Security Compliance
Netcoins keeps the majority of client crypto in cold storage with custodian BitGo, whose private keys live in air-gapped offline systems, while hot wallet operations run through Fireblocks. Two-factor authentication is mandatory for withdrawals, and multi-signature wallets add another layer. Its parent company's blockchain surveillance technology monitors wallet addresses and transactions for fraud and links to criminal enterprises. Netcoins has operated since 2014 without a hack.
Bitvo's exit was orderly and its record clean. It was a CSA-registered restricted dealer that operated on a full reserve basis, meaning it never lent customer funds, and held client assets with third-party custodians BitGo, with over 80% in cold storage. No customer funds were lost in the wind-down, and its refusal to close the FTX deal after the collapse protected its clients from being dragged into the largest fraud in crypto history.
Netcoins keeps the majority of client crypto in cold storage with custodian BitGo, whose private keys live in air-gapped offline systems, while hot wallet operations run through Fireblocks. Two-factor authentication is mandatory for withdrawals, and multi-signature wallets add another layer. Its parent company's blockchain surveillance technology monitors wallet addresses and transactions for fraud and links to criminal enterprises. Netcoins has operated since 2014 without a hack.
Bitvo's exit was orderly and its record clean. It was a CSA-registered restricted dealer that operated on a full reserve basis, meaning it never lent customer funds, and held client assets with BitGo, with over 80% in cold storage. No customer funds were lost in the wind-down, and its refusal to close the FTX deal after the collapse protected its clients from being dragged into the largest fraud in crypto history.
Netcoins holds client crypto with BitGo in cold storage and Fireblocks for hot wallet operations, mandatory 2FA, and parent-company blockchain surveillance for compliance. Bitvo had a clean security and compliance record during its operational life, with BitGo cold storage custody and an orderly wind-down with no customer fund losses. Only Netcoins is relevant for Canadian users going forward.
Regulatory Compliance
Netcoins is one of the most regulated exchanges in Canada. Beyond its FINTRAC MSB registration, it has been registered as a Restricted Dealer with the Canadian securities regulators in every province since 2021, among the very first platforms to achieve this, and is working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership. Its parent, BIGG Digital Assets, is publicly traded and must publish audited financial statements, adding a transparency layer most private exchanges can't match.
Bitvo was registered with FINTRAC and as a restricted dealer with Canadian securities regulators, and that registration shaped its ending: rather than collapsing, its client accounts were transferred to another registered platform under regulatory oversight. Its successor chain: Bitvo clients to Bitbuy (November 2023), Bitbuy's parent WonderFi to Robinhood (2025). Former Bitvo customers with account questions should contact Bitbuy support.
Netcoins is one of the most regulated exchanges in Canada. Beyond its FINTRAC MSB registration, it has been registered as a Restricted Dealer with the Canadian securities regulators in every province since 2021, among the very first platforms to achieve this, and is working toward full investment dealer registration and CIRO membership. Its parent, BIGG Digital Assets, is publicly traded and must publish audited financial statements, adding a transparency layer most private exchanges can't match.
Bitvo was registered with FINTRAC and as a restricted dealer with Canadian securities regulators, and that registration shaped its ending: rather than collapsing, its client accounts were transferred to another registered platform under regulatory oversight. Its successor chain: Bitvo clients to Bitbuy (November 2023), Bitbuy's parent WonderFi to Robinhood (June 2026, C$250M acquisition). Former Bitvo customers with account questions should contact Bitbuy/Robinhood support.
Netcoins is registered with FINTRAC and operates as a CSA Restricted Dealer in every Canadian province, working toward full CIRO investment dealer registration. Bitvo was registered with FINTRAC and the CSA, enabling an orderly wind-down with no customer funds lost; its successor chain ends with Bitbuy/Robinhood.
Customer support
Netcoins offers email, live chat and phone support seven days a week, and phone support remains rare among crypto exchanges. Its reputation for customer service is strong, with reviewers consistently praising the fast, human support and quick verification, though some negative reviews cite blocked withdrawals during compliance checks. Check the live Trustpilot page for the current rating before quoting a number.
There is no Bitvo support team anymore. Former customers should reach out to Bitbuy, which assumed servicing of migrated accounts. If anyone contacts you offering to recover Bitvo funds for a fee, treat it as a recovery scam.
Netcoins offers email, live chat and phone support seven days a week, and phone support remains rare among crypto exchanges. Its reputation for customer service is strong, with reviewers consistently praising the fast, human support and quick verification, though some negative reviews cite blocked withdrawals during compliance checks. Check the live Trustpilot page for the current rating before quoting a number.
There is no Bitvo support team anymore. Former customers should reach out to Bitbuy/Robinhood, which assumed servicing of migrated accounts. If anyone contacts you offering to recover Bitvo funds for a fee, treat it as a recovery scam.
Netcoins' seven-day phone, chat and email support is the only relevant option for Canadians. Bitvo support now routes through Bitbuy/Robinhood.
Conclusion
Bitvo no longer exists. Its client accounts were migrated to Bitbuy in November 2023, and Bitbuy itself was acquired by Robinhood in June 2026. If you were a Bitvo customer, your account is now part of the Robinhood/WonderFi group — contact Bitbuy/Robinhood support for any outstanding questions.
Netcoins is the clear choice for Canadians. As a CSA Restricted Dealer in every province with FINTRAC registration and a publicly traded parent company, it combines strong regulatory standing with a beginner-friendly platform that has held up since 2014 without a hack. The flat 0.5% fee, 60+ coins, free Interac deposits, Visa card with 3% bitcoin cashback, and seven-day phone support make it one of the most well-rounded options for everyday Canadian crypto buyers. The main caveats are the spread on top of the 0.5% fee and the absence of advanced trading tools — for lower fees on volume, NDAX at 0.2% flat is worth comparing.
We recommend choosing Netcoins over Bitvo for your cryptocurrency trading needs. By using our referral link, you get $25 and support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If you find that Netcoins doesn't meet your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto.
