VirgoCX and Gate.io are both popular platforms offering users a range of options to trade cryptocurrencies. From a Canadian perspective, though, the comparison is one-sided: Gate (rebranded to Gate.com in May 2025) has listed Canada as a restricted jurisdiction since April 2022, while VirgoCX remains fully operational for Canadians and underwent a significant transformation in April 2025, pivoting to a non-custodial model where your crypto goes straight to your own wallet.
VirgoCX Vs Gate.io: Which Is Better For Canadians?
Neither is an option for Canadians today. The OSC lists VirgoCX's restricted dealer registration as suspended effective November 24, 2025, and the CSA list shows it under terms requiring a wind-down of its registrable business. It remains a FINTRAC-registered money services business. Gate.io is an offshore exchange that is not registered in Canada and lists Canada as a restricted location in its user agreement. I recommend Coinbase instead (9.8/10, #1 on my list): open a Coinbase account.
What Are The Key Differences Between VirgoCX And Gate.io?
VirgoCX Vs Gate.io: Side By Side
VirgoCX
Gate.io
Description
VirgoCX was a Toronto-based platform that served Canadians as a CSA restricted dealer. In April 2025 it ended custodial accounts and moved to a non-custodial service, where crypto goes to your own wallet. The OSC lists its dealer registration as suspended effective November 24, 2025.
Launched in 2013, Gate (formerly Gate.io, rebranded and moved to Gate.com in May 2025) is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. However, Canada is on the list of restricted locations in the Gate user agreement, alongside 30+ other jurisdictions. Gate has not served Canadians since earlier reports of Canadian accounts moving to withdrawal-only around April 2022, so we would not recommend trying to use it.
Coins
It advertised 90+ coins including BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL and USDC before the change. The current list is not published.
Past tense: 2,053 base assets across 2,202 tradable spot pairs (public API, 2026-10-02), none of them open to Canadians. USDT was never part of a Canadian offer.
Fees
Past tense: Oleg's table cited spreads of 0.95% on BTC and ETH and 1.6% on other assets, with volume tiers. The official fee page is behind a bot check, so this was not re-confirmed and is no longer current.
Past tense: spot base fee 0.2% per pair per the public API (2026-10-02), lower with volume. Free crypto deposits. CAD was never supported.
Pros
Was registered with the CSA as a restricted dealer until suspended
Non-custodial service from April 2025
OTC desk (VirgoCX Wealth)
Still a FINTRAC registered money services business
Thousands of altcoins were available
Advanced trading features and tools
Not available to Canadians, so none of this is usable
Cons
Registration as a dealer suspended effective November 24, 2025
The non-custodial service is not offered under its securities registration, and no regulator has confirmed it is regulated under securities law
No securities-law investor protections for the non-custodial service
Custodial accounts ended; assets left after the deadline were sold
Fee page and coin list could not be verified
Not allowed in Canada, and no Canadian entity
Mandatory KYC means Canadians cannot sign up, and VPN workarounds risk frozen funds
CAD was never supported
Not beginner-friendly
Security
Past tense: VirgoCX stopped holding crypto for customers in 2025. No protections under securities law were confirmed for the non-custodial service, and CIPF never covered crypto.
that claim was not confirmed here. Gate's FINTRAC MSB registration M20329002 (Gate Technology Corp.) expired 2023-05-31.
Methods To Buy
Past tense: Interac e-Transfer (free, 2021 help article, not re-confirmed after the 2025 switch).
Canadians cannot buy crypto on Gate. Account creation requires KYC, and restrictions are enforced based on the country on your ID, so even a VPN won't get you a working account, just one that can be frozen with your funds inside.
App
Apple Canada app 'Virgo: Buy Bitcoin, XRP and More' rated 4.43 from 395 ratings (2026-10-03).
Not applicable to Canadians.
Account Limits
Not published. Custodial accounts ended in 2025; customers must hold crypto in their own wallets.
No longer applicable. n/a for Canadians, since accounts cannot be opened from Canada.
How Do You Fund And Cash Out VirgoCX And Gate.io In Canada?
VirgoCX: CAD Deposits (When It Operated)
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Interac e-Transfer
Free, no funding minimum (2021 article, not re-confirmed)
None stated
Not published
Not published
VirgoCX is no longer a registered dealer in Canada; do not treat these methods as current. No CAD funding exists. Canada is a Restricted Location in user agreement clause 2.5. Whether any legacy Canadian account can still withdraw crypto is not stated on an official Gate page, so contact Gate support.
What Do VirgoCX And Gate.io Offer Beyond Buying And Selling?
What Happens To Your Money If VirgoCX Or Gate.io Fails?
VirgoCX: The OSC lists VirgoCX's restricted dealer registration as suspended since November 24, 2025, and the CSA list shows terms requiring a wind-down of its registrable business. It stopped holding customer crypto in 2025, so the remaining service is non-custodial and sits outside securities-law investor protections. A FINTRAC MSB registration covers anti-money-laundering rules only. CIPF never covered crypto. Use this platform only if you accept those gaps, or move to a registered dealer.
Gate.io: Gate 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 Gate has no regulator to appeal to, and the user agreement tells users in restricted locations to stop using the services and lets Gate restrict or close accounts at its discretion. Opening an account through a VPN risks a freeze.
How Are VirgoCX And Gate.io Treated For Tax In Canada?
VirgoCX: Past activity on VirgoCX followed the usual rules: selling, swapping or spending crypto are dispositions reportable to the CRA. Check your old statements for cost basis; export tools are Not published.
Gate.io: Any earlier trades or sales on Gate are dispositions for CRA purposes. Keep or export your full trade and transfer history while you still have access, because a restricted account may be closed.
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, VirgoCX Or Gate.io?
Choose VirgoCX If
You already hold a VirgoCX history and need to check records
You are looking only for registered Canadian dealers: pick another platform
Choose Gate.io If
You want an altcoin-heavy exchange: Gate does not serve Canadians, so pick a registered Canadian platform with a deep coin list, such as Kraken.
Neither of these is a first pick for a Canadian, and for different reasons. VirgoCX is on the CSA list but under a wind-down term and no longer holds customer crypto. Gate.io is offshore, not registered in Canada, and lists Canada as a restricted location in its own user agreement.
Gate.io's user agreement lists Canada as a restricted location. This page compares the two on the record, and it is not a suggestion to sign up at either.
How Do VirgoCX And Gate.io Compare On Fees?
VirgoCX Vs Gate.io: Fee Structure
Item
VirgoCX
Gate.io
Everyday trading
Not verified (fee page blocked)
Spot base fee 0.2% per pair (public API)
Lower-cost route
Not verified
Not applicable to Canadians
Extra charges
Not verified
Not verified
Staking cut
Not verified
Not verified
VirgoCX's official fee page sits behind a bot check that blocked every attempt to read it, so its trading fee, spread and coin count are not stated here. Third-party review figures are not used. If you decide to use it, read the quote on screen before you confirm.
Gate.io's public API shows a spot base fee of 0.2% per pair. That number is only useful as a reference, because Canadians cannot legitimately use the platform under its own terms.
Gate.io's public API shows a 0.2% spot base fee per pair, but that figure is moot for Canadians who may not legitimately open an account. VirgoCX's fee page could not be read because of a bot check, so its trading fee is not stated. There is no fee comparison worth acting on here, and that is itself the answer.
Which Is Better For Funding And Withdrawing CAD?
VirgoCX Vs Gate.io: CAD Funding
Item
VirgoCX
Gate.io
Deposits
Interac e-Transfer, free per a 2021 support article, not re-confirmed
No CAD funding found
CAD withdrawals
Not verified
Not applicable
Limits and extras
Not verified
Canada is a restricted location
VirgoCX's support pages described free Interac e-Transfer funding with no funding minimum, but that article dates from 2021 and was not re-confirmed after the 2025 switch to a non-custodial service.
No CAD funding was found for Gate.io. Canada is on its list of restricted locations, so there is no Canadian funding route to compare.
No CAD funding was found for Gate.io, and Canada being a restricted location means there is no Canadian route to compare. VirgoCX's help pages described free Interac funding, but the article dates from 2021 and was not re-confirmed after the switch to non-custodial. On funding, VirgoCX is the only one with a Canadian route.
Which Has More Coins?
VirgoCX Vs Gate.io: Coin Selection
Item
VirgoCX
Gate.io
Assets
Not verified
2,053 base assets, 2,202 spot pairs (public API)
Note
Non-custodial: you hold coins in your own wallet
Not available to Canadian residents under its terms
VirgoCX's coin count could not be verified, so it is not quoted here.
The public API lists 2,053 base assets across 2,202 tradable spot pairs as of October 2, 2026. That is the biggest menu in this comparison, and none of it is available to a Canadian resident under Gate.io's terms.
Gate.io has by far the larger menu: 2,053 base assets across 2,202 spot pairs on October 2, 2026. VirgoCX's count could not be verified. The size of Gate.io's list does not change the fact that Canadian residents are shut out of it by its terms.
Which Is Safer?
VirgoCX Vs Gate.io: Safety And Registration
Item
VirgoCX
Gate.io
CSA status
CSA list, with terms requiring wind-down of its registrable business
Not on the CSA authorized list or the banned list
CIRO
Not listed as a CIRO member
Not a CIRO member
FINTRAC
Registered MSBs (VIRGOCX INC., VIRGOCX DIRECT INC.)
FINTRAC registration expired May 31, 2023
Custody and protection
Non-custodial since April 4, 2025; no investor protections confirmed
Canada listed as a restricted location in the user agreement
VirgoCX is on the CSA list, but the entry reads: subject to terms and conditions requiring wind-down of its registrable business (amended decisions January 30, 2025 and May 30, 2024, original decision May 30, 2022). It stopped holding crypto for customers on April 4, 2025. Assets left after the June 16, 2025 deadline were force-sold, and customers now hold crypto in their own wallets. VirgoCX says its non-custodial service is not offered under its securities dealer registration, and no securities-law investor protections are confirmed for it. FINTRAC lists VIRGOCX INC. and VIRGOCX DIRECT INC. as registered MSBs.
Gate.io is not registered in Canada and is on neither the CSA authorized list nor the banned list as of October 2, 2026. Its user agreement says the restricted locations include the United States, Mainland China, Singapore, Canada, France and Germany. The FINTRAC record for GATE TECHNOLOGY CORP. shows an expired registration (May 31, 2023), and no current registration was found.
VirgoCX is on the CSA authorized list, but its entry requires wind-down of its registrable business, and its non-custodial service is not offered under its securities dealer registration. Gate.io is on neither the authorized nor the banned list, its FINTRAC registration for GATE TECHNOLOGY CORP. expired on May 31, 2023, and no current registration was found. Between the two, VirgoCX is still the one that sits inside the Canadian regulatory perimeter.
Which App Is Easier To Use?
VirgoCX Vs Gate.io: App Ratings
Store
VirgoCX
Gate.io
Apple App Store (Canada)
Not verified
Not verified
Google Play
Not verified
Not verified
No app rating figures were verified for VirgoCX, so none are quoted. What changed matters more than any rating: since April 2025 it is a non-custodial buy-and-sell service, not an account that stores your coins.
App ratings were not verified for Gate.io, and the question is largely moot, because a Canadian resident signing up would be breaking the platform's terms of service.
No app rating figures were verified for either platform. The more useful point is structural: VirgoCX is a buy-and-withdraw service now, and Gate.io is an account a Canadian resident would be opening against its terms of service. If you did that and ran into trouble, you would have little recourse.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of VirgoCX And Gate.io?
VirgoCX Pros And Cons
Pros
Still listed on the CSA register
Non-custodial service, so you hold your own coins
FINTRAC-registered MSB entities
Cons
CSA entry requires wind-down of its registrable business
No custody, so no account to recover through support
Fees and coin list could not be verified
No investor protections confirmed for the non-custodial service
Gate.io Pros And Cons
Pros
Very large asset menu
0.2% spot base fee in the public API
Cons
Canada is a restricted location in its user agreement
Not registered in Canada
No CAD funding found
FINTRAC registration expired in 2023
Who Should Choose VirgoCX, And Who Should Choose Gate.io?
Choose VirgoCX only if you want a non-custodial buy service, you already have a wallet, and you understand that its CSA entry requires wind-down of its registrable business.
Gate.io is not a recommendation for Canadians. If you want the altcoin menu it is known for, Kraken is the registry's practical replacement, a registered Canadian dealer with about 490 assets.
What Changed For VirgoCX And Gate.io In October 2026?
Gate.io's user agreement was read again and still lists Canada among its restricted locations.
The transition deadline: assets remaining in custodial accounts were force-sold.
VirgoCX began going non-custodial.
The CSA issued an amended decision for VirgoCX, and its list entry now carries terms requiring wind-down of its registrable business.
The FINTRAC registration for GATE TECHNOLOGY CORP. expired and no current registration has been found.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Canadians Use Gate.io?
Its user agreement lists Canada among its restricted locations, so a Canadian resident signing up would be breaking its terms. It is also not registered in Canada.
Is VirgoCX Registered In Canada?
It is on the CSA list, subject to terms requiring wind-down of its registrable business. It stopped holding customer crypto in 2025.
Which Has More Coins, VirgoCX Or Gate.io?
Gate.io, with 2,053 base assets across 2,202 spot pairs, but Canadians are not meant to use it. VirgoCX's count could not be verified.
What Should I Use Instead Of Gate.io?
The registry pick is Kraken, a registered Canadian dealer with a deep altcoin list and Interac funding.
What Should I Use Instead Of VirgoCX?
The registry pick is Bitcoin Well if you want delivery to your own wallet. If you want an account that holds your coins, a registered platform such as Kraken or Wealthsimple Crypto fits better.
Do VirgoCX And Gate.io Have Limit Orders?
VirgoCX: Not published. Gate.io: Not applicable, Canadians cannot use Gate.
Which Coins Can You Buy On VirgoCX And Gate.io?
VirgoCX: Not published (90+ advertised before 2025) Gate.io: 2,053 base assets, none open to Canadians
Is The Spread The Fee On VirgoCX And Gate.io?
VirgoCX: Not verified; spreads of 0.95% to 1.6% were reported historically. Gate.io: Not applicable.
Does CIPF Cover My Crypto On VirgoCX Or Gate.io?
VirgoCX: CIPF never covers crypto. Gate.io: CIPF never covers crypto, and Gate is not a CIPF member.
Are VirgoCX And Gate.io Available In Every Province?
VirgoCX: Not published. Gate.io: None, Canada is a Restricted Location.
Do Interac Deposits Work On Weekends On VirgoCX And Gate.io?
VirgoCX: Not published. Gate.io: No Interac e-Transfer, CAD was never supported.
What Is The Minimum Buy On VirgoCX And Gate.io?
VirgoCX: Not published. Gate.io: Not applicable.
Can A Business Use VirgoCX Or Gate.io?
VirgoCX: VirgoCX Wealth OTC existed; current status Not verified. Gate.io: Not applicable, Canada is a Restricted Location.
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.