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Best Crypto Exchanges In Canada
Cryptocurrencies have been making waves in the global financial sector for a few years now. And with good reason – they offer an innovative, secure way to make and receive payments. If you’re looking to get into the cryptocurrency game, you need to find a reputable crypto exchange and read up a little on how this type of trading works.
In this article, we’ll seek to identify the best Canadian crypto exchanges and give tips on choosing a crypto trading platform. Whether you’re looking to get your hands on some Ether, sell off your stash of Cardano, or just keep an eye out on what cryptocurrencies are currently trending, we’ve got you covered.
Top Canadian Crypto Exchanges for April 2024
Coinbase
- Arguably the world’s most famous crypto exchange
- Numerous educational resources for beginners
- Offers lending options
- Accepted currencies: CAD, USD, EUR
- Payment methods: EFT, Interac, debit cards, PayPal
NDAX
- One of the thinnest spreads available on the market
- No minimum or maximum deposit
- SOC2 Type II certification
- Accepted currencies: CAD, Crypto
- Payment methods: Wire transfer, Interac eTransfer
Bitget
- One-click copy trading
- 24/7 customer support
- Two-factor authentication
- Accepted currencies: 50+, including CAD
- Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Simplex, XanPool, Banxa, Mercuryo
Uphold
Open AccountUphold
- Staking rewards on 12 crypto assets
- Precious metal trading
- “Anything to anything” allows trading flexibility
- Accepted currencies: 37, including CAD
- Payment methods: Credit and debit cards, wire transfer
Bitbuy
- 99% of crypto is in cold storage
- Supports wire transfers
- Trades in 25 cryptocurrencies
- Accepted currencies: CAD
- Payment methods: Interac, wire transfer
Crypto.com
- Supports over 250 cryptocurrencies
- Crypto Credit loans
- Visa card with great rewards
- Accepted currencies: CAD, USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, BRL
- Payment methods: Interac, wire transfer
Gemini
- Gemini Custody crypto storage
- Hardware security keys via WebAuthn
- 24/7 customer support
- Accepted currencies: USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, SGD, and HKD
- Payment methods: Wire transfer, debit card
The Best Crypto Exchanges in Canada in 2024:
Coinbase - Best for beginners
NDAX - Best for security
Bitbuy - Best for fund safety
Bitget - Best for low trading fees
Uphold - Best for trade variety
Crypto.com - Best for buying NFTs
Gemini - Best for trading tools
How to Choose a Crypto Exchange in Canada
Finding a reliable trading platform can be daunting for beginners, as there are tons of options on the market, and you don’t really know where to start or what factors to consider. With that in mind, we set off to write this small guide covering everything you should evaluate when picking a crypto trade platform.
The platforms are listed in no particular order, though you may find some more attractive than others when choosing your favourite crypto broker.
Cryptocurrency Selection
As with most online trading platforms, people will often first look at the number of currencies available for trading. A larger selection of trading goods means more opportunity to turn a profit and higher flexibility when conducting trades. It also makes the market more active, which contributes to better liquidity.
Having a one-stop shop for trading altcoins is highly convenient, making it easier to create a diversified investment portfolio. There’s also the matter of fees, which can mount up if you have to go through several exchanges just to get your desired altcoin.
Most established crypto traders in Canada have a healthy selection that includes dozens of popular cryptocurrencies, but at the very least, you should expect to find Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Tether, and Cardano.
Payment Methods
Here’s another essential factor to consider before trading crypto in Canada: how do you actually buy Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies you’re after? Make sure to check which fiat currencies are supported, but also what payment methods you can utilize.
Does the platform support wire transfers? Credit card payments? Interac? PayPal and other digital wallets? As with the cryptocurrency selection, the more options you have, the better. And again - if an exchange offers support for every type of (crypto)currency and payment method you’ll need, it can save you a lot of time and money, improving your trading experience greatly.
Fees and Deposit Limits
Almost every crypto exchange in Canada will have several fees you’ll need to pay when trading. This is, after all, how they make money. That said, some do offer fee-free trades, but compensate by having higher buy/sell costs, so you’ll have to figure out whether that’s worth it.
So, what additional costs are we talking about? The most common expense will be trading fees. These are typically either flat charges each time you make a trade or a percentage of the value of each transaction.
Some crypto exchanges in Canada will also charge deposit and withdrawal fees, which can again be flat charges or a portion of the value of your transaction.
You may also want to check whether the platform has rules regarding the minimum amount you can deposit or the maximum you can withdraw from the platform per day. These are not present on every exchange but should be clearly communicated if they are.
User Experience
When choosing a cryptocurrency exchange, it’s essential to find a platform that’s comfortable and easy to use. All necessary information should be clearly communicated, and the UI design must never get in the way of navigating the platform.
Furthermore, any respectable crypto exchange in Canada needs to have a good mobile app for Android and iOS systems for people who like to trade anywhere, anytime.
Finally, look into the platform’s customer service. Is there a live chat or toll-free phone option for contacting the agents? An FAQ section or knowledge base? Community forums where you could ask a question or two? These factors all contribute to a great online trading experience and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Security and Regulation Compliance
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are famed for transaction security, owing to the nature of the blockchain network. Unfortunately, that’s only part of our concern when buying crypto in Canada. For starters, our trades involve a third party (the trading platform) and may include fiat money or payment methods outside the blockchain network.
There are several important questions you should get answers to when investigating the matter, such as: What security measures does the exchange have for keeping our personal and financial data safe? Is there a multifactor authentication system, and does the platform use advanced end-to-end encryption? Moreover, is there any deposit insurance in case something goes wrong?
The law views cryptocurrencies as securities, so the same rules apply. Cryptocurrency platforms in Canada are regulated the same way as money service businesses, so they must register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). What this means for the end-user is that any respectable platform will be required by law to keep transaction records and report anything suspicious.
FAQ
Is there a Canadian crypto exchange?
Yes, there are a few Canadian crypto exchanges around, and the most popular ones are Bitbuy and Coinberry. That said, plenty of US and international platforms work very well in Canada - take a look at our reviews for more ideas. Each exchange offers different features and services, so be sure to do your research before choosing one.
Can a Canadian open a Coinbase account?
Yes, absolutely. Coinbase is available in over 100 countries, including Canada.
What is the safest crypto exchange in Canada?
There are numerous options to choose from, and you can check out our reviews above for ideas about where to start. If we had to pick one, though, it would probably be Bitbuy or Crypto.com, as they hold crypto assets in cold storage, follow all FINTRAC regulations, and have their funds insured.
How do I buy crypto in Canada?
The most popular way to buy crypto in Canada is through online exchanges. Finding the best crypto exchange in Canada can be tricky, though, so we’ve gathered some of the top platforms and analyzed their offer so you can get a better idea of where each of them excels and what they could improve on.