Cryptocurrencies have become extremely popular all over the world. While most news regarding the topic does still come out of the US, crypto trading- or regulation-related discussions are happening everywhere else, as well. With that point in mind, in this article, we’re going to try to find the best crypto exchange Canada.
Our list today will include two types of platforms - Canadian crypto exchanges, and also exchange services that are based out of the country, but still offer their services to residents of Canada. Before that, though, it’s actually worth clearing some things up, and establishing a clear idea of Canada’s stance on all things crypto.
The list in question, however, will look like so:
Canadian Crypto Regulations: Is Crypto Legal, or Banned?
Obviously, before we can start digging deeper into the list of options for the best crypto exchange in Canada, the most important fact to establish is this: is crypto legal in the country, in general?
Well, yes - very much so, actually!
While there are rules and regulations in place that prevent even the best Canadian crypto exchanges from being able to offer their users decentralized trading capabilities, the country is actually a leader in regards to crypto-related laws. Cryptocurrencies have been officially taxed in Canada since 2013 - a long time before many other countries even acknowledged their existence!
While being the spearhead in all crypto-related questions, though, Canada has always remained cautious regarding the topic. Many people question is cryptocurrency legal in Canada simply due to the fact that there are a lot of scams still happening in the industry, to this very day.
In order to avoid the aforementioned scams, though, it’s important that you use only the best crypto exchanges in Canada. This includes both those platforms that have established themselves within Canada itself, and others that offer Canadian citizens the ability to trade on them.
Admittedly, a huge portion of the best crypto exchanges in Canada are going to be the best exchange platforms to use for all of your crypto trading, overall, and no matter where you’re based. This is because, due to Canadian laws, the top KYC-enforcing exchanges on the market are able to operate within the country, without many hurdles.
That being said, though - what are the main features that you should be looking for?
Best Crypto Exchange Canada: Evaluation Criteria
Evidently, there are no features that would be specific to a Canadian crypto exchange, or the best exchange platform operating in Canada, that wouldn’t be expected from an exchange that’s located anywhere else.
If Canada had different crypto laws, sure - exchanges that fail to comply with them would likely be banned from operating in the country. However, if you’re not looking for a decentralized way to trade, and are willing to pass all of the mandatory KYC verification checks, the list of possibilities becomes much broader.
At the top of the things that you should be looking at, you’ll find security - this one goes without saying. There is nothing more important when trading crypto than how secure and reliable the exchange is. All of the best crypto exchanges in Canada should possess the toughest security features, no matter the context.
Next up, coin and token variety. No matter if you’re a DCA-type of a person, or someone who is aspiring to become a successful day trader, you’re probably going to want to find an exchange that allows you to trade multiple different token pairs.
While you might only be interested in Bitcoin or Ethereum at the beginning, with time, those interests may broaden - it’s more convenient to be able to purchase all of your favorite altcoins on the same platform!
Following that, don’t forget to check the fees of the best crypto exchange Canada that you might think about using. Some platforms offer decent fee models, others are a bit more expensive in that regard - whatever the case might be, fees are something that can really cut into your potential profits, so it’s definitely a topic worth addressing.
Lastly, you should also consider whether or not the exchange supports credit card and bank transfer payments, and just how beginner-friendly it is, in the grand scheme of things.
All of that being said, let’s move on to the list and find the best cryptocurrency exchange in Canada!
1. Kraken - A Wide Range of Supported Cryptocurrencies
Ranks #1 out of 6 Crypto Exchanges
- + Secure and reliable
- + Low fees
- + A good amount of fiat currencies accepted
- - Not the most helpful customer service
Kraken is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange. It’s often listed as one of the best exchanges, overall, since it’s supported in a wide list of countries worldwide. With Canada being one of these countries, Kraken automatically becomes one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada, for a selection of different reasons.
For starters, Kraken supports over 150 different crypto coins and assets. Compared to many other exchanges that operate or are based in Canada, this is a huge number! Naturally, it includes all of the main cryptocurrencies, and also a wide array of different tokens, as well!
This token and coin variety makes Kraken a contender for the spot of the best cryptocurrency exchange in Canada for any traders who are still uncertain about what coins they’d like to trade, and want to keep their options less limited.
Kraken is also considered by many to be a beginner-friendly gateway into the world of crypto trading. The exchange has both a desktop interface, and a handy mobile app where you can access your wallet, and participate in trades. Both of these interfaces are very intuitive and simple to navigate through, and shouldn’t cause any sort of confusion to the user.
While this probably doesn’t need to be exclaimed, Kraken complies with all of the regulations set by the Canadian government. Using the platform, you will be able to remain assured that you’re not breaking any laws, especially since the exchange in question enforces strict KYC checks for all of its customers. It wouldn’t really appear on any “best crypto exchange Canada” lists if it didn’t!
Additionally, the fees over at Kraken are some of the best ones that you might come across. They range all the way from 0% on all of your trades, to 0,26% per transaction. Even with the latter number, this is still pretty good!
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Table: The pros and cons of the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange
The downside of using Kraken as your option of the best crypto exchange Canada is the fact that you won’t be able to trade some specific crypto tokens in the country, and use a few services otherwise available on the exchange. The limits aren’t *too* harsh, but if you wanted to trade tokens such as SUSHI, this won’t be possible.
All of that being said, Kraken is definitely one of the better choices, as far as Canada-based crypto trading goes!
2. Coinbase - Ideal for Beginners
Ranks #2 out of 6 Crypto Exchanges
- + Fiat currencies - accepted
- + Simple to use
- + Accepts only the most trustworthy cryptocurrencies
- + Very secure
- - Some of the less-known coins aren't supported
Coinbase is a very well-known cryptocurrency exchange platform, all around the world. While it isn’t supported in all countries worldwide, granted that it’s on this “best crypto exchange Canada” list, you can probably be sure that this isn’t an issue that Canadians will face.
Coinbase is primarily known for the simplicity factor that it applies to all of the different operations that you might be performing in your trading ventures. It’s one of the easiest-to-use exchanges out there - you can have absolutely zero experience with crypto trading, and face no issues whilst using the platform.
At the same time, Coinbase is no “one-trick pony”, either. The exchange is very respected within the industry, both in regards to the security features that it offers to its users, and also all of the different cryptos supported on the platform.
While exchanges such as Binance are going to offer a broader range of supported coins and tokens, Coinbase does still have a pretty decent variety of crypto that you can trade and exchange. These include some traditional cryptocurrencies (i.e. BTC, ETH, XRP), stablecoins (i.e. DAI), and even specific tokens, too (i.e. BAT).
It would be difficult to call Coinbase one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada if it didn’t offer fiat currency support! However, you can easily fund your fiat wallet with a credit or debit card, or via a bank transfer - this is convenient, and also very beginner-friendly, as well.
As far as the negatives are concerned, users of the brokerage platform tend to point out two things - the fact that Coinbase does not support a lot of the more-niche coins on the market, and also the fees that the platform employs for all of its transactions.
Niche token-wise, you won’t really find a wide variety of choice here. While the platform does support some altcoins, if you’re looking to day-trade some new coins or tokens, this won’t be possible with Coinbase. The exchange is usually viewed as a great place to start out your crypto journey, but isn’t generally suitable for advanced-level traders who require a large variety of tokens for their trading purposes.
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Table: Some general information about the Coinbase crypto brokerage platform
On the fee side of things, Coinbase will charge you anywhere from 1,49% up to 3,99% for your trades and crypto acquisitions. Truth be told, those are some significant fees - some of the biggest in the industry!
If this was a major issue for investors and traders, though, Coinbase wouldn’t really be featured in multiple “best crypto exchange Canada” lists. Instead, these fees are mitigated by the level of service that the exchange provides, and also the fact that it’s seen as one of the most reliable options in the industry!
If you’re no longer wondering is cryptocurrency legal in Canada, and are open to using an out-of-country exchange, Coinbase should definitely be high up your list. Note, though, that, same as with other crypto exchanges on this list, you’ll need to pass all of the KYC-related verifications before you can begin trading!
3. BitBuy - The Best Canadian Cryptocurrency Exchange
Ranks #3 out of 6 Crypto Exchanges
- + First regulated crypto exchange in Canada
- + Fiat support
- + Mobile app available
- + Suitable for beginners and advanced traders
- + Over 98% of user assets stored in cold storage
- + An insurance policy provided by BitGo
- - Only 17 supported cryptocurrencies
- - Canadian-only platform
Are you looking for the best Canadian crypto exchange? If that’s the case, naturally, your go-to option should be BitBuy.
If you frequent the Canadian crypto scene, you might have heard about BitBuy - otherwise, it’s not a very well-known exchange platform. This is because the exchange is only available to be used in Canada, and only if you have a Canadian phone number.
This isn’t ideal if you reside somewhere else in the world - at the same time, it’s great news for anyone who’s looking for the best Canadian cryptocurrency exchanges!
Admittedly, being based in Canada doesn’t automatically result in BitBuy being a reliable and noteworthy platform. Thankfully, it is - this is echoed by many user reviews, as well!
BitBuy enforces strong security features, both in regards to your crypto wallet, and also any personal information that might be present on the site, too. The platform is constantly being audited, and follows all of the regulations and rules enforced within the country.
This is another point worth considering, as well. Granted that BitBuy is a Canada-based exchange, it is able to comply with all of the regulations present within the country, and also update their service model anytime that a new law gets passed into existence.
This is very notable, since it allows all of the platform’s users to remain calm and assured that they’re using an official, legitimate crypto exchange.
Considering other features that make BitBuy one of the best Canadian crypto exchanges, the platform has a functional mobile app that allows you to trade on the go, is quite simple to use even if you’ve never traded crypto before, and offers fiat currency support, too.
The only “negative” aspect that can be associated with BitBuy is that it only supports 9 crypto assets. Naturally, these include cryptocurrencies such as Ether and Bitcoin, and also some of the less-known assets, such as AAVE or EOS.
All things considered, if you need the best Canadian crypto exchange, BitBuy is certainly going to be your best bet here. This is both in regards to the fact that the platform is based in Canada, and also due to all of the features that it provides to its users. Definitely worth checking out!
Did you know?
Compare Crypto Exchanges Side by Side With Others
All Crypto Exchanges may look similar to you but they're NOT all the same!
4. Coinmama - Simple to Use, Non-Custodial
Ranks #4 out of 6 Crypto Exchanges
- + High levels of security
- + Helpful customer support
- + User-friendly platform
- + Available in 188 countries, and most US states
- + Accepts credit/debit cards
- - No way to call the support via phone
- - Limited amount of cryptocurrencies
Coinmama is a relatively rare name among the different user “best crypto exchange Canada” lists. While it might not be as well-known as major crypto exchanges such as Coinbase or Binance, Coinmama still has a lot of beneficial features to offer to its users.
One of these features involves simplicity and ease of use. Crypto enthusiasts who use Coinmama note that the platform is going to be oriented around both beginner traders, and also those who are more advanced in the field. This is because, while you can keep things simple, you may also choose to use some of the advanced features of the platform.
Availability-wise, it would appear that Canadians should be able to trade cryptos on Coinmama without many issues or restrictions. While this might change at any point in time due to the ever-changing nature of the crypto regulation space, it’s good to know that, for now, you can use Coinmama without any major restrictions!
Well, this is if you don’t count the restrictions imposed by the platform itself. Specifically, Coinmama supports only around 10 different cryptocurrencies. This is a pretty small number of coins, and will likely prove to be an issue if you’re not looking for just the main crypto assets.
On top of that, you won’t really be able to trade cryptocurrencies on Coinmama, per se. More specifically, Coinmama only allows you to ‘purchase’ crypto coins with fiat money - you can’t perform crypto-to-crypto trades.
This is a notable con! If you’re looking to DCA your way into the market, it doesn’t really matter - however, if you want to be an active trader of different cryptocurrencies, this will prove to be an issue.
Naturally, you could just purchase some coins on Coinmama, and then trade them on a different exchange. No matter if you’re looking for the best crypto exchange in Canada, or a high-end exchange, in general, this is often a less-than-ideal option.
Something that might flip the above-given points around is the fact that Coinmama is a non-custodial exchange. What this means is that it has no built-in wallet service of its own - instead, it’s one of those best crypto exchanges in Canada that do not hold their users’ funds, and requires said users to use a wallet of their own.
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| Crypto Calculator, Glossary, Crypto News | |
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Table: Some of the main features of the Coinmama cryptocurrency exchange
While it may sound inconvenient, this is actually a great thing! It resembles a decentralized way of trading, and is a huge factor for those who are worried about the security side of a crypto exchange.
The only single point that’s yet to be mentioned are the fees that you’ll come across over at Coinmama. Unfortunately, while this might be a contender for the spot of the best crypto exchange Canada, it’s not because of some amazing fees that the platform would provide - Coinmama charges up to 3.81% for buying crypto, and up to 3.90% for selling your coins.
The fees are big - that’s for sure. However, if you want to use a non-custodial exchange in Canada in order to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, then Coinmama still remains one of the better options, nonetheless.
5. KuCoin - An Exchange for Advanced-Level Traders
Ranks #5 out of 6 Crypto Exchanges
- + Strong security measures
- + Over 700 supported cryptocurrencies
- + A variety of trading and earning features
- + Competitive fees
- - Not available for US traders
- - Might be somewhat complicated for beginners
KuCoin isn’t one of the Canadian crypto exchanges - however, it’s still often referenced as a platform that’s quite popular in Canada, nonetheless. There are a few different features that make this cryptocurrency exchange stand out from the crowd.
One of these features is that KuCoin allows users to earn interest on the crypto assets that they store on the platform. Meaning, you can both trade your cryptos, and also earn a passive income simply by keeping the coins on your KuCoin account. That’s a rare perk!
Something that is also rare in the crypto trading industry is proper customer support. There are a couple of reasons why that’s the case, with the main one being the fact that many crypto exchanges are decentralized, and thus, offer no customer support (all processes on the are automated with the help of smart contracts).
Some of the better-known platforms, such as Binance or Coinbase, do have customer support services - needless to say, they are more than appreciated. The same is true for KuCoin, as well! Customers note that the exchange in question houses some very helpful and understanding support agents, and that this service is truly one of the highlights of the platform in question.
If you’d like to trade cryptocurrencies on KuCoin, you will also be able to enjoy some of the lowest fees on the entire market. While they will surely vary, for the most part, you should face around 0.1% fees with all of your trades. This means that you’ll be able to save a lot on all of your trades, which will, in turn, maximize your potential profits.
Being one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada, KuCoin also houses a huge list of different cryptos for you to trade. There are close to 300 different coins and tokens that you may access on the platform - quite a few more than with many of the platform’s competitors!
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Table: Some general information regarding the KuCoin crypto exchange
One of the more-interesting features of KuCoin is the fact that it’s oriented towards experienced crypto traders. You’ll find a lot of advanced features available with the exchange, many of which are going to be useful for all individuals who are planning to participate in crypto trading for a long time to come. This does, however, mean that crypto newbies might have a difficult time figuring the platform out.
All of that being said, KuCoin is definitely one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada - while it does have some quirks associated with it (no fiat withdrawals, difficulty of use, etc.), the benefits far outweigh the cons.
6. CEX.IO - A Very Beginner-Friendly Cryptocurrency Exchange
Ranks #6 out of 6 Crypto Exchanges
- + Easy to navigate
- + Secure and regulated
- + Provides earning features
- + Competitive trading fees
- - Lacks advanced trading options
CEX.IO is an amazing exchange option for anyone located in Canada. The cryptocurrency exchange allows Canadians to trade cryptos on the platform in a hassle-free manner, and comes equipped with a variety of great perks and benefits.
The most obvious of these perks is going to be ease of use. CEX.IO is very beginner-friendly - it possesses a very straightforward user interface, which can be used to trade cryptos, access your wallet, and withdraw funds - all in quick and super-simple ways!
CEX.IO isn’t only beloved by beginner traders, though. The exchange does offer advanced functionality to anyone who’s interested, but doesn’t make it a point to show these complex features to every single user. Instead, they can be found in a separate section of the website or app.
That’s the other thing, too - CEX.IO has both a desktop version of the exchange, and also a mobile app. The app is perfectly-optimized for all of your potential trading wants and needs, and can be used on the go - great news for active traders!
It wouldn’t really be an option for the best crypto exchange Canada if it didn’t have advanced security features, though! CEX.IO is widely considered to be a very reliable crypto trading platform - it comes with all of the essential security features, such as two-factor authentication, email notifications, and so on.
Fee-wise, CEX.IO is awesome, too! Depending on a few different factors, Canadian traders can expect to encounter fees anywhere from 0%, up to 0,25%. This, in turn, places CEX.IO up there with the best exchange platforms, at least when it comes to transaction fees.
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Table: The different payment methods available on CEX.IO
Now, while CEX.IO does support a good variety of trading pairs, the single complaint that some users have regarding the platform is that there’s a limited number of coins available to be traded and exchanged. This limit isn’t very, well… Limiting, for most individuals - however, if you’re in need of some very niche tokens, then CEX.IO might not necessarily be the best option for you.
Still, though - in a general sense, CEX.IO is an amazing exchange platform, and is definitely worth checking out for anyone who’s looking for the best crypto exchange Canada!
Conclusions
This concludes our list of the best Canadian crypto exchanges, as well as the best crypto exchanges in Canada that aren’t necessarily based within the country.
All seven of the platforms discussed on the list above are bound to provide their users with some amazing functionality, multiple coin support, advanced trading features, and top-tier security. Each of the exchanges have their own, unique features, as well, and your choice might ultimately depend on this aspect alone.
On top of that, all of the exchanges discussed above are also legal in Canada - while the laws aren’t always completely obvious, the fact of the matter remains the same! If you reside within the country, and want to start trading cryptocurrencies, there are no better options than one of those listed above!
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Table: General information about the Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model T hardware cryptocurrency wallets
Do keep in mind that, if you’re going to start trading cryptos, you’re also going to need a reliable cryptocurrency wallet, as well. Make sure to check out Ledger or Trezor - these two hardware cryptocurrency wallet brands offer some of the best and most-secure wallets on the market!
Thanks for reading, and until next time!
Other Crypto Exchanges in This Category
Here are other crypto exchanges related to the category but not as favored by BitDegree readers yet. In my personal opinion, today there are much more optimal crypto exchanges in the list with the higher rating that I'd recommend for the same price range or less.
Binance - The Most Popular Cryptocurrency Exchange in the World
- + A very well-known crypto exchange platform
- + More than 500 different cryptos available
- + Two-factor authentication
- + P2P trading option
- + Emphasis on security and KYC
- + Supports fiat-crypto acquisitions
- - Might be a bit difficult for beginners
UPDATE: As of May 2023, Binance has left Canada - the exchange is no longer available to be used within the country.
If you’re not fixated on finding the best Canadian crypto exchanges, and are willing to use a platform that isn’t specifically based within the country, in most cases, Binance is going to be the way to go.
If you have any experience in the field of crypto, or have spent at least a day researching the topic, the name shouldn’t sound unfamiliar. Binance is often considered to be the most popular cryptocurrency exchange platform in the world - whether you’d be from Canada, the US, or the middle of the EU, you can’t really go wrong by picking and using Binance as your primary crypto trading platform.
What makes it so great? Truth be told, Binance has all of the core features and aspects of a reliable exchange platform covered!
For starters, it’s the leader in the industry, as far as security and regulation compliance are concerned. Binance employs strict KYC verification for all of its users - if you want to trade or purchase crypto coins on the platform, you’ll need to verify your identity before you do so.
While we won’t get into the discussion of centralization and decentralization, suffice to say that Binance’s stance is definitely that which is much better-approved by regulators, including those in Canada.
Another factor that makes Binance one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada is the variety of coins and tokens that you’ll be able to trade on the platform. Binance houses a huge number of cryptos - everything from Bitcoin, Ether, and ADA, all the way to ERC-20 and BEP-20 tokens, as well!
Fee-wise, naturally, Binance is also at the top. It enforces up to 0,1% trading fees on its customers. Needless to say, such fees are very decent, especially given all of the other perks available on the exchange!
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Table: The features of the Binance cryptocurrency exchange
Are you interested in the best crypto exchange Canada because you’ve been looking for a way to trade NFTs? If so, I’ve got even better news for you - once you register and pass the KYC checks on Binance, in addition to trading, you will also be able to use the Binance NFT Market - a place where people can create and trade BEP-based non-fungible tokens!
All things considered, Binance is undoubtedly one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada. While not being a Canadian exchange per se, it still has no issues operating within the country, since Binance complies with all of the crypto regulatory standards enforced by the Canadian government and lawmakers. Definitely a platform worth checking out!
The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.
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Whether or not the cryptocurrency exchange offers an opportunity for investors to observe the trading behavior of their peers.