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Netcoins vs. VirgoCX: What Works Better For Canadians in 2024

Oleg Galeev

Last updated October 10, 2024

In the growing world of cryptocurrencies in Canada, two exchanges emerge as strong contenders: Netcoins and VirgoCX. With their unique features and offerings, this review will delve into their differences and strengths to determine which stands out in 2024.

Description

Netcoins is a Canadian crypto exchange owned by a publicly-traded company called Bigg Digital Assets. Netcoins was founded by Mitchell Demeter who created the world’s first Bitcoin ATM in 2013.

VirgoCX is based in Ontario, and offers Canadians an easy way to trade crypto. They have an NFT marketplace, OTC services to trade large amounts of crypto, and a foreign currency exchange should you wish to convert your fiat. 

Coins

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Stellar, EOS, USDC, Algorand, XRP, Avalanche, Ethereum Classic, SHIB, DOGE, MATIC, AXS, Cardano, Solana, Polkadot

VirgoCX offers Canadians the ability to trade over 50 cryptocurrencies.

Fees

  • Free deposits
  • Free fiat withdrawals
  • 0.5% trading fees
  • Free CAD deposits and withdrawals
  • Free crypto deposits
  • High spreads

Pros

  • Free fiat and crypto deposits
  • Free fiat withdrawals
  • Interac e-Transfer available
  • Phone support
  • Instant verification
  • Licenced and regulated in Canada
  • Educational resources available
  • Great customer service
  • Free deposits and withdrawals
  • Interac e-Transfer available
  • OTC Desk
  • NFT marketplace
  • Insurance for crypto assets
  • Fully regulated in Canada
  • USD and CAD accepted
  • Crypto education portal
  • Advanced trading features
  • Quick Trade available

Cons

  • Few cryptocurrencies available
  • No credit/debit card purchases
  • CAD only
  • High trading fees
  • Advanced trading platforms can be confusing for beginners
  • Relatively higher spreads than other exchanges

Account Limits

  • $10 min for Interac e-Transfer
  • $500 min for wire transfer
  • $50 min for online bill payment
  • Interac e-Transfer deposit maximum is $10000/day (same for withdrawals)

Methods to buy

  • Interac e-Transfer
  • Bank wire
  • Online bill payment
  • Interac e-Transfer
  • Wire Transfer
  • Bill Payment
  • Credit & Debit card

Security

  • 2FA available
  • Registered with FINTRAC
  • $1 Million in crime insurance coverage
  • Cold storage
  • All fiat assets are held with their Canadian banking partner
  • FINTRAC and PIPEDA compliant

Mobile and Desktop Trading

Both Netcoins and VirgoCX offer commendable mobile and desktop platforms. Netcoins boasts a 4.0-star rating on the Apple App Store and has received several positive reviews on Google Play, signaling its ease of use and efficient interface. On the other hand, VirgoCX holds a 3.8-star rating on the App Store and positive feedback on Google Play, with users praising its reliability and user-friendly design. Their desktop versions are no less impressive, with both providing a seamless and intuitive experience for traders, whether beginners or experienced

Netcoins

Netcoins’ trading platform is simple to use with a sidecar offering all you need including options to buy, sell and trade. Your dashboard has two big options to either deposit funds or deposit crypto.

Buying crypto with Netcoins is easy thanks to its simple trade feature.

The Netcoins app has a 4.1-star rating from 171 reviews on the Apple App Store. It has a 3.6-star rating on Google from 127 reviews. 

The app is easy to use and beginner-friendly. It is almost an exact copy of the desktop platform but optimized for mobile.

Netcoins trading screen

Netcoins Desktop App (trading screen)

Funding money to our account with Netcoins

Netcoins Desktop App (funding account)

Netcoins vs Coinsmart trading mobile app

Netcoins Mobile App (balances)

Netcoins vs Coinsmart bitcoin transaction in mobile app

Netcoins Mobile App (trading)

VirgoCX

VirgoCX has a mobile app for both iPhone and Android users. On iOS, the VirgoCX app has a 3.6-star rating with over 50 reviews. On Google Play it does not currently have a rating but has many positive reviews. Some reviewers say the verification process takes a long time, but others say the app is easy to use and reliable. 

Advanced trading with VirgoCX

Advanced trading with VirgoCX

Main dashboard on VirgoCX

Main dashboard on VirgoCX

Quick trade and Advanced trade on VirgoCX mobile app

Quick trade on VirgoCX app

VirgoCX mobile app

VirgoCX mobile app view

Security Compliance

Netcoins utilizes the services of Bitrank and QLUE to stay compliant by monitoring wallet addresses and transactions for fraud and connections to criminal enterprises.

Two-factor authentication is available to help keep your account secure.

VirgoCX offers $1 Million in crime insurance coverage with Coinbase Custody. Should the exchange be compromised, VirgoCX could potentially refund any customers’ stolen coins. 

VirgoCX’s crypto assets are held in cold storage with Coinbase Custody and only a small amount are kept on the platform for trading. All fiat assets are held with their Canadian banking partner, though it is not mentioned who the partner is. However, we always recommend transferring all the funds to your own Canadian crypto wallet.

When it comes to the security of user assets, both platforms prioritize safety. Netcoins is backed by BIGG Digital Assets, adding a layer of trust. However, detailed information about their method of storing customers' funds is not publicly available. In contrast, VirgoCX showcases its commitment by offering $1 Million in crime insurance coverage with Coinbase Custody and ensuring the majority of its assets are in cold storage. This gives VirgoCX a slight edge in the security arena.

Regulatory Compliance

Netcoins is fully regulated in Canada. It is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FINTRAC. Since Netcoins is also owned by Bigg Digital Assets, a publicly traded company, you can be sure that Netcoins is a safe exchange.

VirgoCX is registered with FINTRAC and PIPEDA. Therefore, it is fully compliant in Canada. VirgoCX also has regular audits which prove that its reserves exist. 

Both exchanges operate under the watchful eye of Canadian federal organizations, ensuring their operations remain within the confines of the law. Netcoins is registered as a Money Services Business with FINTRAC, confirming its commitment to abide by the country's financial regulations. Similarly, VirgoCX is registered with FINTRAC and PIPEDA, reinforcing its compliance in Canada. Both platforms exemplify their dedication to maintaining a transparent and compliant trading environment, under the regulatory framework set by the Canadian government.

Customer support

Netcoins has excellent customer support with an impressive 85% excellent customer service reviews on Trustpilot with a 4.5-star rating. Netcoins offers email support, live chat and phone support, which is rare for crypto exchanges.

If you need help, you can contact VirgoCX’s support team via email or live chat 24/7. They also offer multi-language support. Not many exchanges offer live chat.

Netcoins has carved a niche for itself with its exceptional support, offering 24/7 live chat, email, and even phone support – a rarity in the crypto world. This robust system is evident in their prompt email response times. VirgoCX doesn't lag, offering 24/7 live chat and email support with multi-language assistance. Both exchanges prioritize their customers, but Netcoins' phone support gives it a slight advantage.

Conclusion

While both Netcoins and VirgoCX have their strengths, Netcoins emerges as the winner in this comparison. Its blend of superior client support, especially with the unique phone support feature, coupled with its long-standing reputation in the Canadian market since the early days of Bitcoin ATMs, gives it an edge. Both platforms are undoubtedly reliable and user-friendly, but for those seeking a comprehensive support system, Netcoins might be the preferable choice.

Netcoins stands out with its 24/7 uninterrupted trading availability, ensuring users can access the market anytime without delays. This is particularly useful compared to VirgoCX that may experience downtime or maintenance. Additionally, Netcoins offers limit orders, which give traders more control over their buy/sell strategies—something not all platforms provide. Personalized price alerts are another feature that keeps users ahead of market shifts, offering a competitive edge when compared to exchanges with fewer notification options.

VirgoCX now boasts support for over 60 cryptocurrencies, giving Canadian traders a wider variety of options. The exchange has also introduced a tiered rewards program, allowing users to enjoy up to 90% off on spreads, making trading more affordable. Furthermore, VirgoCX enhances security by utilizing Coinbase Custody for safeguarding assets and offering insurance coverage. These updates make it a strong contender in the Canadian market, appealing to both novice and experienced traders when compared to other exchanges.

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

If you find that neither Netcoins nor VirgoCX 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.