What Canadians should check first
- Registration / availability: Canadian securities rules mean some global platforms limit certain products or require registration. Always confirm the exchange currently accepts Canadian sign-ups and which features are available to you.
- CAD funding: look for Interac e-Transfer or a CAD on-ramp — converting through USD adds FX cost.
- Tax reporting: the CRA treats crypto as a commodity; gains are taxable and large foreign holdings may trigger T1135 reporting. Pick an exchange with clean CSV/transaction exports to make filing painless.
- Security & withdrawals: 2FA, withdrawal allow-lists, and a track record matter more than a flashy promo.
Global exchanges vs Canadian-focused platforms
Global exchanges (the ones in our reviews) typically offer the deepest liquidity, the most coins, and the lowest fees — but you must verify Canadian availability and may have fewer fiat options. Canada-focused platforms make CAD funding and tax exports easy but list fewer assets and often charge more. Many Canadians use both: a local platform for CAD on/off-ramp, a global exchange for trading and selection.
How to decide
If you want selection and low fees, start with a major global exchange and fund it via the cheapest route available to you. If you want the simplest CAD + tax experience, a Canadian platform is worth the higher fees. Either way, enable every security feature and keep your own transaction records.