Gate.io exchange alternatives in Canada

Gate.io is a popular global crypto exchange with over 20 million users worldwide. It lets users trade over 3,600 cryptocurrencies online and via a user-friendly mobile app, plus it offers a Web3 wallet along with a copy trading feature.

But can you use Gate.io in Canada? Keep reading to find out.

Is Gate.io available in Canada?

No. While Canadians were previously able to trade on Gate.io, the platform’s user agreement now lists Canada as a restricted location.

So, if you want to trade crypto in Canada, you’ll need to look for Gate.io alternatives—and the five exchanges we’ve profiled below are a great place to start.

Gate.io exchange alternatives in Canada

Finder Score	Cryptocurrencies	Fiat currencies	FINTRAC registered
Coinbase
9.5Excellent Coinbase	9.5Excellent	288	1		Buy your first crypto and get $10 in BTC with code BTCCA10. Canadian users only. T&Cs apply.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Coinbase is one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world by trading volume. You can deposit funds for free via Interac e-Transfer, and instantly purchase crypto via debit. Coinbase offers a user-friendly platform and highly-rated mobile app. Similar to Gate.io, Coinbase offers the option to earn crypto rewards by watching learning videos and completing quizzes. Pros & cons Pros Easy signup process Trade BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, DOT, LTC and 280+ more cryptos Free e-transfer deposits Instant withdrawals to most banks Discounted volume pricing with Coinbase Advanced Registered with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) Cons Only hold CAD in Canadian accounts No credit card purchases in Canada No margin, futures or options trading in Canada
Kraken
9.5Excellent Kraken	9.5Excellent	379	7		Earn rewards by holding USDC on Kraken. All Kraken users earn 1.75%, while Kraken+ members earn 4.25%. Rewards accrue automatically based on your USDC balance. T&Cs apply.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you're searching for a Gate.io alternative with something to offer beginners as well as more advanced traders, Kraken is well worth a look. Founded in 2011, this popular platform is among the world's largest crypto exchanges in terms of trading volume. It doesn't boast anywhere near the same number of coins as Gate.io, but there's still a decent range on offer—over 350 cryptocurrencies to be specific. It's quick and easy to get started, while experienced crypto enthusiasts will enjoy the advanced and customizable features of Kraken Pro. Pros & cons Pros Established platform with a global presence Beginner friendly Wide range of deposit options Highly rated Kraken Pro mobile app 24/7 customer support Cons Can find cheaper trading fees elsewhere Poor user reviews on Trustpilot Some complaints about the quality of customer service
KOHO
8.2Great KOHO Crypto Exclusive	8.2Great	14	1		Finder exclusive: New users get $40 using code FINDER4026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it While KOHO is most widely known for its high-interest savings plans, it has expanded its offerings to include crypto trading. Backed by Ndax, KOHO now allows users to buy and sell BTC, ETH, XRP, DOGE and 15+ more cryptocurrencies. You can buy crypto using funds directly from your KOHO account, eliminating the need to shuffle funds around for each trade. Pros & cons Pros Transparent fee structure with no hidden spreads Crypto assets are held in cold storage and regulated custodial arrangements Held crypto may be insured Earn interest on your CAD balance through KOHO's standard plan Set up scheduled crypto purchases and price alerts Cons KOHO plans come with a monthly or annual fee Limited number of coins to purchase Trades can cost 0.5% to 1.5% Supports less cryptos compared to KuCoin
Paybis
7.9Great Paybis	7.9Great	83	50		Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you're new to the world of crypto, Paybis offers a simple and straightforward introduction to digital currencies. The platform makes it quick and easy to buy BTC and other cryptos with your debit or credit card with dozens of coins and tokens available. 24/7 support is also provided, so help is on offer if you have any questions about your account. Pros & cons Pros User-friendly platform Launched in 2016 Decent user reviews on Trustpilot Supports multiple deposit methods 24/7 support Cons You can only sell a limited number of cryptos High fees Paybis wallet is not available in Canada
VirgoCX
8.2Great VirgoCX	8.2Great	45	2		Get a $20 bonus when you open a new account and deposit $100+. T&Cs apply.	Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Unlike Gate.io, VirgoCX is based in Canada—in Toronto, to be precise. Founded in 2018, it allows you to trade USDC, BTC, ETH, LTC, SOL, DOGE and 35+ more cryptocurrencies, and it's quick and easy to buy crypto with your CAD or USD. Free cash deposits and withdrawals are available too, and there's a user-friendly app if you prefer a mobile trading experience. Pros & cons Pros Canada-based platform User-friendly platform Free deposits and withdrawals Multilingual support 24/7 live support Wide range of payment options Cons High fees for credit and debit card deposits Spread fees of 0.95%-1.6% Supports much fewer cryptocurrencies than Gate.io

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What is the Gate.io exchange platform?

Gate.io is a popular cryptocurrency exchange where users in eligible countries can buy and sell thousands of coins. Founded in 2013, it offers the following features.

Gate.io supported cryptocurrencies

You can buy and sell over 3,600 cryptocurrencies on Gate.io, so there’s a diverse range of trading opportunities available. Access popular cryptos like BTC, ETH, DOGE and XRP along with a huge range of altcoins. There’s an Express Buy option and a wide range of payment methods are supported, while Gate.io also supports spot, margin and P2P trading.

Gate.io fees

Gate.io offers competitive trading fees, but fees vary depending on your VIP membership level. In the US, Gate.io charges maker fees of 0.02%-0.2% and taker fees of 0%-0.3%. Fee discounts are available for GateToken (GT) holders. Withdrawal fees also apply, depending on the crypto network you’re withdrawing to.

Trading fees are higher at several Gate.io alternatives featured here.

Does Gate.io require KYC?

Yes. You will need to complete KYC before depositing funds to, or withdrawing funds from, your Gate.io account. Verifying your account also allows you to access higher withdrawal limits and provides increased account security.

To complete KYC, you’ll need to provide your nationality, country of residence, full name and ID number. You’ll also need to upload photos of your ID, verify your address and undergo facial recognition.

Gate.io app

Available for Android and iOS devices, the Gate.io app allows you to trade thousands of cryptocurrencies from your smartphone. Spot and futures trading are available, while you can also take part in airdrops, mining and staking. At the time of writing, Gate.io boasts an average user rating of 4.7/5 based on over 70,000 Google Play reviews and an average of 4.2/5 based on over 4,000 App Store ratings.

Gate.io Wallet

The Gate.io Web3 Wallet is a decentralized wallet that supports coins and tokens across more than 100 blockchain networks. You can use it to manage your crypto assets, trade tokens, perform cross-chain swaps, earn passive income and more. Users can create a Web3 Wallet on the Gate.io website or mobile app.

Gate.io staking and loans

If you want to use your crypto holdings to earn passive income, Gate.io also offers a range of staking and interest-earning opportunities through its platform. Crypto loans are available too, allowing you to use your crypto assets as collateral to borrow other cryptocurrencies.

Is Gate.io legal in Canada?

Gate.io is not available to use in Canada. While the exchange is not listed as a banned crypto trading platform by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), Canada is listed as a restricted location in Gate.io’s user agreement.

So, if you want to trade cryptocurrency in Canada, you’ll need to consider Gate.io alternatives.

When did Gate.io come to Canada, and why did it leave?

Gate.io was founded in 2013 as Bter.com, but it later rebranded to Gate.io in 2017. In early 2022, Gate.io contacted Canadian customers to inform them that their accounts would be closed in April. The exchange’s withdrawal from the Canadian market was likely due to securities regulators tightening restrictions on crypto trading platforms.

Does Gate.io work in Canada?

Canadian Gate.io users were required to close all positions and withdraw all assets from their accounts by April 10, 2022. Gate.io also announced its intention to permanently close those accounts after April 30, 2022.

Meanwhile, if you’re a resident of a country where Gate.io is available, you may still be able to access your Gate.io account while visiting Canada. However, you may need to use a VPN to log in.

What countries does Gate.io operate in?

Gate.io’s trading platform is available in more than 100 countries and has over 20 million users worldwide. Check with Gate.io to find out more about which countries the platform serves.

Gate.io restricted countries

In its user agreement, Gate.io lists the following restricted locations:

Bottom line

Gate.io isn’t available in Canada, but there are several other reputable crypto exchanges that are. Compare the five Gate.io alternatives listed above with a range of other top platforms to find the crypto exchange that meets all your trading needs.

Frequently asked questions about Gate.io

• Which organizations regulate crypto in Canada?

  Crypto trading platforms in Canada are overseen by provincial securities regulators like the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and the BC Securities Commission (BCSC), and you can visit the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) website for a list of banned and authorized crypto trading platforms in Canada.

  FINTRAC also plays a key regulatory role, and cryptocurrency exchanges must report large virtual currency transactions to FINTRAC and ensure that they meet Anti Money Laundering and Know Your Customer (AML/KYC) requirements.

• Is Gate.io a Chinese company?

  Originally known as Bter.com, Gate.io was initially based in China. However, it rebranded to Gate.io in 2017. Multiple online sources list Gate.io as being headquartered in the Cayman Islands, but the Gate.io website states that the platform "is not registered and does not maintain any address in the Cayman Islands."

• Where can I download the Gate.io app?

  The Gate.io app is free to download from Google Play for Android devices and from Apple's App Store for iOS devices.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Stacie Hurst as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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