Bitbuy is a Canadian cryptocurrency marketplace and restricted dealer designed for buying, selling, and staking digital assets using Canadian dollars. Acquired by Robinhood and operated under Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd, the platform has processed over $7B in lifetime trading volume across a user base of more than 900,000 registered Canadians.
Corporate background and regulatory structure
Founded in 2016 by Adam Goldman and Ademar Gonzalez, Bitbuy is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Jordan Anderson serves as COO, while Dean Skurka has served as President and Interim CEO. Bitbuy operates under Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd (CCML), an investment dealer regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). The exchange is registered as a marketplace and restricted dealer with the Ontario Securities Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, alongside a Money Services Business registration with FINTRAC.
Trading mechanics and asset custody
The platform supports major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Customers can start trading with as little as $10 CAD. Retail clients can trade instantly through Express Trade or submit market and limit orders, while institutional and high-volume accounts have access to the Bitbuy Alpha OTC desk for trades of $20,000 CAD and above. Client cash holdings are protected up to $1M per account through the Canadian Investment Protection Fund (CIPF). Digital assets are held on a 1:1 basis in cold storage with licensed third-party custodians carrying a combined $680M USD in insurance policies.
Funding and staking
Canadian users can fund accounts using Interac e-Transfer or bank wire transfers. Beyond spot execution, Bitbuy provides an on-chain staking program that pays yields up to 12.77% on supported proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies. Corporate services are also offered, supporting more than 1,500 corporate clients managing digital asset treasury balances.
Eligibility and operational risks
Bitbuy restricts registration exclusively to Canadian residents, requiring identity verification (KYC) before any fiat funding or crypto transactions can occur. Users outside Canada, including residents of the United States, cannot open accounts. As a centralized custodial platform, clients face counterparty risk tied to custodial solvency and potential regulatory withdrawal freezes, alongside market exposure during staking lockup periods.
Operates under CIRO member dealer status registered with the OSC and CSA
Cash balances covered up to $1M CAD per account by CIPF
Digital assets stored 1:1 in cold storage with insured custodians
Instant CAD deposits and withdrawals supported through Interac e-Transfer
Low minimum trade and funding requirement of $10 CAD
Cons
Services are restricted entirely to residents of Canada
Mandatory identity verification (KYC) required before any trading
No derivatives, perpetuals, or margin trading available
Our review
4.0/5
Very good
Bitbuy offers regulated Canadian crypto trading with CIRO oversight and CIPF-protected cash, but serves only Canadian residents and lacks derivative products.
Fees3.5
Security & trust4.5
Asset selection3.5
Ease of use4.0
Support4.0
Bitbuy is a Canadian cryptocurrency platform operating under Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd (CCML), an investment dealer regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Ontario Securities Commission. Acquired by Robinhood, the platform serves over 900,000 registered users with more than $7B CAD in lifetime trade volume. Funding is tailored to domestic investors, supporting direct CAD deposits through Interac e-Transfer and bank wire from an entry minimum of $10 CAD.
The exchange operates on strict regulatory foundations. Customer digital assets are backed 1:1 and maintained in cold storage through licensed custodians carrying $680M USD in collective insurance coverage. Fiat cash balances on the platform are protected up to $1M per account via the Canadian Investment Protection Fund (CIPF). In addition to simple spot purchases via Express Trade, Bitbuy provides on-chain staking yields reaching up to 12.77% on supported tokens and an over-the-counter desk, Bitbuy Alpha, for transactions of $20,000 CAD and above.
These safeguards come with operational limits. Bitbuy restricts access exclusively to Canadian residents, excluding international traders and US customers. The product catalog excludes futures and margin trading. Advanced traders hunting for extensive altcoin liquidity or complex trading derivatives will find the spot-focused lineup limited.
Bitbuy suits Canadian retail investors and domestic corporations seeking a legally compliant on-ramp with straightforward tax records and fiat deposit routes. High-volume global derivative traders should choose international platforms that provide margin trading and unrestricted cross-border access.
Listings are researched and drafted with AI assistance from public sources, then checked for accuracy and readability. Spot an error? Tell us. Editorial policy.
Not disclosed by the provider: Maker fee, Taker fee, Proof of reserves, Max leverage (x).
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Express Trade interface
A simplified order system allowing retail users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies starting from a minimum of $10 CAD.
Bitbuy Alpha OTC desk
Over-the-counter block trading with dedicated account managers for orders starting at $20,000 CAD.
Canadian fiat funding
Direct CAD deposit and withdrawal options via Interac e-Transfer and traditional bank wires.
Crypto staking rewards
Yield program offering returns up to 12.77% on supported proof-of-stake digital assets.
Mobile trading applications
Dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps for balance tracking, fiat transfers, and spot execution.
Corporate balance sheet custody
Specialized treasury onboarding and digital asset custody servicing more than 1,500 business accounts.
Inside Bitbuy
1
Express Trade
A simplified order interface built for beginners to execute instant crypto purchases starting with $10 CAD.
2
Staking
An earn module that lets users stake supported digital assets to generate annual rewards up to 12.77%.
3
Bitbuy Alpha (OTC)
An over-the-counter trading desk that pairs clients executing orders of $20,000 CAD or more with a personal account manager.
4
Corporate Solutions
A dedicated portal providing corporate onboarding, custody, and treasury allocation services for over 1,500 businesses.
5
Bitbuy Mobile App
A handheld trading application available on iOS and Android for depositing funds, tracking prices, and executing trades.
Bitbuy screenshots
Bitbuy homepage showing cryptocurrency trading products, app screenshots, download links, and usage statistics · Oct 22, 2026Docs: Bitbuy's Canadian Cryptocurrency Tax Guide 2025 is displayed with related guides in a sidebar · Oct 22, 2026Express Trade: Bitbuy Express Trade page describing cryptocurrency trading with a mobile app interface and security, regulatory, and pricing information · Oct 22, 2026
What users say about Bitbuy
User feedback is extremely limited, with no recurring positive points and complaints focused on platform downtime and poor customer support responsiveness.
Based on 2 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 21, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
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FAQ
Who founded Bitbuy?
Bitbuy was founded in 2016 by Adam Goldman and Ademar Gonzalez in Canada. The company is now owned by Robinhood.
Is Bitbuy available outside of Canada?
No, Bitbuy serves only Canadian residents. It is registered with FINTRAC, the Ontario Securities Commission, and CIRO to operate domestically.
How does Bitbuy secure customer funds?
Bitbuy maintains client crypto 1 to 1 in cold storage with licensed custodians covered by $680M USD in insurance. In addition, Canadian cash balances receive up to $1M in coverage through the Canadian Investment Protection Fund.
What is the minimum deposit on Bitbuy?
The minimum amount to fund an account or place a trade on Bitbuy is $10 CAD. Deposits are supported via Interac e-Transfer and bank wire.
Does Bitbuy offer staking rewards?
Yes, Bitbuy offers staking on select cryptocurrencies. Staking yields on eligible assets reach up to 12.77%.