Coinlist vs Bitbuy: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Coinlist and Bitbuy This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 16, 2025

Coinlist

Bitbuy

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

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Coinlist is ideal if:

Great for early-stage crypto hunters: If you're looking to participate in high-quality token launches before they hit mainstream exchanges—such as Solana or Flow—CoinList offers standout access through its vetted token sale platform.
Strong on compliance and security: With established regulations, risk controls, KYC/AML procedures, and features like two-factor authentication and cold-storage partnerships, CoinList appeals to users who value legitimacy and safety.
Designed for engaged investors: If you're into staking, DeFi lending, testnet rewards, and boosting your “Karma” score for better access, CoinList’s layered ecosystem suits committed or active crypto participants.

Bitbuy is ideal if:

Great for Canadian beginners — Bitbuy offers a secure, intuitive Express platform that makes getting started with crypto fast and simple.
Suitable for semi-experienced traders — The Pro Trade interface delivers advanced charting and order tools without overwhelming complexity.
Strong regulatory and security setup — Built for reliability, it operates under Canadian oversight with features like cold storage and third-party auditing, giving peace of mind.

Coinlist isn’t ideal if:

If you're seeking instant fiat deposits via cards: CoinList typically requires bank transfers and doesn’t support card or alternative fiat methods for many international users, making funding less flexible.
If you're frustrated by lengthy identity checks: The verification process can be prolonged and document-heavy, which might discourage those wanting quick, hassle-free access.
If you rely on contactless customer communication: Users occasionally report slow support responses or difficulty navigating the interface, especially via mobile or self-service channels.

Bitbuy isn’t ideal if:

Not for global users — Bitbuy serves only Canadian residents, so anyone outside Canada won’t be able to access the platform.
Limited coin selection — Only offers a curated set of well-known cryptos, making it unsuitable if you want exotic or niche altcoins.
No advanced or passive tools — Lacks features like derivatives, leverage, margin, staking, or investment programs for more dynamic strategies.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

CoinList Pro applies a volume-tiered system where maker and taker costs progressively reduce for higher 30-day trading volumes, eventually reaching near-zero for top tiers, with occasional token-based rebates in special programs.

Bitbuy does not offer tiered pricing or native-token discounts; Express trades use a built-in spread instead of explicit fees, while Pro trades have a simple flat maker/taker rate around half a percent each.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures and perpetual contracts remain in beta and follow similar tiered fee logic, while funding rates fluctuate with market conditions and are designed to balance the perpetual contract pricing relative to spot.

Bitbuy doesn’t support any futures or derivatives trading, so maker, taker, or funding costs for these aren’t applicable.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Spreads on major pairs are generally tight due to deep order books, though exact values vary with market volatility and time of day.

While Bitbuy doesn’t list spreads in conventional terms for those USD-pegged pairs, its Express trades embed a typical markup in the range of mid-single digits in basis points, reflecting the convenience rather than live order-book spreads.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Users can fund via bank wire or ACH (when supported); outgoing wires incur flat fees, while deposits usually arrive within a few business days and withdrawals are delayed due to holding requirements.

Fiat deposits are free via Interac e-Transfer or bank wire, and withdrawals via Interac normally cost a modest flat amount and arrive within 1–2 business days, with wires carrying a small percentage markup.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals incur network fees set by the blockchain (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum), which are dynamic and based on chain activity—not fixed by CoinList itself.

Withdrawals of crypto like BTC and ETH use dynamic fees tied to network demand, while certain assets—such as XRP, LTC, BCH, XLM—are free to withdraw on-chain.

Hidden Costs

There are no hidden inactivity or covert conversion charges, though recovery fees and processing surcharges may apply for special cases like mistaken chain deposits or express document reviews.

Bitbuy applies an FX spread when converting between CAD and USD-denominated coins, charges no inactivity fees, and doesn’t upsell expedited KYC—a fairly transparent cost model overall.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

When you purchase €500 in BTC, your total cost combines the spot spread and applicable tiered trading fee, plus the blockchain’s network fee when you withdraw—keeping the model flexible rather than giving fixed numbers.

If you purchased €500 worth of BTC via Express Trade, your cost would include the embedded spread (~0.5–1.5 %), then a dynamic on-chain network fee at withdrawal—so you’d pay the spread margin plus the miner fee at the time, with no extra platform markup.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

CoinList supports around 70 cryptocurrencies and between 72 to 80 trading pairs, focusing on high-quality tokens in its limited but curated marketplace.

Bitbuy lists approximately 60 cryptocurrencies, offering a modest selection that includes major coins but lacks deep altcoin variety; around 28 trading pairs are active, dominated by top-volume assets like BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, DOT, and MATIC.

Product Range

CoinList offers spot trading, OTC access, and beta perpetual futures; it does not currently provide margin, options, crypto ETFs, grid bots, copy trading, nor automated DCA tools.

Bitbuy supports only spot trading and a staking product—no margin, perps, options, ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA features are available.

Liquidity

Exact figures aren’t publicly available, but CoinList tends to show limited 24-hour volume and modest order book depth, especially relative to major exchanges.

While exact figures aren’t publicly available, the platform’s primarily Canadian user base suggests moderate liquidity with sufficient depth for typical retail trades in BTC and ETH, though volume trails large global exchanges.

Tools

The platform supports advanced order types (e.g., stop, stop-limit, trailing, post-only), offers API/websocket access, but lacks native TradingView or built-in alert functionality.

Bitbuy’s Pro Trade interface includes limit and market orders (plus OCO-style functionality via stop/limit combos), integrated TradingView charts, and API access—but it doesn’t offer price alerts or native WebSocket streaming.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain services—including derivatives and the launchpad—are not accessible to users in the U.S., Canada, and other restricted jurisdictions, due to regulatory and licensing constraints.

All Bitbuy services—including staking and spot trading—are exclusively available to Canadian residents; no products or features are offered to users living outside Canada.

Innovation

CoinList shines in early access via its launchpad and incentivized testnets; for staking, it distinguishes between locked launchpad tokens and staking funds, but doesn’t emphasize flexible earn programs.

Bitbuy doesn’t provide launchpad or launchpool services, and its staking setup follows a locked model tied to network bonding and unbonding periods, with no flexible-earn alternatives in place.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

CoinList is operated under Amalgamated Token Services Inc., with founding roots in 2017 and primary headquarters in San Francisco; services are offered through subsidiaries including CoinList Markets LLC, registered in the U.S. as a Money Services Business and money transmitter. (Based on legal info and state filings.)

The platform operates under Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd (CCML), a Canadian CIRO-regulated brokerage, and Bitbuy Technologies Inc. is also overseen by the Ontario Securities Commission—all anchored in Toronto since around 2016.

Licenses/Registration

CoinList Markets LLC is registered in the U.S. as a money transmitter with FinCEN and several states, reflecting compliance with relevant virtual asset service provider (VASP) requirements; while lending arms like CoinList Lend are not licensed lenders. (Inferred from entity disclosures.)

Bitbuy holds a Money Services Business (MSB) registration with FINTRAC, CIRO dealer and marketplace member status via CCML, and limited dealer approval from the OSC—making it one of Canada’s most formally regulated crypto platforms.

Custody

Asset custody is managed through partnerships with leading custodians such as BitGo, Gemini Custody, Anchorage, Finoa, Copper, Coinbase Prime, and Fortress Trust—many held in insured cold storage; CoinList also introduced its own in-house custody arm (CoinList Digital Asset Services) to custody select assets. (Based on service info.)

own vs third-party; Proof of Reserves; audits; cold storage

Insurance & Protection Funds

Funds held with custodial partners benefit from their insurance policies covering cold storage, and CoinList imposes no wallet or custody fees, enhancing transparency and alignment with user costs.

They leverage BitGo’s institutional insurance, hold a financial institution bond over fiat deposits, and carry additional crime-theft coverage atop the standard custody insurance.

Incident History

CoinList settled a notable regulatory matter in 2023—an OFAC penalty over inadvertent sanction-related breaches—thus underscoring prior oversight but also willingness to remediate; there are no widely publicized hacks or fund losses reported.

Bitbuy has not suffered any known hacks or major security breaches, nor has it faced regulatory sanctions—indicating a clean operational track record to date.

Risk Controls

The platform mandates two-factor authentication via authenticator apps, works with vetted custodians, and enforces KYC/AML screening; it also relies on strong internal security practices, though features like whitelists, sub-accounts, and granular API permissions are not prominently offered.

The platform enforces strong protections including two-factor authentication, ISO/SOC-compliant infrastructure, routine audits, and closed-source core systems; it also supports API access with granular controls.

Transparency

CoinList publishes legal disclosures and maintains a public legal repository but does not appear to offer monthly Proof-of-Reserves reports, public wallet addresses, or formal SLAs—though its collaborations with regulated custodians and structured legal documentation contribute to transparency.

Bitbuy publishes a Trust Centre showing daily asset balances and trading volumes, delivers annual Proof-of-Reserves audits, and offers access to financial summaries upon request—providing a high level of openness.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

You can deposit via credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, which typically credit instantly; bank wires (ACH, SEPA, domestic, international) are supported in eligible regions with processing times ranging from same-day (domestic) to a few business days—specific minimums and maximums aren’t publicly listed and can vary by user and region.

Bitbuy accepts CAD via Interac e-Transfer (minimum around $20, processed typically within 24 hours) and bank wire transfers (higher minimums around $10,000 with 2–3 business days for processing); deposits by e-wallets or cards aren’t supported.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

All users must complete full identity verification—basic or advanced tiers aren’t differentiated publicly—and the process typically takes 0–3 business days for individuals, with stricter document requirements and activity restrictions until completion.

Bitbuy requires full KYC from all users—there’s no tier without verification; limits are applied based on investor classification (Basic, Retail, Eligible, Accredited), where only certain tokens or profiles are exempt from annual purchase caps.

Withdrawals

Limits, Timing & Networks

Crypto withdrawals are allowed across various networks with dynamic network-based fees; fiat withdrawals via Interac and wires follow the relevant limits and timelines, with no support for TRC20/BEP20 network options.

Customer Support

Support is available via email and help-desk tickets through the portal, with response times often within a day; there is no live chat or phone support, and the help portal serves as the central knowledge base.

Bitbuy offers support via email and ticket system accessible through their Help Center, generally responding within a day—but there’s no live chat or phone support channel.

Languages & Localization

The platform operates primarily in English, with fees and balances displayed in USD or EUR, and regulatory disclosures aligned with local requirements in supported jurisdictions—but localized language support remains limited.

The interface is natively English; fees are displayed solely in CAD—there’s no EUR or USD display option, and all operations comply strictly with Canadian regulatory standards.

App Quality & Stability

The new CoinList mobile app (updated August 12, 2025) delivers a clean, user-friendly experience with push notifications and integrated wallets; while generally stable, occasional crashes can happen and reinstall or support tickets are recommended for resolution.

The Bitbuy mobile app for iOS and Android is well-regarded for its ease of use and timely updates, though some users report occasional performance or stability concerns on Android.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

CoinList offers a streamlined interface where the “Pro Trading” experience is now fully integrated into the main dashboard, eliminating the need to switch platforms and smoothing the transition for both beginners and more advanced users.

Bitbuy offers a streamlined “Express” mode that’s ideal for novices thanks to its simplicity, while the “Pro Trade” interface unlocks advanced tools and charting—making it easy for users to transition from basic to more sophisticated trading as they grow in confidence.

Performance

The platform generally delivers responsive trade execution under normal conditions, though high-demand launch events may introduce delays; rapid surges in registrations have previously led to temporary verification backlogs during bull markets.

The platform is known for a stable experience with minimal delays on routine trades; though during peak volatility or bull-market surges, users have occasionally observed minor order latency and extended verification waits, especially during high signup spikes.

Education

CoinList does not currently provide demo or simulation tools or educational content in Spanish—its platform is largely English-focused, though users receive guidance around token launches and participation workflows.

Bitbuy furnishes a rich educational hub featuring guides, tax breakdowns, and security tutorials, yet lacks a hands-on demo or simulator environment, and all materials are presented primarily in English without Spanish-language support.

Community

CoinList fosters a tight-knit community via its official blog, Discord, and Twitter; it also runs an active referral program that rewards users for inviting others to explore token events and trading.

Bitbuy maintains a referral program to reward users for bringing in new traders, but it doesn’t foster a public community hub, nor does it host official Discord or Telegram groups—relying instead on its blog and support channels for outreach.

Integrations

The platform lacks native TradingView embeds or third-party trading bot support, and does not offer integrated tax tracking or accounting tools at this time.

The Pro interface is baked with native TradingView charting for technical analysis, plus API access for external bots and automations, though there’s no direct integration with tax preparation or accounting platforms.

Who Each One Is Best For

CoinList is best suited for proactive crypto enthusiasts looking to participate early in token launches within a compliant, streamlined environment, rather than users seeking beginner-friendly simulators or full suite trading integrations.

Bitbuy is a standout choice for Canadian investors who value regulatory clarity, security, and intuitive progression from beginner to advanced trading, but it may fall short for power users seeking demo tools, multilingual instruction, deeper integrations, or broader community engagement.