Security Compliance
KuCoin offers two-factor authentication and has tightened compliance considerably since its early years. Its history still matters though: $275 million was stolen by North Korean hackers in 2020, with about $200 million recovered, and in 2025 its operator pleaded guilty in the US to anti-money-laundering failures. If you somehow still have funds on the exchange, move them to a private crypto wallet.
Newton holds 80% of client assets offline in custodial cold storage with Coinbase and the remaining 20% in hot wallets secured by Fireblocks, with crypto assets covered by an insurance policy. Customer data is stored on Canadian servers with daily offsite backups, and the platform is tested internally every month and externally every year for vulnerabilities. Mandatory two-factor authentication and direct bank integration round out fraud protection.
Kucoin utilizes multiple security measures, including industry-level multilayer encryption, dynamic multifactor authentication, and dedicated internal risk control departments, which review and enforce platform security.
On the other hand, Newton complies with FINTRAC regulations in Canada, provides daily site backups, offline third-party storage for digital assets, and mandates two-factor authentication for users.
Regulatory Compliance
KuCoin is banned in Canada. After ignoring OSC proceedings entirely, KuCoin received a permanent ban from Ontario's capital markets in June 2022 along with the maximum penalties the tribunal could impose, about $2 million plus costs, and the CSA lists it as a banned platform nationwide. Mandatory KYC since July 2023 means there is no longer any workaround, and using a VPN violates KuCoin's own terms with the risk of frozen funds and zero consumer protection or legal recourse in Canada. This is a hard no for Canadians, not a grey area.
Newton is regulated by the Canadian Securities Administrators, FINTRAC, and securities regulators in every province and territory, a major step up from its early days as a FINTRAC-only MSB. It was among the first Canadian exchanges to pursue securities registration, and its affiliation with DV Trading adds institutional market-making depth behind its pricing.
In 2022, Kucoin was restricted from operating in Ontario by the OSC for failing to comply with local regulations. Nonetheless, some Canadian users still trade on it.
Newton, being a Canadian platform, abides by the regulations of the Canadian financial bodies, such as FINTRAC.
Customer support
KuCoin offers FAQs, an online ticketing system and 24/7 live chat for users in supported countries. For Canadians the only relevant support scenario is recovering legacy funds, and be prepared for friction, since closed-jurisdiction withdrawals often involve extra verification steps.
Newton has FAQs and a knowledge centre on its website, with support handled through online tickets. There's no phone or live chat, and its middling Trustpilot score mostly reflects slow support and ID-verification frustrations rather than fund-safety issues. For simple buy-and-hold users the support model is adequate; anyone who values a human on demand should look at NDAX or Netcoins instead.
While Kucoin provides 24/7 customer support via multiple channels, including email, live chat, and a hotline, the support seems to struggle with delayed responses. In contrast, Newton has a solid support structure that responds impressively within four hours. However, contacting Newton's support might be less intuitive as it requires visiting the knowledge center and clicking the "submit a request" button.
Conclusion
Both exchanges have their advantages and features that appeal to different types of traders. However, considering the need for regulatory compliance, ease of use, customer support responsiveness, and zero-fee stance, Newton seems more favorable for Canadian users. Despite this, Kucoin remains a popular choice due to its wider user base, variety of available cryptocurrencies, and advanced trading features.
When comparing Newton to Kucoin, one notable advantage is the Recurring Buys feature. This allows users to automate crypto purchases at regular intervals, making it easier to invest consistently over time. Additionally, Newton has partnered with Koinly, a leading crypto tax platform, simplifying tax reporting with seamless integration. These features are especially beneficial for users looking for a hands-off approach to crypto investing and tax management, giving Newton a distinct edge over many competitors that don’t offer these conveniences.
When comparing Kucoin to other exchanges, KuCoin stands out for its enhanced transparency through the Proof of Reserves (PoR) system, which verifies that the platform can fully cover all user assets, reinforcing trust in its financial stability. Additionally, KuCoin has stepped up its game in customer service by offering 24/7 support, making it easier for users to get timely assistance compared to many other exchanges. This level of transparency and customer care makes KuCoin a strong contender among its competitors.
We recommend choosing Kucoin over Newton for your cryptocurrency trading needs. By opting for Kucoin through our referral link, you support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If you find that neither Kucoin nor Newton meets your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto. This list provides a range of alternative options that may better suit your specific needs and preferences.
