Get Started with Bitcoin — Canada

A friendly, bright guide that walks you step-by-step — from picking a wallet to buying and protecting BTC.

1. Get a Bitcoin wallet

Choose between beginner-friendly mobile/web wallets or hardware wallets for stronger security.

Beginner-friendly: BlueWallet, Muun, Exodus, Trust Wallet — easy to set up on phone or desktop.
More secure: Hardware: Coldcard, Jade Plus, Trezor — keep your private keys offline.

2. Buy Bitcoin in Canada

Use a Canadian exchange or service that supports Interac e-Transfer (easy) or bank transfers.

Platform	Type / Payment	Notes
Shakepay	App — e-Transfer	Very beginner-friendly, Canadian.
Bitbuy	Exchange — e-Transfer, wire	Regulated, more trading features.
Newton	Exchange — e-Transfer	Low fees, simple UI.
Wealthsimple Crypto	Investment app	Very simple but custodial (can’t withdraw BTC).
Bull Bitcoin	Bitcoin-only — e-Transfer	Non-custodial option: you control your Bitcoin. Discounts for purchases over $50,000.
Bitcoin Well	Bitcoin-only — e-Transfer	Non-custodial option: you control your Bitcoin. Discounts for purchases over $50,000.
Virgo CX	e-Transfer	Non-custodial option: you control your Bitcoin. Discounts for purchases over $50,000. $20 reward for using: https://virgocx.ca/register?code=a5nNJAey Spread discounts starting at $3000 to $6,000,000

3. Transfer BTC to your own wallet

After purchase, withdraw to your personal wallet address so you truly control the coins.

Open your wallet and tap Receive to get an address (starts with bc1...).
Copy that address and paste it in the exchange’s Withdraw or Send field.
Confirm network fees and send. Optionally check the transaction on a block explorer.

Important: Never share your seed phrase or private key. Write it down on paper and store it safely (not online).

4. Learn the basics

Understand private keys, seed phrases, and backups. Start small (e.g. CAD $50–$200) to test the flow.

5. Avoid common mistakes

Don't leave large amounts on exchanges, avoid scams promising guaranteed returns, and always double-check addresses before sending. Check you download hash codes against signiture hashes to make sure you have the true version.