How to buy Bitcoin (BTC) with Interac e-Transfer

Nilooka Dissanayake avatar
Written by   |  
Andrew Boyd avatar
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Updated 21 Oct 2022

A number of crypto exchanges — both Canadian and international — support deposits made with Interac e-Transfer, making it easy to buy Bitcoin and crypto.

Follow the steps below to buy Bitcoin with Interac e-Transfer in Canada.

Unsure about what exchange to use?

Where to buy Bitcoin with Interac e-Transfer

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.
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.
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.
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.
Newton

Not available for application via this website

Highlights

  • Trade over 70 cryptocurrencies with CAD support and spreads as low as 0.40%.
  • No trading fees, no deposit or withdrawal fees.
  • Quick account setup with Interac e-Transfer and bank transfer funding.
  • Regulated by FINTRAC and OSC.

Pros

  • Strong focus on low-cost trading.
  • Intuitive mobile and web platforms designed for speed and simplicity, even for first-time traders.
  • Real-time price tracking, limit orders, and auto-withdrawals support hands-off portfolio management.
  • Offers carbon-neutral trading by offsetting the environmental impact of crypto transactions.
  • Crypto assets are stored with institutional-grade custody provider Balance.

Cons

  • Limited advanced trading tools may not suit users seeking margin or derivative trading.
  • The selection of coins is smaller compared to global exchanges.
  • Customer support is responsive but currently limited to email and chat.

First time buying?

How to buy Bitcoin with Interac e-Transfer

Step 1: Select an exchange that can support deposits from Interac e-Transfer

The first step is to set up an account at an exchange that accepts deposits via Interac e-Transfer. Practically every domestic Canadian exchange supports Interac e-Transfer, but very few of the larger international exchanges accept it. We've listed several of the top exchanges above where you can deposit with Interac e-Transfer.

Apart from support for Interac e-Transfer deposits, take into account their trading fees / spread, available coins, fees to withdraw fiat currency, as well as additional features like access to funds with a card, availability of staking and crypto loans, etc.

Step 2: Verify your identity

Confirming your identity usually takes only a few minutes. Typically it involves providing a copy of your ID. You may need to take a selfie while holding it (so they can corroborate that it is actually you signing up).

Step 3: Choose how much you want to invest

Bitcoin comes with an inherent risk since its value fluctuates so much. It's important to keep this in mind and only allocate what you can afford to lose in the event that Bitcoin's price falls after investing.

Step 4: Fund your exchange wallet

The process could differ depending on how the exchange has implemented deposits, but generally it works as follows.

In your crypto exchange dashboard, find the page to add funds and choose Interac e-Transfer. Enter the amount you want to send and submit. Look out for an email to confirm the transaction. Once confirmed, you'll be redirected to the Interac e-Transfer website. Choose the bank you wish to transfer from and proceed to log into your online banking where you can complete the transfer. Funds should appear in a few minutes (longer if the network is very busy).

Step 5: Configure an order

Market orders need almost no configuration and are the easiest to use. You may also be able to set up a trigger order (to buy Bitcoin at a certain future price) or a recurring order (to purchase more Bitcoin on a regular basis).

Step 6: Buy

With funds in your verified account and your order configured, submit the order and buy Bitcoin. Once bought, your Bitcoin will be available in your exchange wallet.

Still not sure?

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast. Deposits made with Interac e-Transfer are typically cleared into your account at the exchange within minutes (or less).
  • Widely supported. All the top Canadian exchanges support Interac e-Transfer deposits.
  • Cheap. It's one of the cheapest ways to fund your crypto exchange account.

Cons

  • Not widely accepted by international exchanges. Most of the big international crypto exchanges do not accept Interac e-Transfer to add funds.

Extra help

FAQs

How long does it take for funds to transfer using Interac e-Transfer?

It normally only takes a few minutes for funds to clear into your exchange account. At busy times, it can take up to an hour to process.

Can I buy Bitcoin with Interac e-Transfer anonymously?

Some peer-to-peer exchanges such as Paxful — which you can use without verification — accept deposits made with Interac e-Transfer.

Can I buy other cryptocurrencies with Interac e-Transfer?

Yes, you can buy other cryptocurrencies with Interac e-Transfer. Once funds have cleared into your account, set up an order for whatever cryptocurrency you want and buy it.

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