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.
Coinbase keeps around 98% of customer crypto in cold storage with multi-signature wallets, making theft extremely difficult even if systems are compromised, and backs custodied assets with substantial crime insurance. It undergoes SOC 1 and SOC 2 audits and, as a public company, publishes quarterly audited financials, a level of transparency almost no competitor matches. Note that Coinbase also offers the separate, non-custodial Coinbase Wallet app for self-custody, which is distinct from holding coins on the exchange.
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.
Coinbase keeps around 98% of customer crypto in cold storage with multi-signature wallets, making theft extremely difficult even if systems are compromised, and backs custodied assets with substantial crime insurance covering hundreds of millions. It undergoes SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type II audits and, as a public company, publishes quarterly audited financials — a level of transparency almost no crypto exchange competitor matches. Coinbase has never suffered a major exchange-level hack. Note that Coinbase also offers the separate, non-custodial Coinbase Wallet app for self-custody, which is distinct from holding coins on the exchange.
Netcoins publishes full custody details: BitGo cold storage with air-gapped keys and Fireblocks for hot wallets, plus blockchain surveillance through its parent company's compliance tools. Coinbase keeps 98% of assets in cold storage with SOC 2 Type II certification and public-company audit credentials. Both platforms have excellent security records with no fund losses on record.
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.
Coinbase went from unregistered convenience to the most credentialed international platform in Canada: it signed an Enhanced Pre-Registration Undertaking in March 2023, formally launched with Interac rails in August 2023, and became a CSA-registered Restricted Dealer in April 2024, the first international exchange to achieve this. It's registered with FINTRAC as an MSB and authorized in Quebec by the AMF. Canadians can use the platform fully, with the standard restricted dealer caveats: certain altcoin purchase limits and no CIPF coverage on crypto.
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.
Coinbase went from unregistered to the most credentialed international platform in Canada: it signed an Enhanced Pre-Registration Undertaking in March 2023, formally launched with Interac rails in August 2023, and became a CSA-registered Restricted Dealer in April 2024 — the first international exchange to achieve this. It's registered with FINTRAC as an MSB and authorized in Quebec by the AMF. Canadians can use the platform fully, with the standard restricted dealer caveats: certain altcoin purchase limits and no CIPF coverage on crypto. Coinbase is also working toward full CIRO investment dealer registration.
Both Netcoins and Coinbase are registered with FINTRAC and operate as CSA Restricted Dealers authorized to serve Canadians in every province and territory. Both are working toward full CIRO investment dealer registration. Netcoins holds a slight transparency edge due to its publicly traded TSXV parent; Coinbase holds a slight tier edge as the first international restricted dealer with S&P 500 public-company audit obligations.
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.
Coinbase offers 24/7 support with live chat, a comprehensive help centre and an extensive learning hub. Support quality remains its weak spot: reaching a human who understands Canadian banking specifics can take patience, and our own test took four days to get a real person. For routine issues the automated help works fine, but complex account problems can drag.
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.
Coinbase offers 24/7 support with live chat, a comprehensive help centre and an extensive learning hub. Support quality remains its weak spot: reaching a human who understands Canadian banking specifics can take patience, and our own test took four days to get a real person. For routine issues the automated help works fine, but complex account problems can drag.
Netcoins' seven-days-a-week phone, chat and email support is a genuine advantage — phone support is rare in Canadian crypto. Coinbase's 24/7 live chat availability is the counter-advantage for users active outside business hours. Neither platform offers phone support that is available 24/7.
Conclusion
Both Netcoins and Coinbase are strong, well-regulated options for Canadians, and the right choice depends on what you need.
Netcoins is the stronger pick for Canadians who want a Canadian-focused platform with phone and live chat support seven days a week, a Visa card with 3% bitcoin cashback, credit card purchases via Simplex, USD support, and the transparency of a publicly traded parent company. The flat 0.5% fee plus spread is clear and predictable, and the instant automated verification is one of the fastest account-open experiences in Canada.
Coinbase is the stronger pick for Canadians who want more coins (200+ vs 60+), the world's most recognized exchange brand, the polished simplicity of the Coinbase app, and the transparency of a publicly traded S&P 500 company with audited financials. Advanced Trade's fees are competitive for volume traders, and Coinbase One adds zero-fee trading and boosted staking rewards for regular buyers. The main caveats are high simple-interface fees (always use Advanced Trade), inconsistent support, and the Interac name-matching pitfall that trips up some new users.
We recommend choosing Netcoins for Canadians who prioritize phone support, a Visa card and Canadian-built transparency, and Coinbase for those who want more coins, a recognized global brand and S&P 500 audit credentials. By using our referral links you get $25 and support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If you find that neither Netcoins nor Coinbase meets your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto.
