Security Compliance
Bitbuy remains one of the safest crypto exchanges for Canadians. Client assets are segregated and held predominantly in insured cold storage with custodian BitGo, protected by mandatory two-factor authentication, and verified through quarterly proof-of-reserves reporting required under CIRO oversight. Bitbuy has operated since 2016 without a hack. The Robinhood acquisition doesn't change these protections, since Robinhood stepped into Canada's existing regulatory structure rather than around it. As always, crypto itself isn't covered by CIPF, so long-term holdings belong in your own wallet.
Bitvo's exit was orderly and its record clean. It was a CSA-registered restricted dealer that operated on a full reserve basis, meaning it never lent customer funds, and held client assets with third-party custodians BitGo, with over 80% in cold storage. No customer funds were lost in the wind-down, and its refusal to close the FTX deal after the collapse protected its clients from being dragged into the largest fraud in crypto history.
Bitbuy remains one of the safest crypto exchanges for Canadians. Client assets are segregated and held predominantly in insured cold storage with custodian BitGo, protected by mandatory two-factor authentication, and verified through quarterly proof-of-reserves reporting required under CIRO oversight. Bitbuy has operated since 2016 without a hack. The Robinhood acquisition doesn't change these protections, since Robinhood stepped into Canada's existing regulatory structure rather than around it. As always, crypto itself isn't covered by CIPF, so long-term holdings belong in your own wallet.
Bitvo's exit was orderly and its record clean. It was a CSA-registered restricted dealer that operated on a full reserve basis, meaning it never lent customer funds, and held client assets with BitGo, with over 80% in cold storage. No customer funds were lost in the wind-down, and its refusal to close the FTX deal after the collapse protected its clients from being dragged into the largest fraud in crypto history.
Bitbuy holds client assets in insured cold storage with BitGo, enforces mandatory 2FA, and publishes quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO requirements. Bitvo had a clean security and compliance record during its operational life, with BitGo cold storage custody and an orderly wind-down with no customer fund losses. Only Bitbuy is relevant for Canadian users going forward.
Regulatory Compliance
Bitbuy's regulatory pedigree is among the best in Canada: it was the country's first registered crypto marketplace back in 2021, is registered with FINTRAC, and operates under CIRO oversight through the WonderFi group's registered dealer. In June 2026, Robinhood completed its C$250 million acquisition of WonderFi after CIRO approved the transfer of control, making Bitbuy part of a Nasdaq-listed company while keeping all Canadian registrations in place. The old IIROC Crypto-Asset Working Group reference is obsolete, as IIROC merged into CIRO in 2023.
Bitvo was registered with FINTRAC and as a restricted dealer with Canadian securities regulators, and that registration shaped its ending: rather than collapsing, its client accounts were transferred to another registered platform under regulatory oversight. Its successor chain: Bitvo clients to Bitbuy (November 2023), Bitbuy's parent WonderFi to Robinhood (2025). Former Bitvo customers with account questions should contact Bitbuy support.
Bitbuy's regulatory pedigree is among the best in Canada: it was the country's first registered crypto marketplace back in 2021, is registered with FINTRAC, and operates under CIRO oversight through the WonderFi group's registered dealer. In June 2026, Robinhood completed its C$250 million acquisition of WonderFi after CIRO approved the transfer of control, making Bitbuy part of a Nasdaq-listed company while keeping all Canadian registrations in place.
Bitvo was registered with FINTRAC and as a restricted dealer with Canadian securities regulators, and that registration shaped its ending: rather than collapsing, its client accounts were transferred to another registered platform under regulatory oversight. Its successor chain: Bitvo clients to Bitbuy (November 2023), Bitbuy's parent WonderFi to Robinhood (June 2026, C$250M acquisition). Former Bitvo customers with account questions should contact Bitbuy/Robinhood support.
Bitbuy is registered with FINTRAC and operates under CIRO oversight as one of Canada's longest-standing registered platforms, now backed by Robinhood. Bitvo was registered with FINTRAC and the CSA, enabling an orderly wind-down with no customer funds lost; its successor chain ends with Bitbuy/Robinhood.
Customer support
Bitbuy has FAQs and a knowledge centre on its website, with support handled through email tickets. There's no live chat or phone line, and replies can take a while for complex issues, which is a genuine weakness compared to competitors like NDAX or Netcoins that offer real-time channels. Bitbuy account holders should also watch their inbox for Robinhood migration communications and review new terms carefully before accepting them.
There is no Bitvo support team anymore. Former customers should reach out to Bitbuy, which assumed servicing of migrated accounts. If anyone contacts you offering to recover Bitvo funds for a fee, treat it as a recovery scam.
Bitbuy has FAQs and a knowledge centre on its website, with support handled through email tickets. There's no live chat or phone line, and replies can take a while for complex issues, which is a genuine weakness compared to competitors like NDAX or Netcoins that offer real-time channels. Bitbuy account holders should also watch their inbox for Robinhood migration communications and review new terms carefully before accepting them.
There is no Bitvo support team anymore. Former customers should reach out to Bitbuy/Robinhood, which assumed servicing of migrated accounts. If anyone contacts you offering to recover Bitvo funds for a fee, treat it as a recovery scam.
Bitbuy's email ticket support is the only relevant option for Canadians. Bitvo support now routes through Bitbuy/Robinhood.
Conclusion
Bitvo no longer exists. But here's what makes this comparison unique: Bitvo's client accounts were transferred directly to Bitbuy in November 2023 under regulatory oversight, making Bitbuy the official successor platform for every former Bitvo customer. Bitbuy itself was then acquired by Robinhood in June 2026. If you were a Bitvo customer, your account is already at Bitbuy/Robinhood — there's nothing to do except log in and explore the platform you've effectively been a member of since the migration.
Bitbuy is the clear choice for Canadians. As one of Canada's first and longest-standing registered platforms, now under CIRO oversight and backed by Robinhood following the June 2026 WonderFi acquisition, it offers 60+ coins, free Interac deposits, both Express and Pro trading interfaces, staking on nine coins, and a clean decade-long security record. The main caveats are email-only support, the highest staking commission in Canada (~39%), and the pending Robinhood migration that will bring new terms and a new interface — read those emails carefully before accepting.
We recommend choosing Bitbuy over Bitvo for your cryptocurrency trading needs. By using our referral link, you get $50 and support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If you find that Bitbuy doesn't meet your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto.
