Exchange

If you’re in Canada and want to buy crypto, three names come up again and again: NDAX, Shakepay and Wealthsimple Crypto. They overlap a lot, but each one suits a different kind of buyer. Here’s how they line up. Feature NDAX Shakepay Wealthsimple Crypto Ease of Use User-friendly, moderate learning curve Extremely user-friendly, highly intuitive Very user-friendly, beginner-focused Supported Cryptocurrencies Wide range, diverse options Primarily Bitcoin and Ethereum Moderate selection, focuses on popular coins Fees Tiered fee structure, competitive for active traders Spread markup, free Bitcoin rewards with Visa Card Spread markup, generally higher fees Security Robust security measures, cold storage, regular audits Strong security focus, 2FA, biometric authentication Strong security measures, cold storage, reputable platform Account Minimums Minimum deposit required No minimum deposit No minimum deposit Funding Methods Bank transfers, Interac e-Transfers Bank transfers, debit/credit cards, Shakepay Visa Card Bank transfers, debit/credit cards Additional Features Margin trading, staking, limit orders, advanced charting Instant buy/sell, direct deposits, Shakepay Visa Card Automated investing, fractional shares Best For Active traders, diverse portfolio, advanced features Beginners, Bitcoin/Ethereum focus, everyday use Beginners, simple investing, limited cryptocurrency selection What actually matters when you choose How easy it is. Shakepay and Wealthsimple Crypto are the simplest. If you’ve never bought crypto, either one will feel familiar within minutes. NDAX is still friendly for basic buys, but its advanced features take a little learning. ...

NDAX and Shakepay are two of the better-known ways to buy crypto in Canada, and they’re built for different people. Shakepay is an app for buying Bitcoin and Ethereum with as little friction as possible. NDAX is a proper exchange, with more coins, an order book and the tools that come with one. Here’s how they compare, and which one I’d point someone toward. The quick comparison NDAX Shakepay Best for Active traders, altcoins Beginners, buying BTC and ETH Coins Bitcoin, Ethereum and a range of altcoins Mainly Bitcoin and Ethereum Fees Tiered by trading volume Built into the spread Minimum deposit Yes None Extras Limit orders, staking, margin, charting Visa card with Bitcoin rewards Regulation Registered with FINTRAC Registered with FINTRAC Ease of use Shakepay is the simpler of the two by a wide margin. The app does one thing, buying and selling crypto, and it does it in a couple of taps. If you’ve never bought crypto before, it’s hard to get lost. ...

If you’re in Canada and want to buy crypto, Wealthsimple Crypto and NDAX are two of the first names you’ll come across. They look similar from the outside, but they’re aimed at different people, and the fees work very differently. Ease of use Wealthsimple Crypto is built for beginners. The interface is simple, the coin list is short, and buying Bitcoin feels like buying anything else in the Wealthsimple app. NDAX works for beginners too, but it’s a full exchange with more coins and features like margin trading. Expect a bit more of a learning curve if you’ve never used an exchange before. ...