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Wealthsimple Crypto vs. Bitcoin Well: What Works Better For Canadians in 2024

Oleg Galeev

Last updated October 9, 2024

In the dynamic world of cryptocurrency trading in Canada, Wealthsimple Crypto and Bitcoin Well stand out as prominent contenders. While Wealthsimple Crypto extends from a brand that has been simplifying stock market investments, Bitcoin Well is known for its deep roots in the crypto universe, providing traders with an immersive experience.

Description

Wealthsimple is a Canadian trading platform that offers several popular cryptocurrencies. You can connect your bank account, move funds from different investment accounts, and buy crypto in CAD.

Bitcoin Well is a Canadian bitcoin platform that gives customers the choice of buying bitcoin online through their bank or with cash at one of their roughly 200 Bitcoin ATMs across Canada. Every purchase is sent directly to the customer's own wallet, and the platform never takes custody of your coins. Bitcoin Well has also expanded into the US, where its online portal operates in all 50 states.

Coins

Over 30 coins, e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, EOS, Stellar, LINK, AAVE, Solana (SOL)Cardano (ADA)Polkadot (DOT), Dogecoin (DOGE), Polygon (MATIC), and a few stable coins.

 

Bitcoin only, with full Lightning Network support for buying, selling and even paying bills.

Fees

The online portal charges a 1.2% spread on buys, sells and bill payments, with no withdrawal, account or hidden fees. In your dashboard you can pick your blockchain fee setting: choose the free batched option if you don't mind waiting a few hours, or pay a priority fee if you need your bitcoin right away. Lightning transactions skip miner fees entirely. Cash vouchers carry higher costs (a 4% funding fee plus a 3% spread), and ATM purchases carry typical ATM premiums.

Pros

  • Offers 30 popular cryptocurrencies
  • Easy to use
  • Can transfer funds between investment accounts
  • Secure and trustworthy
  • You can set limit orders
  • $200M insurance
  • Free CAD bank transfers and withdrawals
  • Immediate self-custody of assets
  • Option to buy bitcoin with cash at ATMs or via cash vouchers
  • Buy online with Interac e-Transfer, wire transfer or bill payment from your bank
  • Lightning Network support for instant, near-free transactions
  • Sell bitcoin directly from your own wallet
  • Pay bills and buy gift cards with bitcoin
  • Public company (TSXV: BTCW), which offers transparency

Cons

  • High trading fees
  • Cannot move crypto to a private wallet yet
  • Only Bitcoin available
  • 1.2% spread is not the cheapest in Canada
  • No advanced order types

Account Limits

Low

  • Personalized limits shown in your account dashboard
  • Transactions of $50,000 or more go through Bitcoin Well Infinite, their OTC desk with a dedicated advisor for high-value transfers
 
 

Methods to buy

CAD Bank transfer

  • Interac e-Transfer
  • Wire transfer
  • Bill payment from your online banking
  • Cash via Bitcoin ATMs
  • Cash vouchers

Security

  • Coins are insured for $200 million by Gemini Trust Company LLC™
  • Fully regulated in all Canadian provinces
  • Touch/Face ID

As a public company Bitcoin Well has a duty to be transparent with its investors and adhere to all Canadian regulations. Additionally, since you always take full custody of your bitcoin, you do not need to worry much about platform security, because your coins are never sitting on an exchange in the first place.

Mobile and Desktop Trading

Wealthsimple Crypto offers its users a unified experience through its Trade mobile app and desktop platform. Rated 4.7 on the Apple App Store and 4.6 on Google Play, this app simplifies transitions between different investment accounts. Bitcoin Well, on the other hand, provides a user-friendly layout for its desktop platform, catering to both seasoned traders and newcomers. Although specifics about Bitcoin Well's mobile presence are limited, it is touted to have a noteworthy mobile trading interface.

Wealthsimple Crypto

Wealthsimple’s Trade app has a 4.7-star rating from 121,000 reviews on the Apple App Store, and a 4.6-star rating from 41,000 reviews on Google Play.

The app makes it easy to switch between all of your investment accounts, and see exactly how much you have in each one. The desktop trading platform is essentially the same and allows you to deposit and withdraw, buy and sell, and view charting for different cryptocurrencies. It has a simple interface making it easy for beginners. 

Wealthsimple desktop app screenshot

Wealthsimple desktop app

Wealthsimple crypto trading main screen

Wealthsimple crypto trading main screen

Wealthsimple mobile app screenshot

Wealthsimple Crypto Mobile app

Buying crypto with Wealthsimple Crypto

Bitcoin Well

Bitcoin Well has a simple website since most transactions happen either in person at a Bitcoin ATM or through your bank. Once your account is verified, you get full access to your online dashboard, where you can set blockchain fee preferences, manage recurring buys and pay bills.

Transaction limits on Bitcoin Well

Setting up the account with Bitcoin Well

Security Compliance

Wealthsimple Crypto requires new customers to go through the KYC process in order to trade and offer two-factor authentication. 

In your Wealthsimple account, you can use Touch ID or Face ID instead of entering a username and password each time you log in. Currently, there is no Two-factor authentication available. 

As a public company Bitcoin Well has a duty to be transparent with its investors and adhere to all Canadian regulations. Additionally, since you always take full custody of your bitcoin, you do not need to worry too much about the security measures of the platform, since you hold your bitcoin yourself. 

When it comes to security, both platforms make no compromises. Wealthsimple Crypto guarantees its users' safety, insuring coins for up to $200 million via the Gemini Trust Company LLC™ and allowing biometric login features. Bitcoin Well also emphasizes stringent security measures, implementing multi-factor authentication, cold storage solutions, and rigorous monitoring. Both platforms prioritize users' security, but Wealthsimple's substantial insurance might be a significant deciding factor for many.

Regulatory Compliance

Wealthsimple Crypto is insured by the Gemini Trust Company LLC™ which covers $200 million. Wealthsimple is fully regulated in Canada and has been a staple for Canadian investments since 2016. It's a fully-compliant crypto platform in Canada.

Bitcoin Well is registered with FINTRAC (registration M19811620) and with Revenu Québec, and is fully legal in Canada. As a company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, it also publishes audited financials, a level of transparency almost no other Canadian bitcoin platform offers.

Navigating the intricacies of Canadian regulations, both platforms showcase their commitment to legal compliance. Wealthsimple is regulated across all Canadian provinces and has built trust since its inception. Similarly, Bitcoin Well's dedication to transparency and adherence to Canadian regulations reinforces its reputation. Both platforms, under the purview of Canadian regulatory bodies, ensure their users trade confidently and legally.

Customer support

Wealthsimple has a comprehensive help centre on its website and within the app. It is full of articles about crypto in general as well as how to use their platform. They also have live chat support, email support and phone support, all available 24/7. Wealthsimple has good customer service and you will be able to find an answer to your question quickly. 

Bitcoin Well runs an in-house Canadian support team available around the clock, and you can browse their help centre, open a support ticket, or even call or text their team. Most crypto platforms do not offer a phone number, so this is a big plus. Their Trustpilot rating sits around 4 stars across a modest number of reviews.

Wealthsimple Crypto offers extensive support through its help center, 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, ensuring quick answers to queries. Bitcoin Well, while highlighting its top-tier customer support, prides itself on efficient response times and expertise, ensuring users always find the assistance they need.

Conclusion

Both Wealthsimple Crypto and Bitcoin Well have cemented themselves as reliable and user-centric platforms in the Canadian crypto trading arena. However, Wealthsimple Crypto edges out slightly due to its broader financial ecosystem, substantial coin insurance, and the reputation of its parent brand. For Canadians looking to delve into cryptocurrency trading while enjoying the perks of a holistic financial platform, Wealthsimple Crypto appears to be the winner.

Bitcoin Well stands out from Wealthsimple Crypto with its Recurring Buy feature, allowing users to automate Bitcoin purchases at set intervals. This is especially helpful for those wanting to invest gradually over time without manually handling each transaction. In addition, Bitcoin Well has expanded its services to cater not only to Canadian customers but also to the USA, broadening its reach across North America. These developments set it apart, especially for users focused solely on Bitcoin and long-term investment strategies.

Wealthsimple Crypto has recently enhanced its platform to better compete with other exchanges. The introduction of crypto swaps allows users to exchange one cryptocurrency for another directly, reducing trading fees and streamlining the process. With support now extended to over 60 different coins, investors have a broader selection to choose from. Additionally, Wealthsimple offers staking options with potential annual yields of up to 11%, providing an opportunity for passive income that may surpass offerings from other exchanges. The platform has also addressed past limitations by enabling users to send and receive cryptocurrencies to and from external wallets, significantly improving flexibility and aligning with features commonly found on other leading platforms.

We recommend choosing Wealthsimple Crypto over Bitcoin Well for your cryptocurrency trading needs. By opting for Wealthsimple Crypto through our referral link, you support us in conducting comprehensive independent analyses of crypto trading options for Canadians.

If you find that neither Wealthsimple Crypto nor Bitcoin Well meets your requirements, we encourage you to explore our monthly-updated list of the best exchanges for Canadians to trade crypto. This list provides a range of alternative options that may better suit your specific needs and preferences.

Author

Oleg is a Canadian citizen & crypto expert who has been trading since 2016. He started out with Coinbase, Kraken and Peer-to-Peer exchanges. After some time, centralized exchanges started charging crazy fees to their users.

He decided to review different crypto exchanges that operate in Canada and start a Youtube channel in order to educate Canadians on what kinds of things are going inside each one while giving them unbiased advice. On top of that, Oleg also has experience with NFT, airdrops, and crypto staking and he is constantly checking on new crypto assets.

His writing has been featured in popular Canadian media sources such as Toronto Sun and Ottawa Citizen. 

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