Canada.

Indeed, NDAX offers free deposits, fixed withdrawal fees, and a fixed 0.2% buy/sell fee, simplifying the calculation of trading costs. We tested this by transferring $100 to our NDAX account using Interac, receiving the full amount without any deposit fees. Buying Bitcoin with this deposit, we acquired $99.80 worth of BTC, incurring a nominal fee of just $0.20 (0.2%). Upon selling the Bitcoin, we received $99.24, reflecting a loss of $0.56 (0.56%). The minimal spread of only 0.36% in this transaction underscores NDAX's competitive pricing. Withdrawing our funds back to the bank incurred a modest $1.5 fee, totaling $97.74 returned.

In terms of regulatory compliance, NDAX has taken proactive steps by filing a Pre-Registration Undertaking (PRU) with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), ensuring it remains in strict adherence to Canadian financial regulations.

NDAX's platform boasts over 30 different cryptocurrencies and maintains its 0.2% fixed buy/sell fee, which simplifies calculating trading costs. For instance, a $100 Interac deposit incurs no fees, ensuring full value transfers. The trading fees remain competitive with a buy/sell spread that keeps costs low for users. The platform also facilitates quick and easy Interac deposits, enhancing user convenience.

Security continues to be a top priority for NDAX, which secures its assets in cold storage using Ledger Vault, significantly minimizing online threats and enhancing investment safety.

These enhancements make NDAX an even more appealing choice for Canadian crypto traders, reaffirming its position as one of the most cost-effective and secure exchanges in the market.

Check out more about it in our NDAX review.

Pros: 

• Free deposits
• No deposit/withdrawal minimum or maximum
• Fixed 0.2% buy/sell fee
• Wide range of coins available
• Fast Interac deposits 
• Send, request, and gift crypto to another NDAX user for free, instantly
• Address whitelisting

Cons: 

• Limited to CAD and USD deposits.
• Does not accept credit/debit card payments.
• Reduced deposit method options with the removal of bank drafts.
• Hidden fees (e.g. spread)

You can also check our detailed video about NDAX:

5. Uphold

If you're looking for a platform where you can trade everything at once—cryptocurrencies, stocks, and precious metals—then Uphold is the best choice for Canadians. Although Wealthsimple Crypto is a more well-known platform offering similar features, I find their fees to be significantly higher compared to Uphold.

Released in 2015, Uphold is the best crypto exchange for multi-asset trading in Canada. Not only can you trade 60+ popular digital currencies but you can also trade US stocks or precious metals. This is why many Canadian crypto investors prefer Uphold over others.

Uphold, a versatile cryptocurrency exchange, offers a unique range of deposit methods including credit/debit cards, direct cryptocurrency deposits, equities, and even precious metals. This exchange supports multiple currencies such as Canadian dollars (CAD), USD, and Euros, making it accessible for a global user base.

Designed with beginners in mind, Uphold provides an easy-to-navigate interface and a diverse asset portfolio. Users can trade from over 65 cryptocurrencies, invest in more than 50 US stocks, and deal with 4 different precious metals.

In terms of fees, the platform maintains a 1.8% spread on most cryptocurrency trades, a competitive 1% spread on equities, and a 3% spread on metal trades. Notably, debit card purchases on Uphold are free of charge. While the spreads are quite high at 1.8% for Canadians, we still think Uphold is one of the best crypto exchanges for Canadians because debit card purchases are free. As long as your bank allows the transaction, you can buy crypto from Uphold without additional card charges. You can manage all of your assets on the desktop trading platform or on Uphold’s mobile app.

With Uphold’s “Anything to Anything” function, you can trade crypto to crypto, or trade crypto for a US stock, or a precious metal, in a few clicks. Not only that but you can place up to 50 simultaneous limit orders without putting up capital for each order. No other Canadian cryptocurrency exchange allows this many limit orders at once so we think that makes Uphold one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada.

The platform is also known for its mobile accessibility, with apps available for both iOS and Android devices. Customer support is responsive and can be reached via email and online ticketing systems.

Security is a significant focus for Uphold. It features Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for added user account protection. The platform is committed to transparency regarding asset backing, regularly undergoing audits. Furthermore, it's registered as a money services business in the USA, enhancing its credibility.

Uphold enjoys a high reputation all over the world, reflecting its reliability, user-friendly interface, and diverse range of trading options.

Check more in our Uphold crypto exchange review.

Pros

• Wide range of cryptocurrencies
• Trade stocks and precious metals 
• Swap crypto for stocks or metal in seconds
• Recurring buy/sell orders
• Educational resources
• 50 simultaneous Limit orders allowed
• Free debit card purchases 

Cons

• High spreads
• Uphold debit card not available to Canadians
• Bank deposits/withdrawals not available for Canadians 
• 3.99% credit card processing fee
• Lack of search filters for equities

6. Coinbase

Coinbase, a globally renowned crypto exchange, was included in our "Best Crypto Exchanges in Canada" list only in December 2023, primarily due to introducing Interac e-Transfer for Canadian users, simplifying fund deposits. This feature allows easy and convenient deposit of funds from any Canadian online bank account, addressing a major hurdle for Canadian crypto traders.

If you're new to trading crypto, Coinbase is a great place to start because they have a special program called "Learn and Earn." In this program, you answer easy questions and win cryptocurrency if you get them right. The questions are so simple that you'll likely get them all correct. It's a good way to get your first cryptocurrencies, which you can then trade or sell. Not to mention, Coinbase provides you with endless education materials for free.

The fees on Coinbase are among the highest in the crypto exchange industry. This includes a 3.99% fee for buying cryptocurrencies, a 0.50% fee per trade, and a spread that can go up to 2% for crypto-to-crypto trades. While Coinbase has built a reputation as an ideal platform for novice traders, thanks to its simplicity and robust security measures, these high fees significantly impact its attractiveness. Novice traders often prioritize ease of use and security in their trading platforms, both of which Coinbase excels at. However, the cost of trading on Coinbase, due to its high fees, is a major downside that cannot be overlooked.

For those just starting out with crypto trading, view this fee as a contribution towards the "Learn and Earn" program, designed to introduce you to the cryptocurrency universe and its mechanisms. I highly recommend Coinbase as the starting point for all beginners in Canada. After you've built up some experience and feel sure about your trading decisions, you're free to switch to a more cost-effective exchange if you wish.

In terms of security and variety, Coinbase stands out. It is a public company, fully regulated in the US, ensuring transparency with its shareholders. Being registered as a Money Services Business with FinCEN adds to its credibility. Moreover, Coinbase ensures the safety of assets by holding 98% of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in cold storage, with wallets and private keys securely encrypted. Employee security checks further reinforce this aspect. However, Coinbase has historically struggled with customer support. Despite offering live chat, email support, and recently implementing 24/7 phone support, the platform has faced numerous complaints regarding the quality of its customer service, indicating a significant area for improvement.

Pros: 

• Easy for beginners 
• Fully compliant in Canada
• Easy deposits with Interac e-Transfer
• Great UI
• Wide range of cryptocurrencies
• Learn to earn crypto
• Educational resources
• Secure and compliant

Cons: 

• High fees
• Advanced tools only in Coinbase Pro
• Poor customer service
• Exchange has frequent downtime
• Limits on your purchases

7. Newton

Newton is one of the best beginner-friendly crypto exchanges with low trading fees in Canada. It offers popular digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Polkadot as well as many other altcoins that we think may explode in 2024. In fact, they constantly add new coins and improve their platform. Newton has a sleek, modern interface that will appeal to beginner crypto investors. Its cryptocurrency trading platform is easy to navigate and users can take advantage of free deposits and withdrawals.

One of the key advantages of using Newton is its fee structure. The platform offers 0% fees for CAD funding, CAD withdrawals, and crypto deposits/withdrawals, with up to a $5 network fee waiver. Additionally, Newton does not charge commissions or trading fees, making it an economically attractive option for traders.

Even though Newton claims to be a no-fee crypto exchange, it has higher spreads than exchanges that charge trading fees (similar to NDAX and Shakepay). However, it is still a pretty decent crypto platform and fees are pretty cheap. If you decide to use Newton, make sure to check our Newton crypto exchange review. For example, we spent $100 with Newton Canadian crypto exchange. When making the trade we received $99.10 worth meaning we lost $0.90 or 0.90% to the spread and that's your only expense. Newton also covered network fees for withdrawal which is a significant advantage for its users. The spread on Newton ranges from 0.40% to 0.90%, which is competitive within the market. 

Newton supports various deposit methods, including Interac e-Transfer, Wire transfer, and the ability to directly connect a bank account, which is particularly convenient for users dealing with Canadian dollars.

Newton's ease of use and focus on popular cryptocurrencies make it the premier choice for beginner traders in Canada's cryptocurrency market.

It also offers instant verification, which is great if you want to purchase your first crypto fast.

In terms of customer support, Newton provides assistance through email, catering to user queries and concerns. Security is a significant focus for the platform, which includes daily exchange backups and third-party custody of assets, mostly kept offline for enhanced safety. Furthermore, Newton's direct bank integration is a measure designed to reduce the risk of fraud, thereby increasing the security of transactions for its users.

The best thing about Newton is the crypto assets they offer and they grow this list every month. They currently offer over 70+ cryptocurrencies which makes them the best Canada-based crypto exchange when it comes to crypto selection.

If you’d like more advanced trading features, Newton is working on a Pro trading platform that is currently in its Beta stage. 

Pros:

• No deposit or withdrawal fees 
• Wide selection of coins available
• You can export a T5 statement
• Sleek interface
• Newton Pro for advanced traders in Beta stage

Cons: 

• No live chat support
• No credit card deposits. Debit must be pre-approved.
• High fee on spreads

Also, make sure to check our video review for Newton:

8. Shakepay

Shakepay is a Montreal-based trustworthy exchange that offers free and fast deposits and withdrawals and is considered one of the best Canadian crypto exchanges for beginners. You can deposit Canadian dollars (CAD) via Interac e-Transfer or wire transfer. Verification can be instant meaning you can start depositing and trading right away. Shakepay is fast, beginner-friendly, and has a modern interface.

We say "bitcoin exchange" on purpose, because Shakepay offers two coins only: Bitcoin and Ethereum. This narrow range might be a drawback for traders looking to diversify their cryptocurrency portfolio. Be aware, there are many hidden fees involved that we considered in our Shakepay review.

Shakepay stands out for its free deposits and withdrawals, a feature that can be particularly attractive for users. However, it's important to note that the exchange has a relatively high spread, ranging from 1.2% to 2.5%. This spread, which is the difference between the buying and selling prices, can significantly impact the cost of transactions, making trading fees on the higher side.

When we transferred $100 to our Shakepay account using Interac, we received the full amount as there were no deposit fees. However, after buying Bitcoin, we got 0.0032 BTC, valued at $98.33, losing $1.67 (1.67%) due to the spread. Later, selling the Bitcoin gave us $97.68, with a further loss of $0.65 (0.66%) again because of the spread.

It offers a unique referral program where, if you refer a friend who signs up using your referral link, you can shake your phone every day to receive small amounts of Bitcoin. The more people you refer, the more Bitcoin you earn. The only downside is remembering to shake your phone every day to receive your rewards. Similar to Netcoins, they also offer a crypto visa card, which you can use Canada-wide and receive cashback in Bitcoin.

Security-wise, Shakepay takes robust measures to protect its users' assets and data. The exchange is registered with FINTRAC, aligning with regulatory compliance and adding a layer of credibility. For asset protection, Shakepay employs cold storage for coins, significantly reducing the risk of security breaches. Additionally, the platform offers Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), providing an extra layer of security for user accounts.

Shakepay does not offer advanced trading tools because it is aimed at new crypto users and those looking for a simple, easy-to-use experience. It has the best crypto app in Canada based on a well-rated iOS and Android app as well as Shakepay's customer support team that responds quickly. Currently, Shakepay only allows purchases of Bitcoin and Ethereum, but we still think it is one of the best exchanges to buy Bitcoin in Canada.

Pros

• Fast and free deposits and withdrawals
• Unique referral program
• Responsive customer support
• A highly-rated app
• Beginner-friendly interface

Cons

• Only accepts CAD deposits
• Manual verification can take seven days 
• Only Bitcoin and Ethereum are available
• High spread

You can also check our detailed video review on Shakepay crypto exchange:

9. Netcoins

Netcoins is fast becoming one of Canada’s most reputable and trusted crypto exchanges. The exchange is also owned by Bigg Digital Assets, which is a publicly-traded company. This can give you the ultimate reassurance that your funds are as safe as can be.

Netcoins was founded by Mitchell Demeter, who founded the world’s first bitcoin ATM in Canada in 2013. Netcoins originally provided businesses with crypto ATMs, but it has since evolved into one of Canada's top crypto exchanges.

Netcoins is great for beginners because it's really easy to use. They don't charge any fees when you deposit or withdraw money, which is a big plus. When you trade, the fee is only 0.55%, which is quite low. The spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell prices, ranges from 0.5% to 1.5%. You can add money to your Netcoins account through Interac e-transfer or bank wire, both popular and easy options in Canada.

Netcoins has a lot of good features including free deposits and withdrawals, excellent customer support and their own crypto card which offers 1% cashback paid in bitcoin on all purchases.

There are 30+ cryptocurrencies available to trade and they add more everything month. 

The fact that it is fully compliant and regulated means that you can be sure it’s not a scam exchange. The only downside to its security is it’s not exactly clear how customer funds are kept. There is no mention of using secure cold storage on the Netcoins website.

Your account will be secure with mandatory two-factor authentication, and should you need help, their support team is available via email, phone and live chat.

Feel free to check my video review on Netcoins as well:

Pros: 

• Fully regulated crypto exchange in Canada
• Owned by a publicly-traded company
• Wide selection of cryptocurrencies
• Free deposits & withdrawals
• Phone support
• Crypto card
• Large sign-up bonus
• Beginner-friendly

Cons: 

• High trading fees
• No debit/credit card purchases
• Unclear how customer funds are held

10. Bitcoin Well

Lastly, the Canadian crypto exchange that deserves a mention on our list is Bitcoin Well.

At a glance, one might wonder why it's not placed higher. The primary reason is its singular focus on Bitcoin; you won't find an array of other coins here. However, if Bitcoin is solely what you're after, Bitcoin Well could very well rise to the top of your personal list, and here's why.

One of the standout features of Bitcoin Well is its highly competitive fee structure. While a 0.5% transaction fee is already notably low in the crypto exchange landscape, what sets Bitcoin Well apart is the degree of control it offers users. Within the dashboard, traders are presented with a tiered selection of fees tied to processing times.

For those not in a rush, opting for a 24-hour processing window essentially eliminates the transaction fee. On the flip side, for those in need of expedited transactions, a higher fee option is available. This system empowers users to tailor their buying experience and align transaction costs with their urgency.

To provide an example, our own transaction for $100 yielded 0.00249634 BTC, equivalent to $99.59. While we opted for the most economical, albeit slower, fee structure, the effective spread was only $0.41 or 0.41% — even lower than the touted 0.5% seen on their homepage.

Users can add Canadian dollars to their accounts using an Interac e-Transfer, wire transfer, Visa debit, or even through Bitcoin ATMs. The crypto platform exclusively deals in Canadian dollars (CAD), making it a straightforward choice for Canadian users.

Unlike many other exchanges, Bitcoin Well does not offer a mobile crypto app for iOS or Android, which might be a consideration for users who prefer trading on the go. However, the exchange compensates for this with robust customer support options, including phone, email, and an online ticketing system, ensuring that users can get assistance whenever they need it.

Beyond just trading, Bitcoin Well ventures into a relatively unique territory by enabling users to pay their bills with bitcoin. Users can easily find their bill providers in the platform's dropdown menu, input the necessary details, and seamlessly use their bitcoin holdings to settle their dues.

Security is a top priority for Bitcoin Well. Being a public company, it adheres strictly to Canadian regulations and is registered with FINTRAC. This registration not only ensures the legality and transparency of the exchange but also instills confidence among users. Furthermore, users maintain full custody of their bitcoin, providing an additional layer of security and peace of mind.

Moreover, in a pioneering move for Canadian crypto exchanges, Bitcoin Well has announced the upcoming launch of its 'Savings Plan'. This feature promises to automate the bitcoin buying process, allowing users to set up regular, interval-based purchases.

Read more in our Bitcoin Well review.

Pros: 

• Bitcoin Well, being a public company, offers unmatched transparency combined with the advantage of immediate self-custody of assets, and the option to buy bitcoin privately with cash.
• Users experience the convenience of no withdrawal fees, multiple online payment options like Visa debit, e-Transfer, and wire, and the unique capability to pay bills with Bitcoin.

Cons: 

• You can trade Bitcoin only