Bitbuy Vs Bitcoin Well: Which Is Better For Canadians In 2026?

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Oleg Galeev, founder of OCryptoCanada

Oleg Galeev

Last updated October 2, 2026

In the bustling world of cryptocurrency exchanges, Bitbuy and Bitcoin Well emerge as two major players in the Canadian scene. Bitbuy is a multi-coin custodial exchange, now owned by Robinhood following the June 2026 WonderFi acquisition. Bitcoin Well is a TSXV-listed Bitcoin-only platform with immediate self-custody, 200+ ATMs and bill payments. Both are fully legal and well-regarded, the decision comes down to coin range, custody model and what you want to do with your crypto.

Bitbuy Vs Bitcoin Well: Which Is Better For Canadians?

Bitcoin Well wins by default for Canadians. Bitbuy accounts were moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and since Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026 the Bitbuy site tells users it is now part of Robinhood and customers are being invited to move to the Robinhood app. Since Bitbuy no longer operates for Canadians, I recommend Coinbase (9.8/10, #1 on my list): open a Coinbase account.

Bitbuy logo
Merged, no longer a separate platform
Bitcoin Well logo6.4/10
FINTRAC MSB, not a CSA platform

Bitcoin with cash, ATM and voucher options

Head To Head, Checked October 2026
BitbuyBitcoin WellWinner
Canadian statusMerged, no longer a separate platformFINTRAC MSB, not a CSA platformBitcoin Well
My rankingNot in my top 10#10 of 10, 6.4/10Bitcoin Well

Not sure which fits you? Take my 60-second quiz or see my full ranking.

How Do Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well Compare, Fact By Fact?

Every row below comes from each company’s own pages and the Canadian registries, checked October 2026. Where a row has no fair winner, it says so.

Bitbuy Vs Bitcoin Well: Master Spec Table
BitbuyBitcoin WellWinner
CompanyBitbuy Technologies Inc., founded in Toronto in 2016. Accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024; parent WonderFi was bought by Robinhood on 2026-06-01. Founders: Not published.Bitcoin Well Canada Ltd., Edmonton; parent Bitcoin Well Inc. (TSX.V: BTCW). Founded 2013, listed 2021-07-30. Founder and CEO Adam O'Brien. Staff count: Not published.Depends
RegulationFINTRAC MSB M20728803 Ceased 2025-02-20. Bitbuy Technologies Inc. sits under CSA Expired Decisions. Live CSA entry is Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., Decision 2024-10-11. Not on the CSA banned list.FINTRAC MSB M19811620, expires 2026-10-08 (renewal not yet seen). Not on the CSA list, no CIRO membership, no CIPF.Bitcoin Well
Assets60+ coins offered (BTC, ETH, SOL, ADA, DOGE, DOT, USDC). Order book on Pro. Current list: see the Robinhood app.Bitcoin only. No order book, no staking, no leverage.Bitcoin Well
PriceExpress: spread, Pro: maker/taker, exact rates Not published. Robinhood signaled a flat 0.5% on CAD trades after migration.Spread: buy 1.5%, sell 2.0% (verified, Interac); Lite 4.0% both ways. Not applied to ATM or OTC. Quote dated 2026-10-03, no live price shown.Bitcoin Well
CAD InFree Interac e-Transfer, wire and bank draft were offered.Interac e-Transfer on the portal, no separate fee; cash at 160+ ATMs and Lite cash vouchers (4.0% spread). Interac min and max: Not published.Bitcoin Well
CAD OutNot published in the sources reviewed.Sell to your bank with no withdrawal fee. Methods, minimums and speed: Not published.Bitcoin Well
Crypto In And OutCrypto deposits and withdrawals to private wallets were allowed. Networks and minimums: Not published.Delivery on-chain or over Lightning to your own wallet, no withdrawal fee. Lightning also for sells and bill payments. Minimums: Not published. No Liquid.Bitcoin Well
CustodyHeld with BitGo, majority in insured cold storage; quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO rules. Crypto was never CIPF-covered.Non-custodial: coins are delivered straight to a wallet you control. No custody of coins, so no proof of reserves or insurance is needed or published.Bitcoin Well
Verification (KYC)No longer available to CanadiansVerified account: phone, name, address, birth date, ID, selfie. Lite account: email only for cash vouchers. Business accounts need corporate documents. SIN: Not verified.Depends
Account TypesExpress and Pro platforms; OTC desk and Private Wealth.Verified, Lite, business, and Bitcoin Well Infinite (private service for trades from CAD 50,000).Bitcoin Well
ProvincesNo longer available to CanadiansTerms: Canadians in a province where Bitcoin Well operates. ATMs in BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB and NS. Full online province list: Not verified.Bitcoin Well
Extra ProductsStaking on nine coins including ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT, at a combined 39% fee on rewards.160+ ATMs, recurring Interac buys, bill payment with bitcoin, Bitcoin Well Points redeemed for sats, Infinite OTC desk. No card, loan or staking.Bitcoin Well
Tax ToolsNo longer available to CanadiansExport transactions by date range as CSV from the account; a Bitcoin Well to Koinly CSV converter exists. No CRA-ready report.Bitcoin Well
AppApp Store rating 4.6 (Oleg's old row). Being replaced by the Robinhood app.No Apple Canada or Google Play rating found on 2026-10-01. Web portal is the main product. French UI, 2FA and price alerts: Not verified.Bitcoin Well
SupportEmail ticket only, no live chat or phone.Email hello@bitcoinwell.com. Hours reported as Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm MDT (not on a page I could open). Phone and French: Not verified.Bitcoin Well
Sources For This Table

What Are The Key Differences Between Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well?

Bitbuy Vs Bitcoin Well: Side By Side
BitbuyBitcoin Well
DescriptionBitbuy was founded in Toronto in 2016 and was one of the first registered crypto marketplaces in Canada. It offered 60+ cryptocurrencies through an Express platform for beginners and a Pro platform for experienced traders. Its accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and since June 2026 it has been part of Robinhood, which acquired parent company WonderFi for C$250 million. Customers are being invited to move to the Robinhood app.Bitcoin Well is a Canadian bitcoin company where you can buy online through your bank or with cash at one of its 160+ Bitcoin ATMs across Canada. Every purchase is sent straight to your own wallet and it never takes custody of your coins. It is publicly listed (TSX.V: BTCW) and its online portal also covers all 50 US states.
Coins60+ including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Dogecoin, Polkadot and USDC.Bitcoin only, delivered on-chain or over the Lightning Network, with Lightning also used for selling and bill payments.
FeesFree Interac e-Transfer deposits. Express Trade prices included a spread, the pricier way to buy. Pro Trade used lower maker/taker fees with TradingView charting. Staking carried a combined fee of roughly 39% of rewards (30% Bitbuy plus 9% custodian). Robinhood has signaled a flat 0.5% CAD trading fee after migration; the schedule is likely to change during the transition.The online portal charges a spread only: 1.5% to buy and 2.0% to sell for verified accounts paying by Interac e-Transfer, and 4.0% either way for Lite accounts using cash vouchers. No withdrawal, account or hidden fees. The rates page says the spreads do not apply to ATM or OTC trades, whose fees are shown before the transaction.
Pros
  • One of Canada's longest-standing registered platforms, later under CIRO oversight with segregated client assets and quarterly proof-of-reserves
  • Express and Pro platforms served beginners and advanced traders alike
  • Free Interac e-Transfer deposits
  • Staking on nine coins including ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT
  • Insured cold storage custody with BitGo and a clean security track record
  • OTC desk and Private Wealth services
  • Bitcoin goes straight to your own wallet, on-chain or Lightning
  • Lowest published online spread among the Canadian Bitcoin-only platforms, 1.5% to buy
  • Cash at 160+ ATMs and cash vouchers for people who want to avoid a bank link
  • Lite account needs only an email
  • Recurring Interac e-Transfer buys sent to your wallet automatically
  • Pay bills with bitcoin, including over Lightning
  • Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange
Cons
  • No longer a separate platform: accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., then to Robinhood
  • Staking's roughly 39% combined cut of rewards was the highest in Canada
  • Support was email-ticket only, with no live chat or phone
  • Fees ran higher than global competitors unless you stuck to Pro Trade
  • No margin, derivatives or stop-loss orders
  • Migration to the Robinhood app brings new terms, fees and interface
  • Bitcoin only
  • Sell spread is 2.0% and Lite accounts pay 4.0%
  • Not on the CSA list, no CIRO membership, no CIPF
  • FINTRAC registration expires 2026-10-08 on the registry snapshot, renewal not yet confirmed
  • ATM prices are higher and shown only at the machine
  • Support is email only on the terms page
  • No mobile app rating found
SecurityMajority of digital assets in insured cold storage with BitGo, mandatory 2FA, quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO requirements, withdrawals to private wallets allowed. No hacks in nearly a decade of operation.Non-custodial: the terms state that all bitcoin is delivered to a self-custody wallet you control. FINTRAC-registered MSB. No insurance or proof of reserves is published because there is no custody.
Methods To BuyInterac e-Transfer, wire transfer, bank draft and crypto deposits were accepted. Today new Canadians are pointed to the Robinhood app instead.Interac e-Transfer on the online portal (verified account), cash at ATMs, cash vouchers for Lite accounts, or a recurring Interac e-Transfer.
AppBitbuy's app held a 4.6-star rating on the App Store. It is being replaced by the Robinhood app.Web portal; an app rating on Apple Canada or Google Play was not found.
Account LimitsStandard verified accounts handled typical retail volumes, with OTC and Private Wealth desks for large trades. Legacy limit figures changed repeatedly through the platform mergers.Lite account cash vouchers: up to CAD 4,950 per day on the rates page (the buy page also says CAD 3,000). Verified accounts: no limit published. Bitcoin Well Infinite handles trades from CAD 50,000. Limits can be set by risk and payment method.

How Do You Fund And Cash Out Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well In Canada?

Bitbuy: CAD Deposits (When It Operated)
MethodFeeMinimumMaximumSpeed
Interac e-TransferFreeNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Bitcoin Well: CAD Deposits
MethodFeeMinimumMaximumSpeed
Interac e-Transfer (portal)No separate fee, 1.5% spreadNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Cash at Bitcoin ATMATM fee shown at the machineNot publishedNot publishedat the machine
Cash voucher (Lite account)4.0% spreadNot publishedCAD 4,950 per dayNot published
Bitcoin Well: CAD Withdrawals
MethodFeeMinimumMaximumSpeed
Sell to bank accountNo withdrawal fee, 2.0% sell spreadNot publishedNot publishedNot published

Funding for the live platform is now on Robinhood. Bitbuy-specific limits are Not published. Interac and sell limits, speeds and weekend handling are not on the pages I could read. The spreads exclude ATM and OTC trades. Bitcoin Well may set limits by risk and payment method.

What Does It Actually Cost To Buy On Bitcoin Well?

Worked Cost, Buy Only And Buy Plus Sell (Round Trip)
AmountBitcoin Well BuyBitcoin Well Round Trip
CAD 100$1.50$3.50
CAD 500$7.50$17.50
CAD 1,000$15.00$35.00
CAD 10,000$150.00$350.00

Bitcoin Well: Rates page checked 2026-10-03: verified account via Interac, buy 1.5% and sell 2.0%. Lite account 4.0% both ways. Not valid for ATM or OTC. Neither publishes a maker and taker schedule because there is no order book: the spread is the fee. If cost matters most, NDAX (flat 0.20%) or Kraken Pro are cheaper places to buy in Canada. Ranges reflect each platform’s published band, not a single quote. Bank and network fees are not included.

What Do Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well Offer Beyond Buying And Selling?

Bitbuy Only

  • Staking: Staking on nine coins including ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT, with a combined 39% cut of rewards (30% Bitbuy plus 9% custodian).
  • OTC desk and Private Wealth: Offered for large trades.

Bitcoin Well Only

  • Bitcoin ATMs: 160+ machines in Canada for cash buys, no account needed; the price is shown before the transaction and is not covered by the portal spread.
  • Recurring buy: Set a recurring Interac e-Transfer; each time it arrives, bitcoin is sent automatically to your own wallet.
  • Bill payment with bitcoin: Add a Canadian payee and send bitcoin on-chain or over Lightning; it is converted to CAD and paid. A permanent per-payee address and a 1% spread with a 0.1 BTC cap were reported by search results and not confirmed on the page.
  • Bitcoin Well Infinite: Private service for trades from CAD 50,000 with an Executive Bitcoin Advisor.
  • Bitcoin Well Points: A rewards programme whose points redeem for sats; no cash signup bonus found.

What Happens To Your Money If Bitbuy Or Bitcoin Well Fails?

Bitbuy: Existing Bitbuy users should watch for Robinhood migration emails and read the new terms and fees before accepting. Accounts are held by Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., a CIRO-regulated dealer, and the registry says the CSA entry for Bitbuy Technologies Inc. is expired. If you do not want to move, withdraw your crypto to a wallet you control. CIPF covers cash but never crypto.

Bitcoin Well: Bitcoin Well never holds your coins, so the main exposure is the cash in transit and the quote: you pay by Interac or cash and rely on the company to send the bitcoin to your wallet. It is a FINTRAC-registered MSB only, with no CSA registration, no CIRO membership and no CIPF, and the terms mention no insurance. A wrong wallet address or a scam is your loss. The FINTRAC registration shown expires 2026-10-08, so confirm the renewal before relying on it.

How Are Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well Treated For Tax In Canada?

Bitbuy: Selling or swapping crypto on Bitbuy was a disposition for CRA purposes. Export your full transaction history before your account is migrated or closed. Export formats: Not published.

Bitcoin Well: Each sell, bitcoin-funded bill payment or Lightning payment is a disposition, and each buy sets your cost base. Export your history as CSV by date range and load it into Koinly or another tax tool; there is no CRA-ready report.

Selling, swapping or spending crypto is a disposition for the CRA on any platform. This is not tax advice: see my guide to crypto taxes in Canada.

Which Should You Choose, Bitbuy Or Bitcoin Well?

Choose Bitbuy If

  • You want a registered platform that serves Canadians today: Coinbase is our number one replacement, with free Interac e-Transfer funding and a Canadian restricted dealer registration.
  • You hold a Bitbuy account and want to compare it with what Robinhood is offering before you accept the migration.

Choose Bitcoin Well If

  • You want bitcoin sent straight to your own wallet, on-chain or over Lightning, at a low published spread.
  • You want to buy with cash at an ATM or without a full bank-linked account.
  • You want to pay Canadian bills with bitcoin.
  • You trade above CAD 50,000 and want a private desk.

What Happened To Bitbuy?

Bitbuy is no longer a separate platform. Its accounts were moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. (CCML) on May 28, 2024, because its CSA relief was time-limited and it had to move to CIRO oversight. Since Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026, the Bitbuy site tells users it is now part of Robinhood and invites customers to move to the Robinhood app.

The FINTRAC registry lists Bitbuy Technologies Inc. (M20728803) as ceased on February 20, 2025, and the CSA files Bitbuy Technologies Inc. under expired decisions. The live CSA entry is Coinsquare Capital Markets Limited. Robinhood launched crypto trading in Canada on July 1, 2026 with 50+ coins and a flat 0.5% CAD fee for the first few months, and a zero-fee promotion for Canada ended September 30, 2026. Its fee schedule sets the fee at 0.5% through October 31, 2026 and 0.95% from November 1, 2026. Staking was not available at the Robinhood launch, and crypto is not covered by CIPF.

Bitbuy: Timeline
DateEvent
May 28, 2024Bitbuy accounts move to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd.
Feb 20, 2025FINTRAC lists Bitbuy Technologies Inc. as ceased
Jun 1, 2026Robinhood closes its WonderFi purchase
Jul 1, 2026Robinhood crypto trading launches in Canada
Sep 30, 2026Robinhood zero-fee promotion for Canada ends

What Should Existing Bitbuy Users Do?

If you have a Bitbuy account, your assets sit with CCML and you will be invited to move to the Robinhood app in phases, by email and in-app prompt. You can also withdraw to your own wallet. For a new account, I would not start on Bitbuy.

What Should Bitbuy Users Use Instead?

The closest answer on this page is Bitcoin Well, an Edmonton company that sells Bitcoin online, at ATMs and through cash vouchers. Here is what it offers, using the same sources as the cards above.

Bitcoin Well: Key Facts
ItemBitcoin Well
RegulationFINTRAC money services business, not on the CSA list
Trading CostSpread only: 1.5% to buy and 2.0% to sell online (verified accounts); 4.0% on Lite accounts
Interac E-Transfer FundingNo separate fee; the spread applies
Cashing OutSells to your bank: no withdrawal, account or hidden fees
Coins1 (Bitcoin only)

Bitcoin Well makes its money on the spread. For verified accounts using the online portal with Interac e-Transfer, it is 1.5% to buy and 2.0% to sell. A Lite Account pays 4.0% in both directions, and cash vouchers bought with a Lite Account also carry a 4.0% spread. Those percentages do not apply to ATM or OTC trades, where the fees are shown before you confirm.

This is where Bitcoin Well stands apart. Besides Interac e-Transfer through the online portal, you can feed cash into more than 160 Bitcoin ATMs, or buy cash vouchers on a Lite Account. Its pages quote a voucher limit of CAD 4,950 per day in one place and CAD 3,000 per day in another, so check the figure at checkout. Selling to your bank comes with no withdrawal fees, according to the rates page.

Bitcoin only, delivered on-chain or over Lightning to your own self-custody wallet. There is no staking and no derivatives product for Canadians. A rewards program called Bitcoin Well Points can be redeemed for sats, but I found no cash sign-up bonus.

Bitcoin Well Canada Ltd. is an Edmonton company whose parent, Bitcoin Well Inc., is publicly traded (TSX.V: BTCW). It holds a FINTRAC money services business registration (M19811620, first approved December 9, 2019) and is not on the CSA list of authorized platforms, so it is not a CSA-registered dealer. The service is non-custodial: bitcoin is delivered straight to your own wallet, so there is no exchange balance sitting with the company.

Bitcoin Well gives you three doors into the same product: the online portal, the ATM network and cash vouchers. That is useful if you want to buy with cash or skip a bank transfer. I could not verify an app-store rating, so I will not quote one.

Bitcoin Well: Pros And Cons

Pros

  • Cash, ATM and voucher options as well as Interac
  • Non-custodial delivery on-chain or over Lightning
  • No withdrawal fees when selling to your bank
  • Publicly traded parent company (TSX.V: BTCW)

Cons

  • Bitcoin only
  • 4.0% spread on Lite Accounts and cash vouchers
  • Not a CSA-registered dealer (FINTRAC MSB only)
  • No app-store rating verified

Pick Bitcoin Well if you want to pay with cash or at an ATM, want Lightning delivery, or like a company that is publicly listed.

Visit Bitcoin Well

Is There Another Option Besides Bitcoin Well?

The status registry I keep for dead and departed platforms points Bitbuy users to Coinbase as the like-for-like replacement. Registered Restricted Dealer in all provinces with free Interac e-Transfer funding, the closest mainstream beginner pick in the ranking. Its regulation: cSA Restricted Dealer in all provinces and territories. Its cost: up to 1.875% Coinbase fee on simple buys (varies by payment method), plus spread. Coins: 200+.

Visit Coinbase Read My Coinbase Review

Not sure either fits? My ranking of the best crypto exchanges in Canada and the exchange quiz sort the field by what you actually need.

What Changed For Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well In October 2026?

  • : Robinhood's zero-fee promotion for Canada ended, per a Robinhood post.
  • : Robinhood launched crypto trading in Canada with 50+ coins.
  • : Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase; Bitbuy is now part of Robinhood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happened To Bitbuy?

Bitbuy is no longer a separate platform. Its accounts were moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. (CCML) on May 28, 2024, because its CSA relief was time-limited and it had to move to CIRO oversight. Since Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026, the Bitbuy site tells users it is now part of Robinhood and invites customers to move to the Robinhood app.

Can Canadians Still Use Bitbuy?

Not as a separate platform. Bitbuy accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., and the brand is now part of Robinhood.

What Should Bitbuy Users Use Instead?

Bitcoin Well is the option on this page. Bitcoin with cash, ATM and voucher options. Pick Bitcoin Well if you want to pay with cash or at an ATM, want Lightning delivery, or like a company that is publicly listed.

Is Bitcoin Well Safe For Canadians?

FINTRAC money services business, not on the CSA list. Bitcoin Well Canada Ltd. Crypto itself is not covered by CIPF, so keep long-term holdings in your own wallet.

How Much Does Bitcoin Well Cost?

Spread only: 1.5% to buy and 2.0% to sell online (verified accounts); 4.0% on Lite accounts.

Which Is Better For Canadians, Bitbuy Or Bitcoin Well?

Bitcoin Well, because Bitbuy merged into Robinhood. Pick Bitcoin Well if you want to pay with cash or at an ATM, want Lightning delivery, or like a company that is publicly listed.

Do Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well Have Limit Orders?

Bitbuy: Yes on Pro, historically. Bitcoin Well: No: you buy and sell at the quoted portal price.

Which Coins Can You Buy On Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well?

Bitbuy: 60+ coins offered Bitcoin Well: Bitcoin only

Is The Spread The Fee On Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well?

Bitbuy: Express prices included a spread, which was the cost. Bitcoin Well: The 1.5% buy and 2.0% sell spread is the whole fee: no withdrawal or account fees.

Does CIPF Cover My Crypto On Bitbuy Or Bitcoin Well?

Bitbuy: CIPF never covers crypto, and this platform no longer serves Canadians. Bitcoin Well: Bitcoin Well is not a CIPF member; CIPF never covers crypto.

Are Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well Available In Every Province?

Bitbuy: Bitbuy's CSA entry expired; accounts now sit with Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. Bitcoin Well: Online province list not published; ATMs sit in eight provinces.

Do Interac Deposits Work On Weekends On Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well?

Bitbuy: No longer applicable. Bitcoin Well: Not published.

What Is The Minimum Buy On Bitbuy And Bitcoin Well?

Bitbuy: Not published Bitcoin Well: Not published for Interac; Lite cash vouchers cap at CAD 4,950 per day.

Can A Business Use Bitbuy Or Bitcoin Well?

Bitbuy: Private Wealth and OTC desks existed. Bitcoin Well: Yes, business accounts need corporate documents; Infinite serves trades from CAD 50,000.

Author

Oleg Galeev, founder of OCryptoCanada

Oleg is a Canadian citizen & crypto expert who has been trading since 2016. He started out with Coinbase, Kraken and Peer-to-Peer exchanges. After some time, centralized exchanges started charging crazy fees to their users.

He decided to review different crypto exchanges that operate in Canada and start a Youtube channel in order to educate Canadians on what kinds of things are going inside each one while giving them unbiased advice. On top of that, Oleg also has experience with NFT, airdrops, and crypto staking and he is constantly checking on new crypto assets.

His writing has been featured in popular Canadian media sources such as Toronto Sun and Ottawa Citizen. 

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