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CoinSmart vs. Wealthsimple Crypto: 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. Wealthsimple Crypto is the only active platform here.

In this comparison, we explore the differences between two cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada, CoinSmart and Wealthsimple Crypto. Both platforms once catered to Canadian residents but differed in the range of cryptocurrencies offered, fees, and ability to withdraw to private wallets. CoinSmart wound down in 2023 with accounts migrated to Bitbuy. Wealthsimple Crypto 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.

Wealthsimple is a Canadian trading platform, trusted by millions of Canadians, that lets you buy crypto in CAD alongside your stocks, TFSA, RRSP and cash accounts. You can connect your bank account, move funds between investment accounts, and manage everything in one app. It holds the highest regulatory status of any crypto platform in Canada.

Coins

No longer applicable.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

140+ coins, e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana (SOL)Cardano (ADA)Polkadot (DOT), Dogecoin (DOGE), and a few stable coins. Note: USDT is not available, as with all regulated Canadian platforms.

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No longer applicable.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.

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.

  • 140+ cryptocurrencies in the same app as your TFSA, RRSP and cash account
  • Canada's only CIRO-registered crypto investment dealer
  • Staking on ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT with automatic reward deposits
  • Crypto withdrawals to your own wallet, with multi-network support for USDC and ETH
  • Crypto-to-crypto swaps for a single fee
  • Free recurring buys via direct deposit
  • Limit and price-target orders
  • Free CAD deposits and withdrawals

Cons

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

  • 2% Core-tier fee is high for active traders
  • Staking fee takes a sizeable cut of rewards (30% for Core/Premium)
  • No USDT and no advanced trading tools, margin or futures
  • Crypto itself isn't CIPF-covered (only fiat balances are)

Account Limits

  • No longer applicable.
  • Instant deposits up to $50,000 for Core and $250,000 for Premium and Generation
  • Crypto withdrawals capped around $10,000 per day / $25,000 per week

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 and debit card (instant)
  • CAD bank transfer
  • Crypto deposits from external wallets
  • Cash at Canada Post (added January 2026)

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.

  • Crypto held in cold storage with Gemini Trust Company, with insurance coverage through its custodial partners
  • Coincover partnership for additional asset recovery
  • 2FA and 256-bit encryption
  • Fully regulated in all Canadian provinces

Mobile and Desktop Trading

CoinSmart's platform is gone — its web addresses redirect to Bitbuy and its mobile apps are no longer maintained. Wealthsimple Crypto holds a 4.7-star rating from 123,000 reviews on the Apple App Store and a 4.5-star rating 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.

Wealthsimple Crypto

Wealthsimple's app makes it easy to switch between all of your accounts and see exactly what you hold in each. Crypto trading sits alongside stocks and savings with a simple interface that's ideal for beginners, plus staking, swaps, recurring buys and limit orders for anyone going deeper. The desktop platform mirrors the app.

 

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

Wealthsimple Crypto

Wealthsimple's app makes it easy to switch between all of your accounts and see exactly what you hold in each. Crypto trading sits alongside stocks and savings with a simple interface that's ideal for beginners, plus staking, swaps, recurring buys and limit orders for anyone going deeper. The desktop platform mirrors the app.

Wealthsimple desktop app screenshot

Wealthsimple desktop app

Wealthsimple crypto trading main screen

Wealthsimple crypto trading main screen

Wealthsimple mobile app screenshot

Wealthsimple Crypto Mobile app

Buying crypto with Wealthsimple Crypto

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.

Wealthsimple Crypto requires new customers to complete KYC before trading and supports two-factor authentication, along with Touch ID or Face ID for convenient logins. Client crypto is held in cold storage by regulated custodian Gemini Trust Company, backed by insurance and a Coincover partnership for asset recovery. One transparency note: Wealthsimple disclosed a data breach in September 2025 via a third-party supply chain attack, where some personal data was affected but no funds were stolen.

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.

Wealthsimple Crypto requires new customers to complete KYC before trading and supports two-factor authentication, along with Touch ID or Face ID for convenient logins. Client crypto is held in cold storage by regulated custodian Gemini Trust Company, backed by insurance and a Coincover partnership for asset recovery. One transparency note: Wealthsimple disclosed a data breach in September 2025 via a third-party supply chain attack, where some personal data was affected but no funds were stolen.

CoinSmart had an orderly, regulator-supervised wind-down with no customer fund losses, its accounts transferred cleanly to Bitbuy. Wealthsimple Crypto holds client crypto in cold storage with Gemini Trust Company, backed by custodial insurance and a Coincover partnership, with KYC, 2FA and biometric login as standard. Only Wealthsimple 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.

Wealthsimple Crypto holds the strongest regulatory position in Canadian crypto: it is the country's only CIRO-registered crypto investment dealer and is listed by the CSA as an authorized platform. Eligible fiat balances are covered by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund up to $1 million, though crypto assets themselves fall outside CIPF coverage. Wealthsimple has been a staple of Canadian investing since 2014 and manages tens of billions in assets.

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.

Wealthsimple Crypto holds the strongest regulatory position in Canadian crypto: it is the country's only CIRO-registered crypto investment dealer and is listed by the CSA as an authorized platform. Eligible fiat balances are covered by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund up to $1 million, though crypto assets themselves fall outside CIPF coverage. Wealthsimple has been a staple of Canadian investing since 2014 and manages tens of billions in assets.

CoinSmart was FINTRAC-registered and OSC-authorized; its successor chain ends with Bitbuy/Robinhood as of June 2026. Wealthsimple Crypto is Canada's only CIRO-registered crypto investment dealer with CIPF coverage on fiat balances — the highest regulatory tier for any Canadian crypto platform.

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.

Wealthsimple has a comprehensive help centre on its website and in-app, covering both crypto basics and platform how-tos. Support runs through live chat and email around the clock, and quality is well regarded, though there's no dedicated phone line for crypto issues. One tax perk worth knowing: the app provides a downloadable crypto realized gain/loss report that imports cleanly into tax software.

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.

Wealthsimple has a comprehensive help centre on its website and in-app, covering both crypto basics and platform how-tos. Support runs through live chat and email around the clock, and quality is well regarded, though there's no dedicated phone line for crypto issues. One tax perk worth knowing: the app provides a downloadable crypto realized gain/loss report that imports cleanly into tax software.

Wealthsimple's 24/7 live chat and email support is the only relevant option for Canadians. Former CoinSmart users route through Bitbuy/Robinhood support. Neither Wealthsimple nor CoinSmart offers phone support for crypto in Canada.

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.

Wealthsimple Crypto is the clear choice for Canadians. As Canada's only CIRO-registered crypto investment dealer, it offers the strongest regulatory protection in the country, with CIPF coverage on fiat balances up to $1 million. The 140+ coin selection, integrated TFSA/RRSP access, staking on ETH, SOL, ADA and DOT, crypto-to-crypto swaps, free recurring buys, and a 4.7-star app make it one of the most complete platforms for Canadians who want crypto alongside their broader investment portfolio. The 2% Core-tier fee is the main caveat for active traders — if cost is your primary concern, NDAX at 0.2% flat is a strong alternative.

We recommend choosing Wealthsimple Crypto over CoinSmart 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 Wealthsimple Crypto 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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