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.
Crypto.com is a highly secure exchange by industry standards: cold storage custody, two-factor authentication, encrypted user data, mandatory withdrawal address whitelisting with email confirmation, and substantial insurance coverage on custodied assets. For balance, it did suffer a hack in January 2022, when roughly $34 million was taken from around 483 accounts, but Crypto.com fully reimbursed affected users and overhauled its security in response, and there have been no comparable incidents since. As always, we recommend moving long-term holdings to your own crypto wallet.
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, completed June 1, 2026, doesn't change these protections: Robinhood stepped into Canada's existing regulatory structure rather than around it, and C$2.1 billion in Canadian client assets under custody remains subject to the same CIRO requirements. As always, crypto assets themselves aren't covered by CIPF, so long-term holdings belong in your own wallet.
Crypto.com is a highly secure exchange by industry standards: cold storage custody for the majority of assets, two-factor authentication, encrypted user data, mandatory withdrawal address whitelisting with email confirmation, and substantial third-party insurance coverage on custodied assets. For balance, it did suffer a hack in January 2022 when roughly $34 million was taken from around 483 accounts, but Crypto.com fully reimbursed all affected users and overhauled its security in response, with no comparable incidents since. As always, we recommend moving long-term holdings to your own crypto wallet.
Both exchanges take security seriously. Bitbuy operates under mandatory 2FA and quarterly proof-of-reserves audits required by CIRO, with assets custodied at BitGo. Crypto.com mandates multi-factor authentication including Face ID and Touch ID, holds SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certifications, and carries substantial insurance on custodied assets.
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.
Crypto.com is among the most regulated crypto platforms available to Canadians. It was the first platform to sign a Pre-registration Undertaking with the CSA and OSC in August 2022, and in May 2025 it received restricted dealer registration in every province and territory, making it only the second major global exchange after Coinbase to reach this status. It's now working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership. It's also registered with FINTRAC, and globally holds a MiCA license in the EU, US money transmitter licenses, and licenses in Singapore, the UK and Dubai.
Bitbuy's regulatory pedigree is among the best in Canada. It was the country's first registered crypto marketplace in 2021, is registered with FINTRAC, and operates under CIRO oversight through the WonderFi/Robinhood group's registered dealer structure. On June 1, 2026, Robinhood completed its C$250 million acquisition of WonderFi after CIRO approved the transfer of control of Coinsquare Capital Markets on May 20, 2026, bringing Bitbuy under Robinhood's international operations while keeping all Canadian registrations intact. Robinhood also holds a Nasdaq listing, adding another layer of public-company accountability.
Crypto.com is among the most regulated crypto platforms available to Canadians. It was the first platform to sign a Pre-Registration Undertaking with the CSA and OSC in August 2022, and on May 8, 2025, it received restricted dealer registration in every province and territory in Canada — only the second major global exchange after Coinbase to reach this status. It's currently working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership as the next step. It's also registered with FINTRAC, and globally holds a MiCA licence in the EU, US money transmitter licences, and licences in Singapore, the UK and Dubai.
Both Bitbuy and Crypto.com are registered with FINTRAC and operate under Canadian securities regulation. Both are fully legal to use for Canadians in every province and territory.
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.
Crypto.com's customer support remains its weakest area: users love the app, security and coin range, but support is chat and ticket-based and can be slow for complex issues. On the education front, the platform now offers Crypto.com University with courses and articles for beginners, so our earlier criticism about missing educational resources no longer applies.
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 — a genuine weakness compared to competitors like NDAX that offer real-time channels. Bitbuy account holders should watch their inbox closely for Robinhood migration communications and review any new terms carefully before accepting them.
Crypto.com's customer support remains its weakest area: users love the app, security and coin range, but support is chat and ticket-based and can be slow for complex issues. On the education front, the platform now offers Crypto.com University with courses and articles for beginners, so earlier criticisms about missing educational resources no longer apply.
Both platforms rely primarily on async support channels rather than live phone lines. For users who need fast resolution on technical issues, this is worth knowing before choosing either platform. NDAX and Newton are better options if real-time support matters to you.
Conclusion
Both Bitbuy and Crypto.com are strong, well-regulated options for Canadians, and the better choice depends on what you need.
Bitbuy is the stronger pick if you want a platform built specifically for the Canadian market, with a clean decade-long track record, CIRO-supervised custody and free Interac deposits. The Robinhood acquisition closed June 1, 2026 and adds financial backing and a roadmap toward equities and other products beyond crypto. The near-term trade-off is migration uncertainty — new fees, a new interface and new terms are coming, so existing users should read those communications carefully before accepting any changes.
Crypto.com is the stronger pick if you want more coins, Visa card cashback, staking, and a feature-rich all-in-one platform used by over 140 million people globally. Its restricted dealer registration across all Canadian provinces as of May 2025 puts it well ahead of most global exchanges. The main trade-offs are slower customer support and spread-based app pricing.
We recommend choosing Bitbuy for Canadians who want a locally focused, deeply regulated platform. By using our referral link, you support us in conducting independent analysis of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If neither Bitbuy nor Crypto.com meets your requirements, explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians for more options.
