How to buy Bitcoin (BTC) with a credit card from Canada

By Verified by Andrew Boyd   |   Updated 21 Oct 2022

Using a credit card to buy Bitcoin is one of the quickest ways to get your hands on the cryptocurrency. While some credit card issuers block crypto purchases, many exchanges accept deposits from credit cards.

Read on for our step-by-step guide to buying Bitcoin with a credit card in Canada.

Unsure about what exchange to use?

Where to buy Bitcoin with a credit card

CoinSmart

On website

Highlights

  • Get $20 in BTC with your first deposit.
  • Trade the major coins and popular altcoins including Dogecoin, Cardano, Solana, Polkadot, and Polygon.
  • Fund your account with Interac e-Transfer, wire transfers, credit / debit cards, or crypto with access to trade funds the same day.

Pros

  • Low trading fees.
  • Deposits are cleared within the day.
  • Supports CAD, EUR, and USD.
  • Get 24/7 customer support.

Cons

  • Limited coins.
  • Fee applies to credit card and debit card deposits.
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.
Coinbase

On website

Finty may be compensated when you click on the link.

Highlights

  • Buy and sell popular digital currencies, keep track of them in the one place.
  • Invest in cryptocurrency slowly over time by scheduling buys daily, weekly, or monthly.
  • Crypto stored on Coinbase servers is covered by its insurance policy.

Pros

  • Get access to a wide variety of altcoins.
  • Start trading with as little as $2.
  • Offers Coinbase card which allows you to spend crypto anywhere.

Cons

  • Fees are higher compared to other exchanges.
Crypto.com

Crypto.com

Highlights

  • Earn up to 8.5% p.a. on your crypto, and up to 14% p.a. for stablecoins.
  • Spend with the Crypto.com Visa Card and get up to 8% back.
  • Shop with Crypto.com Pay and receive up to 10% back, paid in CRO.

Pros

  • Get access to additional features including lending, borrowing, debit cards, and more.
  • Start trading with just $1.
  • Interest-earning deposits are available.
  • There is a $2,000 referral bonus.

Cons

  • Lack of educational resources.

First time buying?

How to buy Bitcoin with a credit card

Step 1: Choose what crypto exchange to use

Assuming that your credit card will not block crypto purchases, the first step is to sign up with a crypto exchange that accepts deposits made with a credit card.

Any of the exchanges listed on this page all accept credit cards.

Buying Bitcoin will be treated as a cash advance. Make sure you are clear about any of the fees that may be charged by the card issuer or exchange before proceeding.

You can use Finty to compare different crypto exchanges, their brokerage or spread, and what it costs to deposit and withdraw fiat currency.

Step 2: Authenticate and verify your ID

Once you’ve chosen a crypto exchange, you’ll need to confirm your identity. This usually requires some form of photo ID like a driver’s license, passport, or any other proof of photographic identification. You may be required to take a selfie while holding your photo ID (so they can match you up).

I’ve signed up for a lot of exchanges over the years and in my experience, they generally make it quick and easy to complete this step.

Step 3: Decide how much to buy

As Bitcoin is a volatile asset, you must decide carefully how much you want to invest in the cryptocurrency. Factors like government regulations, supply and demand, investor and user sentiments, and media hype constantly cause fluctuations in Bitcoin’s price.

However much Bitcoin you decide to buy with your credit card, make sure you can pay it off in full when your next statement comes through.

Step 4: Deposits funds

You can fund your crypto exchange account by entering your credit card information.

Funds deposited with a credit card are typically cleared for use within minutes of the transaction.

Step 5: Place an order

The easiest type of order to set up is a market order, which requires practically no configuration at all. Once submitted, the purchase will be made at the next available price.

At most exchanges, you can also set up a trigger order by entering the target price you would like to buy Bitcoin at. Trigger orders may take a little more configuration, but they can be used to execute a trading strategy to buy a dip or sell when the price drops.

With adequate funds in your account, you can set up a recurring order to purchase more coins on a regular basis. Using a recurring buy is a way to dollar cost average down.

Step 6: Buy

After deciding what type of order you want to place, fill out the form and make a purchase.

Still not sure?

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fastest way to buy. Transfers made via a credit card typically take just minutes to complete.
  • Rewards and sign-up bonus. Depending on your credit card’s terms, buying Bitcoin may earn rewards or credits that count towards a sign-up bonus.

Cons

  • Cash advance fee. Buying crypto is usually classified as a cash advance, resulting in a one-time fee that’s typically 3% - 5% of the total amount.
  • Foreign exchange fee. You may also have to pay a foreign exchange fee if the exchange you are signed up with is based outside Canada. However, not all card issuers charge this fee.
  • Crypto exchange processing fees. The crypto exchange may charge a fee for credit card deposits.
  • Some credit cards block Bitcoin purchases. Many credit card issuers in Canada do not allow cryptocurrency purchases. Some card issuers even penalize cardholders for trying to buy crypto.

Extra help

FAQs

How long does it take for funds to transfer using a credit card?

It normally takes a few minutes for funds to clear into your account at the exchange.

Can I buy Bitcoin with a credit card anonymously?

Yes, you can buy Bitcoin with a credit card anonymously. Some exchanges allow you to purchase a limited amount of Bitcoin using a credit card without identity verification.

Can I buy other cryptocurrencies with a credit card?

Yes, you can buy other cryptocurrencies with a credit card. After depositing funds into your account, select the desired cryptocurrency and execute the transaction.

As seen on

Media - Forbes
Media - Yahoo Finance
Media - MSN
Media - Fox News
Media - Daily News
Media - Vox