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Coinsmart vs. Bitvo: What Works Better For Canadians in 2026

Oleg Galeev

Last updated July 22, 2026

Note: Neither platform is available to Canadians — and both ended up at the same place. CoinSmart merged into the WonderFi group in July 2023 and its client accounts were migrated to Bitbuy in September 2023. Bitvo wound down in November 2023 with its client accounts also migrated to Bitbuy. Bitbuy is now owned by Robinhood following the June 2026 WonderFi acquisition. This comparison is preserved for historical reference only.

Today we take a closer look at two cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada, CoinSmart and Bitvo. Both exchanges offered free trading but differed in supported coins, fees, and features. Neither is available to Canadians in 2026 — both ultimately migrated their users to the same platform: Bitbuy, now owned by Robinhood.

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.

Bitvo was a Calgary-based cryptocurrency exchange, founded in 2018, known for its Same Day Guarantee, zero trading fees and 24/7 phone support. Bitvo no longer exists: in November 2023, its client accounts were acquired by Bitbuy and migrated into the WonderFi ecosystem, and the Bitvo platform was wound down. It's also remembered as the exchange FTX almost bought, a deal terminated days after FTX's collapse in November 2022, narrowly sparing Bitvo's customers.

Coins

No longer applicable.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

No longer applicable. Before closing, Bitvo offered a small selection including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Cardano and QCAD, Canada's first mass-market stablecoin.

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No longer applicable.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.

No longer applicable. Historically: free deposits, zero trading fees (revenue came from the spread), and a 1% withdrawal fee with a $15 minimum.

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.

None currently, since the platform is closed. In its day: no trading fees, the Same Day Guarantee, the Bitvo Cash Card, and rare 24/7 phone support.

Cons

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

  • Platform wound down in November 2023 with client accounts sold to Bitbuy
  • High spreads masked the "zero fee" pitch
  • Small coin selection even at its peak

Account Limits

  • No longer applicable.

No longer applicable.

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.

There is no way to buy crypto through Bitvo. Former clients were migrated to Bitbuy, which is now part of Robinhood's Canadian operation following the WonderFi acquisition. If a site claiming to be Bitvo accepts deposits today, treat it as an impostor. For current options, see our best crypto exchanges in Canada.

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.

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.

Mobile and Desktop Trading

CoinSmart's platform is gone — its web addresses redirect to Bitbuy and its mobile apps are no longer maintained. Bitvo's website and apps are no longer operational — any active app or site using the Bitvo name today is not the original exchange and should be treated as an impostor.

CoinSmart

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

Bitvo

Bitvo's website and apps are no longer operational. The brand's social channels have gone quiet, and account access questions now route through Bitbuy/Robinhood.

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

Bitvo

Bitvo's website and apps are no longer operational. The brand's social channels have gone quiet, and account access questions now route through Bitbuy.

Bitvo desktop app main screen

Bitvo desktop app main screen

Bitvo desktop (trading view)

Bitvo desktop (trading view)

Bitvo mobile app

Bitvo mobile app

Bitvo app main screen

Bitvo app (main screen)

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.

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.

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.

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 custodian 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.

Both CoinSmart and Bitvo had orderly, regulator-supervised wind-downs with no customer fund losses and clean security records throughout their operational lives. Both are an instructive contrast to CoinField, which collapsed with unfulfilled withdrawals. Neither platform is relevant to Canadians going forward.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Both CoinSmart and Bitvo were FINTRAC-registered and CSA-authorized; both had orderly wind-downs; and both ended up routing their users to Bitbuy, which is now owned by Robinhood as of June 2026.

 

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.

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.

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.

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 any support function left for Canadians. Both CoinSmart and Bitvo users now route through Bitbuy/Robinhood support.

Conclusion

From a Canadian perspective, there is no meaningful choice between CoinSmart and Bitvo — both are unavailable, and both ended up at the same place: Bitbuy, now owned by Robinhood following the June 2026 WonderFi acquisition.

CoinSmart wound down in 2023. If you were a CoinSmart user, your account migrated to Bitbuy. 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.

Bitvo had a clean and orderly wind-down in November 2023, and its accounts also migrated to Bitbuy. If you were a Bitvo customer, your account is now part of the Robinhood/WonderFi group — contact Bitbuy/Robinhood support for any outstanding questions.

Both platforms' users converged on Bitbuy, the natural successor for both, now under Robinhood/CIRO oversight. For broader alternatives, see Kraken (200+ coins, nationally registered restricted dealer since April 2025) or NDAX (60+ coins, CIRO investment dealer with a flat 0.2% fee). See our full list of the best crypto exchanges in Canada for more options.

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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