Newton vs Shakepay: Which Canadian Crypto Exchange Has Lower Fees in 2026?
Compare Newton and Shakepay fees, spreads, and features. See the real cost difference and find out which app saves you more money based on how you trade.
Newton and Shakepay have similar trading costs for Bitcoin and Ethereum, both charging roughly 1% in spread fees. The real differences are in coin selection (Newton has 70+, Shakepay has 3), withdrawal fees (Shakepay covers all gas, Newton covers $5), and rewards (Shakepay has daily free Bitcoin, Newton has a $25 sign-up bonus).
This guide breaks down the actual costs, features, and trade-offs so you can pick the right app for how you use crypto.
What’s the real fee difference between Newton and Shakepay?
Both platforms charge around 1% for Bitcoin trades, though fees vary by market conditions.12 Neither charges a commission fee - both make money on the spread (the difference between buy and sell prices).
Newton’s fee structure (by asset tier):1
- Tier 1 (BTC, ETH, USDC): 1.00%-1.15%
- Tier 2 (LTC, SOL, XLM): 1.25%-1.45%
- Tier 3 (all other coins): 1.50%-1.60%
Shakepay’s fee structure:2
- All assets: 0.5%-2.0% (typically around 1% for BTC)
Here’s what that looks like on actual purchases:
| Purchase Amount | Newton Cost (~1.1% for BTC) | Shakepay Cost (~1% for BTC) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $1.10 | $1.00 | $0.10 |
| $500 | $5.50 | $5.00 | $0.50 |
| $1,000 | $11.00 | $10.00 | $1.00 |
| $5,000 | $55.00 | $50.00 | $5.00 |
The bottom line: For Bitcoin and Ethereum purchases, Shakepay is marginally cheaper. For altcoins, Newton is your only option since Shakepay doesn’t support them.
Where Newton wins: Coin selection
Newton offers 70+ cryptocurrencies. Shakepay offers 3 (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC).34
If you want to buy Solana, XRP, Cardano, Polkadot, Avalanche, or any altcoin, Newton is your only choice between these two platforms.
| Category | Newton | Shakepay |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | Yes | Yes |
| Ethereum | Yes | Yes |
| USDC | Yes | Yes |
| Solana | Yes | No |
| XRP | Yes | No |
| Cardano | Yes | No |
| Meme coins (DOGE, SHIB) | Yes | No |
| Total coins | 70+ | 3 |
This is Newton’s biggest advantage. If you’re only interested in BTC and ETH, both platforms work equally well. But if you want any diversification into altcoins, Shakepay isn’t an option.
Where Shakepay wins: Free withdrawals and Shaking Sats
Shakepay covers 100% of network fees for all crypto withdrawals. Newton covers only the first $5 per day.56
During high network congestion, Bitcoin and Ethereum withdrawal fees can spike to $20-$50. Shakepay absorbs this entirely. On Newton, you’d pay anything above the $5 daily cap.
Real scenario: Withdrawing $500 in ETH during high gas
| Cost | Newton | Shakepay |
|---|---|---|
| Trading fee (~1%) | $5.50 | $5.00 |
| Withdrawal (gas at $20) | $15.00 ($20 - $5 covered) | $0 |
| Total cost | $20.50 | $5.00 |
When Ethereum gas is high, Shakepay wins decisively on withdrawals. When gas is low (under $5), Newton’s coverage handles it.
The High-Gas Reality
I timed a $1,000 ETH withdrawal during last year’s NFT boom when gas was spiking. Shakepay: $0. Newton would have cost me $35 (the $40 gas fee minus $5 covered). If you’re regularly moving crypto to cold storage or DeFi, Shakepay’s free withdrawals can save you hundreds annually.
| Withdrawal Feature | Newton | Shakepay |
|---|---|---|
| Network fee coverage | First $5/day | 100% covered |
| Speed options | Standard only | Standard (free) or Fast (pay fee) |
| Best for | Infrequent withdrawals | Frequent withdrawals |
Shaking Sats: Shakepay also lets you earn free Bitcoin daily by shaking your phone.7 Amounts are small ($0.05-$0.50/day depending on your streak), but it adds up if you’re consistent. Newton has no equivalent feature.
Is Shaking Sats worth it? If you shake daily and build a 200+ day streak, you could earn $100-$150/year in free Bitcoin. But miss a day and your streak resets to lower rewards. For casual users who forget to shake, annual earnings might only be $20-$40.
Tip: If you regularly withdraw crypto to a hardware wallet or DeFi protocols, Shakepay’s free withdrawals can save you significant money over time.
How do the sign-up bonuses compare?
Newton offers $25 when you trade $100. Shakepay offers $30 when you buy $100 in crypto.89
| Bonus Feature | Newton | Shakepay |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up bonus | $25 | $30 |
| Requirement | Trade $100 within 90 days | Buy $100 in crypto |
| Ongoing rewards | Referral bonuses only | Shaking Sats daily |
| Retroactive code | Yes (7 days) | Yes |
Both bonuses are solid. Shakepay’s is slightly higher, and their ongoing Shaking Sats rewards can accumulate over time. Newton’s advantage is the broader coin selection once you’re past the sign-up bonus.
The Fee Rebate perspective: Think of Newton’s $25 bonus as a fee rebate. At Newton’s ~1.1% trading fee, $25 covers roughly $2,300 worth of trades. That’s essentially free trading for months if you’re buying $200-500 at a time.
Want to try Shakepay too? Get $20 free when you sign up and buy $100 in crypto: shakepay.me/r/059XIVK (or use code 059XIVK at shakepay.com/add-referral)
Can you earn staking rewards?
Newton offers staking for ETH, SOL, ADA, and DOT. Shakepay doesn’t offer staking.10
If you want to earn passive yield on your crypto holdings, Newton is your only option between these two.
Newton’s staking rates (approximate, subject to change):
- ETH: ~3-4% APY
- SOL: ~5-6% APY
- ADA: ~3-4% APY
- DOT: ~10-12% APY
Newton charges a 15% fee on ETH staking rewards.1 This is lower than Wealthsimple’s 30% cut but higher than some dedicated staking platforms.
Is Newton or Shakepay safer?
Both platforms are registered with Canadian regulators and use institutional-grade custody.1112 Neither has suffered a security breach.
| Security Feature | Newton | Shakepay |
|---|---|---|
| FINTRAC registered | Yes | Yes |
| Provincial securities registration | OSC (Restricted Dealer) | AMF, OSC |
| Cold storage custody | Coinbase Custody | BitGo |
| Insurance | Via custodian | Via custodian |
| 2FA available | Yes | Yes |
Both are safe choices for Canadian investors. Shakepay has been around slightly longer (2015 vs 2018), but Newton’s Coinbase Custody partnership is a strong trust signal.
Which platform has faster deposits?
Both support Interac e-Transfer with similar speeds, typically 5-30 minutes.13 Deposit experience depends more on your bank than the platform.
Some banks (especially Desjardins in Quebec) occasionally block transfers to crypto platforms. Both Newton and Shakepay have similar workarounds involving whitelisting or calling your bank.
Newton also supports wire transfers for amounts over $10,000, which Shakepay doesn’t offer. If you’re moving larger amounts, this can be useful.
Newton vs Shakepay: Which should you choose?
Choose Newton if you:
- Want to buy altcoins (SOL, XRP, ADA, DOT, etc.)
- Want staking rewards
- Make infrequent withdrawals (Newton’s $5 coverage is enough)
- Prefer a one-time bonus over daily rewards
Choose Shakepay if you:
- Only buy Bitcoin and Ethereum
- Withdraw crypto frequently (free gas fees)
- Want free daily Bitcoin (Shaking Sats)
- Prefer a slightly higher sign-up bonus ($30 vs $25)
Use both if you:
- Want free daily sats AND altcoin access
- Use Shakepay for BTC/ETH purchases and withdrawals
- Use Newton for altcoins and staking
Many Canadian crypto users run both apps. They’re not mutually exclusive, and using both lets you take advantage of each platform’s strengths.
My Two-App Setup
My personal setup: I use Shakepay for Bitcoin DCA and shaking sats (I’m at a 400+ day streak). I use Newton for altcoins and staking. When I want to move BTC to cold storage, I buy on Shakepay and withdraw for free. This hybrid approach gives me the best of both platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newton cheaper than Shakepay?
For Bitcoin and Ethereum, they’re roughly the same (both ~1% in fees). Newton’s advantage is offering 70+ altcoins that Shakepay doesn’t support. Shakepay’s advantage is free crypto withdrawals.
Does Newton have Shaking Sats?
No, Newton doesn’t have a daily rewards feature. Newton offers a $25 sign-up bonus and referral bonuses, but no equivalent to Shakepay’s free daily Bitcoin.
Can I transfer crypto from Shakepay to Newton?
Yes. You can withdraw Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDC from Shakepay (free) and deposit it to your Newton wallet. This is useful if you want to swap into altcoins that Shakepay doesn’t offer.
Which app is better for beginners?
Shakepay is simpler with only 3 coins and the gamified shaking feature. Newton has more options and a slightly steeper learning curve. Both are beginner-friendly compared to advanced exchanges like NDAX or Kraken.
Do Newton and Shakepay report to the CRA?
Both platforms comply with Canadian tax laws. You should track your trades for tax purposes regardless of platform. Newton offers CSV exports compatible with Koinly and other tax software.
Can I use both Newton and Shakepay?
Yes, many Canadians do. A common strategy: use Shakepay for BTC/ETH and free withdrawals, use Newton for altcoins and staking.
Related Pages
- Newton vs Wealthsimple: Fee Comparison
- Newton vs Bitbuy: Fee Comparison
- Newton vs NDAX: Fee Comparison
- Is Newton Safe?
- Newton Referral Code 2026
Footnotes
Newton trading fees by asset tier. What are Newton’s Fees?. ↩ ↩2 ↩3
Shakepay spread fees range from 0.5% to 2.0% depending on market conditions. How does Shakepay make money?. ↩ ↩2
Newton supports 70+ cryptocurrencies. Newton Prices. ↩
Newton covers first $5 of daily network fees. Newton Fees. ↩
Shakepay covers network fees for withdrawals. Shakepay Fees. ↩
Shakepay Shaking Sats rewards. Shaking Sats. ↩
Newton referral bonus: $25 for both parties after $100 trade. Newton Referrals. ↩
Newton staking options. Newton Staking. ↩
Newton regulatory status: FINTRAC MSB, OSC Restricted Dealer. Newton FAQ. ↩
Shakepay regulatory status: FINTRAC #M17065696, AMF #904007. Shakepay. ↩
Both platforms support Interac e-Transfer deposits. ↩
About the Author
Alex Vance — Crypto Contributor
Alex helps Canadians discover the benefits of trading cryptocurrency with Newton. With a focus on accurate, up-to-date information about referral bonuses and crypto tips, Alex is committed to helping readers make informed decisions on their crypto journey.