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Bitget vs. Bitbuy: What Works Better For Canadians in 2024

Oleg Galeev

Last updated October 9, 2024

In the crypto cosmos, two exchanges shine brightly for Canadians: Bitget and Bitbuy. While both offer a plethora of features, their target audience, offerings, and operational nuances set them apart.

Description

Bitget is a cryptocurrency exchange for skilled users that offers thousand of altcoins for Canadians (and people all over the world) to trade.

Bitbuy was founded in 2016 and it offers nine of the most popular cryptocurrencies. It has an Express platform for beginners and a Pro platform for more experienced traders.

Coins

Over 1000 major coins and altcoins

Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, EOS, Stellar, LINK, AAVE, Solana (SOL)Cardano (ADA)Polkadot (DOT), Dogecoin (DOGE), Uniswap (UNI), Sushiswap (SUSHI), Polygon (MATIC), MANA and USDC

Fees

Trading fees on Bitget are low at just 0.1%, but can be lower if you pay fees with their token BGB.

  • 1.5% CAD withdrawal fees for e-Transfer
  • 0.5% fee for wire transfer
  • 0.79% spread
  • 0.1% Maker 0.2% Taker fees
  • Wire transfer 0.50% ($20k min)
  • 0.00025 BTC crypto withdrawal fee

Pros

  • Low trading fees
  • Hundreds of altcoins
  • Advanced features
  • Simple KYC process
  • Offers seven of the world’s most popular cryptocurrencies
  • Express Trade and Pro Trade makes it suitable for beginners and advanced traders
  • OTC Desk available
  • Digital assets held in cold storage
  • $20 referral bonus
  • Interac e-Transfer available
  • Industry leader in compliance and security

Cons

  • No Interac e-Transfer
  • Confusing for beginners
  • No CAD deposits and withdrawals
  • Deposits can take a few hours
  • 1.5% Interac e-Transfer fee (both in and out)
  • Low Android app rating
  • Low rating on Trust Pilot

Account Limits

No major limits

  • Deposit $100 - $10,000 via Interac daily
  • $50 minimum e-Transfer withdrawal
  • $20,000 minimum for wire transfers

Methods to buy

  • Credit or debit card
  • P2P platform
  • Debit card
  • Interac e-Transfer
  • Wire transfer

Security

  • 2FA
  • Anti-phishing code
  • $300 million insurance for lost assets
  • Up to 98% of digital assets are held in cold storage
  • Users can withdraw crypto to private wallets
  • Bitcoin backed 1:1 with Knox insurance policy

Mobile and Desktop Trading

Both Bitget and Bitbuy have poured resources into crafting intuitive mobile and desktop platforms. Bitget's mobile application has favorable ratings: a 4.5-star rating on the Apple App Store and a commendable 4.5 on Google Play. Although advanced, its design provides seasoned traders with the tools they need on the go. Bitbuy doesn't lag far behind. Its iOS app boasts a 4.5-star rating, but its Android counterpart faces some challenges, leading to a 2-star rating, primarily due to login hitches. For desktop aficionados, both exchanges provide a smooth, seamless trading experience, capturing the essence of modern cryptocurrency trading.

Bitget

The Bitget platform can be confusing for beginners since there is advanced charting and order book data. Bitget’s mobile app has a 4.4-star rating on the Apple App Store and a 4.6-star rating on Google Play

Trading crypto on Bitget from Canada

Bitget desktop view (trading screen)

Depositing money to Bitget

Bitget depositing screen

Bitget mobile app main screenshot

Bitget mobile app main screen

Bitget mobile app screenshot

Bitget mobile app (coins)

Bitbuy

The Bitbuy app has a 4.6-star rating and 6,000 ratings on the Apple App Store. It has a 2-star rating with 1,000 ratings on Google Play. According to reviewers, the Android app has bugs that prevent them from logging in and verifying their account. They also claim customer support is poor. 

The iOS app is easy to use and offers a modern interface like the desktop platform. There is live charting where you can find volume and order book data. Easily deposit funds to your account, and click on your profile tab for your referral details. 

Bitbuy’s Express Trade is suitable for beginners or anyone seeking a quick market trade. The Pro Trade platform is geared toward more experienced traders who wish to place advanced order types.

Express trade view for Bitbuy crypto exchange

Express trade view

Bitbuy's Pro trade

Pro trade view

Bitbuy app interface

Bitbuy app interface

Bitbuy app interface while trading

Security Compliance

Bitget uses two-factor authentication for security and emails you about logins or withdrawals. They offer an anti-phishing code for genuine emails and have a $300 million insurance for lost assets, which you can claim if not at fault.

Bitbuy is one of the safest crypto exchanges for Canadians. The Blockchain Intelligence Group has completed its third annual proof of reserves and due diligence report confirming that Bitbuy exceeds its mandate requiring 95% of customer funds to be held in cold storage. Bitbuy keeps 98% of Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum funds in cold storage, which is one of the highest percentages we’ve seen.

In the volatile world of crypto, security is paramount. Bitget comes fortified with two-factor authentication and boasts a $300 million emergency insurance coverage, acting as a safety net for its users. Bitbuy, on the other hand, goes the extra mile by keeping a staggering 97% of its assets in cold storage. Additionally, Bitbuy's transparency is noteworthy, often surpassing its own security benchmarks.

Regulatory Compliance

Not regulated by Canadian financial institutions. 

Bitbuy is an industry leader in Canadian regulatory adherence and compliance. In addition to being a Virtual Asset Service Provider and registered Money Service Business with FINTRAC, Bitbuy’s leadership team is a member of the IIROC Crypto-Asset Working Group, which helps to set high-quality regulatory standards and strengthen Canadian markets. 

Compliance remains a focal point for Canadian exchanges, ensuring they align with federal mandates. Both Bitget and Bitbuy adhere to Canadian regulations. Bitbuy, in particular, is fully regulated as a Money Service Business (MSB) by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). However, Bitget's positioning as a strong alternative to other major exchanges exiting the Canadian market gives it an edge. Both are undoubtedly scrutinized by federal entities to ensure they uphold Canadian crypto standards.

Customer support

Reviewers say customer support is unhelpful but most of them are beginners. Bitget is not a crypto exchange for beginners and if you do not know how copy trading or futures trading works, then it is not a good idea to use them, as this customer points out. 

Binance has FAQs and a knowledge centre on their website. They make it easy to submit a support ticket but the reply might take a while.

Customer support is the backbone of any successful exchange. Bitget's support reputation is a mixed bag, with some Trustpilot reviews pointing towards dissatisfaction, especially around the copy trading feature. Bitbuy, however, garners a more favorable reception, known for its swift and helpful responses, even if some of them seem automated.

Conclusion

Navigating the Bitget and Bitbuy conundrum isn't straightforward. Both exchanges cater to the Canadian audience diligently, offering robust features and impeccable security measures. However, when pinned against each other, Bitget emerges as the winner. Its extensive altcoin offerings, low fees, and position as a top alternative for Canadians make it the go-to choice, even if Bitbuy's regulation and homegrown roots provide tough competition.

Bitget has recently launched the Bitget Card, enabling users to spend cryptocurrency globally, enhancing accessibility and convenience. Furthermore, the platform now features zero transaction fees for USDC/USDT spot trading, positioning itself as a cost-effective option for Canadian users aiming to optimize their trading strategies. These updates further distinguish Bitget from Bitbuy, offering both advanced features and financial advantages that are especially beneficial for traders focused on minimizing costs while maximizing efficiency.

When comparing Bitbuy to other exchanges, it stands out with new staking options, allowing users to earn rewards, which not all exchanges offer. Bitbuy maintains its strong focus on security by keeping 90% of assets in cold storage, which is an improvement over the older claim of 95%. Moreover, the platform has revamped its fee structure to be more transparent and competitive, addressing past concerns about high fees. These updates solidify Bitbuy’s position as a reliable, feature-rich exchange, especially appealing to Canadian users seeking both security and earning potential.

We recommend choosing Bitget over Bitbuy for your cryptocurrency trading needs. By opting for Bitget through our referral link, you support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.

If you find that neither Bitget nor Bitbuy meets your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto. This list provides a range of alternative options that may better suit your specific needs and preferences.

Author

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.