Bitbuy offers Spot trading on 60 cryptocurrencies with a maker/taker fee of 0.50%/0.50%. The minimum trade size and minimum deposit are CAD 20.
The exchange offers a Staking service with up to 11.57% annual rewards.
Bitbuy; One of the Oldest Crypto Exchanges in Canada
Bitbuy is a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange founded by Adam Goldman on June 1, 2016. The company has a total funding amount of CAD 1.7M.
The company is owned by WonderFi and is registered with multiple regulatory bodies through multiple legal entities, including:
- Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd registered with FINTRAC and regulated by CIRO
- Bitbuy Technologies Inc. registered with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA)
Bitbuy was originally launched in 2013 under the name “InstaBT” by founders Adam Goldman and Ademar Gonzalez, with the mission of simplifying Bitcoin purchases for Canadians.
As the exchange grew, it rebranded to Bitbuy and expanded its range of supported cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin.
Today, Bitbuy operates out of Toronto and functions as a subsidiary of First Ledger Corporation, a blockchain-focused company that also offers merchant crypto solutions and consulting services.
Over the years, Bitbuy has built a solid reputation as one of Canada’s most trusted crypto exchanges, with a strong regulatory framework and consistent focus on user security and compliance.
Bitbuy Exchange Table of Specifications
Bitbuy offers various services, including Express Trade for beginners, Pro Trade for advanced users, staking opportunities, and corporate solutions.
The wide range of services and commitment to the regulatory framework make Bitbuy one of the top Crypto exchanges in Canada.
Exchange | Bitbuy |
Launch Date | 2016 |
Levels | N/A |
Trading Fees | 0.50% |
Restricted Countries | Only available to residents of Canada |
Supported Coins | 60 |
Futures Trading | No |
Minimum Deposit | CAD 20 |
Deposit Methods | Crypto, Bank Wire, Interac e-Transfer |
Withdrawal Methods | Crypto, Bank Wire, Interac e-Transfer, Direct Bank Deposits |
Maximum Leverage | 1:1 |
Minimum Trade Size | CAD 20 |
Security Factors | 1 to 1 Crypto Holding, Cold Storage, BitGo Custodian Solution, $1M Insurance Scheme |
Services | Staking, Express Trade, Pro Trade, OTC, API, Payment Solution (SmartPay) |
Customer Support Ways | Ticket, Email |
Customer Support Hours | 24/7 |
Fiat Deposit | Yes |
Affiliate Program | Yes |
Orders Execution | Market |
Native Token | No |
Bitbuy Pros and Cons
The company has a trade volume of over CAD 7B, a 3-year revenue growth rate of 3,378%, and $192M assets under custody. Let’s list some of its upsides and downsides.
Pros | Cons |
Regulated and compliant with Canadian authorities | Limited to Canadian users only |
Competitive staking rewards | No live chat or phone support |
User-friendly interface | No margin or futures trading |
Transparent fee structure | Lack of user levels |
Does Bitbuy Offer User Levels?
The company doesn’t offer a tiered user level structure for volume-based fee discounts. The lack of user levels is considered a disadvantage in this Bitbuy review.
Fees Explained
Bitbuy offers a wide range of products with different fee structures. For example, it charges a spread markup of 0.5% – 1.85% on Express Trades.
- Express Trade: 0.5% – 1.85% spread markup with up to 2% extra in low-liquidity conditions
- Pro Trade: A Maker / Taker fee of 0.50% / 0.50%
- Deposit: No charges
- Withdrawal: 1.5% for direct bank deposits and wire transfers
- Staking: Ranging from 25% to 30%, based on the asset
Listed Digital Assets on Bitbuy Exchange
The company has listed 60 cryptocurrencies on its platform and allows trading with a budget as low as $20. Some of the assets include:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- USD Coin (USDC)
Note that some listed assets, including 1Inch Network (1INCH), Algorand (ALGO), and Arbitrum (ARB), are trade-only.
While the selection covers the most commonly traded assets, Bitbuy’s crypto listing remains limited compared to global platforms.
The platform prioritizes stability and ease of use, making it ideal for users who want exposure to major cryptocurrencies but may need to rely on external exchanges to access niche altcoins or DeFi tokens.
Leveraged Trading on Bitbuy
Bitbuy does not provide Margin or Futures market trading options. All trades must be fully funded in advance, requiring users to deposit sufficient funds into their accounts before executing any transactions on the platform.
Bitbuy Account Opening and KYC
Bitbuy, as a regulated Money Services Business (MSB) in Canada, requires all users to be 18 or older and complete a full KYC (Know Your Customer) process to ensure compliance with FINTRAC regulations. The sign-up is secure and identity-focused, ensuring platform integrity.
#1 Visit the Official Bitbuy Website
Head to the Bitbuy official website and click on “Get Started” to initiate the account creation process.
#2 Confirm Your Email Address
Enter your email address, then check your inbox and input the verification code received.
#3 Complete the Sign-Up Form
Fill in the application form with the following information:
- Full name
- Account password
- Phone number
#4 Verify Your Mobile Number
Enter the One-Time Code (OTC) sent via SMS to your mobile number to continue.
#5 Provide Personal Information
As part of the KYC compliance process, fill out the personal information form with your personal details, including:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Residential address
#6 Upload Identity Documents
To verify your identity, upload one of the following Canadian government-issued photo IDs:
- Passport
- Provincial/Territorial Driver's License
- Photo ID Card
- Permanent Residence Card
Upon verification, your Bitbuy account will be ready for trading and funding.
Users in British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut must be at least 19 years old to use the platform.
Application and Platform
In this Bitbuy review, we must mention that the exchange has developed a proprietary mobile application and a web-based platform with access to Trading View charts.
To access additional analytical tools, check TradingFinder’s list of TradingView indicators.
Security and Safety
Bitbuy exchange's commitment to security is evident in holding over 90% of customer assets in insured cold storage vaults and conducting annual Proof of Reserves audits to demonstrate a 1:1 backing of customer funds. It also has implemented:
- Licensed Custodians: Partners with BitGo offering $680M USD in insurance coverage
- CIPF Protection: Cash holdings covered up to $1M per account by the Canadian Investment Protection Fund
- Two Factor Authentication: 2FA to add a layer of security to clients’ accounts
Bitbuy Deposit and Withdrawal
While the exchange supports Crypto payments, it also offers several methods for depositing and withdrawing Canadian dollars (CAD), including:
Payment Method | Min Deposit | Min Withdrawal |
Interac e-Transfer | $20 | $20 |
Bank Wire | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Direct Bank Deposit | Not Available | $20 |
Note that Bitbuy doesn’t accept Dash (DASH) token deposits.
Crypto deposits have no minimums, although network fees may apply. Trading begins at a minimum purchase threshold of CAD 20.
User Experience
The exchange doesn’t perform well when it comes to user experience. There are 412 comments on the Bitbuy TrustPilot profile, resulting in a bad 1.6/5 score.
Bitbuy Features
While Bitbuy supports crypto staking on proof-of-reserve tokens, it doesn't offer copy trading services.
Staking | Yes |
Yield Farming | No |
Social Trading | No |
Liquidity Pool | Yes |
Crypto Cards | No |
Bitbuy Support Channels
One of the biggest letdowns in this Bitbuy review is the lack of live chat support and a phone center. However, the exchange provides 24/7/365 support through a dedicated ticket system and email.
- Bitbuy Email: support@bitbuy.zendesk.com
- Ticket: Available through the “Contact Form”
Bitbuy Exchange Staking and Copy Trading
Bitbuy has paid over CAD 1M in crypto staking rewards. The platform offers up to 11.57% annual rewards on various cryptocurrencies, including:
Cryptocurrencies for Staking | Annual Interest Rates |
Polkadot (DOT) | 10.73% |
Ethereum (ETH) | 2.89% |
Polygon (MATIC) | 2.96% |
Solana (SOL) | 6.26% |
Cardano (ADA) | 1.87% |
NEAR Protocol (NEAR) | 5.74% |
Cosmos (ATOM) | 11.57% |
Injective (INJ) | 7.2% |
Celestia (TIA) | 6.61% |
Geo-Restrictions
As a FINTRAC and CIRO-regulated company, Bitbuy is primarily designed for Canadian users and only provides services to this country's residents.
Bitbuy Comparison Table
Let's compare Bitbuy's features and services with popular crypto exchanges.
Features | Bitbuy Exchange | Deribit Exchange | Cex.io Exchange | BitMEX Exchange |
Number of Assets | 60 | 30+ | 166+ | 110+ |
Maximum Leverage | 1:1 | 1:100 | 1:10 | 1:100 |
Minimum Deposit | CAD 20 | $5 / 0.00001 BTC | $5 | 10 USDT |
Spot Maker Fee | 0.5% | 0% | 0.0% - 0.15% | 0.045% - 0.1% |
Spot Taker Fee | 0.5% | 0% | 0.01% - 0.25% | 0.045% - 0.1% |
Mandatory KYC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Mobile Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fiat Payment | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Staking | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Copy Trading | No | No | No | Yes |
Writer's opinion and conclusion
Bitbuy provides Canadian users access to the Cryptocurrency market with spread markups ranging from 0.50% to 1.85% and no additional costs for OTC trading.
The exchange has a bad TrustPilot score of 1.6 out of 5. It supports CAD deposits and withdrawals via Interac e-Transfer and Bank Wire.