Top 10 Crypto Exchanges in Canada for 2025

Top Crypto Exchanges in Canada

When it comes to investing and trading cryptocurrencies in Canada, the market is growing rapidly. Finding a reliable crypto exchange is essential for anyone looking to participate in this dynamic industry. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Some exchanges offer low fees but may compromise on security, while others provide excellent features but may be challenging to use. This guide will help you explore these options and find the best crypto exchange that fits your needs.

Key Features of Leading Exchanges

Here is an overview of some of the top crypto exchanges in Canada, highlighting their key features:

• Bitbuy: Beginner-friendly interface, high security (2FA, cold storage), supports 64 cryptocurrencies, has a referral program, and offers staking.
• ChangeNow: Non-custodial, fast swaps, supports over 900 cryptocurrencies, offers DeFi swaps, and has a cashback feature.
• Bitget: Offers advanced trading tools, futures, margin trading, and a Web3 wallet, with a strong focus on security.
• BTCC: Known for its high level of security, offers futures trading, and has a flawless security record.
• Crypto.com: Provides a crypto debit card, supports over 590 cryptocurrencies, and offers rewards for users.
• Coinbase: Ideal for beginners, offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies, and provides educational resources.
• Wealthsimple: Offers a simple interface, allows users to manage various investments, and provides secure storage for digital assets.
• Newton Exchange: Best for OTC trading, offers personalized service, and has no fees on deposits or withdrawals.
• VirgoCX: Non-custodial, offers strong security measures, and provides bilingual customer support.
• Ndax: Supports over 45 cryptocurrencies, offers professional trading options, and has an OTC desk for large trades.

Best Crypto Exchanges Reviewed

In this guide, the listed crypto exchanges are selected based on their security, user experience, and compliance with Canadian entities such as FINTRAC, the CSA, and CIRO. The list was curated according to the range of available cryptocurrencies, trading tools, fee structures, and the availability of customer service channels.

Bitbuy: Best Overall for Canadians

Bitbuy is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in Canada and the most trusted among users. It was established in 2013 and was formerly known as InstaBT, making it quick and easy for Canadians to acquire Bitcoin. Based in Toronto, Canada, Bitbuy has over 900,000 Canadian users and a lifetime trading volume of CAD $7 billion. The exchange lists over 60 cryptocurrencies—from Bitcoin and Ethereum to many more—and allows Canadians to invest with as little as $20. The only fiat currency accepted on Bitbuy is the Canadian dollar. Fiat and crypto deposits are free. Fees are applicable on withdrawals only.

Bitbuy has two trading platforms: Express Trade and Pro Trade. Express Trade is ideal for beginners who want to deposit, buy, and sell crypto. The Pro Trade platform is ideal for advanced traders seeking order books and TradingView charting tools. Bitbuy has other products including staking, over-the-counter (OTC) trading, and corporate solutions.

Pros - Designed to cater to Canadians. - Customer support from locally based agents. - Zero deposit fees and low fees on withdrawals. - User-friendly interface and straightforward to use.

Cons - Limited crypto catalog compared to other exchanges. - No derivatives or futures trading platform.

ChangeNOW: Best for Web 3.0 Traders

ChangeNOW is a user-friendly crypto exchange that enables instant swaps of more than 1,500 coins. The exchange is non-custodial, meaning users do not have to deposit or store their cryptocurrency holdings on the platform. Instead, ChangeNOW lets users maintain full control over their crypto swaps and funds. Canadian users enjoy access to over 70 fiat options and 2,250,000 trading pairs on ChangeNOW. They can swap amounts ranging from under $2 to tens of thousands of dollars, with transactions completing within minutes.

Signing up on ChangeNOW grants Canadian users cash-back rewards starting at 0.1%, along with fund conversion services and low fees. Moreover, ChangeNOW offers AML checks to help detect suspicious crypto wallets and illegal activity.

Pros - Non-custodial exchange that gives users full control over their cryptocurrencies. - Easy to navigate and supports thousands of cryptocurrencies. - Advanced trading through ChangeNOW Pro. - 24/7 customer support through live chat.

Cons - Additional fees may apply when purchasing crypto with a credit or debit card.

Bitget: Best for Derivatives Trading

Bitget is a leading crypto exchange established in 2018. It offers a wide range of services, including copy trading, bot trading, spot, and derivatives trading. The exchange particularly stands out for its crypto derivative markets. CoinMarketCap ranks it in the top 3 exchanges for derivatives trading. The exchange boasts 120 million registered users and over $50B daily trading volume.

The exchange is available in multiple languages, including English and French, Canada’s official languages. Supported deposit methods include Fiat through Advcash, SEPA, Faster Payments, and PIX. You can also make a direct bank or crypto deposit.

A factor that stood out to me was the exchange’s commitment to rewarding its users. The exchange runs multiple promotions and daily challenges, earning you up to 1,000 USDT, or more, through draws. This ‘rewards’ feature is accessible from Bitget’s Reward Centre.

Pros - Offers futures, margin trading, and detailed charting tools. - Cost-effective for frequent crypto trading. - Robust security measures protect crypto assets. - Has a Web3 wallet for non-custodial services. - Supports a diverse array of digital assets.

Cons - Some users have reported limited options for withdrawing fiat currencies.

BTCC Exchange: Best for Security

BTCC is one of the oldest crypto exchanges, operating since 2011. Over the past 14 years, BTCC has maintained a flawless security record, reporting no breaches or hacks—unlike exchanges such as Binance, ByBit, and Coinbase.

The platform uses multi-signature cold wallets and backs every deposited coin one-to-one. Moreover, BTCC does not offer loans backed by collateralized coins, nor issue a native token—hence there’s no staking or DeFi smart contracts.

BTCC has been available to Canadian citizens and residents since it was approved by FINTRAC as a virtual currency exchange. Users can deposit fiat and access hundreds of crypto trading pairs. In addition, BTCC offers pro trading tools such as copy trading.

Pros - High level of security and advanced encryption. - Demo trading with virtual USDT for beginners. - Copy trading from established traders. - Futures trading with up to 500× leverage.

Cons - No native token, staking or DeFi smart contracts. - High risk leveraged trading.

Crypto.com Canada: Best for Crypto Debit Cards

Crypto.com is a top crypto exchange that offers over 400 tokens and 20 fiat currencies on its Canadian platform. Users can deposit a fiat currency easily via bank transfer, Apple Pay, or Google Pay and begin trading BTC, ETH, and other cryptocurrencies. The platform also offers crypto baskets to help beginner investors diversify their portfolios.

Crypto.com makes it easy to spend cryptocurrencies with a Visa debit card. Canadians can convert their crypto gains seamlessly to fiat and earn crypto rewards in CRO, the platform’s native token.

Crypto.com’s advanced platform offers spot trading on over 590 coins for experienced traders. It also features a variety of trading bots, including a dollar cost averaging (DCA) bot and an arbitrage bot.

Pros - Offers up to 8% rewards on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). - Offers a crypto debit card with up to 8% cashback. - Provides over 400 cryptocurrencies to beginners and experienced traders. - Regulated according to FINTRAC, Canada’s financial intelligence unit. - Offers relatively low fees compared to other exchanges.

Cons - Higher minimum withdrawal amount. - Charges high withdrawal fees. - High fees on crypto debit card usage.

Coinbase: Best for Beginners

Coinbase is a global crypto exchange that operates in over 100 countries. It is one of the most beginner-friendly crypto exchanges. Coinbase Canada makes depositing fiat and trading a wide variety of digital assets straightforward. The platform supports over 200 cryptocurrencies—from Bitcoin and Ethereum to dozens of popular altcoins.

Creating a new account on Coinbase is simple thanks to its clean interface and intuitive layout. Canadians can deposit cash with zero fees via Interac e Transfers. Other payment options, such as direct bank transfers and credit-card payments, are also available.

Coinbase provides a wealth of educational resources to help users navigate the platform. The exchange offers a broader range of order types—including Market, Limit, Stop Limit, and Auction Mode orders. Traders can seamlessly switch between Simple and Advanced trading modes while using TradingView-powered charts with EMA, MA, MACD, RSI, and Bollinger Bands.

Pros - Easy to navigate and perfect for beginners thanks to its seamless user interface. - Provides plenty of learning materials and rewards users through the Earn & Learn program. - Offers secure storage and insurance for digital assets. - Supports various payment options, making it easy to fund your account.

Cons - Trading fees could exceed the 0–0.60% range depending on the crypto market conditions. - Experienced traders have fewer advanced tools compared to other platforms.

Wealthsimple Crypto: Best for Crypto Investing

Wealthsimple launched in Canada in 2014 as a TradFi platform before expanding into cryptocurrency. Wealthsimple Crypto now offers over 100 coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Traders can purchase cryptocurrencies starting at just CAD $1, making it attractive for beginners.

The platform features three tiers—Core, Premium, and Generation—each with its own minimum volume and trading fee. Core users can trade from CAD $1, Premium users require at least CAD $100,000, and Generation users maintain a minimum of CAD $500,000. Core users pay 2% per trade, Premium users pay 1%, and Generation users pay 0.5%.

Wealthsimple Crypto offers crypto staking as well as cold storage for virtual assets. The platform is fully regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO).

Pros - A simple interface makes it easy to navigate its offerings. - Allows users to manage various investments in one place. - Stores most cryptocurrencies in offline cold storage. - Provides additional protection for digital holdings.

Cons - High fees of 2% per transaction compared to other exchanges.

Newton Exchange: Best for OTC Trading

Newton Exchange is one of the best centralized exchanges for over-the-counter (OTC) trading in Canada. Newton OTC offers deep liquidity and a dedicated representative for users trading $30,000 or more. OTC desk traders pay no fees on deposits or withdrawals and benefit from low spreads, making trades cost-efficient. Moreover, Newton OTC offers fast settlement, typically within one business day.

Newton Crypto is another platform created for retail investors. On the Newton Exchange, creating an account and funding it through Interac e-Transfers takes just minutes—and it’s free. Users gain access to over 70 cryptocurrencies, from BTC to ETH, and even memecoins like PEPE and WIF. Withdrawals via Interac e-Transfers and wire transfers of $10,000 or more are also free.

Founded in 2018, Newton Crypto is a Canadian exchange registered as a restricted dealer with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). It serves over 800,000 users and has processed more than $6.5 billion in trades, with over $400 million in assets under custody.

Pros - Excellent choice for institutional traders and beginners. - Provides educational resources. - Personalized service for each OTC trader. - Relatively low fees and low spillage. - Protects assets and data through top security standards.

Cons - No futures, derivatives, or options trading. - No fee calculator in the app. - Lacks some tools needed by experienced traders.

VirgoCX: Best for Security

VirgoCX is a non-custodial crypto exchange based in Toronto, Canada. The exchange has been operational since 2018 and currently lists over 90 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, SOL, and even TRUMP and MELANIA.

VirgoCX has two crypto portals: Market and Wealth. The Market portal is designed to make purchasing and trading crypto accessible to retail investors. Canadians can deposit fiat using Interac e-Transfer, wire transfer, or debit/credit card and start trading crypto. VirgoCX charges no deposit fees; however, crypto withdrawal fees apply.

The Wealth Portal provides deep crypto liquidity for institutional investors, with a minimum transaction size of $50,000 CAD. Moreover, institutional clients such as miners and investment funds benefit from personalized service, low trading costs, and fast settlement.

Pros - Provides strong security measures to protect assets. - Offers affordable trading costs. - Bilingual customer support in English and French. - Assets are insured, which gives an extra layer of protection for users.

Cons - Limited selection of cryptocurrencies. - No staking or yield products. - No derivatives or margin trading.

Ndax: Best for Crypto Trading

Ndax is an all-in-one crypto trading platform built for Canadians. It was established to serve both retail and institutional clients. As one of the best crypto exchanges in Canada, its philosophy involves collaborating with regulators and financial institutions to set the benchmark for the Canadian cryptocurrency industry.

Ndax supports over 45 cryptocurrencies and boasts strong security and competitive fees. The platform offers professional trading options and supports multiple trading pairs. Ndax also has an OTC desk for large trades and supports Canadian dollar transactions.

Pros - Offers many trading options. - Affordable for frequent traders. - Protects user digital assets with robust measures. - Provides options for large volume trades.

Cons - The platform can be challenging for new users to navigate. - Support responses can sometimes be slow.

Factors to Consider When Selecting an Exchange in Canada

Choosing a cryptocurrency exchange in Canada can be tricky. How do you find the right one? Here’s a simple guide to help you.

Know the Rules First, understand the Canadian regulations. Why? Because following the rules keeps your money safe. Look for exchanges registered with FINTRAC which indicates that they follow anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) laws.

You don’t want to get associated with the dark side!

Check Security Is security important? Absolutely! Make sure the exchange has strong security measures. The top criteria include two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption, and cold storage.

Look at Liquidity and Volume Why is liquidity important? It helps you buy and sell quickly without big price changes. So, choose an exchange with high trading volume for better prices and smoother trades.

Compare Fees Different exchanges have different fees. Some have low trading fees but high withdrawal fees. You don’t want to lose large chunks of your profits to fees you didn’t anticipate, so check the total cost and look for exchanges with transparent fee policies.

Check Available Cryptocurrencies You should also make sure the exchange supports those cryptocurrencies. Most significant exchanges offer BTC, ETH, and other popular coins. However, some don’t offer many lesser-known altcoins, so you must check the list of supported cryptocurrencies.

User Experience and Support Is the exchange easy to use? Does the exchange offer good customer support? Good user experience and quick and helpful support are crucial. So, look for an intuitive interface, useful guides, and a reputation for solving problems quickly.

Payment Methods It’s essential to check the payment methods to see if your preferred withdrawal or deposit method is available. Reliable exchanges offer Interac e Transfer deposits, wire transfers, credit/debit cards, and cryptocurrency transfers, so you can choose the one that suits you best.

If you’re interested in more than just trading? Some exchanges offer crypto staking, lending, and OTC trading. These features can provide extra income, and if you are interested in them, you can also find an exchange that offers them.

Reputation You should also read reviews and testimonials and look for exchanges with good reputations. Avoid those with security breaches or scandals.

How are Crypto Exchanges Regulated in Canada?

Cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Canada are subject to regulatory oversight by several entities, including FINTRAC, the CSA, CIRO, and provincial securities commissions.

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center (FINTRAC) ensures that cryptocurrency exchanges are registered as Money Services Businesses (MSBs). FINTRAC prevents money laundering. It requires every exchange to implement Know-Your-Customer (KYC) measures and to monitor transactions. The financial center keeps a public record of all registered centralized exchanges.

Cryptocurrency exchanges that offer securities or derivatives must register with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) as a marketplace under Canadian securities law. The CSA imposes specific custody and capital requirements on crypto exchanges, as well as risk-management standards and continuous disclosure requirements. Moreover, the CSA requires crypto exchanges to segregate all customer assets, thereby ensuring fairness and transparency.

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) oversees trading platforms that operate as investment firms. CIRO monitors trading activities to ensure compliance and prevent any abuse of the rules.

Investing and trading at regulated cryptocurrency exchanges by Canadian entities ensure the safety of customers’ assets and protection from fraud, and scams.

Best Decentralized Exchanges in Canada

Uniswap — Best for Decentralized Trading
Uniswap is one of the most popular decentralized exchanges (DEXs) globally and is widely used in Canada. What makes Uniswap unique? Its automated market maker (AMM) model. This model uses smart contracts to pool liquidity from users, allowing trades without a traditional order book. Uniswap’s simplicity and ease of use are unmatched. It also supports a wide array of tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.

Curve Finance — Best for Stablecoins
Curve Finance is the best decentralized exchange for trading stablecoins efficiently. Its focus on stablecoins and low fees provides a specialized service that appeals to users who want stability in their trades. Its algorithm is optimized for low-slippage trades between stablecoins and other assets with similar prices. This makes it ideal for users looking to engage in liquidity mining with minimal risk.

Raydium — Best for Solana Based Coins
Raydium is one of the top decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and automated market makers (AMM) built on Solana. It gives access to over 3,460 Solana based coins. Raydium delivers deep liquidity, ultra-low slippage, and near-zero gas fees. Raydium is perfect for traders looking to dive deep in the Solana ecosystem and its memecoins.

Wrapping Up

The crypto industry in Canada is constantly expanding, making it an active hub for traders and investors. There are plenty of quality crypto exchanges where you can trade crypto, stake, earn, invest, and otherwise diversify your portfolio. However, the ultimate choice comes down to your needs, so ensure that you research to identify what works best for you.