Note: Neither platform is available to Canadians. CoinSmart no longer exists as an independent exchange: it merged into the WonderFi group in July 2023, client accounts were migrated to Bitbuy in September 2023, and Bitbuy has been owned by Robinhood since June 2026. Bitget restricted Canadian users in early 2026 following new CSA guidance. This comparison is preserved for historical reference. Former CoinSmart users can log into Bitbuy with their old CoinSmart email. Our current recommendations for Canadians follow at the end.
CoinSmart and Bitget were notable crypto trading platforms, with each offering unique features. CoinSmart had a strong Canadian foundation and beginner-friendly approach; Bitget emphasized professional trading tools, copy trading and a huge altcoin range. Neither is available to Canadians in 2026.
CoinSmart Vs Bitget: Which Is Better For Canadians?
Neither is an option for Canadians today. CoinSmart stopped operating separately after WonderFi moved all its client accounts to Bitbuy, announced in September 2023. Bitget is an offshore exchange that is not registered in Canada and names Canada as a prohibited country in its Terms of Use. I recommend Coinbase instead (9.8/10, #1 on my list): open a Coinbase account.
How Do CoinSmart And Bitget Compare, Fact By Fact?
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.
CoinSmart Vs Bitget: Master Spec Table
CoinSmart
Bitget
Winner
Company
Simply Digital Technologies Inc. (carrying on business as CoinSmart), Toronto, launched 2018. Accounts moved to Bitbuy; WonderFi announced the transaction 2023-09-08. Founders: Not published.
Terms are with BTG Technology Holdings Limited. Founder, year founded, HQ and funding not verified on a primary page.
Depends
Regulation
FINTRAC MSB M18755033 Ceased 2024-09-10. CSA Expired Decisions: original 2021-10-21, amended 2021-12-21. Not on the banned list.
Not on CSA authorized or banned list (2026-10-02). FINTRAC M20179708 (Canada Bitget Limited) expired 2023-03-31. No CIRO. No CIPF for crypto.
Tie
Assets
Modest list: BTC, ETH, LTC, ADA, DOGE, SOL, SHIB.
3,323 online spot base assets across 3,387 symbols (public API, 2026-10-02), none open to Canadians.
Depends
Price
0.20% single-trade fee.
Spot 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker base rate per symbol in the public API (2026-10-02). Irrelevant to Canadians.
Depends
CAD In
Free over $2,000; 1% fee on smaller Interac deposits. CAD, USD and EUR (SEPA) accepted.
No CAD funding. Canada is a restricted location, so Canadians cannot fund an account.
Depends
CAD Out
1% fiat withdrawal fee.
No CAD withdrawal to a Canadian bank is published.
Depends
Crypto In And Out
No longer available to Canadians
Not applicable to Canadians. No new account can be opened from Canada.
Depends
Custody
BitGo custody, legacy arrangement.
Custodial exchange. Whatever Canadian-held balances remain are not covered by CIPF or any Canadian regulator.
Depends
Verification (KYC)
No longer available to Canadians
Not applicable to Canadians. Account creation is barred for Canada under the terms.
Depends
Account Types
No longer available to Canadians
Not published
Depends
Provinces
No longer available to Canadians
0 of 13. The restriction names all of Canada, not a single province.
Depends
Extra Products
No longer available to Canadians
Not applicable to Canadians.
Depends
Tax Tools
No longer available to Canadians
Not verified
Depends
App
Apps no longer maintained; addresses redirect to Bitbuy.
Not applicable. Bitget says it does not operate a financial services business in Canada;
What Are The Key Differences Between CoinSmart And Bitget?
CoinSmart Vs Bitget: Side By Side
CoinSmart
Bitget
Description
CoinSmart was a Toronto-based crypto exchange, launched in 2018, known for same-day CAD, USD and EUR deposits and a beginner-friendly design with advanced trading built in. It joined the WonderFi group in 2023 and its client accounts were moved to sister platform Bitbuy; coinsmart.com now shows the Bitbuy site, which says it is part of Robinhood.
Bitget is a global cryptocurrency exchange for skilled users, known for copy trading, futures and a huge altcoin selection. Bitget is no longer available to Canadians: its Terms of Use list Canada among Prohibited Countries and it states that it does not operate a financial services business in Canada.
Coins
A modest selection including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, Solana and Shiba Inu.
Past tense: 3,323 online spot base assets across 3,387 symbols (public API, 2026-10-02), none of which are accessible from Canada.
Fees
0.20% single-trade fees, free deposits over $2,000, a 1% fee on smaller Interac deposits, and 1% fiat withdrawal fees.
Past tense: spot 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker base rate per symbol in the public API (2026-10-02). Low fees were Bitget's draw, but they are irrelevant to Canadians now.
Pros
Low trading fees
Same-day verification
Multi-currency deposits (CAD, USD, EUR via SEPA)
Crypto-to-crypto trading without intermediate pairs
Low trading fees
Huge altcoin selection
Advanced features like copy trading, futures and trading bots
None of this is available to Canadians
Cons
Ceased operating independently in 2023, with all accounts migrated to Bitbuy
The 1% fiat withdrawal fee was always a sore point
Smaller coin selection than rivals
Not available in Canada, named a Prohibited Country
No Interac e-Transfer and no CAD support, even historically
Confusing for beginners
Never registered with Canadian securities regulators; its FINTRAC registration for Canada Bitget Limited (M20179708) expired 2023-03-31
Security
The wind-down was orderly and regulator-supervised, with no reported loss of customer funds. Its legacy custody arrangement with BitGo and its OSC registration made the handover possible.
none of these were confirmed here.
Methods To Buy
There is no way to buy crypto through CoinSmart. Former users can log into Bitbuy with their old CoinSmart email, reset the password on first login and use existing Google Authenticator codes. Deposit wallet addresses changed in the migration, so never send crypto to an old CoinSmart address; if you did, contact Bitbuy support with the transaction hash.
Canadians cannot buy crypto on Bitget. The platform blocks Canadian users, and accessing it through a VPN violates Bitget's terms and can get your account frozen with funds stuck inside.
App
The platform is gone; its web addresses redirect to Bitbuy and its mobile apps are no longer maintained.
Not applicable to Canadians.
Account Limits
No longer applicable.
n/a for Canadians, since new accounts cannot be opened from Canada. No longer applicable.
How Do You Fund And Cash Out CoinSmart And Bitget In Canada?
CoinSmart: CAD Deposits (When It Operated)
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Interac e-Transfer
Free over CAD 2,000; 1% below
Not published
Not published
Not published
CoinSmart: CAD Withdrawals (When It Operated)
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Fiat withdrawal
1%
Not published
Not published
Not published
All funding ended. Accounts moved to Bitbuy. No CAD funding exists. Canada is a Prohibited Country in the Terms of Use (updated September 15, 2026). Earlier leads suggested an Alberta-only restriction; the official terms bar all of Canada.
What Do CoinSmart And Bitget Offer Beyond Buying And Selling?
What Happens To Your Money If CoinSmart Or Bitget Fails?
CoinSmart: This was a merger, not a collapse. CoinSmart's accounts went to Bitbuy, which has since moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. and then Robinhood. Log in through Bitbuy with your old CoinSmart email, and never send crypto to an old CoinSmart deposit address, because the addresses changed. If you prefer not to follow the move to Robinhood, withdraw to your own wallet.
Bitget: Bitget does not serve Canada, is not on the CSA list, holds no current FINTRAC registration and is not a CIRO member. CIPF never covers crypto. A Canadian with a balance left on Bitget has no regulator to appeal to, and the terms let Bitget restrict or close accounts linked to Prohibited Countries at any time without notice. A VPN account risks a freeze with funds inside.
How Are CoinSmart And Bitget Treated For Tax In Canada?
CoinSmart: Trades on CoinSmart were dispositions for CRA purposes. Pull your CoinSmart history from your migrated Bitbuy account. Export formats: Not published.
Bitget: Any earlier trades or sales on Bitget are dispositions for CRA purposes. Export your full trade and transfer history while you still have access.
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, CoinSmart Or Bitget?
Choose CoinSmart 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.
Choose Bitget If
You want copy trading or a huge altcoin list: Bitget does not serve Canadians, so use a registered Canadian platform and check what it offers.
What Happened To CoinSmart?
CoinSmart, run by Simply Digital Technologies Inc., stopped operating as a separate exchange after WonderFi moved its client accounts to Bitbuy. WonderFi announced the deal on September 8, 2023, and I could not verify the exact completion date. Its two CSA decisions, the original of October 21, 2021 and an amended one of December 21, 2021, now sit under the CSA's expired decisions.
FINTRAC lists the CoinSmart registration as ceased on September 10, 2024. Today coinsmart.com serves the Bitbuy site with a banner saying Bitbuy is now part of Robinhood. That chain matters: CoinSmart accounts went to Bitbuy, Bitbuy later moved under Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., and Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026.
So CoinSmart did not collapse. It was folded into a larger group, and the group is now being folded into Robinhood. Bitbuy has a help article for migrated CoinSmart accounts if you ever need to trace one.
CoinSmart Status Record
Status
Merged, accounts moved to Bitbuy (announced September 8, 2023)
Operator
Simply Digital Technologies Inc.
CSA record
Original decision October 21, 2021 and amended decision December 21, 2021, both expired
FINTRAC
Registration ceased September 10, 2024
Where it points today
coinsmart.com shows the Bitbuy site, now part of Robinhood
For more detail, see my CoinSmart page. I do not link to CoinSmart for sign-ups, because it is not an option for Canadians.
What Happened To Bitget?
Bitget is an offshore exchange. It is not registered in Canada and its Terms of Use list Canada among the Prohibited Countries. Its own page banner says Bitget does not operate a financial services business in Canada. It is on neither the CSA authorized list nor the banned list.
Some leads claim the restriction is Alberta only. The official terms say otherwise: all of Canada is prohibited. There is also no CAD funding, so even the practical route into the platform is closed. Its enormous coin list does not matter if you are not allowed in.
Bitget Status Record
Status
Offshore, Canada is a prohibited country in its Terms of Use
Registration
Not registered in Canada
CAD funding
None
CSA lists
Neither authorized nor banned
For more detail, see my Bitget page. I do not link to Bitget for sign-ups, because it is not an option for Canadians.
What Should CoinSmart And Bitget Users Use Instead?
Neither platform here is an option, so this match-up comes down to what to use instead. For CoinSmart, my notes point to NDAX: registered Canadian platform with CAD funding and a broad coin list. For Bitget, my notes point to Kraken: registered Canadian dealer; Bitget itself bars Canadians from signing up.
3
Kraken: Best For Lower Fees As You Grow
9.2/10
Best for: Beginners who want to learn, then cheaper trading on Kraken Pro
CSA-registered
Fees Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker, falling to 0.30% and 0.60% from USD 2,500 of 30-day volume. Instant Buy carries a 1% fee plus a spread.
CAD Funding Free Interac e-Transfer deposits, minimum CAD 5, up to CAD 10,000 per transaction. An Interac e-Transfer withdrawal costs CAD 10.
Coins About 490 (derived from the public API, after removing coins Kraken's Canada list bars)
Safety Payward Canada Inc. is a Restricted Dealer registered with the OSC and every provincial regulator. Its CSA decision is dated April 1, 2025, and it holds a FINTRAC registration. It is not a CIRO member.
Best for: Low flat fees and cheap cash-outs to your bank
CSA-registered
Fees A flat 0.20% on every buy and sell, with no volume tiers and no maker or taker split.
CAD Funding Free Interac e-Transfer and wire deposits. Withdrawals cost CAD 1.50 by Interac e-Transfer (up to CAD 10,000 per transaction) or CAD 4.99 by EFT.
Coins 77 base assets (public API)
Safety Ndax Canada Inc. is an investment dealer with CIRO membership terms imposed on December 19, 2024, the same day as its CSA decision. It also holds a FINTRAC registration.
What Should You Do If You Still Have Something With CoinSmart Or Bitget?
CoinSmart: If you held a CoinSmart account, it was migrated to Bitbuy, and Bitbuy's help centre has an article on what to do with a migrated account. Bitbuy itself is now part of Robinhood and is inviting customers to the Robinhood app, so check what you hold there and decide whether you want to stay. Whatever you decide, do not send crypto to an old CoinSmart deposit address.
Bitget: Do not open a Bitget account as a Canadian. Its terms prohibit Canadian residents, and an account opened against the terms can be frozen when it is discovered. If you already have funds there, withdraw them.
A simple rule applies after any platform change: keep your own records of every purchase, because the CRA treats crypto as a commodity and you need the history for your tax return.
What Changed For CoinSmart And Bitget In October 2026?
Robinhood closed its purchase of WonderFi, the parent of Bitbuy, where CoinSmart's client accounts had been moved.
FINTRAC shows CoinSmart's registration (Simply Digital Technologies Inc.) as ceased.
WonderFi announced that Bitbuy would acquire all CoinSmart client accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CoinSmart Still An Option For Canadians?
No. CoinSmart stopped operating separately after WonderFi moved all its client accounts to Bitbuy, announced in September 2023.
Is Bitget Still An Option For Canadians?
No. Bitget is an offshore exchange that is not registered in Canada and names Canada as a prohibited country in its Terms of Use.
What Should CoinSmart Users Use Instead?
My notes point to NDAX. Registered Canadian platform with CAD funding and a broad coin list. A flat 0.20% on every buy and sell, with no volume tiers and no maker or taker split.
What Should Bitget Users Use Instead?
My notes point to Kraken. Registered Canadian dealer; Bitget itself bars Canadians from signing up. Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker, falling to 0.30% and 0.60% from USD 2,500 of 30-day volume. Instant Buy carries a 1% fee plus a spread.
Which Is Better For Canadians, CoinSmart Or Bitget?
Neither. CoinSmart no longer operates separately, and bitget bars Canadians in its own terms. Use a registered platform such as NDAX, Kraken instead.
Do CoinSmart And Bitget Have Limit Orders?
CoinSmart: Not published Bitget: Not applicable, Canadians cannot use Bitget.
Which Coins Can You Buy On CoinSmart And Bitget?
CoinSmart: Modest list, closed Bitget: 3,323 base assets, none open to Canadians
Is The Spread The Fee On CoinSmart And Bitget?
CoinSmart: No longer applicable. Bitget: Not applicable.
Does CIPF Cover My Crypto On CoinSmart Or Bitget?
CoinSmart: CIPF never covers crypto, and this platform no longer serves Canadians. Bitget: CIPF never covers crypto, and Bitget is not a CIPF member.
Are CoinSmart And Bitget Available In Every Province?
CoinSmart: No longer available in any province. Bitget: None, Canada is a Prohibited Country.
Do Interac Deposits Work On Weekends On CoinSmart And Bitget?
CoinSmart: No longer applicable. Bitget: No Interac e-Transfer, CAD was never supported.
What Is The Minimum Buy On CoinSmart And Bitget?
CoinSmart: No longer applicable. Bitget: Not applicable.
Can A Business Use CoinSmart Or Bitget?
CoinSmart: No longer applicable. Bitget: Not applicable, Canada is a Prohibited Country.
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.
