Shakepay Review 2025 Canada: Is It Safe? Fees, Pros & Cons

Selecting a platform with free fiat withdrawals and no maintenance charges can make a noticeable difference for cost-conscious investors. What can add up are currency conversion costs if I move funds between CAD and USD—Shakepay applies its own rates, which might include an embedded spread. Instead, the main cost comes from the spread between buy and sell prices. Although Shakepay doesn’t publish formal proof-of-reserves and insurance specifics are not detailed, its positive industry reputation and clean security record indicate a credible operation. I see clear evidence of compliance with FINTRAC as a Money Services Business, which is a foundational trust marker for any platform in Canada. I paid close attention to whether it’s user-friendly for beginners and also if it has what more experienced traders might expect.

Users can trade Bitcoin and Ethereum on the platform while earning rewards for using their Crypto Visa card. We look at several factors to decide if you should use a particular exchange. If you are a more experienced trader, then this may not be the platform for you. If the automated system could not verify your account, Shakepay will manually attempt to verify your account.

How to Create a Shakepay Account

  • Shakepay offers a crypto card that allows me to spend my digital assets for everyday purchases directly from my account.
  • Shakepay is a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell digital assets.
  • Shakepay is a money service business and is required to follow FINTRAC regulations.
  • It supports 40 coins and has a trading fee ranging from 0% to 2%.
  • Learn more about how we make money.

Cryptocurrency exchanges are often targeted by hackers and other malign actors, and there’s nothing like 100% safety online. When you buy or sell Bitcoin and Ethereum, there is a spread in the prices. It also does not have a trading fee.

However, the platform is known to have a significant user base within the Canadian crypto community. Shakepay has not publicly disclosed the exact number of Canadian users on its platform. Shakepay makes use of customer service agents who are available across a range of channels such as email and telephone to ensure a swift path towards resolution for its users. Fast response times ensure users receive support as quickly and effectively as possible. The platform’s user-centric design enables quick and straightforward transactions for buying and selling Bitcoin and Ethereum easily.

For fiat transactions, check if your bank may apply incoming wire fees. Withdrawals can be sent to your personal bank account (via Interac or wire) or as crypto to an external wallet. Fiat deposits can be made via Interac e-Transfer or wire transfer, providing fast and convenient ways to add CAD to your account. Shakepay supports deposits and withdrawals in both Canadian dollars (CAD) and major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Enabling 2FA at sign-up adds an extra layer of security to your Shakepay account. Choosing Canadian dollars (CAD) as your account’s base currency can help avoid unnecessary conversion fees and ensure all deposits and withdrawals are processed faster through local banking rails.

  • You can still access your account while traveling, but as one of the best fiat-to-crypto exchanges in Canada, Shakepay limits some functionality for those abroad.
  • After months of hearing buzz about it, I decided to dive deeply into one of Canada’s most talked-about crypto platforms.
  • This provider does not take commission on trades or have direct fees for trading crypto.
  • Security is a major concern when dealing with crypto exchanges, and it’s fair to ask, is Shakepay safe to use?

Shakepay is the best user-friendly app in Canada if you need to buy and sell Bitcoin or Ethereum! Shakepay allows users to withdraw Canadian dollars without any set limit, although larger withdrawals may require additional security checks. The platform provides you with the option to transfer your crypto to your own private wallet, where you have full control over your private keys.

Fees and Commissions

Many users point out this feature in a Shakepay card review, as it provides a seamless way to use crypto-linked funds for everyday purchases. Shakepay has gained traction among Canadian crypto users, thanks to its ease of use and unique features. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service. Shakepay is an MSB (money services business) regulated by FINTRAC.

Shakepay Review 2025: Pros, Cons, and Features

Savvy New Canadians is one of Canada's top personal finance platforms. Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians®, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Get access to advanced trading tools. The author may own one or more of the crypto assets mentioned in this article.

Do you own your crypto on Shakepay?

Since its 2015 launch, the company has served over a million Canadians who’ve used the platform to trade over $7 billion worth of crypto. Looking for a convenient way to buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies? Venture investments, p2p and digital technologies, cryptocurrencies, analytics and reviews – everything you need to know to stay in trend and earn.

The platform provides an excellent entry point for those focused on BTC and ETH, but anyone looking for stablecoins, staking, or a broader asset menu will need to consider supplementary solutions. The absence of a wide altcoin selection, DeFi tokens, or layer-2/alternative blockchain options means that Shakepay does not cater to investors looking for portfolio diversification within the crypto sector. There are no overnight, custody, or management fees, making it a simple choice, but for active traders, the wider spread might outweigh the savings from zero commissions.

Copy your institution number, transit number, and account number. Depositing funds into your Shakepay account is easy, and you can set up direct deposit for a smooth and seamless process. After completing these steps, your account will be set up and ready to use! Follow the steps below to create your account and verify your details.

Most appauling investment experience…

The app is available on both iOS and Android devices. The card is also available to use anywhere Apple Pay and Google Pay are supported. The card comes with no annual fees or credit checks and is available to customers in all 13 Canadian provinces. In addition, you will earn an additional 1% in bitcoin on the first $5,000 you spend. Shakepay offers a debit card that allows you to spend your bitcoin anywhere that accepts Visa.

Businesses

Staking, DeFi staking, and lending services have become essential tools for crypto investors seeking to earn passive income and maximize the productivity of their digital assets. In summary, while Shakepay stands out for its simplicity, reliability, and Canadian-friendly infrastructure, users with more advanced or diversified trading needs may find the offering too narrow. That means I do not face service fees in these areas, but also cannot earn yields on my assets directly through the platform. In practice, these spreads can be higher than what I have encountered at platforms with explicit fees, sometimes reaching 1.5–2.5%, which should be considered by anyone trading frequently or in larger amounts. The platform offers essential risk management tools such as two-factor authentication and allows users to set withdrawal whitelists, adding meaningful layers of defense.

Shakepay is the best for canadian…

For canadian citizens, it is the best App to use to buy Bitcoin and Ethereum easily. I am never ever going to use their service again. The worst support I have ever experienced. For 7 days, I was under mental stress that my money is gone. I was trying to reach out to the support team but nobody replied. However, they did not fund my account even though my account was verified.

Can I use Shakepay outside of Canada?

Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. While we strive for accuracy, the content on our Website, including articles, reviews, and opinions, is for informational purposes and may not always be up-to-date or error-free. To maintain our free content and further support our work, we receive compensation from some companies advertising on Crypto Head. At Crypto Head we use a rigorous research and rating process to assess each platform.

Jan 6 – wire transfer requested and sent from my TD Bank / sent wire receipt to shakepay.2. I am however, appalled at the lack of support available from Shakepay to assist me in getting this started. Most appauling investment experience ever…This was my very first venture into the world of crypto currencies and I was, and still am, excited about the prospects. My advice is if you were thinking of investing in shakepay, it would be easier just to flush your money down the toilet! Continued review of "shakepay" .

Does Shakepay provide insurance or proof-of-reserve for customer funds?

No, your crypto assets on Shakepay are not insured by CDIC or CIPF. Like Shakepay, it does not charge a trading fee; however, it https://forex-review.net/shakepay-review/ has a price spread cost of up to 2.5%. Here’s an overview of other prepaid crypto cards in Canada. It also earns bitcoin cashback on all purchases.

There are various ways users can access customer support. There are also several informative articles on their website that can guide users through the platform’s tools and functionalities. Email confirmation is required for cryptocurrency withdrawals, and independent security audits are conducted to stress-test security measures. Shakepay has implemented several security measures with the goal of becoming one of the safest crypto exchanges in the world.

BlackBull Markets Review 2025: Pros & Cons

They been with me thru thick and thins, they’re good and reliable (your account manager)Give it a go and check the leverage they offer and account types as well. In my opinion, this is the best broker by far. Customer service is very helpful. Great service and the sign up process was easy. Customer service is very responsive and helpful Great broker with minimum spreads and fees.

While partners may pay to provide offers or be featured, e.g. exclusive offers, they cannot pay to alter our recommendations, advice, ratings, or any other content throughout the site. He heads research for all U.S.-based brokerages on StockBrokers.com and is respected by executives as the leading expert covering the online broker industry. An experienced media professional, John has a decade of editorial experience with a background that includes key leadership roles at global newsroom outlets. A forex industry expert and an active fintech and crypto researcher, Steven advises blockchain companies at the board level and holds a Series III license in the U.S. as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA). The broker has been fully authorized by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in New Zealand since 2020, and registered on the Financial Services Provider Register (FSPR) since the end of 2014.

Exceptional service from Jessica

My team created a trading platform selector so you can work out what software best matches your trading needs. Blackbull Markets has some of the most competitive fees for their ECN accounts but these require a high deposit compared to other brokers. This is a swap-free account designed for Islamic traders who are prohibited from paying or receiving interest. BlackBull Markets’ standard account average spreads, such as 1.10 pips for EUR/USD, are competitive and close to the industry norm, with only a 0.1 pip difference from the leading brokers. The Prime account is intended for retail traders, while the Institutional account, as the name suggests, is designed for institutions or companies. The ECN Prime account requires a minimum deposit of $2,000, which may be a barrier for beginners (new traders can use the ECN Standard account with a $0 deposit).

All reviews

9 total commodities are available for you as a trader when using BlackBull Markets, including gold, silver, oil and copper. All 12 major indices are available to pick from with the broker, including the NASDAQ 100, S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and more. BlackBullMarkets allows you to trade 67 total Forex pairs in 2025 (including major, minor and exotics). BlackBull Markets offers a very impressive range of 26,000 + tradable assets, including Shares, Forex, CFDs, Commodities and even crypto. I uploaded a photo of my ID and a utility bill, expecting the usual hour wait I’ve faced with other brokers. I especially liked that they let you pick your trading platform (MT4, MT5, or their own WebTrader) right during signup, which saved me time later.

Based on these reviews

We’re sorry to hear about your concerns and understand how unsettling this situation must have been.We can confirm that our support team has been in contact with you and continues to review the matter. I am leaving this review to record a serious account security issue I experienced.In November 2025, funds totalling £2,850 were withdrawn from my account without my authorisation and converted to cryptocurrency. If you’re trading forex, the spreads and leverage are perfect. Exceptional customer support, friendly & energetic..As these guys have grown as have I. Technically very stable, some other brokers go through technical issues, never happened to me with BB.

I’m really grateful for Georgia’s help and the outstanding support overall. She helped me change my account type quickly and guided me through the whole process with patience and professionalism. I had an amazing experience with BlackBull Markets! Customer service is outstanding! We’re sorry to hear about your experience. Hi Alkeem, thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

We champion verified reviews

  • This account is a RAW style account meaning ECN or STP execution is used with no dealing desk.
  • Blackbull markets is one of the best reliable and trusted broker ….I recommend it to anyone willing to start his trading journey.
  • I couldn’t create a live account and I was having trouble uploading documents.
  • This is a swap-free account designed for Islamic traders who are prohibited from paying or receiving interest.

Despite that omission, BlackBull continues to launch additional third-party trading platforms that steadily improve its offering, including TradingView. Our researchers open personal brokerage accounts and test all available platforms on desktop, web, and mobile for each broker reviewed on ForexBrokers.com. We analyze key tools and features important to forex and CFD traders and collect data on commissions, spreads, and fees across the industry to help you find the best broker for your needs. No, there are a few brokers regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) which is the oversite for financial markets in New Zealand. Opening an account with them and depositing funds was seamless for me, without any fees and their customer support was responsive.

What Leverage is Offered by BlackBull Markets?

74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Highly recommend this broker for both trading and their partner program! Blackbull customer service ALWAYS resolve any matters really quickly. Jessica from the customer service was a tremendous help to me.

What Demo Account Does BlackBull Markets Offer?

The broker’s major liquidity providers include the Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Citibank, Barclays, RBS, Credit Suisse, Commerzbank, ABN AMRO, and BNP Paribas BlackBull offer MT5, his platform is owned by Metaquotes from which Blackbull hold a licence to offer to their clients Having traded since 1998, Justin is the CEO and co-founded CompareForexBrokers in 2004. The demo account options include MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView, BlackBull CopyTrader, and BlackBull Shares. The broker is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in New Zealand and holds an offshore license issued by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA).

BlackBull Markets Star Ratings

The minimum deposit at BlackBull Markets depends on the account type you choose. We’d love to see the broker acquire more regulatory licenses in Tier-1 jurisdictions, which would improve its Trust Score. The BlackBull Markets podcast library, featuring introductory trading insights and strategies. This Education Hub has recently been expanded with dozens of new themed articles which are organized by experience level. However, while BlackBull has stepped up its video production, many of the videos are tutorial-like and only cover basic blackbull markets review topics such as how to use its platform.

Also available is TradingView, a popular trading platform that delivers a range of powerful charting functions and robust analysis tools. For our top picks among trading apps, read our guide to the best forex trading apps. The Prime account offers lower spreads but requires a $2,000 minimum deposit, and there is a commission of $3 per side or $6 round turn per lot. Use our country selector tool to view available brokers in your country.

Our broker reviews are reader supported and we may receive payment when you click on a partner site. Our team writes articles to inform and protect you, without any influence from our financial team. We may earn commissions from some brokers, but you won’t pay anything extra. Meet Cole, a forex trading expert and passionate finance enthusiast.

There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. At ForexBrokers.com, our online broker reviews are based on our collected quantitative data as well as the observations and qualified opinions of our expert researchers. All content on ForexBrokers.com is handwritten by a writer, fact-checked by a member of our research team, and edited and published by an editor. He has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages.

Research and Education

  • Based on our test, my team found Blackbull had the fastest speed of any broker when it came to Limit Order Execution Speed as shown in the graph below.
  • BlackBull Markets offers the full MetaTrader suite, including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) for desktop and web, and BlackBull Markets’ own BlackBull Shares platform (powered by Interactive Brokers’ TWS platform).
  • An experienced media professional, John has a decade of editorial experience with a background that includes key leadership roles at global newsroom outlets.
  • Despite that omission, BlackBull continues to launch additional third-party trading platforms that steadily improve its offering, including TradingView.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.Learn more about other kinds of reviews. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Was helped by Ryan in regards to my account approval. Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company.

FBS Forex Broker Online: Trade and Grow with FBS

Let’s examine a straightforward strategy for trading EUR/USD on the 15-minute timeframe. Never risk more than 1-2% of your account on a single trade, and always use stop-loss orders to protect your capital. Successful traders focus on risk management first, profits second. Using excessive leverage is one of the fastest ways to blow up your trading account. For currency pairs involving the Japanese yen, a pip is 0.01 due to the yen’s lower value. The forex market doesn’t have a central location or exchange.

Our offering

There may be intervals where exchanges or brokers close for a short period of time for technical reasons or when there is a public holiday. Take your time researching your favourite currency pairs and keep an eye on both current and historical charts. This is why they are called “currency pairs.” You can go with common pairs of major currencies or more obscure currency pairs. Traders invest in exchange rate pairs to trade one fiat currency against another, in the hope of benefitting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Currency trading is also referred to as the foreign exchange market, forex or the FX market. It is a part of the wider currency markets which also includes participants such as governments and large corporations who buy and sell currencies to carry out their day-to-day business, such as importing or exporting goods.

And with that advancement, it is also possible for retail traders to make a living (or at least an additional income) from forex trading. Throughout history, humans have always exchanged commodities, coins, and paper money to buy and sell goods, and so they created a financial system where currencies are traded and used to exchange goods. Aspiring forex traders should start with a solid education, practice with demo accounts, and only risk capital they can afford to lose.

With high liquidity, tight spreads and leverage options, forex attracts day traders, swing traders and even long-term investors. The forex market trades 24 hours during the trading week that stretches from the Sydney open at 5 p.m. Managing risk is crucial for long-term success in forex trading. Forex charts are essential tools that help traders visualize currency movements and make informed trading decisions. However, in the global forex market, transactions occur on a much larger scale, involving banks, corporations, and professional traders. Imagine the last time you went on vacation and exchanged your dollars for local currency—that’s forex in action!

High liquidity also keeps spreads tighter on major currency pairs, lowering costs. With over $7.5 trillion traded every day, forex is the most significant liquidity market. Major pairs always include the U.S. dollar (USD), which is the most traded currency in the world, paired with another major currency like the euro, yen, or pound.

  • The MT4 platform is one of the most popular Forex trading platforms utilized by millions of retail Forex traders worldwide.
  • With time and experience, you’ll develop the skills and confidence to navigate the currency markets
  • These pairs are the most actively traded and usually have the lowest spreads, making them a good starting point for beginners.
  • Once you have chosen a broker, you need to open an account.
  • The forex (FX) market is similar to the equity markets in many ways but there are also some key differences.

Traders can use leverage strategies to amplify the power of their trades, controlling a significant position with a relatively small amount of money. In addition to speculative trading, forex trading is also used for hedging purposes. Previously, most currency traders were large multinational corporations, hedge funds, or high-net-worth individuals. Trading and investing, especially in instruments like cryptocurrencies or leveraged products, carries risk.

Cons of Position Trading:

This approach lets you lock in rates, which help you manage potential price swings. You could buy EUR/USD in the spot market and, if the Euro’s value rises, you can sell it back for a profit. The spot market is where transactions happen “on the spot”.

When you trade successfully on demo for some time say 6 months then you can move over to a small live account. Forex traders employ different trading styles that mostly fit their personalities. This is why we want to also explore the wide range of forex trading strategies The MT4 platform is one of the most popular Forex trading platforms utilized by millions of retail Forex traders worldwide. Because of this, forex trading might be more affordable than you assumed. To invest and trade in the Forex market, you need to understand how margin trading works.

Join eToro and get access to exclusive eToro Academy content such as online courses, inspirational webinars, financial guides and monthly insights directly to your inbox. Any references to past or future performance of a financial instrument, index or a packaged investment product are not, and should not be taken as, a reliable indicator of future results. This communication is for information and education purposes only and should not Forex Trading for Beginners be taken as investment advice, a personal recommendation, or an offer of, or solicitation to buy or sell, any financial instruments.

Unlike the U.S. stock exchange, which can be located on Wall Street in New York City, the world’s forex markets have no physical buildings that serve as trading venues. Master the powerful RSI divergence strategy to identify high-probability reversal points in currency pairs. Focus on major currency pairs initially, keep position sizes small, and never risk more than you can afford to lose. Scalpers and day traders need several hours daily to monitor the markets, while swing traders might only need minutes per day to analyze charts and manage positions. Most forex brokers allow you to open an account with as little as $100-$500. Before risking real money, open a demo account to practice trading with virtual funds.

That’s why I created Mind Math Money to share insights on trading, technical analysis, and finance. Start with a demo account today and practice the simple RSI divergence strategy we covered. Most successful traders use a combination of both approaches. Fundamental analysis examines economic factors, news events, and central bank policies to predict currency movements. Start with the time you have available and choose a trading style that fits your schedule.

The Decentralized Nature of Forex

I do not recommend using a demo account to judge one’s own trading skills or test new trading strategies. Should you judge your skill level by trading with a demo account? These are not uniform across the industry, and they will govern the terms of your agreement for your live trading account (it’s always important to read the fine print). Once you’ve chosen a forex broker, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the broker’s terms and conditions. Good trading strategies define a number of factors that govern the decision-making process and outline the strategy’s goals in advance.

Success Rates

Currency markets can move dramatically in seconds due to economic reports, geopolitical events, or central bank announcements. Another way to generate returns is through “carry trading,” where you profit from interest rate differences between two currencies. For example, if you buy euros at $1.20 and sell when the price reaches $1.22, you’d make 2 cents per euro traded. When a trader goes “long” on a currency pair like EUR/USD, they profit if the euro strengthens against the dollar.

How to Start Forex Trading?

This means that a value of one pip is equal to $10, and if the market goes against you by 100 pips, then you’ll automatically exit the trade (unless you deposit more funds). We also offer a dynamic leverage feature that automatically adjusts your leverage based on the size of your open positions, helping you manage risk more efficiently as your exposure increases. For example, suppose you want to trade $10,000 worth of EUR/USD, but you only have $1,000 in your account.

Key Forex Trading Concepts

Maintaining a favorable risk-reward ratio in your trades is essential. The journey to becoming a skilled forex trader is challenging but undoubtedly rewarding. Continuous learning and adaptability are the cornerstones of success in the forex market.

Understanding market dynamics, terminology, and strategies helps beginners lay a solid foundation for future success. Position trading involves holding positions for an extended period, ranging from weeks to months. This approach requires quick decision-making, a strong understanding of technical analysis, and a commitment to closely monitoring positions throughout the day. Here are a few popular strategies to consider, each suited to different trading preferences.

Is forex trading legal in the USA?

  • With a volume of more than $5.5 trillion, this will ensure stable exchange rates.
  • You’ll appreciate the inclusion of NinjaTrader for automating your trades.
  • It’s worth noting that the forex market influences the global economy.

Remember to implement proper risk management techniques, such as setting stop-loss orders and not risking more than a certain percentage of your trading capital on any single trade. Fundamental analysis, on the other hand, focuses on economic and geopolitical factors that can influence currency prices. These platforms come with various features and tools to help you analyze the market, execute trades, and manage your risk. The main participants in the market include central banks, commercial banks, hedge funds, corporations, and individual traders like yourself. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the basics of forex trading and provide you with the necessary knowledge to get started. Forex trading offers opportunities for individuals to profit from fluctuations in currency prices, but it can be a complex and challenging endeavor, especially for beginners.

Is There a Trading Forex for Beginners PDF guide available to download?

By the end of this Forex trading guide, you’ll be equipped with the right knowledge to tackle the world’s largest capital market. You’ll learn what Forex trading is, how to trade Forex, how to make your first trade, plus our best beginner Forex trading strategies. Be sure that your broker meets certain regulatory and financial criteria. Individuals have become increasingly interested in earning a living by trading foreign exchange. You’ll also have the chance to get used to the broker’s trading platform technology.