How to buy Aave (AAVE) from Canada

Nilooka Dissanayake avatar
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David Boyd avatar
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Updated 9 Sep 2022
  • Aave (AAVE) is a well-known DeFi (decentralized finance) protocol in crypto markets.
  • Aave is completely open-source and lets you borrow assets, earn interest and build applications.
  • It is considered a very promising cryptocurrency.

Looking to buy Aave? Read our step-by-step guide to buying Aave Protocol from Canada.

Not sure which exchange to use?

Where to buy Aave

Bitbuy

On website

Highlights

  • Get a $40 bonus when you sign up via Finty.
  • CAD deposits are free, and you can withdraw via Interac e‑Transfer without paying extra.
  • Choose between Express trades for speed or Pro trades with lower fees and more control.
  • Regulated in Canada, Bitbuy is registered with the OSC and FINTRAC — making it one of the more trusted local platforms.

Pros

  • Fee discounts kick in when you trade more — helpful if you’re regularly moving large amounts.
  • No charge to deposit crypto or CAD, and withdrawing CAD through Interac is also free.
  • Most digital assets are kept offline in cold storage with regular security audits.
  • The Pro platform supports advanced order types, charts, and real-time execution — ideal if you’re looking to step up your trading

Cons

  • Express trades can be costly, especially if you’re just making small or occasional transactions.
  • Crypto withdrawals (especially ETH or ERC-20 tokens) can get expensive.
  • Coin selection is relatively limited compared to global platforms.
Ndax

On website

Highlights

  • Get $10 when you sign up and deposit at least $100 into your account.
  • Quick deposits and withdrawals via Interac e-Transfer and wire.
  • Low flat trading fee of 0.20% across all pairs, making costs predictable.
  • Built for Canadians, with CAD support and compliance with Canadian banking standards.
  • Advanced trading features like limit orders, recurring buys, and real-time charting for more control.

Pros

  • You can fund your account with CAD through Interac, bank transfer, or wire — no need to convert currencies.
  • Offers a clean, intuitive interface that’s friendly to both beginners and experienced traders.
  • Supports a solid list of popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and more.
  • Cold storage is used to keep the majority of client funds secure offline.
  • Registered with FINTRAC and held to Canadian AML standards, giving it strong credibility locally.

Cons

  • The flat 0.20% trading fee is competitive but not the lowest in the market.
  • No staking or interest-earning options, which could matter to users looking for passive income.
  • Its mobile app works well for basic tasks, but lacks some of the more advanced charting tools on desktop.
Coinberry

On website

Highlights

  • Register in just 60 seconds and start investing with as little as $50.
  • No CAD deposit and withdrawal fees.
  • Coinberry is insured, FINTRAC registered & PIPEDA compliant and is the only digital asset platform trusted by Canadian Government municipalities.

Pros

  • Easy sign-up process and instant verification.
  • No fees to deposit or withdraw fiat.
  • There is a $200 million crypto asset insurance.
  • Easy to use mobile app.

Cons

  • Limited choice of altcoins.
  • High trading spreads.
VirgoCX

On website

Highlights

  • Get $10 when you sign up and get verified and an additional $20 when you deposit over $100.
  • Trade over 60 cryptocurrencies with no deposit or withdrawal fees for Interac e‑Transfer and wire transfers in CAD.
  • Choose between Quick Trade for fast transactions or Advanced Trade for full control with charts and limit orders.

Pros

  • Designed for newcomers with a clean layout, fast onboarding, and responsive 24/7 live chat support.
  • Offers limit orders, real-time charts, and grid trading—features typically seen on more advanced platforms.
  • Recurring buy function helps automate long-term investing strategies without needing third-party tools.
  • NFT access is built into the platform, so you can buy and sell digital collectibles without leaving VirgoCX.
  • Regulated by FINTRAC and OSC, with client funds stored in insured cold wallets via Coinbase Custody.

Cons

  • Spreads are wider compared to competitors like NDAX or Bitbuy.
  • Fiat withdrawals can take time to be approved.
  • OTC and NFT features may not appeal to casual traders.
Crypto.com

Not available for application via this website

Crypto.com

Highlights

  • Trade 250+ cryptocurrencies with CAD support, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins.
  • Use the Crypto.com Visa Card to spend your crypto anywhere Visa is accepted, with tiered cashback and perks.
  • The mobile app offers everything in one place: buy, sell, stake, track, and earn.
  • Strong security setup with cold storage, multi-factor authentication, and real-time monitoring.

Pros

  • Fully supports CAD deposits and withdrawals via Interac e-Transfer or wire, avoiding currency conversion fees.
  • Offers competitive rates for staking and crypto interest on over 30 coins, including stablecoins.
  • Detailed price alerts, real-time charts, and DCA tools help users stay informed and consistent.
  • NFT marketplace lets Canadians explore and collect digital art without leaving the app.
  • Visa Card offers airport lounge access and Spotify/Netflix rebates at higher tiers, depending on CRO stake.
  • Licensed in Canada with regulatory compliance through FINTRAC, giving added confidence

Cons

  • Some card benefits require CRO staking, which may not suit casual users or those focused on liquidity.
  • Crypto.com's platform can feel overwhelming for newcomers due to its many features.
  • Customer service is live chat–only and may take time during high-demand periods
  • Lacks educational resources.

First time buying?

How to buy Aave

Step 1: Choose a crypto exchange

Aave is available on a growing list of cryptocurrency exchanges.

When comparing exchanges, look at what fees are charged for transactions (maker and taker or a spread). Check if there's a fee to deposit or withdraw fiat currencies, what options are available for orders (market, recurring buys, etc.), if it has a mobile app, and so on.

Step 2: Get verified

If you create a new account with a crypto exchange, you will be required to give some personal information (name, telephone number, and email address).

You'll then have to verify your identity for tax purposes. This can be done with any valid photo ID. The verification process will take no more than a few minutes to complete at most exchanges.

After your identity has been verified, you are able to fund your account and begin trading.

Step 3: Set a budget

You should only invest money that you can afford to lose, especially when it comes to cryptocurrency, which is a volatile asset.

Most exchanges have no minimum deposit requirement or, if they do, require a small deposit.

Step 4: Deposit funds in your account

You can deposit fiat (CAD) currency in your account, which you can transfer from a bank account or with a debit card. Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, etc. may also be accepted, but funding methods vary considerably between exchanges. There will probably be a surcharge to deposit funds with a credit card at most exchanges, if they even accept credit cards.

Check whether your crypto exchange lets you trade stablecoins and other crypto tokens for Aave. Not all exchanges accept crypto-to-crypto trades, but if you already hold crypto in a wallet, you may be able to fund your account with it.

Step 5: Buy AAVE

If you aren't concerned about slippage cost and don’t have a trading strategy in mind, use a market order to buy Aave. Most exchanges also make it possible to set up trigger orders to be immediately executed whenever Aave is at a specific target price, which you can use to execute a strategy.

Some exchanges have automatic recurring orders that will automatically purchase more Aave at a specified interval, e.g. each week or month. This lets you take advantage of dollar cost averaging over time.

After you buy

Where to store your Aave

To have easy access to your AAVE tokens, you can keep them in the hot account in the exchange in which you purchased the tokens. It is possible to transfer them to a hot account you control in another exchange at a later time. Be aware that hot wallets are connected to the internet, and therefore, are susceptible to theft, hacking, and malware.

Cold wallets, in contrast, are specially-designed devices that do not connect to the internet. They're the safest way to store crypto. However, it’s a less convenient option for active traders.

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