How to buy Avalanche (AVAX) from Canada

Nilooka Dissanayake avatar
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David Boyd avatar
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Updated 9 Sep 2022
  • Interested in taking a position in Avalanche for exposure to this Ethereum challenger?
  • Find where you can buy the AVAX token.
  • Step-by-step guide through the entire process.

Avalanche is an open-source blockchain technology that competes with Ethereum. It uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. One of its defining features is speed: transactions are verified very quickly on the Avalanche network, which is one of the reasons why the project is tipped as a long-term alternative to Ethereum.

Want to find out how to buy Avalanche in Canada? Read on for your full step-by-step guide.

Not sure which exchange to use?

Where to buy Avalanche

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.

First time buying?

How to buy Avalanche

Step 1: Open an account with an exchange

AVAX is offered on many cryptocurrency exchanges. Exchanges are the easiest way to purchase cryptocurrency, particularly if you are new to crypto.

When comparing exchanges, be aware of transaction costs (maker and taker fee, sometimes spread) and if there are any fees for depositing fiat currency, available order types, and other features such as the ability to stake, take out crypto-backed loans, or buy NFTs, etc.

Those exchanges listed on this page have all listed Avalance on their trading platform.

Step 2: Get verified

You'll probably be asked to provide your personal information — like your name, telephone number, email address, etc. — in order to get verified and start trading.

Verifying your identity will require any valid photo ID, such as your passport or driver's license. The verification may take about five minutes to complete. After your identity has been verified, you'll be able to begin trading.

Step 3: Decide how much to allocate

Cryptocurrencies are volatile investments and just like any other crypto token, Avalanche’s price has experienced both bull runs and bear markets. Therefore, you should only invest money you can afford to lose should the market turn after you buy.

Step 4: Deposit funds

You can transfer fiat (CAD) to your account from a bank account or debit card. Some exchanges accept credit cards too. Payment services such as Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, etc., may be accepted too depending on the exchange.

Note that if you use a credit card to deposit funds, you'll likely be charged a fee on that transaction. Some exchanges do not allow crypto-to-crypto deposits.

Step 5: Buy AVAX

Market orders can be an excellent option for people who wish to buy AVAX quickly and are not concerned about slippage costs.

Many exchanges let you create orders that can be instantly executed at any point in time that AVAX reaches a specific price point. For example, you can configure an order to buy AVAX in the future when it hits a certain price (assuming your account is funded) or to sell if its price falls below a certain price.

Some exchanges support recurring orders, making it easy to build a position in Avalanche over time with additional purchases at set intervals, e.g. each week or every month. This strategy helps average out the price of AVAX over time.

After you buy

Where to store your Avalanche

To have easy access to AVAX tokens, store them in the exchange's hot wallet where you purchased the tokens. You may transfer them to an account at another exchange later. Note that hot wallets are connected to the internet, making them more vulnerable to hacking attacks, theft of funds, and malware. Bear this in mind if you plan on holding a substantial amount of crypto on an exchange.

A more secure, less convenient alternative is to keep your Avalanche tokens in a cold wallet.

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