โ Please Read First
Important Disclaimer
Everything on this website is for education and general information only. Nothing here should be taken as advice to buy, sell, or hold Bitcoin or any other asset.
- It is not financial advice.
- It is not legal advice.
- It is not tax advice.
- It is not investment advice of any kind.
Always do your own research and speak with a licensed professional before making any financial decisions.
Some links on this page are referral links. If you sign up through one, Ted Lee may receive a small reward such as points or fee credits. This does not affect the price you pay, and it does not mean you should buy Bitcoin. Using a referral link simply helps support this free educational site.
The Basics
What Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a form of digital money that exists on the internet. Unlike Canadian dollars or euros, no government or bank controls it. Instead, thousands of computers around the world keep a shared record of every transaction โ this shared record is called the blockchain.
A few important facts to know:
- There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin โ it cannot be printed like paper money.
- You can send Bitcoin to anyone in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without a bank.
- Bitcoin is highly volatile โ its price rises and falls dramatically, sometimes by 50% or more in months.
- It is legal in Canada but not insured by CDIC like a bank account.
- You are responsible for your own security โ there is no bank to call if something goes wrong.
Bitcoin's price can drop 50% or more in a matter of months. It has also recovered strongly after major drops historically โ but there are absolutely no guarantees of any return. It is possible to lose everything you put in. Never invest money you cannot afford to lose completely, including money set aside for rent, food, medical care, or other necessities.
Reading and understanding how Bitcoin works is valuable on its own. You do not need to buy anything to benefit from this education.
๐บ Video Education
Watch & Learn
This video provides a straightforward introduction to Bitcoin โ ideal for anyone who is new to the topic and prefers to learn by watching rather than reading.
Bitcoin Explained for Beginners
Watch on YouTube โ
Free Resource
Download the Free PDF Presentation
Ted has prepared a simple slide presentation designed especially for seniors. It is easy to read and can be printed or viewed on a tablet, phone, or computer. It is completely free.
๐ Download the Free PDF PresentationOpens in a new tab. Free to download and share with friends and family.
On This Site
Topics Covered at BTC.TedLee.ca
These are the subjects you can explore on this site. Each topic has its own page with plain-language explanations. You can read them in any order.
For Beginners
How to Get Started Safely
If you decide โ after your own research and consultation with a financial professional โ that you want to explore Bitcoin, here is a careful step-by-step approach that many beginners follow.
Read the free PDF and explore the topic pages on this site before spending a single dollar. Watch the video above. Talk to someone you trust. Understanding what you are getting into is the most important step.
In Canada, buying and selling Bitcoin has tax implications under the Income Tax Act. The CRA treats Bitcoin as a commodity, not currency. Capital gains may apply when you sell. Speak to an accountant before you start, and keep a written record of every transaction including dates and amounts paid.
Many services let you buy as little as $10 worth. If you decide to start, use only a small amount โ money you could lose completely without it affecting your life. Never use funds set aside for rent, groceries, medication, or your emergency fund.
Instead of buying all at once, many people buy a small, fixed amount on a regular schedule โ for example, $25 every two weeks. This approach reduces the risk of putting all your money in at the highest price. See the DCA page on this site for more detail.
Look for a regulated, Canadian-based service. See the "Where to Buy" section below. Avoid unknown apps, websites, or services promoted through social media, cold calls, or text messages โ these are very common scam vectors targeting seniors.
If you ever hold a significant amount, you should store it safely off an exchange in your own wallet. Your "seed phrase" โ a list of 12 or 24 words โ is the master key to your Bitcoin. Write it on paper and store it in a safe place. Never photograph it or store it digitally.
Not a family member, not a support agent, not a website, not someone who calls claiming to be from a government agency or the exchange. Anyone who asks for your seed words is attempting to steal your Bitcoin. No legitimate service will ever ask for them.
Common scams include: unsolicited investment advice by phone or email, "Bitcoin recovery" services claiming to retrieve lost funds, romance scams involving Bitcoin, fake government notices demanding payment in Bitcoin, and fake exchange websites. If something feels wrong, it almost certainly is. Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Seniors are disproportionately targeted by Bitcoin-related fraud. Bitcoin payments are irreversible โ once sent, they cannot be recovered. No legitimate government agency, Microsoft support representative, CRA officer, or investment advisor will ever demand payment in Bitcoin. Hang up and call a trusted family member or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Referral Links โ Disclosure Required
Where to Buy Bitcoin in Canada
The services below include referral links. If you sign up through one, Ted Lee may receive a small reward. This does not affect the price you pay. These are simply options for people who have already decided to explore Bitcoin after doing their own research and consulting a professional.
๐ Bull Bitcoin
Bull Bitcoin is a Bitcoin-only exchange โ they do not sell other cryptocurrencies. They are Canadian-founded and well-regarded in the Bitcoin community for staying focused on Bitcoin rather than speculative altcoins.
Your referral code: btc_vancouver
Sign Up with Bull Bitcoin โStep-by-step instructions:
Click the green "Sign Up" button above. A new browser tab will open.
Enter your email address and choose a strong password. Use a password you don't use anywhere else.
Check that the referral code btc_vancouver appears on the form.
Complete registration and follow the on-screen steps to verify your identity (required by Canadian law for all exchanges).
If the referral code does not appear automatically, paste this link directly into your browser:
https://app.bullbitcoin.com/registration/btc_vancouver๐ง Bitcoin Well
Bitcoin Well is a Canadian-founded, Bitcoin-only platform. It is non-custodial โ meaning they send Bitcoin directly to your personal wallet rather than holding it for you. This is considered a safer approach for those who understand self-custody. Earn 500 points per referral.
Your referral code: ve7lee
Sign Up with Bitcoin Well โStep-by-step instructions:
Click the green "Sign Up" button above. A new browser tab will open.
Enter your email address and choose a strong, unique password.
Check the box confirming you have a referral code, then enter ve7lee.
Complete registration and follow the on-screen steps to verify your identity.
If the referral code does not appear automatically, paste this link directly into your browser:
https://bitcoinwell.com/referral/ve7lee๐ Maple Bitcoin School
A Canadian Bitcoin education community hosted on the Skool platform. Join to deepen your understanding through courses, discussions, and a supportive community of like-minded learners. A free trial period may be available.
Join Maple Bitcoin School โIf the referral doesn't appear automatically, use this link:
https://www.skool.com/maplebitcoin/about?ref=fe87c0c46c0e412aa2a6397f5e3c2d5a
Further Education
Learn More โ Free Resources
My First Bitcoin
My First Bitcoin is a non-profit Bitcoin education organisation based in El Salvador. Their materials are free, available in many languages, and written for complete beginners. They have no financial interest in whether you buy Bitcoin.
Visit myfirstbitcoin.io โMore Pages on This Site
Explore additional topics covered on BTC.TedLee.ca โ all free, all plain language.
Ted Lee is not an employee, contractor, or shareholder of Bull Bitcoin, Bitcoin Well, Maple Bitcoin School, or My First Bitcoin. Referral relationships are disclosed as required by Canadian guidelines. This site carries no paid advertising and does not sell your personal data.
โ๏ธ Legal Notice
Full Legal Disclaimer
โ๏ธ Legal Disclaimer โ Please Read
The information on this website, including all pages of BTC.TedLee.ca, is provided for educational and general informational purposes only. Nothing on this website constitutes financial advice, investment advice, legal advice, tax advice, accounting advice, or any other form of professional advice. Ted Lee is not a licensed financial advisor, investment dealer, lawyer, accountant, or tax professional.
Bitcoin and other digital assets are highly speculative and volatile investments. The value of Bitcoin can fall to zero. Past performance of Bitcoin โ including historical price recoveries โ is not indicative of future results. You could lose your entire investment. This is not a hypothetical risk.
Bitcoin is not insured. Unlike deposits at Canadian financial institutions, Bitcoin holdings are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) or any other government or regulatory insurance scheme. If a platform fails, is hacked, or goes out of business, you may have no legal recourse and no compensation.
Tax obligations apply in Canada. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) treats Bitcoin as a commodity, not currency. Buying, selling, trading, or earning Bitcoin may give rise to capital gains, business income, or other tax obligations. It is your sole responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable Canadian federal and provincial tax laws. Consult a qualified Canadian accountant or tax lawyer before making any transactions.
Referral disclosures. Some links on this site are referral links. Ted Lee may receive a small compensation (such as points, credits, or fee discounts) if you register through these links. This compensation does not influence the educational content of this site and does not constitute a recommendation to purchase Bitcoin or use any particular service.
No warranty. Ted Lee makes no representations or warranties โ express or implied โ regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of the information on this site for any purpose. The Bitcoin space changes rapidly; information on this site may become outdated.
No liability. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Ted Lee accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or other loss or damage arising from your use of or reliance on any information on this website, including any financial loss from purchasing Bitcoin or using any of the services linked from this site.
Jurisdiction. This website is operated from Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Canadian law governs all matters relating to this site. Nothing on this site is intended to constitute an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where such activities are restricted or unlawful.
If you are uncertain about any financial, legal, or tax matter related to Bitcoin, please consult a qualified professional before taking any action.
Transparency
Sources & References
This page is based on the following sources. All external links open in a new tab.
- Primary source โ Ted Lee's Bitcoin education site https://btc.tedlee.ca
- Free PDF slide presentation Bitcoin Education for Seniors โ PDF (btc.tedlee.ca)
- Educational video โ Bitcoin for beginners YouTube: Bitcoin Explained for Beginners
- Canadian Bitcoin-only exchange (referral link) Bull Bitcoin โ bullbitcoin.com
- Canadian / US non-custodial Bitcoin service (referral link) Bitcoin Well โ bitcoinwell.com
- Canadian Bitcoin education community (referral link) Maple Bitcoin School โ skool.com/maplebitcoin
- Non-profit Bitcoin education (international, no affiliation) My First Bitcoin โ myfirstbitcoin.io
- Main TedLee.ca website TedLee.ca โ Freedom Through Knowledge
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (scam reporting) antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca โ 1-888-495-8501