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Coinsmart vs. Crypto.com: What Works Better For Canadians in 2026

Oleg Galeev

Last updated July 22, 2026

Note: CoinSmart is no longer an independent exchange. It 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. Crypto.com is the only active platform here.

In this comparison, we examine CoinSmart and Crypto.com, two popular cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada. CoinSmart was a Canadian exchange known for its strong customer service and beginner-friendly interface. Crypto.com is one of only two major global exchanges fully registered to operate in Canada, with restricted dealer registration across all provinces and territories since May 2025. CoinSmart wound down in 2023 with accounts migrated to Bitbuy. Crypto.com is the live option for Canadians in 2026.

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.

Crypto.com is one of the world's largest crypto platforms, with over 140 million users globally, and one of the few global exchanges fully registered to operate in Canada. It offers its own coin (CRO), staking, prepaid Visa crypto cards with cashback, and an all-in-one app suitable for Canadians looking for an easy way to buy crypto.

Coins

No longer applicable.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

400+ globally, though the selection for Canadians is somewhat smaller since regulated platforms must restrict certain assets. Notably, USDT is not available to Canadians following CSA stablecoin guidance.

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No longer applicable.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 CAD deposits via Interac e-Transfer
  • Variable withdrawal fees by coin
  • Send crypto to other Crypto.com users for free
  • App purchases are priced with a spread built in, while the exchange uses tiered maker/taker fees that drop with 30-day volume and CRO lockup

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 only two major global exchanges registered as a restricted dealer in Canada, across every province and territory
  • Wide range of coins
  • Suitable for beginners and pro traders
  • Interac e-Transfer available with free deposits
  • Visa cards with CRO cashback
  • Staking available
  • 20+ fiat currencies supported

Cons

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

  • Customer service is a common complaint, chat-based and often slow
  • App pricing includes a spread on top of quoted fees
  • USDT delisted for Canadians, and no margin or leverage products under restricted dealer conditions
  • Some altcoins subject to annual purchase limits in smaller provinces

Account Limits

  • No longer applicable.

As a registered restricted dealer, Crypto.com applies regulator-required limits: residents outside Ontario, BC, Alberta and Quebec face an annual net purchase limit (around $30,000) on non-major altcoins, while BTC, ETH and other major assets are unlimited everywhere.

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
  • Debit/credit card
  • 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.

  • Customer crypto held predominantly in cold storage via institutional-grade custody
  • Multi-factor authentication and mandatory whitelisting of withdrawal addresses
  • Large third-party insurance coverage for custodied assets
  • SOC 2 and ISO security certifications

Mobile and Desktop Trading

CoinSmart's platform is gone — its web addresses redirect to Bitbuy and its mobile apps are no longer maintained. Crypto.com's mobile app is rated 4.5 stars on the Apple App Store and 4.5 stars on Google Play.

CoinSmart

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

Crypto.com

In the Crypto.com app, users can buy and sell crypto easily, stake, apply for a Visa card, track favourite coins, and withdraw to external wallets. It's an all-in-one platform that's genuinely beginner-friendly. For advanced tools, the separate Crypto.com Exchange offers deeper charting and order types at lower fees, though its interface can overwhelm beginners. Most Canadians will only ever need the app. Crypto.com University now offers courses and articles for newcomers.

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

Crypto.com

In the Crypto.com app, users can buy and sell crypto easily, stake, apply for a Visa card, track favourite coins, and withdraw to external wallets. It's an all-in-one platform that's genuinely beginner-friendly. For advanced tools, the separate Crypto.com Exchange offers deeper charting and order types at lower fees, though its interface can overwhelm beginners. Most Canadians will only ever need the app.

Crypto.com advanced trading view

Advanced Desktop Trade

List of coins available for trading on Crypto.com desktop app

List of coins

Crypto.com app interface

Crypto.com app interface

Crypto com app while trading

Crypto.com 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.

Crypto.com is a highly secure exchange by industry standards: cold storage custody, two-factor authentication, encrypted user data, mandatory withdrawal address whitelisting with email confirmation, and substantial insurance coverage on custodied assets. For balance, it did suffer a hack in January 2022, when roughly $34 million was taken from around 483 accounts, but Crypto.com fully reimbursed affected users and overhauled its security in response, and there have been no comparable incidents since. As always, we recommend moving long-term holdings to your own crypto 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.

Crypto.com is a highly secure exchange by industry standards: cold storage custody for the majority of assets, two-factor authentication, encrypted user data, mandatory withdrawal address whitelisting with email confirmation, and substantial insurance coverage on custodied assets. For balance, it did suffer a hack in January 2022, when roughly $34 million was taken from around 483 accounts, but Crypto.com fully reimbursed affected users and overhauled its security in response, with no comparable incidents since. As always, we recommend moving long-term holdings to your own crypto wallet.

CoinSmart had an orderly, regulator-supervised wind-down with no customer fund losses. Crypto.com holds SOC 2 and ISO certifications, mandates MFA and withdrawal whitelisting, and carries substantial third-party insurance — with the 2022 hack fully reimbursed and no comparable incidents since. Only Crypto.com 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.

Crypto.com is among the most regulated crypto platforms available to Canadians. It was the first platform to sign a Pre-registration Undertaking with the CSA and OSC in August 2022, and in May 2025 it received restricted dealer registration in every province and territory, making it only the second major global exchange after Coinbase to reach this status. It's now working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership. It's also registered with FINTRAC, and globally holds a MiCA license in the EU, US money transmitter licenses, and licenses in Singapore, the UK and Dubai.

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.

Crypto.com is among the most regulated crypto platforms available to Canadians. It was the first platform to sign a Pre-Registration Undertaking with the CSA and OSC in August 2022, and on May 8, 2025, it received restricted dealer registration in every province and territory in Canada — only the second major global exchange after Coinbase to reach this status. It's currently working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership as the next step. It's also registered with FINTRAC, and globally holds a MiCA licence in the EU, US money transmitter licences, and licences in Singapore, the UK and Dubai.

CoinSmart was FINTRAC-registered and OSC-authorized; its successor chain ends with Bitbuy/Robinhood as of June 2026. Crypto.com is registered with FINTRAC and operates as a CSA Restricted Dealer in every Canadian province and territory since May 2025 — not just the pre-registration undertaking of 2022.

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.

Crypto.com's customer support remains its weakest area: users love the app, security and coin range, but support is chat and ticket-based and can be slow for complex issues. On the education front, the platform now offers Crypto.com University with courses and articles for beginners, so our earlier criticism about missing educational resources no longer applies.

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.

Crypto.com's customer support remains its weakest area: users love the app, security and coin range, but support is chat and ticket-based and can be slow for complex issues. On the education front, the platform now offers Crypto.com University with courses and articles for beginners, so our earlier criticism about missing educational resources no longer applies.

Crypto.com's 24/7 live chat is the only relevant support option for Canadians. Former CoinSmart users route through Bitbuy/Robinhood support.

Conclusion

CoinSmart is no longer an independent exchange. It 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.

Crypto.com is the clear choice for Canadians. As one of only two major global exchanges with restricted dealer registration across every Canadian province and territory (since May 2025), it offers 400+ coins, free Interac deposits, a polished beginner app, CRO Visa card with cashback, staking, and Crypto.com University for newcomers. The main trade-offs are slower customer support and a spread built into app pricing — use the Exchange for better fees on volume.

We recommend choosing Crypto.com over CoinSmart for your cryptocurrency trading needs. By using our referral link, you support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.

If you find that Crypto.com 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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