Canada has become one of the most crypto exchanges friendly countries in the world. We see that more Canadians are investing in digital assets every year. It is important to choose the right platform because the wrong exchange can cost you money and time & peace of mind. Today we will explain that there are many reliable crypto exchanges Canada has to offer. These platforms are regulated and safe & easy to use. They are useful for beginners and seasoned traders.
- Why Does Regulation Matter When Choosing Crypto Exchanges in Canada?
- What Key Factors Should You Compare Before Picking a Crypto Exchange in Canada?
- Which Are the Best Crypto Exchanges in Canada Compared Quick Overview?
- 1. Kraken – Best for Security & Advanced Trading
- 2. Bitbuy – Best Canadian First Exchange
- 3. NDAX – Best for Low Fees
- 4. Coinbase – Best for Trust & Familiarity
- 5. Wealthsimple – Crypto Best for Casual Investors
- 6. Shakepay – Best for Simplicity
- How Do You Choose the Best Crypto Exchange Canada Has for You?
- Conclusion
Today in this article Users will understand about Best Crypto Exchanges in Canada on BFM Times.
Why Does Regulation Matter When Choosing Crypto Exchanges in Canada?
Canada takes cryptocurrency rules seriously. We know that every legal exchange must be registered with FINTRAC Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada. It means the platform follows anti money laundering AML and Know Your Customer KYC rules. These exchanges are also approved by the Canadian Securities Administrators CSA in many cases. They add another layer of protection for Canadian investors.
The investors should always choose a FINTRAC registered platform. We understand that it keeps your money and identity safe. It is risky to use unregulated exchanges because they come with serious risks.
What Key Factors Should You Compare Before Picking a Crypto Exchange in Canada?
The investors should check important factors before choosing a platform. We explain that trading fees can be flat fees or spreads and both affect your profits. It is necessary to check supported coins because not every exchange lists the same cryptocurrencies. This step ensures your preferred coins are available. The users must review security features like cold storage and two factor authentication 2FA & regular audits.
We suggest checking CAD support because the best crypto exchanges in Canada support Interac e Transfer for easy deposits. It is helpful to review ease of use because beginners need a simple interface and advanced traders need better chart tools.
Which Are the Best Crypto Exchanges in Canada Compared Quick Overview?
| Exchange | Best For | Trading Fees | CAD Support | FINTRAC Registered |
| Kraken | Experienced Traders | 0% 0.40% | Yes | Yes |
| Bitbuy | Regulated & Trusted | 0.1% 0.5% | Yes | Yes |
| NDAX | Low Fee Trading | 0.20% flat | Yes | Yes |
| Newton | Beginners | 0% spread applies | Yes | Yes |
| Coinbase | New Investors | 0.40% 0.60% | Yes | Yes |
| Wealthsimple Crypto | Casual Investors | Spread based | Yes | Yes |
| Shakepay | Simplicity Seekers | 0% spread applies | Yes | Yes |
1. Kraken – Best for Security & Advanced Trading
What it is: Kraken is one of the oldest and most reputable crypto exchanges in the world. We see that it launched in Canada in 2011 and has grown significantly since then. It offers a beginner friendly interface and a powerful Pro platform.
Security model: It holds 95% of assets in cold storage and supports 2FA. This exchange has never suffered a major hack and is ISO 27001 certified with SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliance.
Supported assets: It Supports more than 400 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum & Solana and many other coins.
Best for: They are best for Experienced traders who value security and a wide range of coins.
Key pros:
- It offers very low trading fees on Kraken Pro from 0% to 0.40%.
- This platform is one of the most secure platforms globally and is FINTRAC CSA and OSC registered.
- They offer staking on select assets.
Limitations for Canadian users: It does not allow margin trading and futures in Canada and some advanced features are restricted compared to other countries.
2. Bitbuy – Best Canadian First Exchange
What it is: Bitbuy is one of Canada’s most established crypto exchanges. We know that it was founded in Toronto and focuses fully on the Canadian market. It offers Express Trade for beginners and Pro Trade for advanced users.
Security model: It uses cold storage through certified custodians and undergoes regular security audits. This platform has never been hacked.
Supported assets: It Supports Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum & Litecoin and a selected list of established coins.
Best for: They are best for Canadians who want a fully regulated Canada first platform with strong compliance.
Key pros:
- It is FINTRAC CSA and OSC registered and has a simple and clean user interface.
- They provide strong customer support through live chat and email and maintain a clear fee structure.
Limitations for Canadian users: It offers a smaller range of supported assets than global exchanges and is not ideal for traders looking for hundreds of coins.
3. NDAX – Best for Low Fees
What it is: NDAX National Digital Asset Exchange is a Canadian based platform known for its flat and clear fee structure. We see that it serves both the retail and institutional investors at same time.
Security model: It uses cold storage and strong encryption and is fully registered and compliant with the Canadian financial rules.
Supported assets: It Supports 50 cryptocurrencies including major coins and a growing list of other coins.
Best for: They are best for cost conscious traders who want low and predictable fees.
Key pros:
- It offers a flat 0.20% trading fee which is very competitive in Canada.
- They provide free CAD deposits through Interac e Transfer and offer institutional trading services.
- This platform is regulated and FINTRAC registered.
Limitations for Canadian users: It has a limited selection of coins compared to global exchanges and the interface may feel basic for very advanced traders.
4. Coinbase – Best for Trust & Familiarity
What it is: Coinbase is one of the most well known crypto exchanges around the world. We know that it entered Canada in the early of 2023 and is fully registered to operate here following all the government rules and regulations.
Security model: It is ISO 27001 certified and holds funds in cold storage with SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliance. This platform offers FDIC style insurance on USD holdings.
Supported assets: It Supports more than 250 cryptocurrencies with easy CAD funding and staking options.
Best for: They are best for new investors who want a trusted and globally recognized platform.
Key pros:
- It is FINTRAC CSA and OSC registered and has a simple app that is great for beginners to understand.
- They offer an Advanced Trade feature for the experienced users and staking and USDC rewards.
Limitations for Canadian users: It has higher fees than most of the Canadian exchanges with maker and taker fees starting at 0.40% and 0.60% and is not ideal for high frequency traders.
5. Wealthsimple – Crypto Best for Casual Investors
What it is: Wealthsimple Crypto is part of the Wealthsimple financial platform. We see that it allows Canadians to trade crypto exchanges alongside traditional investments like stocks and ETFs on the same platform. It is fully regulated under IIROC and FINTRAC.
Security model: It uses industry standard security practices including encryption and cold storage. These measures have made it one of the most regulated platforms in Canada.
Supported assets: It Supports 50 cryptocurrencies available through a simple app.
Best for: They are best for casual investors who want to combine crypto exchanges with their traditional investments in one place.
Key pros:
- It offers dual regulation under IIROC and FINTRAC and is easy to use for even the non technical users.
- They made it simple by combining crypto exchanges with TFSA and RRSP investing and charge no transfer fees for CAD deposits.
Limitations for Canadian users: It does not allow crypto exchanges withdrawals to any of the external wallets and spreads can be higher than most of the dedicated crypto exchanges platforms. They are not suitable for active traders.
6. Shakepay – Best for Simplicity
What it is: Shakepay was launched in Montreal in 2015. We understand that it is a simple platform focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum & USDC. It also offers a Shakepay Card that gives Bitcoin cashback rewards.
Security model: It uses cold storage with SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliance and proof of reserves auditing. This platform is registered with FINTRAC CSA and OSC.
Supported assets: It Supports Bitcoin BTC and Ethereum ETH & USDC only.
Best for: They are best for simple everyday investors who want to buy and hold Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Key pros:
- It offers no trading fees with spread based pricing and has a very easy to use mobile app.
- They provide BTC cashback through the Shakepay Card and fast Interac e Transfer deposits.
Limitations for Canadian users: It supports only three assets and does not offer staking or advanced trading tools. They are not suitable for traders looking for many coins.
How Do You Choose the Best Crypto Exchange Canada Has for You?
The right platform depends on the personal goals of the users. We suggest that if you are new to crypto then use the Newton or Coinbase as they are good starting points because they are easy to navigate and beginner friendly.
- It is smart to choose NDAX or Kraken if you want the low fees for active trading.
- Bitbuy is a top choice if you prefer a fully Canadian platform.
- Shakepay can be a good option if you only want Bitcoin.
- It is important to verify that the platform is FINTRAC registered before depositing any money. We remind you that your security comes first.
Conclusion
At last, we can conclude that the Canada crypto exchanges market is growing very fast. We see that there are more regulated, secure & many of the beginner friendly crypto exchanges on which Canada residents can trust than ever before. It is possible to buy your first Bitcoin or build a diverse portfolio with a platform that fits your needs. This decision requires you to match the exchange with your goals and then compare the fees, security & all the supported assets.
Users should always choose a FINTRAC registered platform to stay compliant with Canadian law. It is clear that crypto exchanges Canada offers in 2026 are some of the best in the world. We encourage you to start with a platform that fits your experience level and grow from there.
Disclaimer: BFM Times acts as a source of information for knowledge purposes and does not claim to be a financial advisor. Kindly consult your financial advisor before investing.
