When it comes to buying and selling cryptocurrency in Canada, one of the biggest factors that impacts your profits is trading fees. With over 50 crypto exchanges available — both domestic and international — it can be overwhelming to determine which platforms offer the best value. After extensive testing and real-world trading across dozens of platforms, I’ve identified the exchanges with the lowest fees for Canadian users.
Whether you're a beginner looking for a simple on-ramp or an active trader focused on minimizing costs, this breakdown will help you choose wisely based on regulation, fees, and usability.
Regulated vs. Unregulated Exchanges: What’s the Difference?
Before diving into specific platforms, it’s crucial to understand the two main types of crypto exchanges available to Canadians:
- Regulated exchanges are registered with Canadian financial authorities like FINTRAC and often provide seamless CAD deposits and withdrawals via Interac e-Transfer, bank wire, or debit card. These platforms typically prioritize security and compliance but may charge higher fees.
- Unregulated exchanges are global platforms not based in Canada. While they aren’t subject to local oversight, they often offer lower trading fees, advanced trading tools, and access to hundreds of altcoins not listed domestically.
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Your choice depends on your priorities: safety and simplicity versus cost-efficiency and variety.
The Cheapest Regulated Exchange: NDAX
Among Canadian-regulated platforms, NDAX (National Digital Asset Exchange) stands out for its competitive fee structure. It uses a tiered pricing model based on 30-day trading volume:
- Tier 1 (Up to $25,000): 0.20% maker / 0.20% taker
- Tier 5 (Over $10M): 0.05% maker / 0.06% taker
What makes NDAX appealing is its flat fee model — no spread markup on top of trading fees — which many competitors quietly add. Additionally, CAD deposits and withdrawals are free, making it ideal for long-term investors who value transparency.
While not the absolute cheapest, NDAX offers a strong balance between affordability, regulatory compliance, and user experience.
Newton: Simplicity at a Slight Premium
Newton is another popular regulated exchange known for its clean interface and fast Interac deposits. However, its fee model differs from NDAX.
Newton charges a spread-based fee, estimated at around 0.5% per trade — significantly higher than NDAX’s base rate. There are no explicit maker/taker fees, but the hidden spread means you pay more when buying or selling.
That said, Newton excels in ease of use, making it a solid option for beginners despite the higher cost. If low fees are your top priority, however, other options may serve you better.
Bitcoin Well: Convenient but Costly
Bitcoin Well operates both an exchange and a network of physical Bitcoin ATMs across Canada. While convenient for instant cash-to-crypto transactions, their fees are among the highest in the industry.
- Exchange fees: Approximately 1–2% per trade
- ATM fees: Can exceed 10–15%, including third-party surcharges
For small, occasional purchases, Bitcoin Well’s accessibility might justify the cost. But for regular trading or larger investments, these fees can quickly erode returns.
The Cheapest Unregulated Exchange: MEXC
If you're open to using international platforms, MEXC Global emerges as one of the most cost-effective choices for Canadian traders.
MEXC uses a standard maker-taker model with low base fees:
- 0.2% taker fee
- 0.0% maker rebate (yes, you get paid to provide liquidity)
More importantly, frequent traders can qualify for discounted rates by holding MEXC’s native token (MX) or increasing monthly volume. High-volume traders can achieve fees as low as 0.01%.
The platform supports CAD deposits via third-party payment gateways like MoonPay and Simplex, though direct Interac integration isn’t available. Still, the savings on trading fees far outweigh the minor inconvenience for active users.
👉 See how much you could save with ultra-low trading fees on a global platform.
Bitget: Competitive Rates and Copy Trading
Bitget has gained popularity in Canada for its copy trading feature, allowing users to mirror experienced traders’ moves automatically.
From a fee perspective, Bitget charges:
- 0.1% taker fee
- 0.02% maker fee
These rates are highly competitive, especially when combined with volume-based discounts and BGB token discounts. While unregulated, Bitget implements strong security measures including cold storage and two-factor authentication.
It’s particularly well-suited for intermediate traders who want advanced tools without paying premium fees.
Bitunix: Emerging Platform with Zero Fees
Bitunix is a lesser-known global exchange offering zero-fee spot trading — yes, no charges on either maker or taker side.
However, there are caveats:
- Limited liquidity compared to larger platforms
- Fewer altcoins available
- No CAD deposit methods directly supported
While promising for cost-conscious traders, Bitunix lacks the maturity and reliability of established players. Use it cautiously and consider it supplementary rather than primary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are unregulated exchanges safe for Canadians?
A: Many unregulated exchanges implement robust security protocols like cold storage and multi-signature wallets. However, they don’t offer the same legal protections as Canadian-regulated platforms. Always research thoroughly and consider using two-factor authentication and withdrawal whitelisting.
Q: How do I deposit CAD into international exchanges?
A: Most global platforms support CAD via third-party processors like MoonPay, Ramp, or Banxa. These services allow credit/debit card or bank-linked payments with small processing fees (typically 1–3%).
Q: Do lower fees always mean better value?
A: Not necessarily. Extremely low fees may come with trade-offs like poor customer support, low liquidity, or limited coin selection. Evaluate the entire ecosystem before choosing an exchange.
Q: Can I avoid fees entirely?
A: While no platform is completely free, some offer zero-fee promotions or rebates for liquidity providers. Holding exchange-specific tokens (like MX or BGB) can also reduce or eliminate fees over time.
Q: Should I use multiple exchanges?
A: Yes — many experienced traders use a hybrid approach: storing funds on a regulated exchange for security while executing trades on low-fee international platforms for better pricing and selection.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Ideal Exchange
Choosing the right crypto exchange in Canada boils down to balancing cost, convenience, regulation, and features.
For those prioritizing safety and ease of use, NDAX offers the best combination of low fees and full compliance. Beginners may still prefer Newton despite its higher spread due to its intuitive design.
On the other hand, active traders should explore MEXC, Bitget, or even Bitunix to maximize savings and access advanced tools. The difference between a 0.2% fee and a 1% fee compounds significantly over time — especially with frequent trading.
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Regardless of your choice, always conduct due diligence, enable all available security features, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
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