Advanced Traders
- Supports 370+ cryptos
- Easy-to-use for beginners
- Advanced features for experienced traders
- Quality educational resources
Beginners
- Get $40 on a first deposit of $250+
- 60+ supported assets
- Free Interac e-Transfer deposits and withdrawals
- Insurance for crypto and cash assets
Best Overall
- Buy your first crypto and get $10 in BTC
- Supports 280+ cryptos
- Buy crypto instantly via debit
- Volume discounts with Coinbase Advanced
- Best crypto exchanges in Canada 2026
- Best crypto exchange in Canada overall
- Best crypto platform for advanced traders
- Best crypto trading platform for self custody
- Best crypto platform for beginners
- Best automated crypto trading platform
- Best crypto exchange for low fees
- Best crypto broker in Canada
- Best crypto app based in Canada
- Best crypto platform for user experience
- Best crypto platform for most supported coins
- Methodology: How we choose the best cryptocurrency exchanges
- Summary: Best crypto exchange platforms in Canada
- What is a crypto exchange?
- Types of crypto exchanges
- How to choose the best crypto exchange in Canada
- What payment methods do crypto exchanges in Canada accept?
- How are crypto exchange platforms regulated in Canada?
- Which global crypto exchanges aren’t available in Canada?
- Compare more crypto exchange platforms in Canada
- Does crypto appeal to Canadian investors?
- Risks of using a crypto exchange
- Bottom line
- Frequently asked questions about the best crypto exchange platforms
- Sources
- More on crypto
Our team has extensively reviewed dozens of cryptocurrency exchanges and apps to find the best crypto app in Canada. We look at factors like user experience, fees, payment methods, supported coins and more. Here are our top picks for the best crypto exchange in Canada.
This is not an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade or use any services.
Best crypto exchanges in Canada 2026
Here’s a quick glance at the best crypto exchanges in Canada:
- Best crypto exchange in Canada overall: Coinbase
- Best crypto platform for advanced traders: Kraken
- Best crypto trading platform for self custody: Paybis
- Best crypto platform for beginners: Bitbuy
- Best automated crypto trading platform: VirgoCX
- Best crypto exchange for low fees: Crypto.com App
- Best crypto broker in Canada: Netcoins
- Best crypto app based in Canada: Wealthsimple Crypto
- Best crypto platform for user experience: Newton Crypto
- Best crypto platform for most supported coins: Changelly Crypto-to-Crypto Exchange
Methodology: How we choose the best cryptocurrency exchanges
Finder’s investments experts reviewed 18+ exchanges available on the market to narrow down the best exchanges for buying, selling and trading cryptocurrency.
We analyzed each platform based on 33 key metrics we collected directly from exchanges and assessed each provider’s performance based on six different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then scored and ranked each provider depending on how it performed in each category.
See how we weigh the overall rating
| Fees | Supported currencies | Account types & products | Tools, resources & features | Safety & security | User experience & support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 20% | 20% | 15% | 15% | 10% |
We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.
Summary: Best crypto exchange platforms in Canada
| Platform | Number of coins | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | 280+ | Maker fee: 0% and 0.4%Taker fee: 0.05% - 0.6% |
| Kraken | 370+ | Maker (Pro account): 0%-0.25% Taker (Pro account): 0.1%-0.4% |
| Paybis | 80+ | $5 USD minimum per transaction |
| VirgoCX | 40+ | Maker: N/ATaker: N/A |
| Crypto.com | 470+ | Taker fees: 0.18% - 0.50%Maker fees: 0.08% - 0.25% (0% with a 50,000+ CRO balance) |
| Bitbuy | 60+ | Bitbuy trade: 0.5% - 1.85% spread Bitbuy Pro: 0.5% maker & taker fee |
| Netcoins | 60+ | 0.5% (plus spread) |
| Wealthsimple | 140+ | 0.05%–2% |
| Newton Crypto | 95+ | Tier 1 Assets (BTC/ETH/USDC): 1%–1.15% Tier 2 Assets (LTC/SOL/XLM): 1.25%–1.45% Tier 3 Assets (all other cryptos): 1.5%–1.6% |
| Changelly | 920+ | Crypto-to-crypto: 0.25%Fiat-to-crypto: starts at 4%Crypto-to-fiat: starts at 3.95% |
Key takeaways
- The only way to buy and sell crypto in Canada is through a crypto exchange platform.
- The best crypto exchange in Canada is Coinbase, but other exchanges like Kraken offer stand-out features too.
- When choosing a crypto exchange, consider factors like the risks of trading crypto, the platform’s features and if it’s following regulatory guidelines.
What is a crypto exchange?
A crypto exchange is a platform that lets you buy and sell cryptocurrencies, similar to buying and selling stocks on a stock exchange. Crypto exchanges are different to crypto brokers in that exchanges provide a place for buyers and sellers to transact with each other, while brokers transact directly with customers.
Most crypto exchanges charge a fee per transaction, which can be a flat fee, a percentage of the trade volume or a markup on the conversion rate applied to the transaction.
Types of crypto exchanges
There are two types of crypto exchanges in Canada—Centralized Exchanges and Decentralized Exchanges. Let’s dive deeper into what these two types of exchanges are and what they mean for how you trade crypto.
What are Centralized Exchanges?
A Centralized Exchange, also known as CEX, are crypto exchange platforms that act as a brokerage service between the trader and the coins. These platforms are typically regulated and provide services similar to standard stock trading platforms.
Centralized Exchange platforms were founded when crypto trading started becoming more common and the complexity of the original trading method made the process out of reach for most people. Thus, user-friendly CEX platforms were born.
Like stock trading platforms, centralized crypto exchange platforms will take a small fee for each trade in exchange for customers using their platform. Unlike Decentralized Exchanges, a Centralized Exchange will allow you to trade fiat money for crypto.
Most of the crypto exchange platforms you come across will be Centralized Exchanges. CEXs are also better suited for beginner crypto traders.
What are Decentralized Exchanges?
A Decentralized Exchange (or DEX) enable peer-to-peer crypto exchanges, completely removing the need for any third-party brokerage service. DEX transactions are completed directly on the blockchain and are based on smart contracts.
Because these exchanges are often peer-to-peer and typically open-sourced, they are less user-friendly than CEXs. Since you and the person you are trading with are completing all aspects of the exchange process yourselves, there is a higher probability for catastrophic errors (like sending crypto to the wrong wallet).
Unlike Centralized Exchanges, a Decentralized Exchange will only allow you to trade crypto for crypto, and does not support fiat currency.
How to choose the best crypto exchange in Canada
The best crypto trading platform depends on what you’re looking for, so consider the following:
Trading tools
The best crypto apps have user friendly interfaces with clearly laid out tools and features for beginners and advanced investors alike. Experienced traders may want advanced charting tools, many order types, margin trading and other special features. Some exchanges let you earn by lending or staking crypto.
Payment methods
Can you deposit funds into your account via bank transfer, debit, credit or a crypto wallet? The more payment options an exchange has, the better. Make sure to check the fees for your preferred method.
Cryptocurrency & fiat currency selection
There are thousands of cryptos, and it’s tough to find a platform that lists every one. Most exchanges support major cryptos like BTC, ETH and SOL, but rare altcoins may be much harder to find. The best crypto exchanges in Canada let you deposit CAD, but support for other fiat currencies varies.
Fees
From depositing to trading and withdrawing funds, how much will it cost you to buy and sell crypto on each platform? Most brokers or instant buy services charge a service fee that adds less than 1% up to several percentage points above the going rate of an asset.
Some of the best crypto apps on our list like Crypto.com, Kraken and VirgoCX let you set the price you want to pay and then wait for your order to be filled when that price is reached.
Limits
Are there any limits on the amount you can deposit, buy or sell per transaction or per day? This question typically only applies to “crypto whales” or people who make transactions ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. You might be able to raise your transaction limits by providing additional personal information as part of the exchange’s Know Your Customer (KYC) process.
Mobile and desktop apps
How can you access your trading account? Certain platforms only allow you to trade through a web browser, while other offer mobile apps for buying and selling on the go. Look for a crypto app with a smooth, user-friendly design and high ratings from other customers.
Liquidity
If there’s a high level of liquidity—or if the exchange has a high trading volume—then trades should be completed quickly and easily. But low liquidity can lead to substantial price fluctuations. The benefit of trading on large crypto exchanges is that there are enough orders to match buyers and sellers without difficulty. Check liquidity on websites like CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap.
Security features
Security is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a crypto exchange. Ask the following:
- Is the exchange licensed to operate in your province or territory?
- Is multi-factor authentication (2FA) supported?
- What percentage of assets are stored offline in cold storage to reduce the possibility of theft?
- What level of verification is required to open an account?
Customer support
Is customer support available through email, phone and/or live chat? Can you get help 24/7 or only during specific hours? Customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau can give you an idea of how responsive an exchange is when issues arise.
"It’s difficult to find one exchange with all the coins and features you want. I spread my trading around several exchanges to make sure I’m getting exactly what I need, while also diversifying my risk should the exchange get hacked or shut down. To further reduce risk I use one registered locally so it’s subject to local laws and regulations."
What payment methods do crypto exchanges in Canada accept?
Deposit methods vary between platforms, but Canadian crypto exchanges may accept:
- Interac e-Transfers
- Bank and wire transfers
- Credit and debit cards
- Cryptocurrency transfers
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments
- Neteller, Skrill and other online payment services
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
If you’re hoping to buy crypto using PayPal in Canada, your options are limited to only a couple of exchange platforms (Paybis or Coinbase) that accept PayPal as a payment method. Read our full guide to buying crypto with PayPal to learn more.
How are crypto exchange platforms regulated in Canada?
All cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada must register as money service businesses (MSBs) with a regulatory body in Canada, typically the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and follow regulations designed to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
Many of the best crypto apps and exchanges in Canada have gone even further and pursued registration with provincial securities regulators, like the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), and/or the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA).
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Exchange platform CSA Registered OSC Registered FINTRAC Registered Bitbuy ✗ ✓ ✓ Coinbase Canada ✓ ✓ ✓ Coinsquare ✓ ✓ ✓ Hibit ✓ ✗ ✓ Netcoins ✓ ✓ ✓ Newton Crypto ✓ ✓ ✓ Shakepay ✓ ✓ ✓ CoinSmart ✗ ✗ ✓ VirgoCX ✓ ✗ ✓ Wealthsimple Investments ✓ ✓ ✓ (Wealthsimple Payments Inc. is FINTRAC registered) Kraken ✓ ✓ ✓ Paybis ✗ ✗ ✓ MyBTC.ca Cryptocurrency Exchange ✗ ✗ ✓ Changelly Crypto-to-Crypto Exchange ✗ ✗ ✗ Crypto.com ✓ ✓ ✓ Ndax ✓ ✓ ✓
Which global crypto exchanges aren’t available in Canada?
There are over 1,000 crypto exchange platforms in the world. That said, the majority of these exchanges are not available in Canada. Some of these exchanges have not been approved by Canadian regulatory bodies, while others have not yet attempted to enter the Canadian market.
Interestingly, some of the biggest crypto exchanges globally do not operate in Canada. For example, Binance, which is the biggest crypto exchange platform in the world by trade volume, left the Canadian market in 2023 due to regulatory restrictions.
These other popular global crypto exchange platforms are also unavailable in Canada:
Compare more crypto exchange platforms in Canada
Finder Score for crypto exchanges
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Supported coins, account fees and features across 28 cryptocurrency trading platforms are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score, the better the exchange—simple.
How to start trading on cryptocurrency exchanges
Let’s say that you want to buy Bitcoin (BTC). On a typical exchange, you will need to follow a process like the one outlined below to get started trading crypto:
- Choose the best crypto exchange for your needs, considering features like fees, security and supported currencies.
- Open an account by providing personal details, your address, financial information and ID. You will have to upload verification documents to complete KYC, a process where the crypto platform will confirm your identity and risk profile.
- Login to your account and navigate to the Buy screen.
- Select the crypto you want to buy, enter the amount and choose your payment method.
- Review the details of your transaction, including fees, and submit the order.
- Once the transaction has processed, your cryptocurrency will be deposited into the crypto wallet linked to your account.
Does crypto appeal to Canadian investors?
In the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey March 2026, we asked Canadians if they consider cryptocurrency a good long-term investment. Almost one in five respondents (18%) believe that some, but not all, cryptos are a good investment. About as many (18%) hold that crypto is too risky or speculative, even if the returns can potentially be high.
This year, investors are favouring established assets with a history of yielding positive, long-term returns.
Stocks (39%), mutual funds (36%), GICs (34%) and ETFs (26%) are considered the most appealing types of investments to make. However, there’s still an appetite for digital currency investments, with some investors indicating an interest in crypto (15%), crypto ETFs (9%) and crypto meme coins (6%).
Risks of using a crypto exchange
- Cybersecurity breaches. Security breaches and targeted phishing scams can be a major concern for exchanges and customers.
- Not your keys. Ever heard the phrase “not your keys, not your crypto”? Storing your crypto on an exchange instead of using your own non-custodial wallet relinquishes some control over your assets. Some might say this is contradictory to the decentralized philosophy of crypto.
- Lack of consumer protection. While crypto exchanges are increasingly held accountable in Canada and may be registered with local securities regulators, many consumer protections like mandatory insurance are still lacking.
- Proof of reserves. Since the widely publicized collapse of FTX, many traders and investors have demanded that centralized exchanges provide proof of reserves and user deposits. This may be done by a third-party auditor or through the use of on-chain data. Proof of reserves is still an evolving concept, and best practices are not yet clear.
- Limits. While looking for the best crypto trading platform, you might notice that some have transaction, deposit and withdrawal limits. Limits vary and often increase if you provide additional information for security purposes.
- Frozen accounts. If suspicious activity is detected, crypto exchange accounts can be frozen without warning. If your account is frozen, you can’t remove funds until the exchange approves or denies your request. For this reason, consider holding no more than a trading balance in your account.
- Asset delistings. Centralized exchanges can delist a cryptocurrency any time for reasons like poor asset performance, security concerns or anti-money laundering (AML) breaches. When an asset is delisted, you’ll be notified and forced to sell or transfer it
Bottom line
Choosing the best crypto exchange platform can help ensure you have access to the range of coins and trading features you need. It also helps to make sure you’re getting the most competitive fee structure for your crypto trading plans so you’re not paying more than necessary.
Frequently asked questions about the best crypto exchange platforms
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The best crypto app for mobile trading ultimately comes down to your needs, trading style and personal preference. But we've found that Coinbase, Kraken and Paybis all offer solid mobile apps for trading crypto in Canada.
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Crypto exchange platforms that are registered or pre-registered by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) include:
- Bitbuy (through parent company Coinsquare)
- Coinbase
- Coinsquare
- Crypto.com
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A crypto exchange is a market on which buyers and sellers transact with each other, whereas a crypto broker transacts with customers directly. The advantage of using a broker is that transactions should be instant, which means your account updates immediately after buying or selling.
While a crypto exchange may offer brokerage services, you can also set asset prices. For instance, if you think bitcoin will go down by $10,000, you can set an order for that new lower amount and wait for it to be filled. Likewise, you can set an order to sell your assets above the market price.
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To comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations, exchanges must gather specific details about their customers. That's why you might be asked to provide proof of ID as part of a process typically referred to as "Know Your Customer" or KYC.
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The most secure exchanges are registered with major financial regulatory bodies in Canada like FINTRAC, the CSA and the OSC (Ontario). The safest exchanges should also protect accounts with multiple layers of protection, including two-factor authentication (2FA), holding most assets in cold storage and having insurance for digital assets.
Keep in mind that all centralized cryptocurrency exchanges are vulnerable to hacking and exploits, so consider using a hardware wallet for added security.
Our crypto exchange reviews
Sources
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
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Frank Corva is business-to-business (B2B) correspondent for Bitcoin Magazine and formerly the cryptocurrency writer and analyst for digital assets at Finder. Frank has turned his hobby of studying and writing about crypto into a career with a mission of educating the world about this burgeoning sector of finance. He worked in Ghana and Venezuela before earning a degree in applied linguistics at Teachers College, Columbia University. He also taught writing and entertainment business courses in Japan and worked with UNICEF in Namibia before returning to the US to teach at universities in New York City. Earlier in his career, he spent years working as a publicist and graphic designer for record labels like Warner Music Group and Triple Crown Records. During that time, he was also a music journalist whose writing and photography was in published in Alternative Press, Spin and other outlets. See full bio
Chelsey Hurst is a publisher at Finder, specializing in banking and investments. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature. See full bio
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