Bitbuy Review

Who writes this: Every review on this site is written by Max Hamburger (pseudonym / sudo anon), an independent Canadian cryptocurrency researcher actively tracking and evaluating platforms since 2018.
How we test: We sign up for real accounts, deposit Canadian dollars ($CAD) via Interac e-Transfer, execute real trades to calculate true spread markups, and test withdrawal times to cold hardware wallets.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This never influences our ratings or fee math. Full disclosure.
Pricing accuracy: Fee schedules and spreads are manually verified against live Canadian order books. Check the verification date on each review for the last confirmed check. Editorial policy.

Toronto-based Bitbuy is a registered Money Service Business (MSB) in Canada under FINTRAC since 2016. New accounts can claim a $20 cash bonus using a Bitbuy referral code on initial deposits of $250 CAD or more.

Canada’s first 1:1 insured Bitcoin offering platform, Bitbuy is partnered with Montreal-based Bitcoin security firm Knox for cold storage custody.

Bitbuy has not experienced any hacks and remains a highly safe, secure, and trusted cryptocurrency exchange.

Bitbuy Exchange

Blockchain Intelligence Group completed a 2021 Proof of Reserves report and verified that Bitbuy exceeded 95% cold storage mandate. Overall crypto funds in Bitbuy cold storage were 98.12%.

The desktop and app are both easy to use. Great overall exchange to use.

Bitbuy has been reducing some of its fees over the last year.

Bitbuy: Compare Crypto Exchange Fees

Platform Spread / Trading Fee CAD Deposit Methods Free Crypto Withdrawals Staking Mobile App
Shakepay 1.0% - 2.0% spread Interac E-Transfer, Wire Yes (100% Covered) No iOS & Android
Newton 0.75% - 1.5% spread Interac E-Transfer, Wire Yes (up to $5 covered) No iOS & Android
NDAX 0.20% flat trading fee Interac E-Transfer, Wire Fixed flat fee Yes iOS & Android
Kraken 0.16% - 0.26% Pro Interac E-Transfer, Wire Network fee only Yes iOS & Android
Bitbuy 1.5% - 2.0% Express (0.1% Pro) Interac E-Transfer, Wire Network fee only Yes iOS & Android
Netcoins 1.25% - 1.5% spread Interac, Wire, Credit Card Network fee only No iOS & Android
Wealthsimple 1.5% - 2.0% spread Linked Bank Account, E-Transfer Network fee only Yes iOS & Android