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.
Netcoins keeps the majority of client crypto in cold storage with custodian BitGo, whose private keys live in air-gapped offline systems, while hot wallet operations run through Fireblocks. Two-factor authentication is mandatory for withdrawals, and multi-signature wallets add another layer. Its parent company's blockchain surveillance technology monitors wallet addresses and transactions for fraud and links to criminal enterprises. Netcoins has operated since 2014 without a hack.
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.
Netcoins keeps the majority of client crypto in cold storage with custodian BitGo, whose private keys live in air-gapped offline systems, while hot wallet operations run through Fireblocks. Two-factor authentication is mandatory for withdrawals, and multi-signature wallets add another layer. Its parent company's blockchain surveillance technology monitors wallet addresses and transactions for fraud and links to criminal enterprises. Netcoins has operated since 2014 without a hack.
Bitget emphasizes security with 2FA, anti-phishing codes and a $300M+ company protection fund — a company-run fund, not third-party insurance. Netcoins publishes full custody details: BitGo cold storage with air-gapped keys and Fireblocks for hot wallets, plus blockchain surveillance. Since Bitget is not available to Canadians, only Netcoins' 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.
Netcoins is one of the most regulated exchanges in Canada. Beyond its FINTRAC MSB registration, it has been registered as a Restricted Dealer with the Canadian securities regulators in every province since 2021, among the very first platforms to achieve this, and is working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership. Its parent, BIGG Digital Assets, is publicly traded and must publish audited financial statements, adding a transparency layer most private exchanges can't match.
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.
Netcoins is one of the most regulated exchanges in Canada. Beyond its FINTRAC MSB registration, it has been registered as a Restricted Dealer with the Canadian securities regulators in every province since 2021, among the very first platforms to achieve this, and is working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership. Its parent, BIGG Digital Assets, is publicly traded and must publish audited financial statements, adding a transparency layer most private exchanges can't match.
Netcoins is registered with FINTRAC and operates as a CSA Restricted Dealer in every Canadian province and territory. Bitget is not registered with Canadian securities regulators and has restricted all 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.
Netcoins offers email, live chat and phone support seven days a week, and phone support remains rare among crypto exchanges. Its reputation for customer service is strong, with reviewers consistently praising the fast, human support and quick verification, though some negative reviews cite blocked withdrawals during compliance checks. Check the live Trustpilot page for the current rating before quoting a number.
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.
Netcoins offers email, live chat and phone support seven days a week, and phone support remains rare among crypto exchanges. Its reputation for customer service is strong, with reviewers consistently praising the fast, human support and quick verification, though some negative reviews cite blocked withdrawals during compliance checks.
Netcoins' seven-days-a-week phone, chat and 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.
Netcoins is the clear choice. As a CSA Restricted Dealer backed by publicly traded BIGG Digital Assets, it is one of the most transparent and compliant exchanges in Canada. Free Interac deposits, a flat 0.5% fee, a Visa card with 3% bitcoin cashback, staking on select coins with regulatory approval, credit card purchases via Simplex, and seven-days-a-week phone support make it a well-rounded platform for beginners and intermediate traders. The 0.5% fee plus spread combination is worth modelling for active traders — at that point NDAX's 0.2% flat fee may serve you better.
We recommend choosing Netcoins over Bitget for your cryptocurrency trading needs. By using our referral link, you get $25 and support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If you find that Netcoins doesn't meet your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto.
