KuCoin exchange alternatives in Canada

You can't use KuCoin in Canada, so check out these five popular KuCoin alternatives.

KuCoin is a Seychelles-based crypto exchange where users can buy and sell over 700 cryptocurrencies. It’s also one of the world’s largest exchanges, so you might be wondering, “Can I use KuCoin in Canada?” Keep reading to find out.

Is KuCoin available in Canada?

No, KuCoin is not available in Canada. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) lists KuCoin as a banned crypto trading platform.

So, if you want to buy and sell digital currencies, you’ll need to search for KuCoin exchange alternatives in Canada.

5 KuCoin alternatives in Canada

Compare these five KuCoin alternatives to find the right trading platform for your needs.

Kraken

Kraken

270+
Supported cryptos
7
Fiat currencies
Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest names in the crypto world. This US-based exchange allows you to trade over 200 cryptocurrencies, and it operates in over 190 countries around the globe. It's well suited to beginners as well as experienced traders, so it's worth checking out when searching for a KuCoin alternative.
Pros
  • Established platform with a global presence
  • Beginner friendly
  • Wide range of deposit options
  • Highly rated Kraken Pro mobile app
Cons
  • Cheaper trading fees available elsewhere
  • Poor user reviews on Trustpilot
  • Some complaints about the quality of customer service
Deposit methods Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Interac e-Transfer, Wire transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Deposit fees Interac e-Transfer: 0.5%
Apple Pay/Google Pay: variable
Crypto: Free for most cryptos
Wire transfers: $0-$3
Canada Post cash/debit: $1.25+0.25%
Withdrawal fees Interac e-Transfer: $10
EFT: 0.35%
Wire: $0-$35
Crypto: variable
Trading fees Maker (Pro account): 0%-0.25%
Taker (Pro account): 0.1%-0.4%

Paybis

Paybis Cryptocurrency Exchange

80+
Supported cryptos
60
Fiat currencies
Use code Finder25 to get a 25% discount on all commission for 1 transaction. T&Cs apply.
Paybis was founded in 2014 and offers a user-friendly crypto-buying platform in over 180 countries around the world. You can buy over 85 cryptocurrencies on Paybis, and it's easy to buy the currency of your choice directly with CAD. Its online platform and mobile app are user-friendly, but crypto-selling services are limited to approximately 10 popular coins.
Pros
  • Easy way to get started with crypto
  • Supports a long list of fiat currencies
  • 24/7 customer support
Cons
  • Only supports selling a small number of cryptos
  • You'll find lower fees elsewhere
  • Paybis Wallet not available in Canada
Deposit methods Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Neteller, Skrill, Apple Pay
Deposit fees Bank transfer: 0.99%
Debit / credit card: 2.49%
Neteller: 2.95%
Skrill: 4.95%
Processing fee (additional to other fees): 4.5% - 6.99%
Withdrawal fees Bank transfer: 0.99%
Debit / credit card: 2.49%
Neteller: 2.95%
Skrill: 4.95%
Processing fee (additional to other fees): 4.5% - 6.99%
Trading fees N/A

VirgoCX

VirgoCX Cryptocurrency Exchange

70+
Supported cryptos
2
Fiat currencies
Get a $20 bonus when you open a new account and deposit $100+. T&Cs apply.
VirgoCX is a Toronto-based exchange where you can buy and sell bitcoin, ethereum and over 60 other cryptos. It's easy to use, supports a wide range of payment methods and also includes advanced tools for more experienced traders. Best of all, the Canadian Securities Administrators lists VirgoCX as a crypto trading platform authorized to do business with Canadians.
Pros
  • Canadian platform
  • Suits beginners as well as more advanced traders
  • 24/7 live support
  • Wide range of payment options
Cons
  • Doesn't support as many cryptocurrencies as KuCoin
  • Watch out for fees if you pay by card
  • Lower trading fees elsewhere
Deposit methods Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Interac e-Transfer, Wire transfer
Deposit fees Interac e-transfer: $0
Wire transfer: $0
Bill payment: $0
Debit card: 2.99%-5.99%
Credit card: 3.99%-6.99%
Crypto: variable (plus network fees)
Withdrawal fees Interac e-transfer: $0
Wire transfer: $0
Crypto: variable (plus network fees)
Trading fees Maker: N/A
Taker: N/A

Uphold

Uphold

210+
Supported cryptos
20
Fiat currencies
Uphold is a multi-asset trading platform that aims to let you trade 'anything to anything.' Fiat currencies, precious metals and hundreds of cryptocurrencies are all available through this exchange, and it's easy to get started online or via mobile app. Uphold is committed to transparency and provides real-time information about its reserves.
Pros
  • Supports multiple payment methods
  • User-friendly mobile app
  • Good selection of cryptos
  • Staking opportunities available
Cons
  • Mixed reviews on Trustpilot
  • You'll find cheaper fees elsewhere
  • Lacks advanced tools for experienced traders
Deposit methods Credit card, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Deposit fees Fiat: 3.99%
Withdrawal fees Crypto: $0.99
Trading fees Trades under $500: $0.99 (plus spreads)

Bitget

Bitget

870+
Supported cryptos
45
Fiat currencies
Sign up and receive a 6,200 USDT newcomer's gift package.
With 45 million users, a high daily trading volume and features to suit advanced traders, Bitget is another of the world's most popular crypto exchanges. It allows users to buy and sell over 800 cryptocurrencies, and you also have the option of buying directly with your credit or debit card. A copy trading feature is also provided, along with margin and futures trading.
Pros
  • Huge range of cryptos
  • Competitive fees
  • Copy trading feature
  • Highly rated mobile app
Cons
  • Some mixed reviews
  • Some complaints about customer service
Deposit methods Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card
Deposit fees None
Withdrawal fees Fees vary
Trading fees Maker: 0.02%-0.10%
Taker: 0.03%-0.10%
Advanced Trading Features Yes

What is the KuCoin exchange platform?

KuCoin is a centralized crypto exchange that was first established in China but is now based in the Seychelles. Founded in 2017, it offers the following services to users in over 200 countries.

Trade over 700 cryptocurrencies

Users in countries served by KuCoin can buy and sell over 700 digital currencies on the platform. You can deposit crypto or buy with your credit, debit card or bank transfer. The platform also supports P2P trading, margin trading, derivatives and more.

KuCoin fees

KuCoin has a maker/taker fee structure for spot crypto trading. However, the fee that applies varies depending on your VIP account level, which is determined by factors like your 30-day trading volume and the amount of the exchange’s official token—KuCoin Tokens (KCS)—you hold. It’s also worth noting that users get a 20% fee discount if they pay for fees with KCS.

TypeFee
Maker-0.005 — 0.100%
Taker0.025 — 0.100%

These fees (shown here from KuCoin’s operation in Australia) are quite competitive when compared to the other platforms featured in this guide.

For example, Bitget’s maker and taker fees also start at 0.10%, but VIP members can take advantage of discounts. Kraken Pro members are charged maker and taker fees of 0%-0.25% (Pro account) and 0.1%-0.4% (Pro account) respectively, but there are also discounts available for high-volume traders.

KuCard

The KuCard is a Visa debit card that allows you to spend your cryptocurrency in the real world. This crypto-to-fiat card works with both Apple Pay and Google Pay, and it supports over 50 cryptocurrencies as well as one fiat currency (euros).

KuCoin Pay

KuCoin Pay is a merchant payment solution designed to allow retailers to accept cryptocurrency payments. It supports hundreds of digital currencies and allows verified KuCoin users to pay with crypto.

KuCoin Earn

KuCoin Earn provides savings, staking and high-yield promotional opportunities for crypto holders. Users can also earn income by providing cryptocurrency loans.

No, KuCoin is not legal in Canada. KuCoin is listed as a banned crypto trading platform according to the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA).

A June 2022 decision from the Ontario Securities Commission found that KuCoin failed to comply with Ontario Securities law, and that its serious misconduct warranted a $2 million administrative penalty and a permanent market participation ban. According to the CSA, the Ontario regulator’s ruling is reciprocated in other provinces/territories.

So, if you want to buy and sell crypto in Canada, you’ll need to look for KuCoin alternatives.

When did KuCoin come to Canada, and why did it leave?

KuCoin was founded in 2017 but is now banned in Canada. In June 2022, the Ontario Securities Commission’s Capital Markets Tribunal found that the crypto exchange had sold crypto contracts and crypto futures contracts in the province. KuCoin breached the Ontario Securities Act by:

  • Engaging in the business of trading securities without being registered to do so and
  • Distributing securities without a prospectus

As a result, KuCoin was hit with a hefty fine and banned from offering its services in Ontario. Information on the CSA website states that this decision was reciprocated in other provinces/territories.

Does KuCoin work in Canada?

While the KuCoin website is accessible in Canada, the platform does not offer services to Canadian customers. So, if you want to buy or sell crypto, you’ll need to search for an exchange that’s authorized to offer services in Canada.

If you live in a country where KuCoin is still available and you’ve previously signed up for an account, you’ll still be able to access your account while visiting Canada.

How to get money out of KuCoin in Canada?

If you want to convert your KuCoin crypto holdings to CAD, here’s what you need to do.

  1. Choose a crypto exchange that supports the cryptocurrencies you want to sell and also supports fiat currency withdrawals.
  2. Open an account on that exchange and copy the wallet address for the crypto you want to deposit.
  3. Log in to your KuCoin account.
  4. Select Assets followed by Overview and then Withdraw.
  5. Use the dropdown menu to select the cryptocurrency you want to withdraw.
  6. Paste the address of the wallet you’ll be withdrawing to.
  7. Enter the withdrawal amount and select the correct network.
  8. Review all details of the transaction before selecting Withdraw.

Can I withdraw from KuCoin to my bank account?

Unfortunately, you can’t withdraw fiat currency directly from KuCoin to a bank account. You will instead need to move your crypto holdings to another exchange that supports fiat withdrawals then sell your digital currencies before withdrawing fiat currency to your bank account.

What countries is KuCoin available in?

KuCoin is available in over 200 countries around the world. However, the exchange’s Terms of Use list the following restricted locations where its services are not available:

  • Ontario (Canada)
  • United States (including US territories, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa)
  • Singapore
  • The mainland of China and Hong Kong
  • Malaysia
  • Uzbekistan

Is KuCoin safe?

KuCoin is one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges and uses multi-factor authentication, anti-phishing and anti-fraud measures to protect customer accounts. However, it was the victim of a widely publicized hack in 2020, when hackers stole around US$275 million worth of cryptocurrency.

KuCoin is also a banned crypto trading platform in Canada, so make sure you search for reputable exchanges when deciding where to buy and sell cryptocurrency. For example, VirgoCX is authorized to do business with Canadians by the CSA, while platforms like Kraken and Uphold have filed pre-registration undertakings with the Ontario Securities Commission.

Bottom line

While you can’t use KuCoin in Canada, there are several other options worth checking out. Compare a wide range of crypto exchanges based on your trading needs to find the best Kucoin exchange alternative for you.

Frequently asked questions about KuCoin in Canada

Tim Falk's headshot
Written by

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-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

More guides on Finder

  • Uphold review

    We break down the pros and cons of trading crypto, precious metals and fiat currencies on Uphold in Canada.

  • Bybit exchange alternatives in Canada

    Check out these five crypto exchange alternatives to Bybit in Canada.

  • Bitrue Canada exchange alternatives

    Compare five Bitrue exchange alternatives in Canada where you can buy and sell crypto.

  • Netcoins review

    Netcoins offers free deposit options and simple, flat-fee trading. But the platform has its drawbacks too.

  • Newton crypto review

    We like this Canadian platform’s straightforward fees and features, but advanced traders may find it limited.

  • Wealthsimple Crypto review

    Learn more about Wealthsimple Crypto, Canada’s first ever regulated crypto platform, in our review.

  • Kraken review

    Kraken has impressive features, but its fees can be a little steep. Learn more in our Kraken review.

  • 5 Binance Canada alternatives

    We compare five crypto exchanges to help you find the best Binance alternative in Canada.

  • Gemini review

    Gemini is no longer available in Canada. Learn more about the platform and compare alternatives.

Go to site