Bitbuy Review: 2026 Edition

Buying and selling cryptocurrencies used to be complicated, not to mention shady. Nowadays, there are dedicated crypto exchanges and platforms where you can quickly - and safely! - trade all the popular crypto coins, or even stake them and earn more over time. One such platform is Bitbuy.

Bitbuy has been touted as Canada’s leading platform for crypto traders. In this review, we’ll explore what the site has in store and analyze whether it really is the best destination for Canadian crypto traders.

Bitbuy Overview

Bitbuy was launched in 2016 and quickly became one of the most prominent Canadian platforms for buying and selling crypto.

The reason for that is really simple - it was the first crypto platform in Canada to become fully regulated as a marketplace. This Toronto-based platform has, so far, had more than 900,000 Canadians use the platform and processed over $7 billion in crypto trades.

The team behind this platform has ensured the whole trading process is streamlined, the platform can be used through a mobile app, and buying Bitcoin through Interac e-Transfer or bank wire is among its perks.

You can make fiat deposits to Bitbuy, but the trading platform currently operates only in Canadian dollars (CAD), so you’ll need to convert any other fiat currencies you may have beforehand if you’re planning to trade that way.

Trading Options

Bitbuy lets you trade crypto in more ways than one. Depending on your trading experience and whether you’re looking for a quick trade or deeper research, you can choose either the Express or Pro trade route.

Furthermore, one of the newest features that Bitbuy introduced is staking, so we’ll take a look at all three tools in this section and explain how each of them works.

Express Trade

As the name suggests, Express Trade is Bitbuy’s no-frills, instant trade mode. Designed chiefly for beginner traders and crypto enthusiasts that just need to get a quick transaction over with, it’s the fastest way to buy and sell crypto on the platform.

You simply select whether you’re buying or selling, choose the cryptocurrency you’re interested in trading with from the drop-down menu, and enter the amount.

Of course, you’ll have to load up your account first, as with all other services we’ll discuss later in our review. It’s worth mentioning that you can only trade a limited selection of cryptos this way, but it’s still a great starting point and works like a charm.

Pro Trade

Pro Trade is Bitbuy’s advanced trading mode and a tool you’ll most likely switch to when you learn the crypto trading ropes.

Luckily, it doesn’t require a separate account, so you can use it whenever you need a deeper insight into the crypto market. Of course, you won’t get locked out of the Express Trade tool if you go Pro.

At a glance, it is a little intimidating. You’ll be presented with several sections per screen containing various graphs and lots of information on each crypto that’s trending.

Learning to read candlestick charts will prove beneficial here, since you’ll want to keep track of all the presented data in real time.

Once you get the hang of it, the Pro Trade mode is one of the best ways to trade crypto assets, as you can set up buy and sell orders, monitor market history, and analyze spreads for your currency of choice.

It also provides access to more advanced order-book trading at a flat 0.50% maker and 0.50% taker fee, with lower volume-tier pricing available for high-volume traders.

Staking

The site allows you to earn a passive income by buying a stake in some crypto. You can now stake Solana (SOL), Ethereum (ETH), Polkadot (DOT), Polygon (MATIC), Cardano (ADA), NEAR Protocol (NEAR), Cosmos (ATOM), Injective (INJ), and Celestia (TIA).

Staking through the platform supports more assets than before, and there’s also a handy calculator app to help you approximate your potential earnings.

Corporate Solutions

Businesses looking to add cryptocurrencies to their portfolio can rely upon Bitbuy to help them throughout the process. Over 1,500 businesses have already entrusted their crypto dealings to this company.

If you’re a small business owner, you can sign up for this service, and will be connected to a dedicated account manager to help you with the onboarding and answer any trade inquiries you may have.

The company reviews each customer’s account and, using the so-called white-glove approach - i.e., full-service trading - helps them trade crypto, make crypto investments, and manage custody, settlements, and personalized reporting.

How To Open an Account

Signing up for an account couldn't be simpler. All you have to do is visit the Bitbuy website and click on the “Get started” button in the top-right corner.

You’ll then need to provide a valid email address, which you’ll need to verify afterwards, and create a secure password.

After this initial setup, you will be asked to provide additional information, such as your name, phone number, and date of birth.

In the rare cases when the system cannot automatically verify your account, you will need to provide additional documentation:

An acceptable Canadian identity document, such as a Canadian passport, provincial or territorial driver’s license, provincial or territorial photo ID card, or permanent residence card
You may also be asked to re-upload ID documents if verification fails

Available Features

We’ve already gone through some of the features of this platform and concluded that easy, near-instant trading is definitely one of the reasons why Bitbuy has gained such traction.

However, the platform has tools and features that make it stand above the rest, as well.

Cryptocurrencies

Bitbuy features a broad catalog of coin pages and support for numerous major assets

That being said, the platform provides excellent insight into the movements in the crypto sphere, as you can monitor the Canadian crypto market for free without needing to log into your account.

Mobile App

Most people trade crypto on the go, so we were glad to find there’s an official and completely free app for both Android and iOS devices.

It’s available through the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Although it’s designed for smaller screens, it’s as feature-rich as the desktop version and lets you trade cryptos with the push of a button.

API

Knowledgeable crypto enthusiasts that trade at a higher frequency or volume mostly automate their operations using an API.

This is another great feature that Bitbuy offers at no extra charge. To apply for it, you need to send a request for API and, once approved, you’ll be able to set up CAD-to-crypto and crypto-to-crypto pairings and fully automate your trading routine.

Bitbuy Private Wealth (OTC)

Besides staking, users at Bitbuy can increase their investments through the private wealth program.

By contacting the OTC desk, you’ll be matched with a dedicated account manager and reap various benefits of the platform. This includes large-order execution, personalized service, and support for higher-value transactions.

To qualify, though, you’ll need to make a crypto investment worth at least $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the asset.

Referral Program

Bitbuy offers a referral program where, for each friend you refer to the platform, you both get $20 after your referred friend makes a $250 deposit.

Fees and Costs

The platform's fees are easy to understand and the whole pricing structure is fully transparent. Opening an account and depositing is absolutely free, as is staking from an account-opening standpoint, though staking rewards are paid net of Bitbuy’s commission.

Bitbuy currently accepts financial transactions via Interac e-Transfer, wire transfer, direct bank deposit, and crypto wallet payments.

Deposit and withdrawal times vary depending on the payment method. Interac deposits can be completed in up to 30 minutes, while withdrawals range from within 24 hours to up to three business days.

Interac withdrawals are free, while direct bank deposit and wire withdrawals carry a 1.5% fee. Crypto withdrawals are subject to a mining fee – the exact rates depend on your cryptocurrency of choice.

Trading fees no longer follow the old 0% to 1.5% structure across the board. Pro Trade uses flat maker/taker pricing, while Express Trade uses spread pricing instead.

Security and Privacy

Bitbuy is a fully legitimate business. On top of being the first Canadian crypto exchange to be recognized as a marketplace, it’s also regulated in Canada and backed by regular proof-of-reserves reporting.

As for your funds, they’re primarily kept in cold storage, i.e., offline hardware wallets. The platform also highlights insured custodial storage for crypto assets.

Lastly, all Bitbuy users can enable two-factor authentication on their accounts as an extra layer of security.

This, coupled with SSL encryption, means you won’t risk your crypto coins or personal information while trading at Bitbuy.

Identity checks also rely on document verification and biometric matching during onboarding.

Our Verdict

All in all, Bitbuy really deserves the title of Canada’s leading crypto trading platform.

Its biggest selling points are still its beginner-friendly setup, solid Pro Trade option, straightforward CAD funding methods, staking support, and business-friendly accounts.

While, yes, you’ll only be able to use Canadian dollars, it’s still a fantastic platform for Canadians who want to either start investing in crypto or elevate their portfolios.

Bitbuy’s team has proven over the past years that it knows how to achieve stable growth and move things in the right direction. That said, the platform’s third-party customer ratings are much weaker than this review originally suggested, so that’s worth keeping in mind before signing up.