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Wealthsimple Crypto vs. Bitcoin Well: What Works Better For Canadians in 2024

Oleg Galeev

Last updated October 9, 2024

In the dynamic world of cryptocurrency trading in Canada, Wealthsimple Crypto and Bitcoin Well stand out as prominent contenders. While Wealthsimple Crypto extends from a brand that has been simplifying stock market investments, Bitcoin Well is known for its deep roots in the crypto universe, providing traders with an immersive experience.

Description

Wealthsimple is a Canadian trading platform that offers several popular cryptocurrencies. You can connect your bank account, move funds from different investment accounts, and buy crypto in CAD.

Bitcoin Well is a Canadian crypto trading platform that gives customers the choice of buying bitcoin with funds from their bank or with cash at one of their 280 Bitcoin ATMs across Canada. Both methods send the crypto directly to the customer’s wallet saving both time and money.

Coins

Over 30 coins, e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, EOS, Stellar, LINK, AAVE, Solana (SOL)Cardano (ADA)Polkadot (DOT), Dogecoin (DOGE), Polygon (MATIC), and a few stable coins.

 

Bitcoin only

Fees

Usually, it's 0.5% for transactions. In your account dashboard, you’ll find a selection of fees and process times. If you don’t mind receiving your bitcoin within 24 hours, then you can select the cheapest option. 

Pros

  • Offers 30 popular cryptocurrencies
  • Easy to use
  • Can transfer funds between investment accounts
  • Secure and trustworthy
  • You can set limit orders
  • $200M insurance
  • Free CAD bank transfers and withdrawals
  • Immediate self-custody of assets
  • Option to buy bitcoin privately with cash
  • Buy online with Visa debit, e-Transfer or wire
  • No withdrawal fees or wait times
  • Public Company which offers transparency

Cons

  • High trading fees
  • Cannot move crypto to a private wallet yet
  • Only Bitcoin available 
  • Not the cheapest fees
  • No advanced order types

Account Limits

Low

  • minimum of $100 payment
  • $50,000 transaction limit.
 
 

Methods to buy

CAD Bank transfer

Security

  • Coins are insured for $200 million by Gemini Trust Company LLC™
  • Fully regulated in all Canadian provinces
  • Touch/Face ID

As a public company Bitcoin Well has a duty to be transparent with its investors and adhere to all Canadian regulations. Additionally, since you always take full custody of your bitcoin, you do not need to worry too much about the security measures of the platform, since you hold your bitcoin yourself. 

Mobile and Desktop Trading

Wealthsimple Crypto offers its users a unified experience through its Trade mobile app and desktop platform. Rated 4.7 on the Apple App Store and 4.6 on Google Play, this app simplifies transitions between different investment accounts. Bitcoin Well, on the other hand, provides a user-friendly layout for its desktop platform, catering to both seasoned traders and newcomers. Although specifics about Bitcoin Well's mobile presence are limited, it is touted to have a noteworthy mobile trading interface.

Wealthsimple Crypto

Wealthsimple’s Trade app has a 4.7-star rating from 121,000 reviews on the Apple App Store, and a 4.6-star rating from 41,000 reviews on Google Play.

The app makes it easy to switch between all of your investment accounts, and see exactly how much you have in each one. The desktop trading platform is essentially the same and allows you to deposit and withdraw, buy and sell, and view charting for different cryptocurrencies. It has a simple interface making it easy for beginners. 

Wealthsimple desktop app screenshot

Wealthsimple desktop app

Wealthsimple crypto trading main screen

Wealthsimple crypto trading main screen

Wealthsimple mobile app screenshot

Wealthsimple Crypto Mobile app

Buying crypto with Wealthsimple Crypto

Bitcoin Well

Bitcoin Well has a simple website since most of the transactions happen either in person at a Bitcoin ATM or via your bank. Once your account is verified, you’ll have full access to your online dashboard.

Transaction limits on Bitcoin Well

Setting up the account with Bitcoin Well

Security Compliance

Wealthsimple Crypto requires new customers to go through the KYC process in order to trade and offer two-factor authentication. 

In your Wealthsimple account, you can use Touch ID or Face ID instead of entering a username and password each time you log in. Currently, there is no Two-factor authentication available. 

As a public company Bitcoin Well has a duty to be transparent with its investors and adhere to all Canadian regulations. Additionally, since you always take full custody of your bitcoin, you do not need to worry too much about the security measures of the platform, since you hold your bitcoin yourself. 

When it comes to security, both platforms make no compromises. Wealthsimple Crypto guarantees its users' safety, insuring coins for up to $200 million via the Gemini Trust Company LLC™ and allowing biometric login features. Bitcoin Well also emphasizes stringent security measures, implementing multi-factor authentication, cold storage solutions, and rigorous monitoring. Both platforms prioritize users' security, but Wealthsimple's substantial insurance might be a significant deciding factor for many.

Regulatory Compliance

Wealthsimple Crypto is insured by the Gemini Trust Company LLC™ which covers $200 million. Wealthsimple is fully regulated in Canada and has been a staple for Canadian investments since 2016. It's a fully-compliant crypto platform in Canada.

Bitcoin Well is registered with FINTRAC and fully legal in Canada.

Navigating the intricacies of Canadian regulations, both platforms showcase their commitment to legal compliance. Wealthsimple is regulated across all Canadian provinces and has built trust since its inception. Similarly, Bitcoin Well's dedication to transparency and adherence to Canadian regulations reinforces its reputation. Both platforms, under the purview of Canadian regulatory bodies, ensure their users trade confidently and legally.

Customer support

Wealthsimple has a comprehensive help centre on its website and within the app. It is full of articles about crypto in general as well as how to use their platform. They also have live chat support, email support and phone support, all available 24/7. Wealthsimple has good customer service and you will be able to find an answer to your question quickly. 

Bitcoin Well aims to provide great customer service and although it only has five reviews on Trustpilot, it has a 4.1-star rating, which is good.  If you need support, you can browse the many help sections on their website, open a support ticket online, or even call or text their team. Most crypto exchanges do not offer a support phone number so this is a big plus. 

Wealthsimple Crypto offers extensive support through its help center, 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, ensuring quick answers to queries. Bitcoin Well, while highlighting its top-tier customer support, prides itself on efficient response times and expertise, ensuring users always find the assistance they need.

Conclusion

Both Wealthsimple Crypto and Bitcoin Well have cemented themselves as reliable and user-centric platforms in the Canadian crypto trading arena. However, Wealthsimple Crypto edges out slightly due to its broader financial ecosystem, substantial coin insurance, and the reputation of its parent brand. For Canadians looking to delve into cryptocurrency trading while enjoying the perks of a holistic financial platform, Wealthsimple Crypto appears to be the winner.

Bitcoin Well stands out from Wealthsimple Crypto with its Recurring Buy feature, allowing users to automate Bitcoin purchases at set intervals. This is especially helpful for those wanting to invest gradually over time without manually handling each transaction. In addition, Bitcoin Well has expanded its services to cater not only to Canadian customers but also to the USA, broadening its reach across North America. These developments set it apart, especially for users focused solely on Bitcoin and long-term investment strategies.

Wealthsimple Crypto has recently enhanced its platform to better compete with other exchanges. The introduction of crypto swaps allows users to exchange one cryptocurrency for another directly, reducing trading fees and streamlining the process. With support now extended to over 60 different coins, investors have a broader selection to choose from. Additionally, Wealthsimple offers staking options with potential annual yields of up to 11%, providing an opportunity for passive income that may surpass offerings from other exchanges. The platform has also addressed past limitations by enabling users to send and receive cryptocurrencies to and from external wallets, significantly improving flexibility and aligning with features commonly found on other leading platforms.

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

If you find that neither Wealthsimple Crypto nor Bitcoin Well 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.