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Coinsmart vs Bitbuy: What Works Better For Canadians?

Oleg Galeev

Last updated July 22, 2026

Coinsmart vs Bitbuy featured image

Note: CoinSmart is no longer an independent exchange — and its users are already on Bitbuy. CoinSmart merged into the WonderFi group in July 2023 and its client accounts were migrated to Bitbuy in September 2023. Bitbuy is now owned by Robinhood following the June 2026 WonderFi acquisition. Bitbuy is the only active platform here — and the one CoinSmart users landed on.

CoinSmart and Bitbuy were once two of the most popular Canadian cryptocurrency exchanges. How did they compare for Canadians? The OCryptoCanada team did extensive research. In practice, the question resolved itself: CoinSmart’s accounts migrated to Bitbuy in 2023, making this a historical comparison with one clear live option.

Description

CoinSmart was a Toronto-based Canadian crypto exchange, launched in 2018, known for same-day CAD, USD and EUR deposits and a beginner-friendly design with advanced trading built in. CoinSmart no longer exists as an independent exchange: it merged into the WonderFi group in July 2023, and its client accounts were migrated to sister platform Bitbuy later that year. Visiting CoinSmart today redirects you to Bitbuy, which has been owned by Robinhood since June 2026.

Bitbuy was founded in Toronto in 2016 and became one of the first registered crypto marketplaces in Canada. It offers 60+ cryptocurrencies through an Express platform for beginners and a Pro platform for experienced traders. As of June 2026, Bitbuy is owned by Robinhood, which acquired parent company WonderFi for C$250 million, and Bitbuy accounts are expected to migrate to the Robinhood app over time.

Coins

No longer applicable. Before the shutdown, CoinSmart offered a modest selection including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, Solana and Shiba Inu.

60+ including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Dogecoin, Polkadot and USDC.

Fees

No longer applicable. Historically: 0.20% single-trade fees, free deposits over $2,000, a 1% fee on smaller Interac deposits, and 1% fiat withdrawal fees.

  • Free Interac e-Transfer deposits
  • Express Trade prices include a spread, the pricier way to buy
  • Pro Trade uses lower maker/taker fees with TradingView charting
  • Staking carries a combined fee of roughly 39% of rewards (30% Bitbuy plus 9% custodian)
  • Robinhood has signaled a flat 0.5% CAD trading fee post-migration; check the live fee page, as the schedule is likely to change during the transition

Pros

None currently, since the platform is closed. In its day, CoinSmart's strengths were low trading fees, same-day verification, multi-currency deposits (CAD, USD, EUR via SEPA), and its crypto-to-crypto trading without intermediate pairs.

  • One of Canada's longest-standing registered platforms, now under CIRO oversight with segregated client assets and quarterly proof-of-reserves
  • Express and Pro platforms serve beginners and advanced traders alike
  • Free Interac e-Transfer deposits
  • Staking on nine coins including ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT
  • Insured cold storage custody with BitGo and a clean security track record
  • OTC desk and Private Wealth services
  • Backed by Robinhood, a Nasdaq-listed giant

Cons

Ceased operating independently in 2023, with all accounts migrated to Bitbuy
The 1% fiat withdrawal fee was always a sore point

  • Staking's ~39% combined cut of rewards is the highest in Canada
  • Support is email-ticket only, with no live chat or phone
  • Fees run higher than global competitors unless you stick to Pro Trade
  • No margin, derivatives or stop-loss orders
  • Account migration to the Robinhood app is coming, meaning new terms, fees and interface, so read the migration emails before accepting

Account Limits

  • No longer applicable.

Standard verified accounts handle typical retail volumes, with OTC and Private Wealth desks for large trades. Confirm current Interac limits in-app, as legacy figures have changed repeatedly through the platform mergers.

Methods to buy

There is no way to buy crypto through CoinSmart. Former users can log into Bitbuy with their old CoinSmart email, resetting their password on first login and using their existing Google Authenticator codes for 2FA. Important: deposit wallet addresses changed in the migration, so never send crypto to an old CoinSmart address; if you already have, contact Bitbuy support with the transaction hash. For current options, see our best crypto exchanges in Canada.

  • Interac e-Transfer
  • Wire transfer
  • Crypto deposits

Security

CoinSmart's wind-down was orderly and regulator-supervised, with no reported loss of customer funds, the same clean pattern as Coinberry and Bitvo, and the opposite of CoinField. Its legacy custody arrangement with BitGo and its OSC registration are what made the seamless handover possible.

  • Majority of digital assets in insured cold storage with BitGo
  • Mandatory 2FA
  • Quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO requirements
  • Users can withdraw crypto to private wallets
  • No hacks in nearly a decade of operation

Mobile and Desktop Trading

CoinSmart's platform is gone — its web addresses redirect to Bitbuy and its mobile apps are no longer maintained. Bitbuy's mobile app is rated 4.6 on the App Store.

CoinSmart

CoinSmart's colourful, cartoon-styled platform is gone; its web addresses redirect to Bitbuy, and its mobile apps are no longer maintained.

Bitbuy

Bitbuy's app offers a modern interface mirroring the desktop platform, with live charting, volume and order book data. Express Trade suits beginners wanting a quick market buy, while Pro Trade adds TradingView charts and limit orders for advanced users. Expect the interface to change as the Robinhood migration rolls out.

Coinsmart

CoinSmart's colourful, cartoon-styled platform is gone; its web addresses redirect to Bitbuy, and its mobile apps are no longer maintained.

accessing Coinsmart app

Coinsmart App

Cool usability and design of Coinsmart cryptoexchange

Coinsmart App trading screen

Coinsmart app mobile view

Coinsmart mobile app interface

Coinsmart mobile app interface while trading

Coinsmart mobile app interface while trading

Bitbuy

Bitbuy's app offers a modern interface mirroring the desktop platform, with live charting, volume and order book data. Express Trade suits beginners wanting a quick market buy, while Pro Trade adds TradingView charts and limit orders for advanced users. Expect the interface to change as the Robinhood migration rolls out.

Express trade view for Bitbuy crypto exchange

Express trade view

Bitbuy's Pro trade

Pro trade view

Bitbuy app interface

Bitbuy app interface

Bitbuy app interface while trading

Security Compliance

CoinSmart's wind-down was orderly and regulator-supervised, with no reported loss of customer funds, the same clean pattern as Coinberry and Bitvo, and the opposite of CoinField. Its legacy custody arrangement with BitGo and its OSC registration are what made the seamless handover possible.

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.

CoinSmart's wind-down was orderly and regulator-supervised, with no reported loss of customer funds, the same clean pattern as Coinberry and Bitvo, and the opposite of CoinField. Its legacy custody arrangement with BitGo and its OSC registration are what made the seamless handover possible.

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.

CoinSmart had an orderly, regulator-supervised wind-down with no customer fund losses — in part because of its BitGo custody arrangement. Bitbuy holds client assets in insured cold storage with BitGo, enforces mandatory 2FA, and publishes quarterly proof-of-reserves under CIRO requirements. Only Bitbuy is relevant for Canadian users here.

Regulatory Compliance

CoinSmart was registered with FINTRAC and was one of the first crypto platforms granted registration by the Ontario Securities Commission, a status that shaped its ending: rather than stranding users, its accounts were transferred to another registered platform under regulatory oversight. The full successor chain: CoinSmart into WonderFi (July 2023), client accounts to Bitbuy (September 2023), WonderFi to Robinhood (June 2026). Former CoinSmart users needing historical transaction records for taxes should log into Bitbuy and request their history from 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. The old IIROC Crypto-Asset Working Group reference is obsolete, as IIROC merged into CIRO in 2023.

CoinSmart was registered with FINTRAC and was one of the first crypto platforms granted registration by the Ontario Securities Commission, a status that shaped its ending: rather than stranding users, its accounts were transferred to another registered platform under regulatory oversight. The full successor chain: CoinSmart into WonderFi (July 2023), client accounts to Bitbuy (September 2023), WonderFi to Robinhood (June 2026). Former CoinSmart users needing historical transaction records for taxes should log into Bitbuy and request their history from 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.

CoinSmart was FINTRAC-registered and OSC-authorized; its successor chain ends with Bitbuy/Robinhood as of June 2026. Bitbuy is registered with FINTRAC and operates under CIRO oversight — not IIROC (which merged into CIRO in 2023).

Customer support

There is no CoinSmart support team anymore; former users should contact Bitbuy support ([email protected]) referencing their old CoinSmart account. Two practical warnings: anyone offering to "recover" CoinSmart funds for a fee is running a recovery scam, and any active website using the CoinSmart name to solicit deposits is an impostor.

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 CoinSmart support team anymore; former users should contact Bitbuy support referencing their old CoinSmart account. Two practical warnings: anyone offering to "recover" CoinSmart funds for a fee is running a recovery scam, and any active website using the CoinSmart name to solicit deposits is an impostor.

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.

Bitbuy's email ticket support is the only relevant option for Canadians. Former CoinSmart users already route through Bitbuy support.

Conclusion

CoinSmart is no longer an independent exchange — and its users are already on Bitbuy. CoinSmart merged into WonderFi in July 2023 and its client accounts moved to Bitbuy in September 2023. Bitbuy is now owned by Robinhood following the June 2026 WonderFi acquisition. If you were a CoinSmart user, log into Bitbuy with your old CoinSmart email to access your account and history. Never send crypto to an old CoinSmart deposit address. If anyone offers to recover your CoinSmart funds for a fee, it is a scam.

Bitbuy is the clear choice — and if you were a CoinSmart user, you're already there. 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 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.

Author

Oleg is a Canadian citizen & crypto expert who has been trading since 2016. He started out with Coinbase, Kraken and Peer-to-Peer exchanges. After some time, centralized exchanges started charging crazy fees to their users.

He decided to review different crypto exchanges that operate in Canada and start a Youtube channel in order to educate Canadians on what kinds of things are going inside each one while giving them unbiased advice. On top of that, Oleg also has experience with NFT, airdrops, and crypto staking and he is constantly checking on new crypto assets.

His writing has been featured in popular Canadian media sources such as Toronto Sun and Ottawa Citizen. 

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