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.
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.
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.
Bitvo's exit was orderly and its record clean. It was a CSA-registered restricted dealer that operated on a full reserve basis, never lending 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.
Bitget has a company-run $300M+ protection fund and publishes monthly Proof of Reserves, though it is not accessible to Canadians. 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. Neither platform is relevant to Canadian users going forward.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bitget is not registered with Canadian securities regulators and has restricted all Canadian users. Bitvo was registered with FINTRAC and the CSA but wound down in November 2023 with client accounts transferred to Bitbuy, now part of Robinhood following the June 2026 WonderFi acquisition.
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.
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.
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 friction.
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.
Neither platform has relevant ongoing support for Canadians. Bitget support is relevant only for recovering legacy funds; Bitvo support now routes through Bitbuy/Robinhood.
Conclusion
From a Canadian perspective, this comparison has a straightforward answer: neither platform is available. Bitget restricted Canadian users in early 2026 and was never registered with Canadian securities regulators. Bitvo wound down in November 2023 with client accounts migrated to Bitbuy, which is now owned by Robinhood.
If you have legacy funds on Bitget, contact support and request withdrawal to an external wallet — be prepared for friction. If you were a Bitvo customer with outstanding account questions, contact Bitbuy/Robinhood support.
For Canadians looking for well-regulated alternatives, we recommend Kraken (200+ coins, nationally registered restricted dealer since April 2025), NDAX (60+ coins, CIRO investment dealer with a flat 0.2% fee), or Netcoins (60+ coins, CSA Restricted Dealer with phone support and a Visa card). See our full list of the best crypto exchanges in Canada for more options.
