Netcoins is one of Canada's longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges, founded in Vancouver in 2014. It's built for Canadian retail investors who want a simple, regulated platform with transparent fees and no hidden charges. This review covers everything you need to know in 2026 — fees, coins, security, the OTC desk, and who the platform is best suited for.
Quick Verdict
Netcoins is best suited for beginner to intermediate Canadian crypto investors who want a regulated, easy-to-use platform with a predictable flat fee structure and free CAD funding. It is less suited for active traders who need the lowest possible fees or access to a large selection of altcoins.
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trading fee | 0.5% flat on all buys and sells |
| CAD deposit (Interac e-Transfer) | Free |
| CAD withdrawal | Free |
| Crypto deposit | Free |
| Crypto withdrawal | Network fee only (varies by asset) |
| Account opening | Free |
| Account maintenance | Free |
| Inactivity fee | $1/month after 12 months of inactivity |
Netcoins charges a flat 0.5% on all trades with no hidden spreads on top. What you see is what you pay. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees on Canadian dollar transactions via Interac e-Transfer, which is one of the more user-friendly fee structures among Canadian exchanges.
One thing worth noting: some platforms embed their fees into the spread rather than charging an explicit trading fee — Netcoins does not do this. The 0.5% is the complete cost of each trade.
How Does 0.5% Compare?
For the lowest trading fees in Canada, NDAX charges 0.2% flat, which is meaningfully cheaper for high-volume traders. Netcoins at 0.5% offers the best balance of low, transparent fees without requiring an advanced trading interface. For a Canadian buying $1,000 of Bitcoin, the fee difference is $5 at Netcoins vs $2 at NDAX — not significant for most retail investors.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Netcoins supports over 63 cryptocurrencies, with 12 of the top 20 coins by market cap available on the platform. The selection covers all the major assets Canadians actually buy:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Solana (SOL)
- XRP
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Chainlink (LINK)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Avalanche (AVAX)
Some notable assets are missing — Tether (USDT), BNB, and TRON, which are all in the top 20 by market cap, are not available on Netcoins. If you specifically need stablecoins or Binance ecosystem tokens, Netcoins is not the right platform.
For most Canadian retail investors focused on established cryptocurrencies, the 63+ coin selection is more than sufficient.
Security
Netcoins has one of the stronger security profiles among Canadian crypto exchanges:
- Netcoins holds a SOC 2 Type 2 security certification — the most rigorous independent security audit available for a crypto platform, and uncommon among Canadian exchanges.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) mandatory on all accounts
- Cold storage for the majority of user funds
- Registered with FINTRAC as a Money Services Business and fully registered with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC)
- Publicly traded parent company — BIGG Digital Assets trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BIGG, adding a layer of public accountability and regulatory scrutiny that privately held exchanges don't have
The SOC 2 Type 2 certification is worth highlighting. It means an independent auditor has verified that Netcoins' security controls, data handling, and operational procedures meet a defined standard — and that this has been verified over a sustained period, not just a point-in-time snapshot.
Account Opening and KYC
Netcoins has one of the fastest account opening processes in Canada — the entire process including KYC verification can be completed in under two minutes using Netcoins' automated verification system.
You'll need:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Your name, address, and date of birth
- A Canadian bank account for funding via Interac e-Transfer
Most accounts are approved instantly. Occasionally verification may take a few hours if the automated system requires manual review.
Platform and User Experience
Netcoins is intentionally simple. The web platform and mobile app are designed for investors who want to buy and sell crypto quickly without navigating a complex trading interface.
What you get:
- Clean buy/sell interface with live price quotes
- Real-time portfolio tracking
- Price charts with basic market data
- Transaction history and reporting
- Price alerts for supported assets
What you don't get:
- Advanced order types (limit orders, stop losses)
- Margin trading
- Advanced charting or technical indicators
- API access for algorithmic trading
Netcoins has a Trustpilot rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on more than 1,000 user reviews. Common positive themes include easy sign-up, fast customer service, and reliable withdrawals. Common criticisms include the limited coin selection and fees that feel high for small trades.
OTC Desk
For high-volume traders and institutional clients, Netcoins offers a dedicated OTC (over-the-counter) trading desk. The OTC desk provides:
- Custom pricing on large transactions
- Direct support from a real person
- Fast settlement
- Suitable for corporations, sole proprietors, and institutional investors
The OTC desk is typically used for transactions above $50,000 CAD where market impact and slippage on the standard exchange are concerns.
Funding Methods
| Method | Deposit | Withdrawal | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interac e-Transfer | Free | Free | Minutes |
| Bank wire | Free (over $3,000) | Free | 1–3 days |
| Crypto transfer | Free | Network fee | Varies |
Free Interac e-Transfer deposits and withdrawals are a genuine convenience advantage. Most Canadians can fund their account within minutes through online banking and have withdrawals back in their bank account the same day.
How Netcoins Compares
| Netcoins | NDAX | Shakepay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading fee | 0.5% flat | 0.2% flat | Spread-based (~1.5–2%) |
| Coins supported | 63+ | 30+ | BTC and ETH only |
| Free CAD funding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SOC 2 Type 2 | Yes | No | No |
| Advanced trading | No | Yes | No |
| OTC desk | Yes | No | No |
| Publicly traded parent | Yes (BIGG) | No | No |
| Sign-up bonus | $15 with code AKHJ75V | $10 via referral link | $20 with code KRQ31DB |
Netcoins sits between NDAX (lower fees, more advanced) and Shakepay (simpler, BTC/ETH only) in terms of complexity and target audience. For someone who wants more than just Bitcoin but doesn't need margin trading or advanced charting, Netcoins hits the right balance.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flat 0.5% fee with no hidden spreads
- Free Interac e-Transfer deposits and withdrawals
- SOC 2 Type 2 security certification — rare among Canadian exchanges
- Regulated by FINTRAC, CSA, and BCSC
- Publicly traded parent company (BIGG Digital Assets)
- Fast automated KYC — most accounts verified in minutes
- 63+ cryptocurrencies covering all major assets
- OTC desk for high-volume traders
- $15 sign-up bonus with referral code AKHJ75V
Cons
- 0.5% fee is higher than NDAX (0.2%) for cost-sensitive traders
- No advanced order types (limit orders, stop losses)
- No margin trading
- Missing some top-20 coins (Tether, BNB, TRON)
- $1/month inactivity fee after 12 months
- No staking rewards program
Who Should Use Netcoins?
Netcoins is a strong fit for:
- Beginner Canadian crypto investors who want a simple, regulated platform
- Investors who prioritize security credentials (SOC 2 Type 2)
- Anyone who wants transparent flat fees with no hidden spreads
- High-volume traders who need OTC desk access
- Canadians who want a publicly accountable exchange with a listed parent company
Netcoins is less suited for:
- Cost-sensitive traders who want the lowest possible fees (consider NDAX at 0.2%)
- Anyone who specifically needs Tether, BNB, or other missing assets
- Active traders who need advanced order types or margin trading
- Anyone who wants a large altcoin selection (consider Kraken or Coinbase)
Bottom Line
Netcoins is a solid, well-regulated Canadian crypto exchange for everyday investors. Its SOC 2 Type 2 certification and publicly traded parent company set it apart on security credentials. The flat 0.5% fee is not the cheapest in Canada but is transparent and predictable. The simple interface and fast KYC make it one of the easiest platforms to get started on.
If you're a Canadian looking for a trustworthy, no-surprises platform to buy and hold established cryptocurrencies, Netcoins is a strong choice.
🎁 Sign up at Netcoins with referral code AKHJ75V and trade $100 CAD within 7 days to claim your $15 sign-up bonus.