Comparison of Bitbuy vs Valr [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Bitbuy vs Valr comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

bitbuy

Bitbuy

  • Threenvest valuation: 3,9/5
  • US legal: No
  • Security: High 4,6/5
  • Mobile App: Yes
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

VALR

Valr

  • Threenvest valuation: 3,8/5
  • US legal: No
  • Security: High 4,6/5
  • Mobile App: No
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

0.20%

Earns

Yes

Customer service

4/5
-0,01%/0,10%

Fees

No

Earns

4/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

3.7 – Reasonable fees but slightly higher for fiat transactions.
4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Africa.

Level

0.20%
-0,01%/0,10%

Brief explanation

Bitbuy’s commission structure is designed to be transparent and competitive within the Canadian market. The exchange typically charges a 0.1% fee for makers, who add liquidity to the market, and a slightly higher fee for takers, who remove liquidity. This fee structure is beneficial for both high-volume traders and occasional users, ensuring that costs are kept reasonable without compromising the quality of service. Additional charges include withdrawal fees, which vary depending on the cryptocurrency, and minimal to no deposit fees, emphasizing Bitbuy’s commitment to providing a cost-effective trading environment for its users.
VALR’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and attractive to both novice and experienced traders. The exchange employs a tiered fee system where the trading fees decrease as the user’s monthly trading volume increases. This incentivizes higher trading volumes while maintaining affordability for smaller traders. Fees for typical trades start relatively low, with further reductions possible depending on the trade volume and currency pairs being traded. Additionally, VALR occasionally runs promotions that temporarily reduce fees or offer rebates, enhancing the trading experience.

Bitbuy

bitbuy
Read bitbuy review
  • Security Methods: Bitbuy prioritizes the security of its users with robust measures including SSL encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and compliance with PCI DSS standards. This commitment to security ensures that users' funds and personal information are well protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
  • Possible Regulation: Bitbuy operates with full compliance with Canadian financial regulations. Being a registered Money Service Business (MSB) under FINTRAC, it adheres to the legal requirements set forth for financial platforms, enhancing its reliability and trustworthiness.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Bitbuy has built a strong reputation within the Canadian crypto community and beyond. It consistently receives positive reviews from users, particularly praising its user-friendly interface and responsive customer service, underscoring its standing as a trusted platform in the market.
  • Transparency: The exchange is known for its transparent operations, providing clear information about its fees, processes, and operations. This transparency builds trust among users, ensuring they feel informed and confident in their trading decisions on the platform.
  • Customer Service: Bitbuy offers excellent customer service, with a dedicated support team available to address and resolve users’ issues promptly. This focus on customer satisfaction is crucial for building long-term trust and ensuring that users have a reliable resource for any inquiries or problems they might encounter.
  • Pros
  • Strong regulatory compliance in Canada.
  • User-friendly interface for beginners.
  • Robust, effective security measures.
  • Cons
  • Relatively high trading fees.
  • Limited selection of cryptocurrencies.

Read bitbuy review

Valr

VALR
Read bitbuy review
  • Strong Security Measures: VALR employs robust security protocols including cold storage of assets, two-factor authentication, and secure encryption technologies to ensure user funds are protected against unauthorized access.
  • Compliance with Local Regulations: As a South African exchange, VALR adheres to local financial regulations and guidelines, which bolsters its credibility and reliability as a trustworthy platform in the eyes of both users and regulators.
  • High Trading Volume and Liquidity: VALR supports a high trading volume and offers substantial liquidity, making it easier for users to enter and exit positions, which is especially beneficial for traders looking to execute large volume trades.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its launch, VALR has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. Positive user reviews often highlight its user-friendly interface, range of supported cryptocurrencies, and responsive customer support.
  • Year Founded: Established in 2018, VALR has rapidly grown to become one of the leading exchanges in South Africa, demonstrating strong market resilience and continuous adaptation to user needs and technological advancements.
  • Pros
  • Wide range of cryptocurrencies
  • Competitive trading fees
  • Strong security measures
  • Cons
  • Limited global fiat options
  • Slow customer support response

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Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

Yes
No

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

First Ledger Corporation
VALR Pty Ltd.

Regulation

Regulated by FINTRAC en Canadá
Regulated in Sudáfrica

Year founded

2016
2019

Founder

Adam Goldman
Farzam Ehsani

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

Yes
Yes

Wire transfer

Yes
Yes

Card

Yes
Yes

Comparative table

Bitbuy FEATURES Valr
The minimum trade amount is reasonably low, making it accessible for beginners.
Minimum Trade
VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
Fees are relatively high compared to competitors, which could deter frequent traders.
Trading and Transaction Fees
One of VALR’s strongest features is its competitive fee structure, which ranks among the lowest in the industry, benefiting all types of traders.
Bitbuy offers a selection of the most popular cryptocurrencies but lacks a wide variety of altcoins.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Limited to major cryptocurrencies, lacking diversity in trading pairs.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
VALR supports a broad range of trading pairs, allowing users to trade directly between various cryptocurrencies without needing to convert to fiat.
The website provides clear, easily accessible information on fees, policies, and trading options.
Website Transparency
While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Bitbuy lacks an exchange card, limiting its utility for in-store purchases and additional benefits.
Credit/Debit Card
The VALR card integrates seamlessly with the exchange, providing convenient access to funds and attractive rewards, enhancing the overall utility of the platform for everyday transactions.
Provides secure cold storage options, ensuring safety for digital assets.
Storage Offering
VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Offers some staking options and rewards, though not as extensive as some other platforms.
Staking and Rewards
The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Both mobile and desktop platforms are user-friendly and well-designed.
Mobile App and Desktop
VALR offers both mobile and desktop platforms that are user-friendly and feature-rich, facilitating trading on-the-go as well as from a desktop setup.
Excellent customer service with quick response times and helpful support staff.
Customer Service
While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes, though some limitations apply to methods and currencies.
Deposit and Withdraw
Deposits and withdrawals are facilitated smoothly, but improvements can be made in terms of speed and the variety of supported currencies and methods.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,6/5
High 4,6/5

Additional features

OTC trading, express trade option, institutional services, cold storage solutions
Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services

Anonymity

No
No

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

15+
50+

User-friendliness

Bitbuy offers a clean and intuitive platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The exchange provides helpful guides and customer support to assist new users in their trading journey.
VALR offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.

Value for money

Delivers decent value for money with competitive fees and strong security features, suitable for Canadian users looking for a reliable exchange.
Offers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in South Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.

Countries of operation

Canada
South Africa

Best for

Best for Canadian investors seeking a reliable and secure exchange with competitive fees and strong customer support.
Suitable for South African investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.

Base currencies available

CAD, BTC
ZAR, BTC

Account

Trading

Bitbuy is a Canadian exchange known for its high security and ease of use. It offers a decent selection of cryptocurrencies but has higher fees compared to some other global exchanges.
VALR is a popular exchange in South Africa, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a good range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees but lacks some advanced trading tools.

Deposit and withdrawal

Bitbuy provides easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed within a day. Fees are slightly higher than some global exchanges but reasonable.
VALR is popular in South Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.

Account opening process

Bitbuy offers a simple and user-friendly account opening process. Users need to fill out personal information, verify their identity, and typically, the account is approved within a day. It’s secure and efficient.
VALR provides a seamless and fully digital account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is quick and usually takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
Yes

Customer Service

Bitbuy offers customer support via email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support may be a drawback for some users.
VALR provides customer support via email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support may be a limitation for some users.

Security

Bitbuy offers robust security with 2FA, SSL encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Canadian authorities, ensuring high security for investors.
VALR employs robust security features, including 2FA and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

alejandro-borja-analista-de-brokers.webp

Alejandro Borja

As an expert on our website, I highly recommend Bitbuy for Canadian users looking for a secure and user-friendly platform to begin their cryptocurrency trading journey. While it does have higher trading fees and a somewhat limited range of cryptocurrencies, its strong regulatory compliance, excellent customer service, and transparent operations make it a trustworthy choice. For those prioritizing security and ease of use, Bitbuy is definitely worth considering.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

Xavier Tarrasó

As an expert reviewer on our website, I highly recommend VALR for anyone entering the cryptocurrency market in South Africa. The platform’s wide array of cryptocurrencies paired with some of the most competitive fees in the market makes it a top choice. However, if you’re trading from outside of South Africa or require swift customer support, you might want to consider these aspects before deciding.

View all comparisons against Bitbuy

View all comparisons against Valr

How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

More comparatives Bitbuy and Valr