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.
Shakepay holds the majority of users' funds in cold storage with insurance covering risks like theft or key loss, and client funds are held 1:1 with approved custodians. Operating since 2015, it has never been hacked. As a CIRO member, Shakepay's CAD balances carry Canadian Investor Protection Fund coverage up to $1 million, though crypto assets fall outside CIPF. Two-factor authentication, biometric login and email withdrawal confirmations round out account security.
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.
Shakepay holds the majority of users' funds in cold storage with insurance covering risks like theft or key loss, and client funds are held 1:1 with approved custodians. Operating since 2015, it has never been hacked. As a CIRO member, Shakepay's CAD balances carry Canadian Investor Protection Fund coverage up to $1 million, though crypto assets fall outside CIPF. Full details of Shakepay's security and custody arrangements are published at shakepay.com/security and are subject to ongoing CIRO oversight. Two-factor authentication, biometric login and email withdrawal confirmations round out account security.
Both Netcoins and Shakepay hold client crypto in insured cold storage, mandate two-factor authentication, and have operated without a hack. Shakepay's CIPF coverage on CAD balances as a CIRO investment dealer gives it a slight institutional edge. Netcoins' BitGo and Fireblocks dual-custody arrangement and blockchain surveillance tools add operational security layers that go beyond most Canadian platforms.
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.
Shakepay is one of the most regulated crypto platforms in Canada. Beyond its FINTRAC Money Service Business registration, it became a CIRO-registered investment dealer in January 2025, the first Quebec-based crypto platform to reach that tier, and the first crypto-native member of Payments Canada in May 2025. Its bitcoin-backed lending product operates under a three-year exemptive relief from Quebec's AMF with passport coverage across all provinces. Montreal-based, it operates in every Canadian province and territory.
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.
Shakepay is one of the most regulated crypto platforms in Canada. Beyond its FINTRAC Money Service Business registration, it became a CIRO-registered investment dealer in January 2025, the first Quebec-based crypto platform to reach that tier, and the first crypto-native member of Payments Canada in May 2025. Its bitcoin-backed lending product operates under a three-year exemptive relief from Quebec's AMF with passport coverage across all provinces.
Both Netcoins and Shakepay are registered with FINTRAC and operate under Canadian securities regulation. Shakepay holds the higher regulatory tier as a full CIRO investment dealer with CIPF coverage on fiat, while Netcoins operates as a CSA Restricted Dealer working toward the same standard.
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.
Shakepay offers chat support, helpful FAQs and email support at [email protected], with tickets typically answered within hours, even on weekends. When we tested it, we received a reply in under 24 hours, and customer reviews consistently rank Shakepay's support among the friendliest in Canadian crypto.
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.
Shakepay offers chat support, helpful FAQs and email support, with tickets typically answered within hours, even on weekends. When we tested it, we received a reply in under 24 hours, and customer reviews consistently rank Shakepay's support among the friendliest in Canadian crypto.
Netcoins' seven-days-a-week phone, chat and email support is a genuine advantage — phone support is rare in Canadian crypto. Shakepay's support is faster in our testing and friendlier in reviews, but it lacks a phone channel. For users who value speaking to a real person, Netcoins wins here.
Conclusion
Both Netcoins and Shakepay are strong, well-regulated Canadian options, and the right choice depends on what you need.
Netcoins is the stronger pick for Canadians who want more than BTC and ETH. With 60+ coins, a flat 0.5% fee, a Visa card with 3% bitcoin cashback, staking, seven-days-a-week phone support and the transparency of a publicly traded parent company, it offers a genuinely broad platform for a beginner-to-intermediate trader. The 0.5% fee plus spread combination is worth watching on small trades — active buyers should model the total cost versus NDAX's 0.2% flat fee.
Shakepay is the stronger pick for Canadians focused on BTC and ETH who want the simplest experience and the strongest individual regulatory protection. As a full CIRO investment dealer since January 2025, Shakepay holds CIPF coverage on CAD balances up to $1 million — a tier Netcoins hasn't yet reached. Add free crypto withdrawals with network fees covered, ShakingSats, the Shakepay Card with bitcoin cashback, interest on CAD and now bitcoin-backed loans, and it is a genuinely well-rounded platform for Bitcoin accumulators.
We recommend choosing Netcoins for Canadians who want a wider coin range and phone support, and Shakepay for those who want CIRO investment dealer protection and the best BTC/ETH experience. By using our referral links you get $25 and $10 respectively, and support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.
If you find that neither Netcoins nor Shakepay meets your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians. This list provides a range of alternative options that may better suit your specific needs and preferences.
