There is no Canadian law that sets a minimum age specifically for buying crypto. But a platform is a contract, and the age of majority is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan, and 19 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and the Yukon. In practice, many exchanges require you to be at least 18 and verify your ID.
- Under 18: you generally cannot open an account on a Canadian-registered platform
- Best route: an adult buys and holds it for you until you are old enough
| Age Of Majority | Provinces And Territories |
|---|---|
| 18 | Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan |
| 19 | British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Yukon |
Source: Department of Justice Canada. A platform can set its own minimum age in its terms, so always read them.
There is no Canadian law that states how old you must be to invest in cryptocurrency. However, many crypto exchanges require their customers to be at least 18 years old. But if there is no legal requirement, why do they prevent teenagers from buying?
The OCryptoCanada team made a survey via Survey Monkey and asked almost 1000 Canadians under 18 if they would like to invest in crypto. An impressive 92% said they would like to but some factors prevented them.
Of the 92% who said they would like to buy crypto, 98% of them said that they have not yet because:
- 13% do not know how to buy crypto in Canada
- 26% do not have enough knowledge and want to educate themselves more
- 14% do not have enough funds to invest in crypto
- 47% are ready to buy their first crypto assets but they cannot due to legal age limits on popular crypto exchanges in Canada. As a result, some are tempted to use shady platforms that do not ask for KYC. I do not recommend that.
Many Canadians under the age of 18 email us asking how to buy cryptocurrency in Canada. Just 2% of respondents in our survey said they own crypto despite the age restrictions. In this article, we will look at the legitimate ways people under 18 can get started. This information is for educational purposes only.
When it is a bull market, bitcoin and other crypto are all over social media, so it is inevitable that young people want to get involved. Young people would like the chance to start investing early for a financially secure future.
An argument can be made, however, that many of the cryptocurrencies that people under 18 would like to purchase are "meme coins" like SHIB because these are often hyped up by influencers on popular social media networks. Unfortunately, many people lose money on these types of coins because a lot of them are not legitimate projects and do not have any utility. They are "pump and dumps" and sometimes outright scams. Therefore, protecting those under 18 by not allowing them to purchase crypto can be seen as a good thing.
On the other hand, how much money do teenagers have to lose? Perhaps it is a good financial lesson to teach people under 18 that investing is risky and they need to research as much as possible. Additionally, many people under 18 simply wish to invest in major crypto projects such as Ethereum or bitcoin, which although still risky, are seen by many in the traditional financial world as legitimate investments. Not every teenager wants to blow their money on dog coins.
Even though there is no defined law in Canada about how old someone must be to invest in crypto, many legit Canadian crypto exchanges set the restrictions at 18 years old or the age of majority in your province. They simply do not wish to risk getting in trouble. Crypto exchanges could come under fire should a person under 18 lose a lot of money.
What Are The Legitimate Ways To Buy Crypto If You Are Under 18 In Canada?
We certainly do not encourage anybody under 18 to purchase crypto. It is incredibly risky. For educational purposes only, here is what works without breaking a platform's rules.
1. Ask an adult to purchase crypto for you on a registered platform and, if you both agree, keep it in their own wallet or account until you reach the age of majority. Keeping it in a private wallet such as a hardware wallet is safest. Gifting crypto can have tax consequences for the giver, so check the CRA's guidance first. It is probably the best way.
2. Learn first, buy later. Use the time to read about how to buy cryptocurrency in Canada, practise with small amounts through an adult, and pick your platform from the ranking of the best exchanges in Canada for the day you turn 18 or 19.
Why Should You Avoid No-ID Workarounds?
Crypto ATMs and offshore exchanges that skip ID checks are not a safe workaround. Bitcoin ATM fees can run far above the 0.2% to 1.5% typical of centralized exchanges, and platforms such as MEXC name Canada as a prohibited jurisdiction in their own terms, so an account there can be frozen. Using a platform that bars Canadians puts your money at risk, and nothing protects you if something goes wrong.
Should Underage Canadians Be Able To Buy Cryptocurrency?
It is definitely a grey area. Underage people should be protected from crypto scams and making bad financial choices. Crypto exchanges have a responsibility to protect their customers but they also do not want to get into legal trouble by allowing children to buy something as risky as crypto.
It is much easier for a crypto exchange to draw a hard line and restrict buying to 18+. Perhaps there have been one too many rug pulls or forgeries of consent.
Perhaps the best way to allow underage people to invest in crypto is to ask their parents to purchase crypto for them and give it to them when they are old enough. This would be a good compromise as it would allow for a healthy discussion about investing. It would also force the underage person to HODL, which is often seen as the best way to make profit.
It is certainly a controversial topic, but from our survey it is clear that young people are interested in buying cryptocurrency and learning more about it.
What Changed For Young Canadian Crypto Buyers In October 2026?
- Robinhood closed its WonderFi purchase, so Bitbuy and Coinsquare customers are being moved to the Robinhood app.
- Newton became a CIRO investment dealer member.
- MEXC's user agreement was updated and names Canada as a prohibited jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There A Legal Age To Buy Bitcoin In Canada?
No Canadian law sets a minimum age specifically for crypto. The age of majority is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan, and 19 elsewhere, and platforms set their own minimum age in their terms.
Can A 16 Or 17 Year Old Buy Bitcoin In Canada?
Not on a Canadian-registered platform in their own name, because they require you to be of age and verify your ID. An adult can buy and hold crypto for you until you reach the age of majority.
Is The Age 18 Or 19 In My Province?
Age 19 applies in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and the Yukon. The other provinces use 18, per the Department of Justice Canada.
Can I Use A Bitcoin ATM If I Am Under 18?
I do not recommend it. ATM fees are far higher than on an exchange, and using a service to avoid age rules puts you at risk with no protection if something goes wrong.
Why Do Exchanges Require 18 Or Older?
There is no specific law, but exchanges do not want legal trouble if a minor loses money, and they must verify identity. A hard line at the age of majority is simplest for them.