Best Crypto Exchange in Canada October 2026
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NDAX charges the lowest flat trading fee at 0.20%, Wealthsimple suits beginners, and Kraken offers staking on many assets.
Registration with CIRO or the Canadian Securities Administrators sets custody rules, but crypto held on any Canadian platform is not covered by CIPF or CDIC.
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Our top picks for the best crypto exchanges in Canada
Canadian traders need crypto platforms that are registered with Canadian securities regulators and offer the coins, fees, and features they want. Registration, custody, and fees are the main factors that separate the platforms below.
Best crypto exchanges in Canada reviews
Bitbuy runs under Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., a CIRO-member investment dealer. Robinhood completed its purchase of Bitbuy's parent company, WonderFi, on June 1, 2026, and Bitbuy and Coinsquare customers are moving to Robinhood's Canadian crypto platform in phases. Robinhood advertises a flat 0.5% fee on each CAD trade. Bitbuy says more than 90% of the crypto it holds for clients sits in insured cold storage with its custodians.
Crypto.com Canada received restricted dealer registration in every province and territory on May 8, 2025, and is working toward investment dealer registration and CIRO membership. Its affiliate, Crypto.com Custody Trust Company, is the primary custodian for Canadian customers' crypto. The Crypto.com app combines buying and selling with staking and a prepaid crypto Visa card.
Coinbase Canada lists more than 200 assets. Coinbase Canada, Inc. is a restricted dealer in every province and territory and a FINTRAC-registered money services business. The app suits one-time and recurring purchases, and Coinbase Advanced offers order-book trading at lower fees.
Payward Canada Inc., which operates Kraken in Canada, is a restricted dealer registered across Canada and a FINTRAC-registered money services business. Kraken offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, Axie Infinity Shards, and many other assets, and trading starts at $10. Staking is available on many assets.
Ndax Canada Inc. became a registered investment dealer and CIRO member in December 2024 and is recognized as an alternative trading system across Canada. It charges a flat 0.20% on every buy and sell, with no volume tiers and no maker/taker split. Interac e-Transfer, wire, and crypto deposits are free. NDAX holds at least 80% of client crypto with regulated third-party custodians and keeps most client assets in cold storage.
Newton Crypto Ltd. became a CIRO-member investment dealer on March 18, 2026. It builds its fee into the quoted price: 1.00% to 1.15% on BTC, ETH, and USDC, 1.25% to 1.45% on LTC, SOL, and XLM, and 1.50% to 1.60% on other assets. Higher-volume clients in its Signature Program pay as little as 0.05%. Interac e-Transfer deposits and withdrawals are free.
Shakepay supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC and became a CIRO-member investment dealer in January 2025. It holds the vast majority of client crypto in offline cold storage with a provider regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services, and carries an insurance policy on that cold-storage crypto. It charges no commission and makes money from a spread.
Wealthsimple Crypto is offered by Wealthsimple Investments Inc., a CIRO member. It lists more than 170 coins and charges a flat 0.5% fee plus a spread, though limit orders are spread-free. Orders under $100 carry a $1 surcharge, and there is no account minimum. Most crypto is held offline with regulated custodial partners that each carry more than $75 million in insurance coverage. Wealthsimple also offers staking on ETH, SOL, ADA, and DOT.
What is the safest crypto exchange in Canada?
No platform removes the risk of loss, because crypto held in any Canadian account is not covered by CIPF or CDIC. Compare registration, custody, and insurance instead.
NDAX, Newton, Shakepay, and Wealthsimple are CIRO-member investment dealers, and Bitbuy operates under CIRO-member Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Kraken are restricted dealers working toward CIRO membership. FINTRAC registration covers anti-money-laundering duties and says nothing about a platform's safety or solvency.
What is the best crypto exchange in Canada for beginners?
Wealthsimple is a strong choice for those new to cryptocurrency, especially people who already use its app.
It lists more than 170 coins and has no account minimum, though orders under $100 carry a $1 surcharge. Trades cost a flat 0.5% plus a spread, and limit orders are spread-free. Wealthsimple holds most client crypto in offline cold storage with regulated custodial partners. Crypto is not covered by CIPF or CDIC.
Different types of crypto exchanges in Canada
Canadian crypto platforms come in various forms, each with its own set of characteristics and advantages:
Centralized Exchanges (CEX): These platforms, such as Kraken and NDAX, hold client assets and offer order-book trading. In Canada, they register with securities regulators, either as CIRO-member investment dealers or as restricted dealers, and with FINTRAC as money services businesses. Registration sets conduct and custody rules. It does not insure crypto, which CIPF and CDIC do not cover.
Brokerage-style apps: Some platforms, such as Newton and Shakepay, quote a price that includes a fee or spread and trade against you instead of running an order book. They are registered the same way as exchanges.
Decentralized Exchanges (DEX): DEX platforms allow peer-to-peer trading directly from users' wallets, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Users keep control of their keys. A DEX is not a registered Canadian dealer, so the protections that apply to registered platforms do not apply.
Which Canadian crypto platform has the lowest fees?
NDAX charges a flat 0.20% on every buy and sell, and Interac e-Transfer, wire, and crypto deposits are free. Robinhood (Bitbuy) and Wealthsimple charge 0.5%, plus a spread at Wealthsimple. Standard Newton clients pay 1.00% to 1.60% per trade depending on the asset, falling to 0.05% only for top Signature clients. Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker.
Final verdict about the best Canadian crypto exchange
Selecting the best Canadian crypto exchange hinges on your individual preferences and goals.
For beginners, Wealthsimple is the strongest choice, particularly for people who already use its app. For low trading fees, NDAX's flat 0.20% is the lowest among the platforms reviewed here. Coinbase and Kraken suit people who want staking and a larger asset list, and Bitbuy customers should expect a move to Robinhood.
How is crypto taxed in Canada?
The Canada Revenue Agency treats cryptocurrency as a commodity. Selling crypto, trading one coin for another, or spending it is a disposition, and the result is either a capital gain or loss or business income, depending on how often and how you trade. For capital gains, 50% of the gain is taxable. A capital loss can offset capital gains, but the superficial loss rule denies a loss if you buy the same crypto back within 30 days. See the CRA's guide for cryptocurrency users, and for more detail, read the guide to crypto taxes in Canada.
Methodology
Crypto exchanges in Canada FAQs
What is a crypto exchange?
How do Canadian crypto exchanges work?
What are the largest crypto exchanges in Canada?
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What factors should you consider when choosing a crypto exchange in Canada?
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