Guide · Updated October 26, 2026
AMF-registered crypto platforms in Quebec: how to check
Statuses read on the official AMF registry (in French) on October 26, 2026.
You are looking for an AMF-registered crypto platform in Quebec before you buy. Good instinct: several sites accept Quebec clients without being on the official list, and “registered” does not mean “risk-free”.
This guide explains why registration matters, how to read the registry, the difference between registered, pre-registration undertaking and absent, then points you to the CryptoClair comparison for fees — without inventing any figure.
In short
- Crypto transactions are not covered by deposit protection (AMF reminder).
- As of October 26, 2026, the AMF registry lists 10 registered platforms (including Shakepay, NDAX, Wealthsimple, Coinsquare) and 1 under a pre-registration undertaking (DigiFinex).
- Registered ≠ risk-free: volatility, fees, custody and liquidity remain.
- Bitbuy does not appear as a separate name on the list; it is a trade name of Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. (registered). Check the registry again.
Why AMF registration matters in Quebec (no deposit protection)
In Quebec, some platforms that facilitate buying and selling crypto assets must comply with securities regulation and register with the AMF as a dealer. Once registered, they must meet requirements on their operations, internal controls and client disclosure, and may be inspected.
The AMF says it clearly: transactions involving crypto are not covered by deposit protection. In other words, this is not like an insured bank account. If an unlisted platform solicits Quebecers, it does not have the same oversight; the AMF also notes it may be harder to recover funds or assets, especially if the operator is abroad.
Checking registration before opening an account is a basic step — not a guarantee of returns or of no loss.
Sources: AMF registry — crypto asset trading platforms; Acheter ou vendre des cryptos | AMF (in French). Checked 2026-10-26.
How to read the official AMF registry
- Open the official page: Plateformes de négociation de cryptoactifs | AMF.
- Find the “Plateformes inscrites auprès de l’AMF” table (registered platforms): trade name, legal name, website.
- Further down, the “Plateformes ayant souscrit un engagement préalable à l’inscription” table: this is not a full registration.
- Search for the exact name (e.g. Shakepay, NDAX, Wealthsimple). A similar name or brand is not enough.
- If the name is in neither table → treat it as absent / to be checked (and do not assume it is “authorized”).
- Check the date: the registry can change. At CryptoClair we also cross-check our AMF registry page and the comparison, but the AMF page is authoritative.
Tip: the AMF also publishes a register of authorized firms and individuals and a list of warnings to check before investing through an unknown platform.
Registered vs pre-registration undertaking vs absent
| Status | What it means (per the AMF) | Example as of 2026-10-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered | Completed the registration process; subject to requirements and random inspections | Shakepay, NDAX, Wealthsimple, Coinsquare, Coinbase, Kraken, Netcoins, Newton, Crypto.com, Fidelity Digital Assets |
| Pre-registration undertaking | Under review; agrees to certain conditions. This is not a registration. | DigiFinex (undertaking signed March 24, 2023, per the registry) |
| Absent from the registry (under that name) | Appears neither as registered nor (under that name) under a pre-registration undertaking on the list checked | Bitbuy (separate name) — see note below |
Coinsquare is listed as a registered platform (Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., coinsquare.com).
Bitbuy: as of October 26, 2026, the name “Bitbuy” does not appear in the AMF table of registered platforms. Bitbuy is a trade name of Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., which is registered (under Coinsquare). For regulatory status, always re-check the AMF registry and the Bitbuy page. (Product context outside the registry: WonderFi acquisition / gradual move to Robinhood Canada, per the sources noted on the platform page — this is not an AMF status.)
DigiFinex: the only entry in the “pre-registration undertaking” table on the page checked. The AMF states that signing this undertaking does not mean the platform is registered.
Single source for the statuses in the table: AMF registry, checked 2026-10-26. Bitbuy note: data/platforms.json + site page, checked 2026-10-20 / cross-checked 2026-10-26.
Current list of platforms (registry + comparison)
Registered with the AMF (checked 2026-10-26)
| Platform (name in registry) | Company (registry) | In the CryptoClair comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | Coinbase Canada | Yes — page |
| Coinsquare | Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd. | Yes — page |
| Fidelity Digital Assets | Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC | No (outside current retail scope) — see AMF registry |
| Crypto.com | Foris DAX CAN ULC, Foris DAX Limited and Foris Holdings US, Inc. | Yes — page |
| Kraken | Payward Canada Inc. | Yes — Kraken / Kraken Pro pages |
| NDAX | NDAX Canada Inc. | Yes — page |
| Netcoins | Netcoins Inc. | Yes — page |
| Newton | Newton Crypto Ltd. | Yes — page |
| Shakepay | Shakepay Inc. | Yes — page |
| Wealthsimple | Wealthsimple Investments Inc. | Yes — page |
Pre-registration undertaking (not a registration)
| Platform | Signature date (registry) |
|---|---|
| DigiFinex | March 24, 2023 |
This list can change. Do not memorize it as a permanent truth: reopen the registry. To compare commission, spread and Interac withdrawals on the retail platforms we track, use the comparison and the platform pages (fee data checked 2026-10-20, cross-checked with the registry 2026-10-26).
After registration: what it does not guarantee
The AMF puts it in black and white: even when registered as a dealer, a platform does not eliminate the risks and volatility of crypto assets. Neither does a pre-registration undertaking.
In practice, registration does not guarantee:
- that the price will not fall (volatility);
- that you can sell immediately at the price you want (liquidity);
- that fees (commission, spread, withdrawal) will be low — the AMF does not show your cost of buying;
- no hacking, operational error or dispute;
- bank-deposit-style protection (reminder: no deposit protection on crypto transactions).
Registration is an oversight filter, not a “safe to invest” label.
Sources: warnings on the AMF registry and the Acheter ou vendre des cryptos page, 2026-10-26.
Link to real cost: $1,000 guide and calculator
A platform can be registered and expensive. The posted commission, an unpublished spread and Interac withdrawal fees all change the total cost of a purchase.
- Detailed guide: Fees to buy $1,000 of bitcoin in Quebec
- Withdrawals: Crypto Interac withdrawal fees in Quebec
- Calculator for the amount of your choice: The real cost
- Side-by-side: comparison
- Method (how we record each figure): Methodology
- Tax / ACB afterwards: Crypto tax
CryptoClair rule: if a fee is not published on the platform’s official page, we write “not found” — we never invent.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AMF-registered crypto platform in Quebec?
It is a crypto asset trading platform listed in the “Plateformes inscrites” table of the AMF registry. It must meet regulatory requirements; that does not remove volatility, and there is still no deposit protection.
How do I check whether Shakepay is registered with the AMF?
Open the official registry and search for “Shakepay” / Shakepay Inc. As of October 26, 2026, Shakepay is listed as a registered platform. Check the AMF page again on the day you open an account.
Is NDAX authorized in Quebec?
As of October 26, 2026, NDAX (NDAX Canada Inc.) appears in the AMF table of registered platforms. The registry is the official source.
Is Wealthsimple crypto registered with the AMF?
As of October 26, 2026, Wealthsimple (Wealthsimple Investments Inc.) is listed in the registry of registered platforms. For trading fees, see the Wealthsimple page and the $1,000 guide.
Is Bitbuy on the AMF registry?
The name “Bitbuy” does not appear in the registered-platforms table checked on 2026-10-26. Bitbuy is a trade name of Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd., which is registered under the Coinsquare name. Check the registry and the Bitbuy page again.
What is the difference between registration and a pre-registration undertaking?
A pre-registration undertaking is a step while the application is reviewed: the platform agrees to certain conditions but is not registered yet. DigiFinex is the example the AMF lists as of 2026-10-26 (signed March 24, 2023).
Does AMF registration protect my deposits?
No. The AMF reminds that crypto transactions are not covered by deposit protection. Registered ≠ no risk of loss.
Where can I find the up-to-date list?
Always on the AMF website: Plateformes de négociation de cryptoactifs. CryptoClair summarizes it and cross-checks it with published fees, but does not replace the registry.
Educational content only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile: you can lose your money. AMF registration does not remove these risks.
Disclosure: some links on cryptoclair.ca are referral links (marked “referral”): the platform may pay us a reward if you open an account through one. The opinions expressed in this content are mine alone and do not reflect those of Wealthsimple. If you click a referral link on this page and open a Wealthsimple account, I may receive a commission. See the disclosure.