Top 7 best crypto exchanges in Canada for 2025

Our panel of crypto analysts, experts, and traders periodically test 50+ leading exchange services to find the best crypto exchange in Canada.
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Updated on Oct 30, 2024
Reading time 12 minutes

To create this list, our expert panel performs a series of tests to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the best cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada. The tests include creating an account, placing trades, and transferring money to a secure crypto wallet.

We then research the specific needs of Canadian crypto investors, such as which payment methods are available, which currencies you can deposit, and the trading fees in Canada.

Each expert assigns a score, which is combined with the results of further research to create a final ranking to answer the question: what are the best crypto exchanges in Canada for Canadian users? 

Learn more about our panel and how we rate and review platforms. Or read on to find out what is the best Canadian crypto exchange.

What is the best crypto exchange Canada in 2025?

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Our expert rankings reveal that Coinbase is the best cryptocurrency exchange in Canada.

The list below shows the three best Canada crypto exchanges that excelled in our tests by combining low trading fees, high security, and ease of use.

We found 26 crypto platforms for users based in

Coinbase review
4.2
Coinbase
Min. Deposit $10
Fees Up to 0.6%
No. assets 150+
Demo account No

Coinbase review

Eightcap review
4.5
Eightcap
Min. Deposit $100
Fees Up to $3.5 RT
No. assets 800+
Demo account Yes

Eightcap review

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Kraken review
4.0
Kraken
Min. Deposit $10
Fees 0.10% - 0.26%
No. assets 200+
Demo account Yes

Kraken review

The best Canadian crypto exchanges, reviewed

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We found 26 crypto platforms for users based in

1. Coinbase. Best secure trading platform for all types of trader

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4
Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

Up to 0.6%

Fees

200

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love Coinbase because it’s the leading public crypto platform. Coinbase offers more than 170 cryptocurrencies to trade, a secure wallet to store your coins in, and automatic staking rewards on 10+ cryptos through Coinbase Earn.

Coinbase’s user-friendly platform simplifies the buying, selling, and trading processes, making it one of the top crypto exchanges for all levels of trader. But, Coinbase isn’t just an easy to use platform, it’s one of the safest and most secure. 

A public company brings transparency and renown, so you can trust that any money on Coinbase is safe and you’re sharing the platform with over 100 million other users. It stores 98% of customer assets offline in cold storage, minimizing the risk of theft. There is also insurance on all cash balances up to $250,000

The fees: Trading fees start from 0.6% but reduce the higher your trading volume. Bank transfer deposits and withdrawals are free, other payment methods may be charged. There is no fee for wallet-to-wallet crypto transactions but you will have to pay blockchain fees. Coinbase charges a 25% fee for its staking services.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

2. Eightcap. Best online broker for choice of trading platform

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4.5
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

Up to $3.5 RT

Fees

800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Eightcap because you have several trading platforms to choose from. You can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. All of these platforms are favourites among retail traders. With the MetaTrade suite of platforms, you can access lots of technical indicators, custom tools, and expert advisors. 

TradingView with Eightcap allows you to trade directly from your charts while accessing the hundreds of tools and features available. Eightcap has over 900 markets available including stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. 

The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spreads, commissions, or a combination of both. There are two account types available, RAW, and Standard. The RAW account has ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips but charges $3.5 RT per lot. The standard account is commission-free for most assets and spreads start from 1 pip.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

3. Kraken: Best for simple, global cryptocurrency trading from your phone

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4
Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

0.10% - 0.26% (volume dependent)

Fees

200

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Kraken because it’s a beginner-friendly crypto trading platform, one that’s designed to make it quick and convenient to buy and sell crypto on the go. The Kraken mobile app provides access to over 200 cryptocurrencies making it one of the most diverse platforms around. 

With an intuitive interface and many advanced features, the Kraken crypto app is suitable for those just starting, or experienced traders wanting to enhance their trading experience. The Kraken mobile app caters to different trading styles and preferences with spot, margin, and futures all available. 

Kraken’s mobile app also supports up to 5:1 leverage allowing you to amplify your position and potentially increase your returns. With such a wide selection of tokens available and a solid range of features and tools, the Kraken app is one of the top cryptocurrency trading platforms while on the go. 

The fees: Kraken charges a fee of between 0-0.26% on every crypto trade. There are no costs to set up an account and no flat trading fees.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

4. Uphold. Best for building long term wealth

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4
Ratings

$1

Min. deposit

$0.99

Fees

300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Uphold because it’s a regulated and transparent digital asset platform. Uphold is an excellent platform for discovering important new tokens early, making it ideal for investors looking to get in on the ground floor of emerging cryptocurrencies. 

Uphold offers a broad selection of coins, with over 250 tokens available catering to both seasoned and novice crypto traders. The platform regularly adds new assets allowing users to invest in promising projects before they gain mainstream attention. 

Uphold isn’t just a platform for investing early. One of the main advantages of using Uphold is its transparent and competitive fee structure. The platform does not charge for deposits or withdrawals, and trading fees are clearly stated. You can also trade between different asset classes including fiat currencies. 

The fees: Crypto spreads start from 0.9% and are usually lower than 1.3% for BTC and ETH. Other cryptocurrency spreads are higher. Average spreads on fiat currency are 0.2%. There is a $0.99 fee for transactions under $100 made with the Uphold card.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

5. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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Avatrade_logo
4
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.13%

Fees

500

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various stock markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs on hundreds of global stocks including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and more. 

AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world. 

AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology. 

The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Stock spreads start from 0.13. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

6. KuCoin. Best social trading altcoin exchange

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4
Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

...

Fees

-

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love KuCoin because it’s a great place for beginners to trade more than 700 altcoins. Kucoin offers a vast range of cryptocurrencies including all the big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum, together with hundreds of altcoins and newly released tokens. 

The exchange gives you multiple ways to trade and invest in crypto, including spot trading, futures trading, margin trading, and staking. This choice allows you to choose the method that best suits your trading strategies and risk tolerance. 

Kucoin is a top platform for both beginners and experienced traders. Its intuitive interface is easy to get to grips with and its advanced trading features mean even high volume traders can make use of it. Kucoin also offers an earn feature, where you can generate passive income through staking and lending, making it one of the best all round crypto exchanges. 

The fees: Trading fees are charged on a sliding scale. Fees are 0.1% on trading volumes below 50 BTC in a 30 day period. Discounts are available if you pay fees in KCS or store more than 1000 KCS in your account.

Highlights

Pros & Cons

7. XTB: Best for offering global CFD markets to retail traders

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3.5
Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

0.02 pips

Fees

1,600

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love XTB because of its extensive range of international CFD markets, allowing retail traders to buy and sell popular financial assets at competitive prices. XTB offers over 5,900 instruments, including 3,000 stocks and 400 ETFs. 

This broad selection allows you to diversify your portfolio and explore several trading opportunities across different global markets. Whether you are interested in big name US stocks, or diverse ETFs, XTB’s comprehensive offering means you have the tools and resources needed to trade effectively.

XTB combines beginner-friendly, introductory tools and resources with a scaling system of accounts that allow experienced traders to access high rates of leverage and advanced analytical tools. 

With more than 180 pre-installed indicators and chart types, its bespoke xStation platform allows for intricate analysis, while beginners can access its Trading Central service, where trade ideas, forecasts, and risk analyses are available for anyone to look through.

The fees: XTB’s fees start from 0.2 pips on global stocks and indices. Spreads on lesser traded stocks from less popular exchanges may be significantly higher.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

How to choose the best Canada crypto exchange

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With so many options out there, you should take care over picking the right Canadian crypto platform for you. The exchange fees, storage facilities, and range of coins available should all impact your choice. 

To help you make the right decision, here are some questions to ask yourself as you research each cryptocurrency exchange.

1. How much does the exchange charge to trade?

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There can be a big difference in the trading fees charged by each Canada-based crypto exchange. While all exchanges generally offer low cost cryptocurrency trading, what they charge may vary widely. Taking the time to compare them can save you money. 

Trading fees are usually charged as a percentage of the trade. The best crypto exchange in Canada with low trading fees charge 1% or less of the trade amount. Some services charge a lot higher. The information below compares the trading fees for three of the best crypto services in Canada.

Asset Coinbase fees Eightcap fees Kraken fees
Crypto Up to 0.6% Up to $3.5 RT 0.10% – 0.26% (volume dependent)
View more > Coinbase > Eightcap > Kraken >

In addition to trading fees, you may also be charged for making a deposit or encounter withdrawal fees. You rarely have to pay for depositing fiat currency via a bank account or credit or debit card, but you may be charged a flat withdrawal fee. There’s often a significant charge for withdrawals made in digital currency.

In addition to payment fees, you may encounter other charges such as inactivity fees, overnight fees, currency conversion fees, and more. Here’s a quick look at other types of fees applicable when trading crypto in Canada.

Fee Coinbase fees Eightcap fees Kraken fees
Trading fees Yes Yes Yes
Inactivity fees No No No
Rollover/overnight fees No Yes, on certain assets No
Withdrawal fees Yes Yes, for certain payment methods No
Spreads Yes Yes Yes
Conversion fees Yes Yes, currency dependent Yes
View more > Coinbase > Eightcap > Kraken >

2. How does the exchange store customer funds?

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Crypto exchanges are available widely, but the important question is whether they are regulated in Canada. It’s regulation that protects if something happens to the exchange and you lose the money you hold on there.

You want to pick a reputable exchange that safely stores its customers’ funds. The best Bitcoin exchanges in Canada should store your funds in segregated accounts and, ideally, in cold storage (offline). Choosing a Canada crypto exchange that a reputable accountancy firm has audited can give you extra peace of mind.

3. Is the platform easy to use?

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A good user experience means more than being able to navigate the website easily. Think about how you plan to trade: will you trade from your phone? How are you going to manage your crypto portfolio? Are you after particular analysis tools, charts, or software integrations to make crypto trades?

Armed with that information, you can narrow your shortlist by considering if the exchange suits you. For instance, if you plan to do a lot of trading on the go, you should focus on the platform offering the best crypto app in Canada.

Use the table below to compare the various features and tools offered by the top three crypto brokers in Canada.

Trading tool Coinbase tools Eightcap tools Kraken tools
Charts Yes Yes Yes
News feeds Yes Yes Yes
Analyst recommendations No Yes No
Fundamental analysis Yes Yes No
Financial calendar No Yes No
View more > Coinbase > Eightcap > Kraken >

4. What is the account verification process?

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When you create an account, you’ll often be asked to supply personal details and a form of ID to verify your identity. It’s normally a prerequisite for any crypto exchange to be regulated in Canada that they ask you for verification before approving your account.

It’s a good idea to check the verification process before signing up. That way, you can have the relevant documents to create a seamless sign up process. Or, if you want to avoid supplying personal details, you can filter out a crypto exchange in Canada that demand verification to use it.

5. How many cryptocurrencies are available?

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You can buy Bitcoin in Canada through any cryptocurrency exchange, but beyond that, the number of available coins can vary. If you want to trade altcoins, look for a Canada crypto exchange that offers many coins and ‘crosses’, where you can swap from one crypto to another. 

Many of the best cryptocurrency trading platforms in Canada also offer other markets like forex, stocks, and commodities. Below, we’ve provided the number of cryptos available on the top Canadian crypto exchanges.  

Product Coinbase assets Eightcap assets Kraken assets
Crypto 150+ 200 +
NFTs 300+ 250 +
View more > Coinbase > Eightcap > Kraken >

6. Which currencies can you deposit?

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For most people, a crypto exchange in Canada is a means to transfer local fiat currencies into cryptocurrency. However, many crypto exchanges in Canada only accept US dollar deposits, which can be an issue if that is not your primary currency.

If you don’t have access to US Dollars, then it might be best to choose a large exchange like Binance or a local exchange that’s specifically designed for crypto traders in Canada. 

7. Which payment methods are accepted?

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Decide how you want to pay for your crypto. Suppose you want to fund an account with the best Canada crypto exchange using bank transfers or debit card payments. In that case, most Canada crypto exchanges accept deposits from bank accounts and you don’t need to worry.

A crypto trading platform in Canada is less likely to accept alternative payment methods, like PayPal and other e-wallet services. The larger ones, such as Binance, accept a wide variety of payment methods, but it’s still a good idea to check whether you can pay how you want before signing up.

8. Does it offer additional features, like staking or lending?

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Think about what you want to use the exchange for to influence your decision. Do you want to store or stake your coins? Lend them to earn interest, or borrow crypto yourself?

You can buy crypto in Canada through any Canada based crypto exchange that’s regulated, but not all platforms offer all these services. You may be happy to juggle multiple logins and use different exchanges, but it’s normally easier to use one service, at least to start with.

What type of Canadian crypto exchanges are there?

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Most crypto investors use a centralized, global exchange like Binance or Coinbase. But cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada come in different forms. Here is a breakdown of the most common types:

  • Centralized. In a centralized exchange, an authority – in this case, a company – operates the service. You create an account and deposit money, and the entity holds the funds in the middle. When you make trades, they go through the central authority. The biggest crypto exchange, Binance, is an example of this platform type.
  • Decentralized. On decentralized exchanges, there is no central authority. Instead, buyers and sellers deal with each other directly, and the crypto trading platforms are just the mechanism for connecting them. You can’t create an account; the crypto assets are sent from one wallet to another when a transaction takes place.
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P). A peer-to-peer exchange operates like a decentralised exchange, but a central body still acts as the intermediary. Each side in a transaction makes the payment, and the central body releases the funds as soon as both sides have sent money.

Can I buy traditional financial assets on a crypto exchange in Canada?

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On some platforms you can, but a better option is to sign up for a dedicated service that offers the specific assets you want to trade. The best online brokers in Canada allow you to buy and sell stocks, while the best forex brokers in Canada is best for currency trading. The best CFD brokers in Canada offer a mixture of all these assets.

How to buy crypto on the best Bitcoin exchange in Canada

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Follow this short guide to learn how to buy Bitcoin in Canada. This method is simple and is the same whether you want to buy and sell Bitcoin or prefer to trade crypto instead. 

Step 1. Sign up to Coinbase

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We recommend Coinbase as the best cryptocurrency exchange in Canada for Canadian crypto investors.

Step 2. Create an account

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You need to supply some personal contact details, such as your name and email address, in order to set up an account. Many Canadian crypto exchanges require a photo ID as verification before you can use your account to buy cryptocurrency in Canada.

Step 3. Deposit funds in your chosen currency

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Go to the bank or deposit section of your crypto trading platform account. Here, you can enter the amount you wish to deposit, choose your preferred payment method, such as a bank account, credit or debit cards, and transfer the money you want to use to buy crypto onto the exchange.

Step 4. Search your favourite crypto

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You purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies by typing the coin name or symbol in the search box. For example, to buy Bitcoin online, search for the symbol BTC. Then you enter the details of the trade. 

Step 5. Buy cryptocurrency in Canada

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Finally, to buy Bitcoin or any other crypto asset hit the ‘buy’ or ‘trade’ button. Fill in how much cryptocurrency you want to buy, and execute the trade.

Step 6. Transfer your cryptocurrency to a crypto wallet (optional)

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Your crypto assets will appear in your exchange wallet once the trade goes through. You can leave them there or move them to a dedicated crypto wallet. 

With a wallet, you have more control over your money, but it’s more inconvenient if you plan on trading regularly. You can learn more about how to find the best Bitcoin wallet in Canada below.

Quick answers to key questions

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Yes, cryptocurrency exchanges are legal in Canada and allow users to trade digital currencies. The biggest exchanges that operate in Canada include Coinberry, Netcoins, Bitbuy, and Coinsquare. These platforms have regulatory licences such as registration as a Money Services Business (MSB). These platforms enable over $500 million in monthly trading volume from Canadian crypto users.

Are crypto exchanges regulated in Canada?

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Yes, cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada are regulated by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which is a national body, as well as by provincial securities regulators like the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) as well as FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada). 

Platforms must register as a Money Services Business, implement KYC procedures, and have security measures for holding crypto assets. This regulatory compliance provides security for Canadian crypto users.

Canada has some of the strictest rules governing how crypto exchanges operate, which means that some big-name exchanges don’t operate at all in the country any more. Following new rules introduced in 2023 that limited how much investors can put into crypto, Binance withdrew from Canada entirely.

Over time, however, we’ve seen other big exchanges receive licenses to operate. The most well-known of them is Coinbase, which recently received legal approval to operate in the Canadian market.

In addition to regulation from the CSA, OSC, and FINTRAC, many of the best Canadian crypto trading platforms also hold licences from various regulators across the globe. Here’s a closer look at where each top Canadian exchange is regulated, and by which bodies:

Region Coinbase regulators Eightcap regulators Kraken regulators
Africa
Asia FSA FSA
Australasia ASIC AUSTRAC
Europe FCA FCA, CySEC FCA, MiFID II
International
North America NFA FinCEN, FINTRAC
South America
View more > Coinbase > Eightcap > Kraken >

Is crypto taxed in Canada?

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Yes, profits from cryptocurrency transactions are taxed similarly to other investment assets. Gains from buying and selling cryptocurrency are subject to capital gains tax and must be reported. Recently released guidelines also treat crypto as a commodity so commercial transactions can create income tax obligations.

Can I deposit using CAD to a Canadian crypto exchange?

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The top Canadian crypto trading platforms allow direct CAD deposits and withdrawals via EFT, bank transfer, or other convenient options. This makes it easy for Canadian crypto traders to fund accounts and cash out gains. Leading exchanges also support 5-figure CAD transactions for larger traders.

What documents are required to open an account with a Canadian crypto exchange?

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To adhere to KYC regulations, you’ll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address, and SIN number. You’ll also need to provide a photo ID such as a driver’s license to verify your identity. Some platforms may require proof of address as well. You may also need to produce proof of funds, via a bank statement or payslip. 

How do Canadian exchanges store crypto safely?

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Leading platforms use cold wallet storage to keep the vast majority of holdings offline away from threats. Savings are insured through partnerships with firms like Knox and Ledger Vault. Certifications like ISO27001 and custom hardware security modules also help to prevent hacks or losses.

Crypto exchanges in Canada: user reviews

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One way to judge whether or not an exchange is worth your time is by looking into what other users have experienced. We gather lots of user reviews and feedback over the course of our testing, which helps inform the final verdict on each exchange.

Here is a comparison of user reviews for the top Canadian cryptocurrency exchanges, to give you an idea of which platforms are most trusted by their most important constituents: the people who actually use them.

Support type Coinbase customer support Eightcap customer support Kraken customer support
Help Centre/FAQs Yes Yes Yes
Email Yes Yes Yes
Live chat Yes Yes Yes
WhatsApp No No No
Telephone Yes No
View more > Coinbase > Eightcap > Kraken >

What is the best crypto wallet in Canada?

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Wallets are private and unregulated, so they are available everywhere, to everyone, rather than being restricted according to where you live. MetaMask and Trust Wallet are a couple of the best crypto wallets and they are available all over the world. 

However, there’s a trend towards crypto services operating as all-in-one platforms so you can use one account that acts as your exchange and wallet. The best option for most beginners is to sign up for a service like Binance or Bitstamp, where you can buy crypto on the exchange and store it on the same platform.

FAQs

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01

What is the best Canada crypto exchange?

02

What’s the best crypto exchange for beginners in Canada?

03

What’s the cheapest crypto exchange with the lowest fees in Canada?

04

What’s the safest crypto exchange in Canada?

05

Can I buy cryptocurrency in Canada?

06

Does Binance work in Canada?

07

Which crypto trading platform is part of the CIPF?

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Who regulates crypto trading in Canada?

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Does Coinbase work in Canada?


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James Knight

James Knight

Editor of Education

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James is the lead editor of education for Invezz. He's an avid trader and golfer, who spends an inordinate amount of time watching Leicester City and the Jacksonville Jaguars. His biggest claim to fame is that he once fed, rode, and ate an ostrich all on the same day....