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How To Buy Crypto in Your TFSA in Canada 2023

Looking to invest in cryptocurrencies with your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)? This guide covers how to buy and hold crypto coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum in a TFSA without running afoul of Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) rules.

When investing using a non-registered account (personal or corporate), realized capital gains are taxed in the year they are earned.

However, with registered investment accounts like the TFSA or RRSP, there are tax advantages.

With the TFSA in particular, capital gains, dividends, and other income are tax-free, making this account potentially suitable for keeping crypto profits away from the taxman.

Whether you should invest in crypto at all is a topic for another day. If you can stomach the volatility this asset class posses, a TFSA can help.

How To Invest in Crypto Using A TFSA

Cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are not “qualified investments” as defined under the CRA’s Income Tax Act.

This means that if you buy a crypto asset like Bitcoin or Ethereum and hold it directly in a TFSA, you will be levied a hefty penalty tax.

So, can you buy cryptocurrency in a TFSA? The answer is yes. You can hold digital currencies in a TFSA if they have been packaged as “qualified investments.”

Acceptable crypto investments in a TFSA include:

Top Crypto ETFs For TFSA Investments

While there are well over 20,000 cryptocurrencies as of 2023, only two of them (Bitcoin and Ethereum) are packaged as securities and listed on Canadian Exchanges like the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

Bitcoin ETFs For TFSAs

Some Canadian Bitcoin ETFs you can hold in a TFSA include:

Bitcoin ETFTickerMER1-Year return*
Purpose Bitcoin ETFBTCC1.50% (max)-38.99%
Evolve Bitcoin ETFEBIT1.82%-39.11%
CI Galaxy Bitcoin ETFBTCX0.85%-39.30%
Fidelity Advantage Bitcoin ETFFBTC0.96%Not available
3iQ CoinShares Bitcoin ETFBTCQ1.25% (max)-40%
Ninepoint Bitcoin ETFBITC1.45% (max)-39.91%

* Performance data as of August 2022.

Ethereum ETFs For TFSAs

Some of the best Ethereum ETFs you can hold in a TFSA include:

Ethereum ETFTickerMER1-Year Return*
Purpose Ether ETFETHH1.50% (max)-29.28%
Evolve Ether ETFETHR0.75%Not available
CI Galaxy Ether ETFETHX0.74%-26.70%
3iQ CoinShares ETFETHQ1.25% (max)-28%

* Performance data of August 2022.

Crypto ETFs For TFSAs

There are a few ETFs that invest in both Bitcoin and Ethereum. They include:

Crypto ETFTickerMER1-Year Return*
Evolve Cryptocurrencies ETFETC1.68%Not available
CI Galaxy Multi-Crypto ETFCMCXNot availableNot available

* Returns data won’t be available until after 1 year.

Crypto Stocks For TFSA Investments

Instead of buying crypto ETFs, you can also gain exposure to cryptocurrency in your TFSA by investing in crypto stocks i.e. companies that mine crypto or operate in the blockchain sector.

Crypto stocks trading on the TSX, Canadian Venture Exchange (CVE), NASDAQ, and Canadian National Stock Exchange (CNSX) include:

  • Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)
  • Hut 8 Mining Corp (HUT)
  • HIVE Blockchain Technologies (HIVE)
  • Bitfarms (BITF)
  • BIGG Digital Assets (BIGG)
  • Banxa Holdings (BXNA)
  • Coinbase (NASDAQ)
  • Riot Blockchain (RIOT)
  • Digihost Technologies (DGHI)

How To Buy Crypto in a TFSA

You can buy crypto ETFs and stocks using a stock trading app like Wealthsimple Trade or Questrade. Both platforms support TFSA accounts.

Questrade

Crypto ETF purchases are free on Questrade, the best brokerage platform in Canada. Trading commissions apply when you sell ETFs or buy/sell crypto stocks.

Questrade

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Trade stocks, ETFs, options, etc.

Low and competitive trading fees

Top platform for advanced traders

Get $50 trade credit with $1,000 funding

Wealthsimple Trade

There are no trading fees when you buy or sell crypto ETFs and stocks for your TFSA on Wealthsimple Trade.

If the asset is U.S. listed, currency exchange fees may apply if you do not have an active Trade Plus Subscription, which costs $10 monthly.

Wealthsimple Trade

wealthsimple logo

Trade stocks and ETFs for free

Best trading platform for beginners

Deposit $200+ to get a $25 cash bonus

Transfer fees waived up to $150

Pros and Cons of Crypto in a TFSA

There are advantages and disadvantages of holding cryptocurrency in your TFSA.

Pros:

  • Investment profit is tax-free for life
  • Crypto ETFs can be easier to purchase and manage than digital currencies
  • Crypto stocks and ETFs are purchased using CIPF-member brokerage platforms that are insured against insolvency
  • There is no need to buy a crypto wallet or manage your private keys
  • Offer portfolio diversification

Cons:

  • Losses are not tax deductible
  • Management fees can be high
  • Cryptocurrency is a volatile asset
  • Only a few crypto coins are packaged as ETFs

FAQs

What is the best crypto exchange in Canada?

The top crypto exchange in Canada is CoinSmart. It offers a $50 bonus when you sign up and deposit $200 or more.

Does Wealthsimple Crypto have a TFSA?

No, Wealthsimple Crypto does not offer a TFSA account, and you can only buy coins in your personal non-registered account.

Does Coinbase have a TFSA account?

Coinbase does not offer TFSAs in Canada.

What are the best ways to invest in crypto using a TFSA?

You can hold crypto in a TFSA by investing in crypto ETFs and crypto stocks.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency is a volatile and speculative investment. If you decide to invest, we recommend you do your own research and only commit funds you can afford to lose. The author may own one or more of the crypto assets mentioned in this article.

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Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert and a veterinarian. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. He also has an MSc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has been writing about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in The Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, Wealthsimple, CBC News, Financial Post, Toronto Star, CTV News, Canadian Securities Exchange, Credit Canada, National Post, and many other personal finance publications. You can learn more about him on the About Page.

His top investment tools include Wealthsimple and Questrade. He earns cash back on purchases using KOHO, monitors his credit score for free using Borrowell, and earns interest on savings through EQ Bank.

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