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9 Best Crypto Exchanges in Canada (September 2024)
Expert verified
8 min read
Written by:
Miles Brooks
Reviewed by:
Jordan Bass
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In this guide, we’ll break down the 9 best cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada based on factors like user experience, fees, and customer support. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll find the best place to buy and trade crypto based on your unique needs!
Quick look: The 9 best cryptocurrency exchanges
Exchange | Why choose this exchange? | Cryptocurrencies available | Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Bitbuy | Best for beginner investors | 50+ | 0.5 - 1.85% (can be up to 3.85% in some cases) |
Coinsmart | Best for quick deposits | 15+ | 0.2 - 0.3% |
Coinbase | Best for Learn and Earn | 200+ | 0.05 - 0.60% |
Kraken | Best for advanced traders | 175+ | 0 — 0.40% |
Wealthsmart | Best for robo-advised portfolios | 60+ | 0.5 - 2% |
NDAX | Best for low fees | 15+ | 0.2% flat fee |
Crypto.com | Best for cryptocurrency prepaid cards | 350+ | Varying fees based on how much CRO is staked |
Newton | Best for user experience | 40+ | 0% (varying spreads on crypto trades) |
VirgoCX | Best for OTC trades | 60+ | 0% (varying spreads on crypto trades) |
Best for beginner investors
Bitbuy
BitBuy (originally called Instabit) is one of the biggest Canadian-based exchanges on the market. Bitbuy only serves Canadian investors — which means that CAD is the only fiat currency used for trading pairs and funding your account. Bitbuy has famously never been hacked!
Pros & Cons
Best for quick deposits
CoinSmart
CoinSmart is a Canadian-based exchange founded in 2018. The platform is considered a great option for new investors due to its beginner-friendly interface and its easy account set-up process!
Pros & Cons
Best for Learn and Earn
Coinbase
Coinbase is one of the biggest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. The platform offers more than 200 cryptocurrencies to buy, sell, and trade for Canadian investors.
Pros & Cons
Best for advanced traders
Kraken
Kraken, originally founded in 2011 in San Francisco, is one of the world’s oldest continuously running cryptocurrency exchanges. The platform is trusted by customers around the world and is known to be a great option for traders looking for low fees and advanced trading tools.
Pros & Cons
Best for robo advised portfolio and stocks
Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple was founded in 2014 in Toronto as a robo-adviser platform. The platform was originally founded to help investors automatically invest in stocks and assets. Since then, the platform has expanded into other offerings, such as the ability to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies!
Pros & Cons
Best for low fees
NDAX
NDAX is a Calgary-based exchange founded in 2018. The exchange is known for offering low fees, cryptocurrency trading, and staking rewards!
Pros & Cons
Best for cryptocurrency prepaid cards
Crypto.com
Crypto.com is a Hong Kong-based exchange that serves customers all over the world. The exchange offers the ability to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, interest rewards, and generous rewards on prepaid cards.
Pros & Cons
Best for user experience
Newton
Newton is a Toronto-based exchange founded in 2018. Newton is a beginner-friendly exchange known for its seamless user experience!
Pros & Cons
Best for OTC Trades
VirgoCX
VirgoCX is a Toronto-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2018. The exchange offers 60+ cryptocurrency and is famous for offering low fees, free cash deposits, and withdrawals.
Pros & Cons
How to choose a cryptocurrency exchange in Canada
The best cryptocurrency exchange for you may vary depending on your unique situation.
Before you get started with a cryptocurrency exchange, ask yourself what you’re looking for in an exchange. Here are some factors to consider:
- Fees: If you’re a frequent trader, you should consider getting started with an exchange with low fees.
- User interface: Consider what type of exchange you are looking for. While some exchanges are designed to be beginner-friendly, others have more advanced features.
- Reputation: Remember, the cryptocurrency ecosystem is rife with scams. Before you get started with an exchange, make sure to check the platform’s reputation on third-party review sites.
Will my exchange shut down?
Before you choose a cryptocurrency exchange, it’s important to take a look at their public statements to see whether they’ll continue operating in Canada in the future.
In 2023, exchanges like Binance and ByBit pulled out of Canada due to the regulatory environment.
Best decentralized crypto exchanges in Canada
Some critics claim that centralized exchanges — such as those listed above — are flawed because they are owned by entities who have the power to censor transactions and ban users.
Because of this, many investors opt to use decentralized exchanges. Decentralized exchanges allow users to provide their own liquidity to the platform and own governance tokens that can increase in value as the platform grows!
Here are a few popular decentralized exchanges.
- Uniswap
- Curve
- 1inch
It’s important to note that decentralized exchanges typically don’t offer customer support or the ability to buy cryptocurrencies with fiat currency.
Frequently asked questions
How do I trade in crypto in Canada?
What is the most popular crypto exchange in Canada?
What crypto exchange is registered in Canada?
What is the best crypto exchange for day trading?
Which Canadian exchange went bust?
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