About

Simple, honest crypto guides and exchange reviews built specifically for Canadians.

How This Started

I started How to Buy Bitcoin 101 because the advice online for Canadians buying crypto was genuinely terrible.

It started with friends and family asking me how to buy Bitcoin. I'd walk them through it. Set up an account, verify your identity, send an e-Transfer, buy some BTC, send it to a wallet. Simple enough once you know how.

But when they'd try to figure it out on their own? They'd Google "how to buy Bitcoin in Canada" and end up on some affiliate site recommending Binance or offshore exchanges that didn't even support Canadian banks. Or worse, platforms with massive hidden spread fees that nobody mentioned in the "review."

It was obvious most of these sites had never actually bought Bitcoin in Canada. They were just slapping affiliate links on generic content.

That frustration is what led me to start this website.

My Crypto Journey

My first crypto buys were $100. I used a referral code so I could get the sign-up bonus because I like free stuff.

I signed up for Shakepay and Newton first because they were the only Canadian exchanges I could find that actually worked with Interac e-Transfers. Names I had never heard of at the time. I sent money via e-Transfer, bought some Bitcoin, and then sent it to a free software wallet on my phone because I didn't want to spend $100 on a hardware wallet just yet.

Buying a small amount, sending it to a wallet I controlled, backing up my seed phrase, learning how recovery worked. That process taught me more than any YouTube video or Reddit thread ever could. I learn better by doing.

From there I started following and signing up for more exchanges. Each one offers small variations. Different fee structures, different coins, different withdrawal options. I've been using most of these platforms for years before I review them.

I also had accounts on Mt. Gox, QuadrigaCX, and FTX. So I have first-hand experience with why it's important to custody your own crypto. Even the largest, most recommended exchange can go out of business. It's risky. That's why I set up multiple exchange accounts and always send my Bitcoin to a hardware wallet. Just in case.

Why I Keep Building

I got tired of overpaying for Bitcoin trades, so I built Lo-Fee.com, a real-time comparison tool that shows you exactly how much BTC you'll get for your money from each Canadian exchange after all fees and spreads. No math required.

I also built the comparison tools and converter on this site because I kept running into the same problem: every exchange structures their fees differently. Some use spreads, others charge flat fees, some combine both. I wanted a way to see the actual bottom line, not the marketed fee.

The goal hasn't changed since day one: cut through the noise and give you practical, straight-to-the-point answers so you don't overpay or get burned.

How We Review Exchanges

Every exchange featured on this site is tested with real Canadian dollars and Canadian bank accounts. Here's what we look at:

  • Real Costs (Not Just Marketed Fees): We factor in trading fees, live bid-ask spreads, and withdrawal costs so you know the actual total cost of buying.
  • Fast Canadian Banking: We only recommend platforms that support free, reliable Interac e-Transfers.
  • Safety & Regulation: We verify that exchanges are registered with FINTRAC and compliant with Canadian securities regulators.
  • Self-Custody: We prioritize platforms that make it easy to withdraw your crypto to your own hardware wallet.

How This Site Makes Money

We keep all our guides and comparison tools 100% free. When you sign up for an exchange using one of our links, we may receive a referral fee at zero extra cost to you (and often you'll get a sign-up cash bonus).

Nobody can pay for a higher spot on our comparison tables, and we recommend tools with no affiliate programs if they're the best option for Canadians.

Where to Start

Have a question or feedback on a guide? Feel free to send us a message.