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Bitcoin (BTC) is the world's first and largest cryptocurrency, designed to function as a decentralized digital currency that operates without the control of any bank, government, or central authority.
This coin is available on Newton.
Created in 2008, it enables direct peer-to-peer transactions across the globe through a network of computers that maintain its operations via a digital ledger called the blockchain. With a fixed supply of 21 million coins, Bitcoin’s scarcity and open-access design make it both a store of value and a global payment system that anyone can use without intermediaries. Each Bitcoin is divisible into 100 million smaller units called satoshis, enabling precise transactions.
Its market cap now exceeds CAD 1 trillion, making it the largest cryptocurrency globally.
Bitcoin operates through a careful blend of cryptography, peer-to-peer networking, and incentives that encourage honest participation. Here's how it functions:
Bitcoin operates through a decentralized network of computers that maintain a shared public ledger called the blockchain. When someone initiates a Bitcoin transaction, they use their private key (a secure password) to create a digital signature authorizing the transfer. This transaction is broadcast to a vast network of computers (nodes) running the Bitcoin software. Each node independently verifies the transaction by checking if the sender has enough Bitcoin and ensuring the digital signature is valid.
Specialized participants called “miners” then gather pending transactions into blocks. Through a process called “Proof of Work,” miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles. Roughly every 10 minutes, one miner wins this competition, adds their block of valid transactions to the blockchain and receives a reward (halved every four years, with the latest halving in April 2024 reducing the reward to 3.125 BTC per block). This mining process both issues new bitcoins and protects the network from fraud by making it extremely difficult to rewrite historical data.
The blockchain is a public ledger that records every Bitcoin transaction ever made. Each new block is cryptographically linked to the previous one, creating a secure, unalterable chain. This structure makes it virtually impossible to alter past transactions because changing one block would require changing all subsequent blocks – a task that would need more computing power than the entire network combined.
Bitcoin achieves trustless consensus through its network of nodes. Each node maintains a complete copy of the blockchain and follows the same rules to verify transactions and blocks. When a new block is added, all nodes check it against these rules. If the block is valid, nodes add it to their copy of the blockchain. If not, they reject it. This decentralized verification system ensures that no single entity can control or manipulate the network.
Bitcoin users interact with the network through wallets, which don't actually store Bitcoin but rather the private keys that prove ownership of specific coins on the blockchain. Each wallet has a public address for receiving Bitcoin and a private key (like a password) for sending Bitcoin. The public address is derived from the public key through a one-way cryptographic function, ensuring that even if someone knows your public address, they cannot reverse-engineer your private key.
The Bitcoin protocol is designed with a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins, with new coins being created through mining rewards that halve every 210,000 blocks (approximately every four years). This programmed scarcity, combined with the predictable issuance schedule, makes Bitcoin's monetary policy transparent and unchangeable, contrasting sharply with traditional fiat currency that can be printed at will by central banks.
Yes, you can legally buy, hold, and sell Bitcoin (BTC) in Canada through crypto platforms like Newton.
Disclaimer: It is important to DYOR (Do Your Own Research) before investing in any asset, particularly speculative cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC). Be cautious of becoming “exit liquidity” for early investors, influencers, or professional traders who often buy early, promote the project, and sell when public interest peaks. Investing in any asset carries significant risk, and the cryptocurrency market is no exception. Only invest funds you can afford to lose entirely.
Bitcoin has shown significant growth over the years but is also known for its volatility. Whether it's a good investment depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategy.
You can buy as many Bitcoin (BTC) as your available CAD balance allows. There’s no maximum limit. You can start with as little as $10 CAD, the minimum deposit amount.
Bitcoin (BTC) trading fees are included in the transaction total and displayed before you confirm each trade. Please visit Newton's Fees page for the latest and most accurate fee information.
People buy Bitcoin (BTC) for various reasons, including trading and investing to capitalize on price movements and diversify their portfolios. It serves as a peer-to-peer payment method, enabling direct transactions without intermediaries. BTC can also be used for online and in-person purchases from merchants accepting Bitcoin. As a remittance solution, it allows for fast and cost-effective cross-border transfers. Many consider BTC a store of value, hedging against inflation or as a digital alternative to gold. Additionally, Bitcoin plays a role in decentralized finance (DeFi), where it can be used as collateral or wrapped on other blockchains for lending, borrowing, and other financial applications.
Bitcoin emerged during a pivotal moment in financial history (2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis).
On October 31, 2008, an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin whitepaper (Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System), just after the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and subsequent $700 billion bank bailout. This whitepaper outlined the principles of a decentralized digital currency that could operate without the need for trusted third parties.
The Bitcoin network launched on January 3, 2009, with Nakamoto mining the first block (Genesis Block), which contained a Times newspaper headline about bank bailouts—a clear statement about Bitcoin's purpose as an alternative to traditional banking.
Satoshi collaborated with other developers until mid-2010 before stepping away completely in 2011. Bitcoin was the culmination of decades of cryptographic advancement, building on earlier projects like B-money, Bit Gold, and HashCash, and has since inspired the creation of thousands of other cryptocurrencies. Major milestones include the first real-world transaction in May 2010, when Laszlo Hanyecz purchased two pizzas for 10,000 BTC, and the subsequent rise in value that saw Bitcoin reach new heights.
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is a separate cryptocurrency that was created from a hard fork of Bitcoin in 2017. It was developed to allow more transactions in a single block, increasing transaction speed. Bitcoin (BTC) remains the original cryptocurrency.
Please refer to Newton's Fees page for the most current information on Bitcoin (BTC) fees.
Bitcoin can be used to purchase a variety of goods and services, both online and in-person. Many merchants, retailers, and service providers worldwide accept BTC for payments, including digital products and gift cards, travel bookings, and even real estate.
Hold BTC as a hedge against inflation or as a digital alternative to assets like gold.
Send money across borders quickly and cost-effectively, bypassing traditional financial systems.
Buy products and services from the growing network of Bitcoin-accepting merchants, ranging from major online retailers to local shops and restaurants.
Buy, sell, or hold Bitcoin (BTC) to potentially benefit from price movements and diversify your portfolio.
Use Bitcoin as collateral or wrap it on other blockchains to access lending, borrowing, and other DeFi opportunities.
Use BTC to send and receive value directly between individuals, without intermediaries or banks, anywhere in the world.
*Newton does not currently support staking, governance, interest-earning, or other utility functions, where applicable, for this asset.
These involve person-to-person trades where you buy Bitcoin (BTC) directly from another individual, often through peer-to-peer platforms or local community networks. While possible, this method often carries security and trust challenges.
These include centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and other intermediaries or platforms designed for buying Bitcoin (BTC). Many individuals prefer to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) through a regulated cryptocurrency platform like Newton, which offers an easy experience with secure transactions and compliance with Canadian regulations.
Trading fees are included in the transaction total and displayed before you finalize your trade, so you always know what you’ll pay. For the most current information on Bitcoin fees, please visit Newton’s Fees page.
Newton prioritizes user security with new device registration, login history monitoring, anti-phishing protection, multi-factor authentication, and institutional-grade custody, storing most assets in insured cold storage.
Newton makes it affordable to buy and sell Bitcoin, with a 1.00% - 1.15% fee. For more information about fees, see our Prices page. Newton covers up to $5 of network fees on your first daily withdrawal. For additional withdrawals, or if network fees exceed $5, the estimated network fee is confirmed prior to withdrawal.
Newton’s intuitive app and web platform let you trade BTC effortlessly on any device. Available on web, iOS, and Android devices.
Registered with the OSC and compliant with Canadian Securities Administrators(CSA) regulations.
As a Canadian-based platform, Newton provides a secure and reliable environment for Canadians to trade BTC and other cryptocurrencies. Newton’s emphasis on security and ease of use makes it a trusted platform for cryptocurrency trading in Canada.
Visit Newton's signup page or download the app (available on iOS and Android) to create your account. Complete the quick and secure verification process using your government-issued ID to unlock full access to the platform.
Deposit funds into your Newton account using one of the following methods:
Interac e-Transfer: A fast and convenient way to fund your account, with deposits typically processed instantly or within 2 hours.
Wire Transfer: Suitable for larger transactions. Wire transfers may take up to 3 business days to process.
Once your funds are deposited, you can start trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Navigate to the trading section to begin.
Choose Bitcoin from the list of available cryptocurrencies.
Enter how much Bitcoin you want to purchase in either Canadian dollars (CAD) or BTC amount. You'll see all fees and the exchange rate before confirming your trade.
Confirm your trade details to complete the transaction. Bitcoin will appear in your Newton account shortly after.
You can also transfer your Bitcoin (BTC) tokens to an external wallet. These include hardware wallets, which are physical devices that store your Bitcoin (BTC) offline, and software wallets, which are digital applications(desktop, mobile, or web-based applications) for storing and managing your Bitcoin (BTC).
Newton provides secure, institutional-grade custody for your Bitcoin (BTC). Most assets are stored offline in cold storage to protect against potential risks and are insured for added protection. You can easily access your Bitcoin (BTC) coins for trading or selling whenever you choose.
Your security is important. Newton is committed to being a leader in compliance, security, and technical protocols.
For additional information and to review the risks associated with Bitcoin, please see our Asset Statement.
