Security Compliance
NDAX keeps roughly 95% of digital assets in cold storage using Ledger Vault, a big name in crypto security, alongside multi-signature wallets and regular audits. Two-factor authentication is mandatory at sign-up, a policy we like since most exchanges leave it optional. Changing account details like your email or phone number requires submitting a selfie with a handwritten note, an old-school but effective defence against account takeover. As a CIRO member, NDAX also keeps client CAD balances in segregated accounts, though crypto assets themselves aren't covered by deposit insurance.
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.
NDAX keeps roughly 95% of digital assets in cold storage via BitGo Trust and Tetra Trust, two institutional-grade custodians approved as part of NDAX's CIRO membership, alongside multi-signature wallets and regular audits. Two-factor authentication is mandatory at sign-up, which we appreciate since most exchanges leave it optional. Changing account details like your email or phone number requires submitting a selfie with a handwritten note, an effective defence against account takeover. As a CIRO member, NDAX keeps client CAD balances in segregated accounts protected under the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) in the event of insolvency. Crypto assets themselves are not covered by CIPF, which is worth knowing.
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 all 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.
Both NDAX and Crypto.com prioritize security. NDAX ensures account protection through mandatory two-factor authentication and institutional cold storage with BitGo Trust and Tetra Trust. Crypto.com mandates multi-factor authentication including Face ID and Touch ID, holds assets in cold storage, and holds SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certifications.
Regulatory Compliance
NDAX is one of the most compliant platforms in Canada: a registered investment dealer and CIRO member since December 2024, licensed across all provinces and territories, and registered with FINTRAC and the AMF. It has also received CIRO approval to offer staking, which very few Canadian platforms can claim.
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.
NDAX is one of the most compliant platforms in Canada. It became a registered investment dealer and CIRO member on December 19, 2024, approved across all provinces and territories by the Canadian Securities Administrators. It is also registered with FINTRAC and the AMF, and has received CIRO approval to offer staking services, which very few Canadian platforms can claim.
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, making it 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.
Both NDAX and Crypto.com are registered with FINTRAC, demonstrating their commitment to anti-money-laundering compliance. NDAX operates under the highest regulatory tier available to Canadian crypto exchanges, while Crypto.com is progressing toward that same tier from its current restricted dealer status.
Customer support
NDAX provides a knowledge centre answering the most common questions, plus live chat, email and phone support available Monday to Friday from 10 AM to midnight ET. When we contacted them, we got a reply in an impressive 20 minutes. Their team also responds to negative reviews publicly, which speaks well of how seriously they take support.
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.
NDAX provides a knowledge centre answering the most common questions, plus live chat, email and phone support available Monday to Friday from 10 AM to midnight ET. When we contacted them, response times were strong at around 20 minutes. Their team also responds publicly to negative reviews, which speaks well of how seriously they take customer feedback.
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 earlier criticisms about missing educational resources no longer apply.
NDAX offers excellent customer support with live chat, email and phone options. Crypto.com has been criticized for slower support response times, though issues are generally resolved, and its Crypto.com University fills the education gap well.
Conclusion
Both NDAX and Crypto.com are strong, well-regulated options for Canadians, and the better choice really depends on what you need.
NDAX is the stronger pick if regulatory protection and low transparent fees matter most. As a full CIRO investment dealer, it offers the highest compliance tier of any Canadian crypto exchange today. The fixed 0.2% fee means no hidden spread markup, staking is available on 12+ coins, and client fiat is covered by CIPF. The coin selection is smaller, but everything trades directly in CAD.
Crypto.com is the stronger pick if you want a broader feature set: more coins, Visa card cashback, staking, and an all-in-one app used by over 140 million people globally. Its restricted dealer registration across all Canadian provinces as of May 2025 puts it well ahead of most global exchanges operating here. The main trade-offs are slower customer support and a spread baked into app pricing. For Canadians who want more than just buying and holding, Crypto.com's ecosystem is hard to match.
We recommend choosing NDAX for most Canadians who prioritize regulation, flat fees, and staking in a fully Canadian-regulated environment. By using our referral link, you support us in conducting independent analysis of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If neither NDAX nor Crypto.com meets your requirements, explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians for more options.
