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Bull Bitcoin vs Bitvo: What Works Better For Canadians in 2024?

Oleg Galeev

Last updated March 13, 2024

WonderFi and Bitbuy, its parent company, took over all Bitvo client accounts in 2023. This means Bitvo is now part of Bitbuy and isn't taking new sign-ups. If you're interested, sign up at Bitbuy instead. By using our referral link to sign up and depositing $250 in your account, you can receive a bonus of $50. Please note that the comparison provided below is now outdated and is preserved solely for educational and historical reference.

In the Canadian cryptocurrency landscape, Bull Bitcoin and Bitvo offer distinct services tailored to the needs of different users. Bull Bitcoin focuses on providing a straightforward platform for buying Bitcoin and incorporating it into daily financial activities, like bill payments, while Bitvo expands the offerings with a variety of cryptocurrencies and unique features like a cash card and customer satisfaction guarantees.

Description

Bull Bitcoin is a unique Canadian Bitcoin trading platform with ability to pay bills with bitcoin (cellphone, electricity even taxes to CRA) and that allows you to take self-custody immediately. 

Bitvo is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers simple trading for Canadians. It's fully compliant in Canada and also has a crypto cash card that can be used for everyday purchases.

Coins

BTC only

You can purchase Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin and more.

Fees

Bull Bitcoin sends the BTC directly to your wallet so you avoid typical withdrawal and network fees that exchanges often have which is a money saver. Bull Bitcoin does not charge fees for buying bitcoin either. Instead, you’ll get exactly what their “We sell” price is. When paying via debit or cash at Canada Post, you’ll pay a 2% fee. 

The only fee you will pay is a 1% withdrawal fee

Pros

  • Immediate self-custody of assets
  • Send funds via e-Transfer or wire
  • Pay anonymously with cash
  • No withdrawal fees or wait times
  • Recurring buys directly from your bank account
  • Pay bills with bitcoin
  • No deposit fees
  • No trading fees
  • Low withdrawal fee
  • Beginner and advanced trading available
  • Bitvo Cash Card available
  • 24/7 customer support (including phone support)

Cons

Only bitcoin available 

  • 1% CAD withdrawal fee
  • Limited number of coins available
  • Only for Canadians
  • High spreads

Account Limits

  • $10,000,000.00 CAD deposit / day via wire trasnfer
  • $10,000.00 CAD deposit / day via Interac E-transfer
  •  $1,000.00 CAD deposit / day via Cash or Debit at Canada Post
  • Buy & Sell transfer are almost unlimited ( $1,000,000.00 CAD a day)

A few withdrawal limits & deposit limit that could be found here

Methods to buy

When buying cryptocurrency with Bull Bitcoin, you can deposit Canadian dollars via an Interac e-Transfer, wire transfer or cash or debit at Canada Post. With the first two options, you will have to KYC and verify your Bull Bitcoin account. 

  • Interac® e-Transfer
  • Wire
  • Canada Post Load

Security

  • Full custody of your bitcoin.
  •  It holds 95% of assets in cold storage
  • 5% in hot storage
  • A multi-layered firewall infrastructure to protect the exchange

Mobile and Desktop Trading

Bull Bitcoin does not explicitly mention a mobile application, focusing instead on a user-friendly desktop platform designed for simplicity in buying Bitcoin and paying bills with it. The emphasis is on functionality over a broad range of features.

Bitvo offers both a desktop platform and mobile applications. The desktop interface is praised for its cleanliness and ease of navigation, suitable for both beginners and experienced traders looking for advanced trading options. The mobile app is available on iOS and Android, though it has received mixed reviews regarding its performance and user experience.

Bull Bitcoin

Bull Bitcoin has a simple website since all of the transactions happen via your bank. There aren’t many features to get you confused, however, we think their website could be designed a little better.

UI of Bull Bitcoin platform

Major Screen

Buying bitcoin with interac e-transfer on Bull Bitcoin platform

Buying Bitcoin via Bull Bitcoin

Transaction screen on the mobile app

Transaction screen on the mobile app

Bull Bitcoin app screenshot

Bitvo

Bitvo’s mobile app does not have many ratings. Its iOS app has a three-star rating with 21 reviews and its Android app has a 3.1-star rating with 19 reviews. Some of the reviewers claim the apps are buggy and that the experience on their desktop exchange is better.

Bitvo desktop app main screen

Bitvo desktop app main screen

Bitvo desktop (trading view)

Bitvo desktop (trading view)

Bitvo mobile app

Bitvo mobile app

Bitvo app main screen

Bitvo app (main screen)

Security Compliance

Bull Bitcoin is completely safe since you always take full custody of your bitcoin, you do not need to worry about hackers stealing your funds on the platform. However, there is still a level of trust needed because you do not buy the bitcoin yourself and must wait for it to be sent to your crypto wallet

It is standard practice to hold most digital assets in third-party cold storage and Bitvo is no exception. It holds 95% of assets in cold storage and 5% in hot storage.

Customers’ fiat funds are held in segregated bank accounts and they also have multi-layered firewall infrastructure to protect the exchange. They also have a third-party that screens any cryptocurrencies looking to be listed on Bitvo. They analyze the coin’s history as well as other factors and don’t list anything that doesn’t align with their policies. This scrutiny helps to protect their customers from investing in scam coins.

Bull Bitcoin prioritizes security by enabling users to take immediate custody of their Bitcoin, reducing the reliance on the platform for holding assets. Details on specific security measures are not extensively detailed, but the platform's focus on direct Bitcoin transactions inherently supports user security.

Bitvo claims to secure digital assets primarily through third-party cold storage, with 95% to 100% of assets held offline, and the remainder in hot storage for liquidity purposes. Customer fiat funds are kept in segregated bank accounts, and the platform employs a multi-layered firewall infrastructure for additional security.

Regulatory Compliance

Bull Bitcoin is registered with FINTRAC as a Money Services Business and there is a full KYC procedure meaning Bull Bitcoin is fully compliant with Canadian regulations. 

Bitvo is registered with FINTRAC and is compliant with Canadian regulations.

Both Bull Bitcoin and Bitvo are registered as Money Service Businesses with FINTRAC, adhering to Canadian regulatory standards. This registration ensures both platforms operate within the compliance framework established by Canadian federal organizations, offering users a level of trust and security.

Customer support

Since it is a small company, it may take some time for them to get back to you. Their opening hours are from 9 AM to 8 PM Mon-Fri with sporadic ability on weekends.The platform has a 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot with almost 200 reviews, so it’s clear that customers are extremely satisfied with the service. 

Bitvo has 24/7 support including live chat, email, and phone support. Bitvo is the first cryptocurrency exchange we’ve reviewed that has a phone support option, so this is a big plus when you need urgent help.

Bull Bitcoin offers support primarily via email, and the platform boasts a high Trustpilot rating, indicating strong customer satisfaction with the support received. The focus is on direct and efficient communication.

Bitvo differentiates itself with 24/7 customer support, including live chat, email, and even phone support—a rarity among crypto exchanges. This comprehensive support system demonstrates Bitvo's commitment to customer satisfaction and accessibility.

Conclusion

While both Bull Bitcoin and Bitvo present compelling services for Canadian cryptocurrency users, Bull Bitcoin stands out for its streamlined approach to Bitcoin transactions. Its focus on enabling users to directly buy Bitcoin and use it for everyday financial tasks, combined with the platform's emphasis on security through self-custody, makes it particularly appealing for those prioritizing Bitcoin in their digital finance activities. Although Bitvo offers a broader range of cryptocurrencies and unique features like the Bitvo Cash Card, Bull Bitcoin's dedication to simplicity and user empowerment in the Bitcoin ecosystem gives it an edge.

Bull Bitcoin is the most cost-effective platform for trading Bitcoin in Canada, offering a unique feature that allows users to pay bills, including phone, electricity, and even taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

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.