Note: 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. Bitbuy itself was then acquired by Robinhood, which completed its C$250M acquisition of WonderFi on June 1, 2026. Former Bitvo customers with account questions should contact Bitbuy/Robinhood support. NDAX is the only active platform here.
In this comparison, we examine two prominent Canadian-based cryptocurrency exchanges: NDAX and Bitvo. NDAX is a Calgary-based CIRO-registered investment dealer, the highest regulatory tier in Canada, with a flat 0.2% fee, 60+ coins, CIPF coverage on fiat, and staking on 12+ coins. Bitvo was another Calgary-based exchange, known for its same-day guarantee and 24/7 phone support, before its orderly wind-down in November 2023.
NDAX Vs Bitvo: Which Is Better For Canadians?
NDAX wins by default for Canadians. Bitvo stopped operating on its own in November 2023 when Bitbuy bought all of its client accounts and the Bitvo.com domain. Since Bitvo no longer operates for Canadians, I recommend Coinbase (9.8/10, #1 on my list): open a Coinbase account.
Every row below comes from each company’s own pages and the Canadian registries, checked October 2026. Where a row has no fair winner, it says so.
NDAX Vs Bitvo: Master Spec Table
NDAX
Bitvo
Winner
Company
National Digital Asset Exchange (Ndax Canada Inc.), Calgary, founded 2017. Reported founders Bilal Hammoud (CEO), Hussein Hammoud and Omar Abbas. Funding and staff: Not published.
Bitvo Inc., Calgary, founded 2018. Bitbuy bought all client accounts (17,000+ per WonderFi) and the domain in November 2023. Founders and funding: Not published.
Depends
Regulation
CIRO investment dealer since 2024-12-19; CSA list yes. FINTRAC M18632135 to 2027-12-31. CIPF covers CAD only, never crypto. AMF: Not verified.
FINTRAC MSB M20580992 Ceased 2024-10-08. Bitvo Inc. is under CSA Expired Decisions.
NDAX
Assets
About 76 coins on the public instrument list (2026-10-01), nearly all paired with CAD. Order book: not verified. USDT status is conflicting and not stated.
Small list: BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, ADA, QCAD.
NDAX
Price
Flat 0.20% on every buy and sell, no tiers, no maker or taker split, as checked 2026-10-03. Crypto withdrawal flat fees apply. Staking admin fee 20%.
Zero trading commission, revenue from the spread (rate Not published). 1% withdrawal fee, $15 minimum.
NDAX
CAD In
Free: Interac e-Transfer (0 to 30 minutes) and wire (0 to 1 business days, subject to bank hours). Crypto deposits free after confirmations.
Free deposits; Interac e-Transfer about 30 minutes, no minimum deposit.
NDAX
CAD Out
Interac e-Transfer CAD 1.50, CAD 10,000 per transaction, 0 to 30 minutes. EFT bank deposit CAD 4.99, no min or max, 0 to 1 business days. No free method.
1% withdrawal fee with a $15 minimum.
NDAX
Crypto In And Out
On-chain with several networks. BTC: Standard 0.00007 BTC (up to 4h), Express 0.00014 (instant), Flex free (up to 12h), as of 2026-10-01; fees are flat. No Lightning or Liquid found.
No longer available to Canadians
NDAX
Custody
Custodial. Majority in cold storage with BitGo and Coinbase Custody trust companies, segregated omnibus accounts; multisig, MPC, SOC 2 Type 2. No insurance figure or PoR found.
Full reserve, never lent customer funds. BitGo custody, over 80% in cold storage.
NDAX
Verification (KYC)
Full KYC: personal details and government ID, usually cleared within a day. Age of majority required. SIN and selfie: Not verified.
No longer available to Canadians
Depends
Account Types
Individual, joint (right of survivorship), legal entity, plus an OTC desk. TFSA and RRSP: Not found.
No longer available to Canadians
NDAX
Provinces
All provinces and territories. Investment limits may apply on some assets outside BC, Manitoba and Quebec. Mobile app offers French (Canada).
No longer available to Canadians
NDAX
Extra Products
Staking and Auto Earn (20% admin fee), OTC desk, API trading, instant internal and gift transfers. No card or loan found. Recurring buys and referral: Not verified.
Bitvo Cash Card and the Same Day Guarantee.
NDAX
Tax Tools
CSV ledger reports from the Reports menu, and a Koinly API integration. No CRA-ready report.
No longer available to Canadians
NDAX
App
Apple Canada 4.75 (15,225 ratings), Google Play 4.7 (5.85K reviews), 2026-10-01. Web app yes. French UI yes in the app. 2FA yes. Price alerts: Not verified.
No longer available to Canadians
NDAX
Support
Live chat, phone 1-833-727-6329, email support@ndax.io. Chat reported Mon to Fri 10am to midnight ET (secondary). French support: Not verified.
What Are The Key Differences Between NDAX And Bitvo?
NDAX Vs Bitvo: Side By Side
NDAX
Bitvo
Description
National Digital Asset Exchange (NDAX) is a Calgary-based exchange and one of the most regulated platforms in the country, a CIRO investment dealer since December 2024. It combines a beginner-friendly platform and highly rated app with one of the lowest flat fees in Canada.
Bitvo was a Calgary-based cryptocurrency exchange, founded in 2018, known for its Same Day Guarantee, zero trading fees and 24/7 phone support. In November 2023 its client accounts were acquired by Bitbuy and the Bitvo platform was wound down. It is also remembered as the exchange FTX almost bought, a deal terminated days after FTX's collapse in November 2022.
Coins
About 76 base assets on its public Canadian instrument list (2026-10-01), nearly all paired with CAD, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, Chainlink and Polkadot.
A small selection including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Cardano and QCAD, Canada's first mass-market stablecoin.
Fees
Flat 0.20% on every buy and sell, with no volume tiers and no maker or taker split. CAD deposits by Interac e-Transfer and wire are free; Interac withdrawals cost CAD 1.50 (CAD 10,000 per transaction) and EFT bank withdrawals CAD 4.99. Crypto withdrawals are flat amounts per network. Staking and Auto Earn rewards carry a 20% administration fee.
Free deposits, zero trading fees (revenue came from the spread), and a 1% withdrawal fee with a $15 minimum.
Pros
One flat 0.20% fee, no tiers
CIRO investment dealer with a CSA decision (2024-12-19)
About 76 coins, most paired directly with CAD
Free Interac and wire deposits
SOC 2 Type 2 audited
Staking, Auto Earn, OTC desk and API trading
Joint, entity and individual accounts
Koinly API integration
No trading fees
The Same Day Guarantee
The Bitvo Cash Card
Rare 24/7 phone support
Cons
Interac withdrawals cost CAD 1.50 and EFT CAD 4.99
Custodial, and crypto is not covered by CIPF
No insurance figure or proof of reserves published
Staking rewards carry a 20% administration fee
Investment limits can apply on some assets outside BC, Manitoba and Quebec
Interac withdrawal capped at CAD 10,000 per 24 hours
Whether USDT trades for Canadians is unclear and omitted
Platform wound down in November 2023 with client accounts sold to Bitbuy
High spreads masked the "zero fee" pitch
The 1% withdrawal fee was a sore point
Small coin selection even at its peak
Security
Custodial. The user agreement says the majority of assets are in cold storage with regulated trust-company custodians (BitGo Trust Company and Coinbase Custody Trust Company), in segregated omnibus accounts. Multi-signature and MPC, SOC 2 Type 2 audit. CIPF covers CAD only, never crypto.
Bitvo 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 reported lost in the wind-down.
Methods To Buy
Interac e-Transfer (free, 0 to 30 minutes), wire transfer (free, 0 to 1 business days) or a crypto deposit.
There was no way to buy through Bitvo after the migration. Former clients were moved to Bitbuy. A site claiming to be Bitvo and taking deposits is an impostor.
App
iOS and Android apps plus web; the app lists Francais (Canada). Apple Canada 4.75 (15,225 ratings), Google Play 4.7 (5.85K reviews) on 2026-10-01.
Not published. The website and apps are no longer operational.
Account Limits
No deposit limits set by NDAX, your bank sets them; wire deposits show a CAD 10,000,000 monthly wallet limit in a help article. Interac withdrawals CAD 10,000 per transaction. EFT withdrawals have no minimum or maximum.
No minimum deposit. Free 30-minute Interac e-Transfer deposits.
How Do You Fund And Cash Out NDAX And Bitvo In Canada?
NDAX: CAD Deposits
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Interac e-Transfer
Free
Not published
Set by your bank
0 to 30 minutes
Wire transfer
Free
Not published
Set by your bank
0 to 1 business days, subject to bank hours
Crypto deposit
Free
Not published
Not published
after network confirmations
NDAX: CAD Withdrawals
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Interac e-Transfer
CAD 1.50
Not published
CAD 10,000 per transaction
0 to 30 minutes
Direct bank deposit (EFT)
CAD 4.99
No minimum
No maximum
0 to 1 business days
Bitvo: CAD Deposits (When It Operated)
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Interac e-Transfer
Free
No minimum
Not published
about 30 minutes
Bitvo: CAD Withdrawals (When It Operated)
Method
Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Speed
Fiat withdrawal
1%
CAD 15 fee minimum
Not published
Not published
Bank-side Interac and wire limits apply. Account name must match your bank account. Weekend timing: Not published; wire speed is subject to bank hours. All funding now ended. Accounts moved to Bitbuy.
What Does It Actually Cost To Buy On NDAX?
Worked Cost, Buy Only And Buy Plus Sell (Round Trip)
Amount
NDAX Buy
NDAX Round Trip
CAD 100
$0.20
$0.40
CAD 500
$1.00
$2.00
CAD 1,000
$2.00
$4.00
CAD 10,000
$20.00
$40.00
NDAX: Flat 0.20% of trade value on every buy and sell, no tiers (fees page checked 2026-10-03). Withdrawal fees are extra and flat. Ranges reflect each platform’s published band, not a single quote. Bank and network fees are not included.
What Do NDAX And Bitvo Offer Beyond Buying And Selling?
NDAX Only
Staking and Auto Earn: Opt-in rewards on supported assets. NDAX keeps 20% of rewards as an administration fee; the homepage advertises staking up to 13% APY.
OTC desk: Over-the-counter trading for large orders; terms and minimums are not published on the pages I could open.
API trading: Programmatic trading API, and a public instrument feed that lists the coins available.
Internal transfers: Transfers between NDAX accounts, including gift transfers, settle instantly at no cost.
Bitvo Only
Bitvo Cash Card: A prepaid card product listed among Bitvo's strengths.
Same Day Guarantee: A funding-speed promise Bitvo marketed.
What Happens To Your Money If NDAX Or Bitvo Fails?
NDAX: NDAX is a CIRO investment dealer, so CIPF protects the CAD cash you hold there, but the user agreement says no virtual asset in your account is eligible for CIPF or CDIC protection. Most assets sit in cold storage with trust-company custodians in omnibus accounts, and NDAX has a SOC 2 Type 2 audit, but it publishes no insurance amount and no proof of reserves. A hack, a custodian failure or an insolvency can still hurt crypto balances. Withdraw to your own wallet if you hold coins for the long term.
Bitvo: This was a merger, not a collapse: Bitvo's client accounts moved to Bitbuy, which has since moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. and now Robinhood, per the registry. Check that you are logged into your account with the current owner and withdraw to a wallet if you prefer. Do not send crypto to an old Bitvo address or trust a site using the Bitvo name.
How Are NDAX And Bitvo Treated For Tax In Canada?
NDAX: Each sale, swap and staking reward event is a disposition or income for CRA purposes, and staking rewards are income at the value received. NDAX provides CSV ledger reports and a Koinly API link but no CRA-ready report.
Bitvo: Trades on Bitvo were dispositions for CRA purposes. Ask for or export your Bitvo history from your migrated Bitbuy account. Export formats: Not published.
Selling, swapping or spending crypto is a disposition for the CRA on any platform. This is not tax advice: see my guide to crypto taxes in Canada.
Which Should You Choose, NDAX Or Bitvo?
Choose NDAX If
You want a low flat 0.20% fee and a wide list of CAD-paired coins.
You want a CIRO-registered exchange that lists dozens of CAD pairs.
You want staking, an OTC desk or API access.
You mostly buy and hold and rarely cash out, since CAD withdrawals cost CAD 1.50 to 4.99.
Choose Bitvo If
You want a registered platform that serves Canadians today: Coinbase is our number one replacement, with free Interac e-Transfer funding and a Canadian restricted dealer registration.
What Happened To Bitvo?
Bitvo stopped operating on its own in November 2023, when Bitbuy bought all of its client accounts and the Bitvo.com domain. The acquisition closed on November 14 and 15, 2023, and WonderFi's press release put the number of client accounts moved at more than 17,000.
This was a merger, not a withdrawal from Canada. Bitvo Inc. now sits under Expired Decisions on the CSA site, and FINTRAC lists Bitvo Inc. as ceased on October 8, 2024. The bitvo.com domain no longer resolves, so there is nothing to log in to.
The story did not stop there. Bitbuy's accounts moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024, and Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase on June 1, 2026. Anyone who came from Bitvo is therefore a customer of Robinhood-owned Bitbuy, not of a standalone Bitvo.
Bitvo Status Summary
Detail
Status
Platform
Bitvo
Key Date
Nov 2023
Status For Canadians
Merged into Bitbuy
Sign-Up Link
None. I do not link to platforms Canadians cannot use.
What Is The Timeline For Bitvo?
Nov 15, 2023: Bitbuy completed its purchase of Bitvo's client accounts and the Bitvo.com domain.
Oct 8, 2024:FINTRAC listed Bitvo Inc.'s MSB registration as ceased.
Jun 1, 2026: Robinhood closed its WonderFi acquisition, putting Bitbuy under Robinhood ownership.
Bitvo was an Alberta-origin exchange that sold Canadians crypto in CAD before its client accounts moved to Bitbuy.
What Should Bitvo Users Use Instead?
Former Bitvo users are with Bitbuy, now part of Robinhood. If you want a fresh start, the registry's like-for-like pick for an Alberta-origin exchange is NDAX: an Alberta-based registered platform with CAD funding.
NDAX: The Other Side Of This Comparison
NDAX, short for National Digital Asset Exchange, is a Calgary-based exchange run by Ndax Canada Inc. It is a CIRO investment dealer member (CIRO membership terms were imposed on December 19, 2024) and it sits on the CSA list of crypto platforms authorized to do business with Canadians. It is also a FINTRAC-registered money services business, and it has been one of the cheaper places in the country to trade for years.
NDAX Verified Facts
Detail
NDAX
Trading Cost
Flat 0.20% on every buy and sell
CAD Deposits
Interac e-Transfer free (0 to 30 minutes), wire free (0 to 1 business days)
CAD Withdrawals
Interac e-Transfer $1.50 (up to $10,000 per transaction), EFT $4.99
Coins
77 base assets listed on its public API
Regulation
CSA list (Decision December 19, 2024), CIRO investment dealer member, FINTRAC MSB
Staking
Yes, opt-in, with a 20% administration fee on rewards
App Ratings (Canada)
Apple 4.75 (15,225 ratings), Google Play 4.7
Sign-Up Bonus
No sign-up bonus on file
How Does NDAX Handle Fees, Funding And Coins?
Fees
NDAX charges one flat 0.20% fee on every buy and sell. There are no volume tiers and no maker and taker split, so a $100 trade and a $50,000 trade pay the same rate. That simplicity is the main reason I point cost-conscious Canadians at it. The costs to watch are on the way out: an Interac e-Transfer cash-out is $1.50 and a direct bank deposit (EFT) is $4.99. Bitcoin withdrawals to your own wallet come in three lanes, a standard one at 0.00007 BTC, an express one at 0.00014 BTC and a flex lane at 0 BTC that takes up to 12 hours. If you stake, NDAX keeps 20% of the rewards.
Funding
Putting CAD in is free. Interac e-Transfer lands in 0 to 30 minutes, wires take up to a business day, and you can also deposit crypto for free once the network confirms it. Taking CAD out costs a little: $1.50 by Interac e-Transfer with a $10,000 cap per transaction, or $4.99 for a direct bank deposit with no minimum or maximum. Neither fee is big, but they are real, so batch your cash-outs instead of sending small amounts often.
Coins
NDAX does not publish an official Canadian coin count, so I use what its public API shows: 77 base assets across 90 running trading instruments. That covers Bitcoin, Ethereum and the large altcoins most Canadians actually buy. It is a smaller menu than the global exchanges, and there is no margin or derivatives trading for Canadians on the platform.
Is NDAX Safe And Easy To Use?
NDAX is a CIRO investment dealer member and on the CSA authorized list, which puts it in the top regulatory tier for a Canadian crypto platform. Its own security page describes cold and hot wallet storage, multi-signature authorization, MPC protection and regular security audits. I could not find an insurance dollar figure or a proof-of-reserves page on the pages I checked, so I do not quote one. Crypto is not covered by deposit insurance on any Canadian platform, so only keep on the exchange what you are happy to trade.
NDAX has a deep help centre and a page for each coin, and its app is among the best rated of the Canadian exchanges: 4.75 on the Canadian App Store from 15,225 ratings and 4.7 on Google Play. On support, when I contacted the team I got a reply in about 20 minutes, which is quick. One quirk: adding NDAX as an Interac recipient in your banking app is a manual step, a bit clunkier than platforms that link to your bank directly.
What Limits And Extras Does NDAX Have?
NDAX has no minimum deposit stated on its fee page, and Interac cash-outs are capped at $10,000 per transaction, while bank EFT withdrawals have no stated minimum or maximum. It offers no derivatives or margin for Canadians. Staking is opt-in and Auto Earn rewards carry the same 20% administration fee.
Beyond buying and selling, NDAX offers opt-in staking and Auto Earn, a Bitcoin network withdrawal choice of three speeds, and public coin pages. I found no sign-up bonus on its pages, so the case for NDAX is price and regulation, not promotions.
On a $1,000 buy at NDAX, the published cost works out to $2.00 in trading fee (0.20% of $1,000).
How Do You Check A Platform Before Moving Money?
Do four things before you send a dollar to any platform. First, look it up on the CSA list of crypto platforms authorized to do business with Canadians and on the banned list. Second, search the FINTRAC money services business registry for the legal entity, and read the status and expiry date. Third, read the terms for any clause that restricts Canadian residents. Fourth, send a small test deposit and a small test withdrawal before you move real money. A platform that fails any one of the four is not worth the risk, however good its fees look.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of NDAX?
Pros
Flat 0.20% trading fee with no volume tiers
CIRO investment dealer member and on the CSA list
Free Interac e-Transfer and wire deposits
Cash out to your bank for $1.50 or $4.99
Opt-in staking
App rated 4.75 on the Canadian App Store
Cons
Smaller coin list than the global exchanges
Adding NDAX as an Interac recipient is a manual step
20% administration fee on staking rewards
No margin or derivatives for Canadians
No sign-up bonus on file
Should You Open An Account With NDAX?
Choose NDAX if you want the lowest published flat fee, cheap cash-outs to your bank and a CIRO-registered Canadian platform. It is a CIRO investment dealer member, and it is open to new Canadian accounts today.
Robinhood closed its WonderFi acquisition, putting Bitbuy under Robinhood ownership.
NDAX received its CSA decision and CIRO investment dealer membership.
FINTRAC listed Bitvo Inc.'s MSB registration as ceased.
Bitbuy completed its purchase of Bitvo's client accounts and the Bitvo.com domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitvo Still Operating?
No. Bitvo stopped operating on its own in November 2023, when Bitbuy bought its client accounts and the Bitvo.com domain.
Did Bitvo Leave Canada?
No. It merged into Bitbuy. Its accounts moved to Bitbuy rather than closing.
Who Owns Bitvo's Old Accounts Now?
Bitbuy, which moved to Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. in May 2024 and is now under Robinhood ownership since June 1, 2026.
Is NDAX Better Than Bitvo Today?
NDAX is available to Canadians and Bitvo is merged into Bitbuy, so for a new account the answer is NDAX.
What Does NDAX Cost To Trade On?
Flat 0.20% on every buy and sell. Interac e-Transfer free (0 to 30 minutes), wire free (0 to 1 business days).
Is NDAX Regulated In Canada?
NDAX: CSA list (Decision December 19, 2024), CIRO investment dealer member, FINTRAC MSB.
Do NDAX And Bitvo Have Limit Orders?
NDAX: Limit orders are not confirmed here; NDAX is an exchange-style platform but I did not verify an order type list. Bitvo: Not published
Which Coins Can You Buy On NDAX And Bitvo?
NDAX: About 76 coins Bitvo: Small list, closed
Is The Spread The Fee On NDAX And Bitvo?
NDAX: NDAX charges a flat 0.20% fee, shown separately; confirm the quoted price in the order screen. Bitvo: No longer applicable.
Does CIPF Cover My Crypto On NDAX Or Bitvo?
NDAX: CIPF covers CAD cash only; the user agreement says crypto is not eligible. Bitvo: CIPF never covers crypto, and this platform no longer serves Canadians.
Are NDAX And Bitvo Available In Every Province?
NDAX: All provinces and territories, with possible investment limits on some assets outside BC, Manitoba and Quebec. Bitvo: No longer available in any province.
Do Interac Deposits Work On Weekends On NDAX And Bitvo?
NDAX: Not published. Bitvo: No longer applicable.
What Is The Minimum Buy On NDAX And Bitvo?
NDAX: Not published. Bitvo: No longer applicable.
Can A Business Use NDAX Or Bitvo?
NDAX: Yes, legal-entity accounts exist and an OTC desk serves large trades. Bitvo: No longer applicable.
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.