In this comparison, we put two prominent cryptocurrency exchanges, Bitbuy and Uphold, side by side. From divergences in app ratings and asset offerings to varying security measures and compliance levels, there’s much to uncover, but from a Canadian perspective, the comparison is largely one-sided: Uphold exited Canada on June 11, 2025, and is no longer available to Canadian users.
Bitbuy Vs Uphold: Which Is Better For Canadians?
Neither is an option for Canadians today. Bitbuy accounts were moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and since Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026 the Bitbuy site tells users it is now part of Robinhood and customers are being invited to move to the Robinhood app. Uphold stopped supporting accounts for Canadian residents on June 11, 2025 and says it hopes to return. I recommend Coinbase instead (9.8/10, #1 on my list): open a Coinbase account.
Every row below comes from each company’s own pages and the Canadian registries, checked October 2026. Where a row has no fair winner, it says so.
Bitbuy Vs Uphold: Master Spec Table
Bitbuy
Uphold
Winner
Company
Bitbuy Technologies Inc., founded in Toronto in 2016. Accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024; parent WonderFi was bought by Robinhood on 2026-06-01. Founders: Not published.
Uphold Operating Canada Ltd. (FINTRAC). Uphold Worldwide Ltd. filed a pre-registration undertaking 2023-03-27 and withdrew it 2025-05-29. HQ, founder, funding: Not published.
Depends
Regulation
FINTRAC MSB M20728803 Ceased 2025-02-20. Bitbuy Technologies Inc. sits under CSA Expired Decisions. Live CSA entry is Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., Decision 2024-10-11. Not on the CSA banned list.
FINTRAC MSB M21639172 Expired 2026-01-27. CSA undertaking withdrawn 2025-05-29. Not on the CSA authorized or banned list.
Tie
Assets
60+ coins offered (BTC, ETH, SOL, ADA, DOGE, DOT, USDC). Order book on Pro. Current list: see the Robinhood app.
200+ coins plus metals and national currencies, not accessible from Canada.
Depends
Price
Express: spread, Pro: maker/taker, exact rates Not published. Robinhood signaled a flat 0.5% on CAD trades after migration.
Spread, historically about 1.8% on crypto for Canadian users, more on metals.
Depends
CAD In
Free Interac e-Transfer, wire and bank draft were offered.
No longer available to Canadians. Deposits ended.
Depends
CAD Out
Not published in the sources reviewed.
Interac only, CAD 10,000 per transaction, CAD 100,000 per day, for balances left after the deadline.
Depends
Crypto In And Out
Crypto deposits and withdrawals to private wallets were allowed. Networks and minimums: Not published.
No longer available to Canadians
Depends
Custody
Held with BitGo, majority in insured cold storage; quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO rules. Crypto was never CIPF-covered.
Roughly 90% in cold storage with reserve information published, per old row. Remaining Canadian crypto was converted to CAD after 2025-09-08.
Depends
Verification (KYC)
No longer available to Canadians
No longer available to Canadians
Depends
Account Types
Express and Pro platforms; OTC desk and Private Wealth.
No longer available to Canadians
Depends
Provinces
No longer available to Canadians
No longer available to Canadians
Depends
Extra Products
Staking on nine coins including ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT, at a combined 39% fee on rewards.
No longer available to Canadians
Depends
Tax Tools
No longer available to Canadians
No longer available to Canadians
Depends
App
App Store rating 4.6 (Oleg's old row). Being replaced by the Robinhood app.
iOS about 4.6; Google Play Not verified. Login and CAD withdrawal only for Canadians.
What Are The Key Differences Between Bitbuy And Uphold?
Bitbuy Vs Uphold: Side By Side
Bitbuy
Uphold
Description
Bitbuy was founded in Toronto in 2016 and was one of the first registered crypto marketplaces in Canada. It offered 60+ cryptocurrencies through an Express platform for beginners and a Pro platform for experienced traders. Its accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and since June 2026 it has been part of Robinhood, which acquired parent company WonderFi for C$250 million. Customers are being invited to move to the Robinhood app.
Uphold is a multi-asset platform offering 200+ cryptocurrencies, precious metals and national currencies, with its signature Anything to Anything trading. As of 2025-06-11 it stopped supporting Canadian accounts due to changes in its operating environment, and says it is working on plans to return in the future.
Coins
60+ including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Dogecoin, Polkadot and USDC.
200+ cryptocurrencies, not accessible from Canada.
Fees
Free Interac e-Transfer deposits. Express Trade prices included a spread, the pricier way to buy. Pro Trade used lower maker/taker fees with TradingView charting. Staking carried a combined fee of roughly 39% of rewards (30% Bitbuy plus 9% custodian). Robinhood has signaled a flat 0.5% CAD trading fee after migration; the schedule is likely to change during the transition.
Uphold priced trades with spreads, historically around 1.8% on crypto for Canadian users and higher on metals, and its fees always ran high compared with dedicated crypto exchanges.
Pros
One of Canada's longest-standing registered platforms, later under CIRO oversight with segregated client assets and quarterly proof-of-reserves
Express and Pro platforms served beginners and advanced traders alike
Free Interac e-Transfer deposits
Staking on nine coins including ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT
Insured cold storage custody with BitGo and a clean security track record
OTC desk and Private Wealth services
Wide range of cryptocurrencies, including lesser-known assets
Multi-asset trading across crypto, metals and currencies
Anything to Anything swaps in seconds
Recurring buy and sell orders
Cons
No longer a separate platform: accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., then to Robinhood
Staking's roughly 39% combined cut of rewards was the highest in Canada
Support was email-ticket only, with no live chat or phone
Fees ran higher than global competitors unless you stuck to Pro Trade
No margin, derivatives or stop-loss orders
Migration to the Robinhood app brings new terms, fees and interface
Not available in Canada since 2025-06-11
High spreads compared to dedicated exchanges
Canadians who missed the 2025-09-08 withdrawal deadline had remaining crypto converted to CAD
Security
Majority of digital assets in insured cold storage with BitGo, mandatory 2FA, quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO requirements, withdrawals to private wallets allowed. No hacks in nearly a decade of operation.
2FA required before transferring funds, roughly 90% of digital assets in cold storage, compliance with OFAC and Bank Secrecy Act requirements, published reserve information and regular audits.
Methods To Buy
Interac e-Transfer, wire transfer, bank draft and crypto deposits were accepted. Today new Canadians are pointed to the Robinhood app instead.
Canadians cannot buy on Uphold. The withdrawal deadline was 2025-09-08 and remaining crypto was converted to CAD, which accounts with balances can withdraw by Interac. Do not leave it sitting there, since unclaimed funds may eventually be surrendered under unclaimed property laws. Vault users can withdraw through the Vault Recovery Site while they hold their private keys; Uphold keeps its Vault key for only 12 months after account closure.
App
Bitbuy's app held a 4.6-star rating on the App Store. It is being replaced by the Robinhood app.
iOS app rated about 4.6. Google Play rating Not verified (our old rows disagree). For Canadians the app only serves to log in and withdraw CAD.
Account Limits
Standard verified accounts handled typical retail volumes, with OTC and Private Wealth desks for large trades. Legacy limit figures changed repeatedly through the platform mergers.
New Canadian accounts cannot be opened. Existing accounts are CAD-withdrawal-only via Interac, with limits of CAD 10,000 per transaction and CAD 100,000 per day.
How Do You Fund And Cash Out Bitbuy And Uphold In Canada?
Bitbuy: CAD Deposits (When It Operated)
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Interac e-Transfer
Free
Not published
Not published
Not published
Uphold: CAD Withdrawals (When It Operated)
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Interac e-Transfer
Not published
Not published
CAD 10,000 per transaction, CAD 100,000 per day
Not published
Funding for the live platform is now on Robinhood. Bitbuy-specific limits are Not published. Canadian crypto remaining after 2025-09-08 was converted to CAD. Withdraw by logging in. Unclaimed funds may eventually be surrendered under unclaimed property laws.
What Do Bitbuy And Uphold Offer Beyond Buying And Selling?
Bitbuy Only
Staking:Staking on nine coins including ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT, with a combined 39% cut of rewards (30% Bitbuy plus 9% custodian).
OTC desk and Private Wealth: Offered for large trades.
Uphold Only
Anything to Anything: One-step swaps between crypto, metals and currencies. Not available to Canadians.
Vault: Self-held Vault accounts can be recovered through the Vault Recovery Site while you hold your private keys; Uphold keeps its Vault key 12 months after closure.
What Happens To Your Money If Bitbuy Or Uphold Fails?
Bitbuy: Existing Bitbuy users should watch for Robinhood migration emails and read the new terms and fees before accepting. Accounts are held by Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., a CIRO-regulated dealer, and the registry says the CSA entry for Bitbuy Technologies Inc. is expired. If you do not want to move, withdraw your crypto to a wallet you control. CIPF covers cash but never crypto.
Uphold: Uphold's pre-registration undertaking was withdrawn and its Canadian MSB registration expired, so no Canadian regulator covers a leftover balance. Crypto left after 2025-09-08 was converted to CAD and can still be withdrawn by Interac; do not leave it there, because unclaimed funds may be surrendered under unclaimed property laws. Vault users must act within the 12-month key window. Uphold says it hopes to return, but no date exists.
How Are Bitbuy And Uphold Treated For Tax In Canada?
Bitbuy: Selling or swapping crypto on Bitbuy was a disposition for CRA purposes. Export your full transaction history before your account is migrated or closed. Export formats: Not published.
Uphold: The forced conversion to CAD after 2025-09-08 was a disposition, and trades on Uphold were dispositions for CRA purposes. Export your full history while you can still log in. Export formats: Not published.
Selling, swapping or spending crypto is a disposition for the CRA on any platform. This is not tax advice: see my guide to crypto taxes in Canada.
Which Should You Choose, Bitbuy Or Uphold?
Choose Bitbuy If
You want a registered platform that serves Canadians today: Coinbase is our number one replacement, with free Interac e-Transfer funding and a Canadian restricted dealer registration.
You hold a Bitbuy account and want to compare it with what Robinhood is offering before you accept the migration.
Choose Uphold If
You want a registered platform that serves Canadians today: Coinbase is our number one replacement, with free Interac e-Transfer funding and a Canadian restricted dealer registration.
What Happened To Bitbuy?
Bitbuy is no longer a separate platform. Its accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and since Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026, the Bitbuy site tells users it is now part of Robinhood and invites customers to move to the Robinhood app.
Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. is the entity that operates the platform, and it appears on the CSA list with a decision dated October 11, 2024. Bitbuy Technologies Inc. sits under expired decisions on the CSA site, and its FINTRAC MSB registration shows as ceased on February 20, 2025. Bitbuy's help centre says the 2024 move was required because its CSA relief was time-limited and called for a move under CIRO oversight.
If you still hold coins there, watch for the migration invitation, open it only from the official Bitbuy or Robinhood channels, and read the new terms before you accept. I do not send new readers to Bitbuy, because the business is being folded into Robinhood. On the Robinhood side, a flat 0.5% on CAD trades was advertised for the first few months after launch, and the zero-fee promotion for Canada ended on September 30, 2026. Its fee schedule sets the fee at 0.5% through October 31, 2026 and 0.95% from November 1, 2026.
Bitbuy: What The Records Show
Item
Record
Status
Bitbuy accounts were moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and since Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026 the Bitbuy site tells users it is now part of Robinhood and customers are being invited to move to the Robinhood app.
Key dates
2024-05-28 (accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd.); 2026-06-01 (Robinhood closes WonderFi, parent)
CSA record
Bitbuy Technologies Inc. is under 'Crypto Platforms Expired Decisions' on the CSA site (Decision, Expired; no date shown). The live CSA list entry is Coinsquare Capital Markets Limited, Decision (October 11, 2024)
FINTRAC record
BITBUY TECHNOLOGIES INC. M20728803 status Ceased, cessation 2025-02-20 (initial approval 2020-02-07)
What Happened To Uphold?
Uphold stopped supporting accounts for Canadian residents on June 11, 2025, and says it hopes to return. Its stated reason was recent changes in its operating environment.
The withdrawal deadline was September 8, 2025, after which remaining crypto was converted to CAD. Accounts that still hold a balance are CAD-withdrawal-only through Interac, with limits of CAD 10,000 per transaction and CAD 100,000 per day. Uphold filed a pre-registration undertaking with the CSA on March 27, 2023, and withdrew it on May 29, 2025. Its Canadian FINTRAC registration shows as expired on January 27, 2026.
Uphold: What The Records Show
Item
Record
Status
Uphold stopped supporting accounts for Canadian residents on June 11, 2025 and says it hopes to return.
Neither side of this pair is a place to open a new account. The registry points Bitbuy users to Coinbase and Uphold users to Wealthsimple Crypto, and both are CSA-registered in Canada.
Where Bitbuy And Uphold Users Can Go Instead
Platform
Canadian Status
Published Fee
CAD Funding
Coins
My Ranking
Coinbase
CSA Restricted Dealer in all provinces and territories; FINTRAC MSB; not a CIRO member
Coinbase fee of up to 1.875% on simple buys (varies by payment method) plus spread; separate 1% fee on simple limit orders
Interac e-Transfer and EFT, free
200+
#1 of 10, 9.8/10
Wealthsimple Crypto
CSA-registered; CIRO Dealer Member (Wealthsimple Investments Inc.)
Flat 0.5% plus a spread on market orders (the fee schedule's example is 1.50% in total); CAD 1 surcharge on orders under CAD 100
Interac e-Transfer, free, up to CAD 10,000 per transfer
170+
#4 of 10, 8.4/10
Coinbase. Coinbase is the closest like-for-like for a Bitbuy user: a beginner app, free Interac e-Transfer and EFT funding, and a Restricted Dealer registration in every province and territory. It sits first in my ranking at 9.8 out of 10. Simple buys carry a Coinbase fee of up to 1.875% on top of the spread, and fiat balances are not covered by CIPF. Derivatives launched for eligible Canadian investors only, so there is no retail leverage.
Wealthsimple Crypto. Wealthsimple Crypto is fourth in my ranking at 8.4. It is a CIRO Dealer Member, Interac e-Transfer funding is free, and the site advertises 170+ coins. Market orders cost a flat 0.5% plus a spread (the fee schedule's own example adds up to 1.50%), orders under CAD 100 pay a CAD 1 surcharge, and Wealthsimple keeps 30% of staking rewards on Core and Premium.
What Changed For Bitbuy And Uphold In October 2026?
: Uphold stopped supporting Canadian residents.
: Uphold's withdrawal deadline for Canadian accounts.
: CSA amended decision for Wealthsimple Investments Inc..
: Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase, and the Bitbuy site now says it is part of Robinhood.
: Robinhood crypto trading launched in Canada with 50+ coins.
: Robinhood's zero-fee promotion for Canada ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitbuy Still Open In 2026?
Bitbuy accounts were moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and since Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026 the Bitbuy site tells users it is now part of Robinhood and customers are being invited to move to the Robinhood app.
Should I Open A New Bitbuy Account?
I would not. Bitbuy accounts sit with Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., and the Bitbuy site now tells users it is part of Robinhood and invites customers to move to the Robinhood app. A registered platform that is still taking new customers is the safer starting point.
What Happened To Uphold?
Uphold stopped supporting accounts for Canadian residents on June 11, 2025 and says it hopes to return.
What Should I Use Instead Of Uphold?
Wealthsimple Crypto is the registry pick: Registered mainstream Canadian platform with simple CAD funding for a casual multi-asset buyer.
Which Exchange Is First In Your Ranking?
Coinbase is first at 9.8 out of 10, followed by BloFin, Kraken, Wealthsimple Crypto, Bull Bitcoin, Newton, Bitcoin Well, NDAX, BTCC and MEXC. BloFin, BTCC and MEXC are offshore and carry restrictions for Canadians. The full list is on my best crypto exchanges page.
Do Bitbuy And Uphold Have Limit Orders?
Bitbuy: Yes on Pro, historically. Uphold: Not applicable.
Which Coins Can You Buy On Bitbuy And Uphold?
Bitbuy: 60+ coins offered Uphold: 200+ globally, none for Canadians
Is The Spread The Fee On Bitbuy And Uphold?
Bitbuy: Express prices included a spread, which was the cost. Uphold: No longer applicable.
Does CIPF Cover My Crypto On Bitbuy Or Uphold?
Bitbuy: CIPF never covers crypto, and this platform no longer serves Canadians. Uphold: CIPF never covers crypto, and this platform no longer serves Canadians.
Are Bitbuy And Uphold Available In Every Province?
Bitbuy: Bitbuy's CSA entry expired; accounts now sit with Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. Uphold: No longer available in any province.
Do Interac Deposits Work On Weekends On Bitbuy And Uphold?
Bitbuy: No longer applicable. Uphold: No longer applicable.
What Is The Minimum Buy On Bitbuy And Uphold?
Bitbuy: Not published Uphold: No longer applicable.
Can A Business Use Bitbuy Or Uphold?
Bitbuy: Private Wealth and OTC desks existed. Uphold: No longer applicable.
Oleg is a Canadian citizen & crypto expert who has been trading since 2016. He started out with Coinbase, Kraken and Peer-to-Peer exchanges. After some time, centralized exchanges started charging crazy fees to their users.
He decided to review different crypto exchanges that operate in Canada and start a Youtube channel in order to educate Canadians on what kinds of things are going inside each one while giving them unbiased advice. On top of that, Oleg also has experience with NFT, airdrops, and crypto staking and he is constantly checking on new crypto assets.
His writing has been featured in popular Canadian media sources such as Toronto Sun and Ottawa Citizen.
