Security Compliance
Bitget uses two-factor authentication, sends alerts for logins and withdrawals, and offers an anti-phishing code to verify genuine emails. It maintains a protection fund of over $300 million to compensate users for losses where they're not at fault, and publishes monthly Proof of Reserves. Worth knowing: Bitget has had at least one security incident in its history and has been criticized for limited transparency around it.
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.
Bitget uses two-factor authentication, sends alerts for logins and withdrawals, and offers an anti-phishing code to verify genuine emails. It maintains a protection fund of over $300 million to compensate users for losses where they're not at fault — this is a company-run fund, not third-party insurance. It publishes monthly Proof of Reserves. Since Bitget is not accessible from Canada, its security arrangements are academic for Canadian readers.
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. As always, crypto itself isn't covered by CIPF, so long-term holdings belong in your own wallet.
Bitget emphasizes security with 2FA, anti-phishing codes and a $300M+ company protection fund. Bitbuy holds client assets in insured cold storage with BitGo, mandates 2FA, and publishes quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO requirements. Since Bitget is not available to Canadians, only Bitbuy's security is relevant here.
Regulatory Compliance
Bitget is not registered with Canadian securities regulators and, as of 2026, Canada sits on its list of restricted jurisdictions. The Alberta Securities Commission had already warned investors that Bitget was not registered in the province before the broader restriction took effect. Canadians should avoid workarounds like VPNs, which breach Bitget's terms and put funds at risk of being frozen.
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.
Bitget is not registered with Canadian securities regulators and, as of 2026, Canada sits on its list of restricted jurisdictions. The Alberta Securities Commission had already warned investors that Bitget was not registered in the province before the broader restriction took effect. Canadians should avoid workarounds like VPNs, which breach Bitget's terms and put funds at risk of being frozen.
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.
Bitbuy is registered with FINTRAC and operates under CIRO oversight, authorized to serve Canadians in every province and territory. Bitget is not registered with Canadian securities regulators and has restricted Canadian users.
Customer support
Reviewers frequently describe Bitget's customer support as slow or unhelpful, particularly for complex issues involving futures or copy trading. That matters less now for Canadian readers, since the platform is closed to them, but anyone with a legacy account trying to withdraw remaining funds should be prepared for a slow support process.
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.
Bitget's support is chat and ticket-based and has drawn criticism for slow resolution of complex issues. That matters less now for Canadian readers, since the platform is closed to them, but anyone with a legacy account trying to withdraw remaining funds should be prepared for friction.
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 or Netcoins 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.
Bitbuy's email support is the only relevant option for Canadians. Bitget's support is relevant only for recovering legacy funds, where expect friction.
Conclusion
From a Canadian perspective, this comparison has a clear answer. Bitget restricted Canadian users in early 2026 following new CSA guidance — and it was never registered with Canadian securities regulators to begin with, with the Alberta Securities Commission having already warned investors before the full restriction.
Bitbuy is the clear choice for Canadians. It is one of Canada's longest-standing registered platforms, now under CIRO oversight and backed by Robinhood following the June 2026 acquisition. Free Interac deposits, 60+ coins, Express and Pro trading platforms, staking on nine coins, an OTC desk and C$2.1 billion in Canadian assets under custody make it a well-rounded platform. The near-term trade-off is migration uncertainty — new fees, a new interface and new terms are coming under the Robinhood platform, and users should read those communications carefully before accepting any changes. The 39% staking cut is also the highest in Canada and is worth factoring in if staking yields matter to you.
We recommend choosing Bitbuy over Bitget 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 neither Bitget nor Bitbuy meets your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto.
