How to Buy XRP in Canada

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Cryptocurrency adoption in Canada continues to grow, and with it, demand for accessible digital assets like XRP. While many popular coins are widely available, XRP presents unique challenges due to regulatory uncertainty. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about buying XRP in Canada—legally, safely, and efficiently.

Understanding XRP and Ripple

Before diving into how to buy XRP, it’s essential to understand what it is and how it differs from Ripple.

XRP is a digital currency designed for fast, low-cost international money transfers. It operates on the XRP Ledger, an open-source blockchain known for processing transactions in under four seconds with minimal energy consumption. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, XRP was not created through mining. Instead, all 100 billion tokens were pre-mined at launch.

Ripple, on the other hand, refers to Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP. Ripple develops financial technology solutions—particularly RippleNet—that help banks and payment providers settle cross-border transactions more efficiently using XRP as a bridge currency.

👉 Discover how blockchain technology powers fast global payments today.

Where Can You Buy XRP in Canada?

Due to ongoing legal issues involving the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), many Canadian exchanges have delisted XRP. However, several platforms still allow Canadians to buy, sell, and trade XRP using Canadian dollars.

Here’s a breakdown of your best options:

Netcoins

Netcoins remains one of the few Canadian-based exchanges that supports XRP trading. It's user-friendly, compliant with Canadian regulations, and ideal for beginners and experienced traders alike.

Key Features:

Netcoins also offers both web and mobile trading platforms, making it easy to manage your portfolio on the go.

NDAX (National Digital Asset Exchange)

Based in Calgary, NDAX is a trusted Canadian exchange offering competitive trading fees and strong security protocols.

Why Consider NDAX?

However, NDAX charges a flat $25 withdrawal fee, which can be high for small transactions. Despite this, its reliability and regulatory compliance make it a solid choice for Canadian investors.

International Exchanges That Support XRP

If domestic options are limited, some global exchanges still allow Canadians to trade XRP—though with restrictions.

Binance

As the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume, Binance supports over 350 cryptocurrencies, including XRP. However, there are significant limitations for Canadian users:

Despite these hurdles, Binance offers advanced trading tools, low fees, and high liquidity.

Crypto.com

Headquartered in Singapore, Crypto.com is another international option available to many Canadians. The platform supports XRP trading and offers additional benefits:

While convenient, users should be aware that Crypto.com operates outside Canadian jurisdiction, which may affect dispute resolution and fund protection.

Buying XRP at Bitcoin ATMs

For those seeking instant, anonymous purchases, Bitcoin ATMs offer another avenue. While most only support BTC, hundreds across Canada now support multiple cryptocurrencies, including XRP.

A quick search reveals XRP-enabled machines in provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and parts of Quebec. These kiosks typically require ID verification for larger transactions but allow immediate ownership without account setup.

Use tools like CoinATMRadar to locate nearby ATMs that support XRP.

Can You Buy XRP Through an ETF?

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have made investing in crypto easier and more secure for traditional investors. Canada leads the market with approved Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

However, there is currently no XRP ETF available in Canada or globally. The absence stems from regulatory concerns—primarily the SEC lawsuit against Ripple Labs—making it too risky for financial institutions to launch an ETF tied to XRP.

Until the legal landscape clarifies, direct purchase through exchanges remains the only way to gain exposure to XRP.

Why Some Canadian Exchanges Delisted XRP

You might wonder why major platforms like Bitbuy, Newton, Coinberry, and Coinsmart no longer offer XRP.

The answer lies in regulatory caution. In December 2021, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) issued guidance stating that crypto asset trading platforms must assess whether a digital asset qualifies as a security under Canadian law. Given the SEC’s ongoing lawsuit alleging that XRP was sold as an unregistered security, many exchanges chose to delist it preemptively.

Bitbuy explained its decision clearly:

“Our policies require us to evaluate crypto assets based on international regulatory opinions… We will continue monitoring XRP’s status and act accordingly if conditions change.”

This reflects a broader trend: exchanges prioritizing compliance over availability during uncertain legal periods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is it legal to buy XRP in Canada?
A: Yes. While some exchanges have delisted XRP due to regulatory concerns, owning and trading XRP is not illegal in Canada.

Q: Why did Bitbuy remove XRP?
A: Bitbuy removed XRP in January 2022 following regulatory scrutiny from the OSC and the U.S. SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs over potential securities violations.

Q: Can Ontarians use Binance to buy XRP?
A: No. Binance is not authorized to operate in Ontario, and residents are blocked from accessing its services.

Q: Are there any Canadian dollar-funded platforms where I can buy XRP?
A: Yes. Netcoins and NDAX allow CAD deposits and support XRP trading directly.

Q: Will an XRP ETF ever launch in Canada?
A: It’s possible—but unlikely until the U.S. SEC case against Ripple concludes and regulators provide clearer classification of XRP.

Q: Is XRP a good investment?
A: That depends on risk tolerance. XRP offers fast settlement and strong institutional use cases, but carries regulatory risk. Always do your own research before investing.

👉 Explore secure ways to diversify your crypto portfolio now.

Final Thoughts on Buying XRP in Canada

XRP remains a compelling digital asset due to its speed, scalability, and use in cross-border payments. However, its future depends heavily on the outcome of Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC.

For Canadian investors, the path to buying XRP is narrower than for other cryptos—but still viable. Platforms like Netcoins and NDAX offer compliant, CAD-friendly access. International exchanges like Crypto.com provide alternatives, though with fewer local protections.

Before investing:

As clarity emerges from ongoing legal proceedings, more exchanges may relist XRP—potentially expanding access for Canadian traders.

👉 Stay ahead of market trends and securely manage your digital assets today.