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

Oleg Galeev

Last updated December 27, 2023

Coinsmart and Bitget are notable crypto trading platforms, with each offering unique features to cater to their target audience. While Coinsmart boasts a strong Canadian foundation and beginner-friendly approach, Bitget, originating from Singapore, emphasizes professional trading tools.

CoinSmart is now part of WonderFi and the platform is not accepting new signups. If you're looking for the best crypto experience in Canada, we recommend signing up to Bitbuy, another licensed Canadian cryptocurrency trading platform operated by the same parent company, WonderFi. With Bitbuy, you will get access to an improved experience on web and mobile, staking rewards, Private Wealth services, and an advanced trading interface. Sign up using our referral link and get free $50 when depositing $250 on your account!

Description

CoinSmart is a Toronto-based Canadian crypto exchange that offers same-day deposits in CAD, EUR and USD. CoinSmart offers crypto trading for both beginners and advanced users.

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

Coins

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Stellar, EOS, USDC, Cardano, Dogecoin, Polkadot, Shiba Inu, Chainlink, Uniswap, Solana and more

Over 1000 major coins and altcoins

Fees

  • Interac deposit fee of 1% for deposits between $100 - $1999 
  • Free Interac deposits for deposits of $2000+
  • Free wire and bank draft deposits 
  • Withdrawal fees are 1% 
  • Various crypto withdrawal fees
  • Trading fees are 0.20% for a single trade or 0.30% for a double trade
  • Up to 6% fee for credit/debit card purchases

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

Pros

  • Low trading fees
  • Free deposits over $2000
  • Suitable for beginners
  • Advanced trading options
  • Interac e-Transfer available
  • $50 bonus
  • Trade crypto to crypto (no trading pairs needed)
  • Same-day verification
  • CAD, USD, EUR deposits
  • Low trading fees
  • Hundreds of altcoins
  • Advanced features
  • Simple KYC process

Cons

  • There is a 1% fee for Interac deposits less than $2000
  • 1% withdrawal fee
  • No Interac e-Transfer
  • Confusing for beginners
  • No CAD deposits and withdrawals

Account Limits

  • $100 min to $10,000 max for Interac deposits
  • $100 min to $5,000 max for credit/debit card buys
  • $10,000 bank wire min to $5M max

No major limits

Methods to buy

  • Credit/debit cards
  • Interac e-Transfer
  • Bank wire
  • SEPA (for EUR)
  • Credit or debit card
  • P2P platform

Security

CoinSmart is partnered with BitGo to keep customers’ crypto safe in cold storage. BitGo is insured by Lloyds of London for $100 million, so if something were to happen to CoinSmart, your funds might be insured.

CoinSmart offers two-factor authentication to help protect your account.

  • 2FA
  • Anti-phishing code
  • $300 million insurance for lost assets

Mobile and Desktop Trading

Both Coinsmart and Bitget are equipped with mobile applications available on the Apple Store and Google Play. While Coinsmart's iOS app rating has surged to 3.7 stars after addressing previous compatibility issues, Bitget holds a consistent score of 4.5 stars across both platforms, a testament to its reliability. On the desktop front, both exchanges provide an intuitive platform for cryptocurrency trading, with Coinsmart showcasing a modern look and Bitget focusing on a user-friendly interface for both novices and experts.

Coinsmart

CoinSmart has a fun look with bright colours and cartoons. It is enjoyable to use. The dashboard shows everything you need to trade including options to buy, sell, and trade. You can also view your wallets, activity and simple market information. 

To use CoinSmart’s advanced features such as limit orders, you can use their advanced trading platform, which is accessible within your user dashboard. 

CoinSmart’s iOS app has a 3.4-star rating with 309 reviews. Its Android app has a 2.6-star rating from 94 reviews. Users of the app say the app crashes, is slow, and often freezes. This is why we would recommend using their desktop version.

accessing Coinsmart app

Coinsmart App

Cool usability and design of Coinsmart cryptoexchange

Coinsmart App trading screen

Coinsmart app mobile view

Coinsmart mobile app interface

Coinsmart mobile app interface while trading

Coinsmart mobile app interface while 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)

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.

Safety remains paramount in crypto trading. Coinsmart uses cold storage for its digital assets and mandates two-factor authentication for an added security layer. Bitget emphasizes a diversified approach, using a combination of cold and hot wallets, multi-signature wallets, and advanced DDoS protection. While both exchanges are diligent about security, Bitget seems to have a slight edge due to its multifaceted safety measures.

Regulatory Compliance

Coinsmart is fully compliant in Canada. Not only the exchange is registered with FINTRAC but they are also granted status by Ontario Securities Commission (OSC).

Not regulated by Canadian financial institutions. 

For a crypto exchange to operate seamlessly in Canada, compliance with Canadian federal organizations is essential. Coinsmart, rooted in Canada, is fully compliant, registered with FINTRAC, and has been granted status by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Bitget, on the other hand, collaborates with Canadian regulators to ensure alignment with regional standards. While both exchanges take compliance seriously, Coinsmart's clear standing with key Canadian organizations gives it an upper hand in the region.

Customer support

CoinSmart states that it has a 97% customer satisfaction rate and this claim is backed up by the 70% excellent customer reviews on Trustpilot. CoinSmart offers 24/7 support via email and online ticketing.

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. 

Customer support is crucial in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency. Coinsmart offers a 24/7 support system that includes live chat and a ticketing system. Their reported 97% customer satisfaction rate speaks volumes about their efficiency. Bitget also provides comprehensive support, featuring live chat, a ticket system, and an extensive FAQ section. Both platforms are geared towards ensuring users find timely solutions, but Coinsmart's high satisfaction rate might hint at a more personalized approach.

Conclusion

Choosing between Coinsmart and Bitget hinges on individual preferences and requirements. Both platforms excel in their own right, offering efficient trading, robust security, and compliance measures. However, if one were to select a winner, Coinsmart would slightly edge out due to its strong compliance record in Canada, high customer satisfaction rate, and a comprehensive approach tailored for both beginners and experts.

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

CoinSmart is now part of WonderFi and the platform is not accepting new signups. If you're looking for the best crypto experience in Canada, we recommend signing up to Bitbuy, another licensed Canadian cryptocurrency trading platform operated by the same parent company, WonderFi. With Bitbuy, you will get access to an improved experience on web and mobile, staking rewards, Private Wealth services, and an advanced trading interface. Sign up using our referral link and get free $50 when depositing $250 on your account!

If you find that neither Coinsmart nor Bitget 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.