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.
Gate has invested heavily in security in recent years, publishing monthly Proof of Reserves with coverage around 125% and holding licenses in Malta (MiCA), Dubai, Japan and elsewhere. That said, its track record includes past security incidents, and none of its licensing footprint extends to Canada. Since KYC is mandatory and tied to your ID country, Canadians who slip through via VPN risk having accounts frozen with funds inside.
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, a policy 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.
Gate has invested heavily in security in recent years, publishing monthly Proof of Reserves with coverage around 125% and holding licenses in Malta (MiCA), Dubai, Japan and the US. That said, its track record includes past security incidents going back to its days as Bter, and none of its licensing footprint extends to Canada. Since KYC is mandatory and tied to your ID country, Canadians who try to slip through via VPN risk having accounts frozen with funds inside.
NDAX is well-regarded for its security measures, using BitGo Trust and Tetra Trust for 95% cold storage custody, mandatory 2FA, address whitelisting and CIRO-mandated quarterly proof-of-reserves. Gate also employs hot and cold storage with multi-signature protocols and publishes monthly Proof of Reserves — but since Gate is not accessible from Canada, only NDAX's security arrangements are practically relevant for Canadian readers.
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.
Gate is not a compliant crypto exchange in Canada. Canada sits on its restricted locations list, Canadian accounts were closed in April 2022, and while Gate has since obtained licenses in the EU, Dubai, Japan and even launched a US entity in 2025, it has shown no sign of registering with Canadian regulators.
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.
Gate is not a compliant crypto exchange in Canada. Canada sits on its restricted locations list, Canadian accounts were closed in April 2022, and while Gate has since obtained licenses in the EU (MiCA via Malta), Dubai, Japan and launched a US entity in 2025, it has shown no sign of registering with Canadian regulators. The rebrand from Gate.io to Gate.com in May 2025 changed nothing for Canadians.
NDAX is registered with FINTRAC and operates as a full CIRO investment dealer with CIPF coverage on fiat — the highest regulatory tier available to a Canadian crypto platform. Gate lists Canada as a disallowed country and has held no Canadian regulatory registration since closing Canadian accounts in April 2022.
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.
Gate offers a help centre, blog and live chat for users in supported countries. Reviews remain mixed, with recurring complaints on Trustpilot about slow support and withdrawal difficulties. For Canadians this is academic, since the platform is off-limits entirely.
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 publicly to negative reviews, which speaks well of how seriously they take customer feedback.
Gate offers a help centre, blog and live chat for users in supported countries. Reviews remain mixed, with recurring complaints on Trustpilot about slow support and withdrawal difficulties. For Canadians this is academic, since the platform is off-limits entirely.
NDAX's multi-channel support with phone, live chat and email available until midnight on weekdays is strong for a Canadian exchange. Gate's support quality is irrelevant to Canadians who cannot access the platform.
Conclusion
From a Canadian perspective, this comparison has only one answer. Gate has listed Canada as a restricted jurisdiction since April 2022 and is simply not available — the May 2025 rebrand to Gate.com changed nothing for Canadians, and KYC enforcement means even VPN workarounds result in accounts that can be frozen with funds inside.
NDAX is the clear choice. As a full CIRO investment dealer since December 2024, it holds the highest regulatory tier of any Canadian crypto exchange, with CIPF coverage on fiat balances, a fixed 0.2% fee with no spread markup, staking on 12+ coins with CIRO approval, and one of the best customer support setups in Canadian crypto. The coin selection is smaller than global exchanges, but everything trades directly in CAD. For Canadians looking for a wider range of altcoins, platforms like Kraken or Crypto.com offer a broader selection while still being fully regulated in Canada.
We recommend choosing NDAX over Gate 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 NDAX doesn't meet your requirements, explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians for more options.
