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.
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.
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.
Crypto.com is a highly secure exchange by industry standards: cold storage custody for the majority of assets, two-factor authentication, encrypted user data, mandatory withdrawal address whitelisting with email confirmation, and substantial third-party 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, with no comparable incidents since. As always, we recommend moving long-term holdings to your own crypto wallet.
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. Crypto.com holds SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certifications, mandates MFA and withdrawal whitelisting, and carries substantial third-party insurance. Both platforms are highly secure 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.
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.
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.
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 — 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 Netcoins and Crypto.com 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 as a publicly traded TSXV parent; Crypto.com holds a slight tier edge as the more recently registered and globally licensed platform.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Netcoins' seven-days-a-week phone, chat and email support is a genuine advantage — phone support is rare in Canadian crypto. Crypto.com's 24/7 live chat is the counter-advantage for users active outside business hours.
Conclusion
Both Netcoins and Crypto.com 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.
Crypto.com is the stronger pick for Canadians who want more coins (400+ vs 60+), the second most recognized global exchange brand operating in Canada, the polished all-in-one Crypto.com app, a Visa card with CRO cashback, staking and Crypto.com University for newcomers. Its May 2025 restricted dealer registration across all provinces puts it among the most compliant global exchanges in Canada. The main trade-offs are slower support and a spread baked into app pricing.
We recommend choosing Netcoins for Canadians who want a locally focused platform with phone support and a bitcoin cashback Visa card, and Crypto.com for those who want a broader multi-coin ecosystem with more coins and a polished all-in-one app. By using our referral links, you get $25 on Netcoins and support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If you find that neither Netcoins nor Crypto.com meets your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto.
