How to Export Bitbuy Transaction History for Canadian Taxes
A step-by-step guide to generating API keys and exporting CSV files from Bitbuy.ca for CRA tax reporting.
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Method 1: API (Auto-Sync)
The most accurate method that automatically syncs your Bitbuy trade history with tax software, preventing manual file errors.
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Method 2: CSV Export
A manual backup method requiring you to download trade, deposit, and withdrawal history files separately for upload.
Getting API access / keys
Some sources which work with Bitbuy mention that it’s necessary to request access by sending an email to [email protected], referring to a section in the documentation for Passiv, which is a part of Bitbuy.
Once enabled, you can normally create API keys through your Bitbuy account navigation (Profile picture → API Keys → Create API Key), and you should store your secret shortly since it will not be repeated.
Introduction to managing your crypto assets with low fees on Bitbuy Canada, ensuring you have access to a live order book.
Let’s be honest, nobody enjoys tax season, especially when it involves cryptocurrency marketplace transactions. If you have been trading on platform, you are likely looking at a screen full of transactions wondering how to turn that data into something the Canada Revenue Agency will accept for your proof of reserves. You are not alone. Cryptocurrency taxes in Canada can feel complicated, especially when you are dealing with hundreds or thousands of trades.
The good news is that getting your data out of Bitbuy is actually straightforward once you know where to look on bitbuy.ca. The platform has improved significantly over the years, making it easier to retrieve your transaction history. However, simply downloading the file is not enough. You need to understand what that data means and how to handle it so you don’t overpay or trigger an audit during tax season for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
This guide is designed to be the only resource you need. We are going to walk through exactly how to pull your data using the API key method, which is generally the best way to go for platform and earn, and the manual CSV method for those who prefer spreadsheets. We will also cover the specific Canadian tax rules that apply to your Bitbuy trades, like Adjusted Cost Base, which often trips people up.
Does Bitbuy Report to the CRA?
This is the most common question crypto investors ask. The short answer is yes. Bitbuy is a registered marketplace in Canada and is fully compliant with FINTRAC regulations for cryptocurrency exchanges. They take compliance seriously, which is why you had to go through that rigorous identity verification process when you signed up.
Because they are a compliant Canadian exchange in Canada, they may be required to share user data with the CRA. In recent years, the CRA has successfully used court orders to obtain customer data from various exchanges to check for non-compliance. It is safer to assume the CRA already knows you have an account.
You might see a form called the T5008 (Statement of Securities Transactions) in your CRA My Account for transactions involving cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin. Some Canadian crypto exchanges issue these, and Bitbuy has indicated in the past that they may provide them, making it easier to track your MKR transactions. However, you should be very careful with the T5008 for crypto.
The T5008 usually shows the proceeds of disposition (what you sold it for) but often leaves the cost basis (what you paid for it) blank or incorrect. If you file your taxes based solely on a T5008 that shows zero cost, the CRA will think 100% of your sale was pure profit, and you will pay way more tax than you owe. You need your own records to prove your costs when trading cryptocurrency like Ethereum or Litecoin.
Does Bitbuy report to the CRA?
Method 1: Connecting via API (The Easy Way)
Using an Application Programming Interface, or API, is usually the best route for managing your Ethereum transactions on a trading platform like Bitbuy app. It creates a bridge between your Bitbuy account and your tax software. This allows the software to pull in new trades automatically without you needing to download new files every week. It is safer and less prone to human error.
Here is how to set it up.
Step 1: Access Your Settings
Log in to your account on a desktop browser. While the mobile app is great for trading, the web interface is much better for managing backend settings like security keys. Once logged in, look for your profile icon in the top right corner. Click it and select your preferred cryptocurrencies. Settings from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Locate the Partner API Section
Scroll down or look through the menu tabs until you find the section labeled for low fees. Partner API or sometimes just API. Bitbuy updates their interface occasionally, but it is almost always nested under the main settings area.
Step 3: Generate a New Key
You will see a button that says Generate New Key. Click that. You might be asked to enter your 2FA code (the code from your Google Authenticator or Authy app) to verify it is really you.
Step 4: Configure Permissions (Important)
This is the most critical step for security in cold storage. You will see options for permissions related to your debit transactions. You must only select cryptocurrencies. Read or View permissions. Never, under any circumstances, check the box for “Trade,” “Withdraw,” or “Transfer” when creating a key for tax software related to your Bitcoin Cash holdings. Your tax calculator only needs to see what happened; it does not need the ability to move your money.
Step 5: Copy Your Secrets Immediately
Once the key is generated, Bitbuy will show you two strings of text: the API Key and the Private Key (sometimes called the Secret Key for accessing your cryptocurrency holdings, which is crucial for your custodian). You must copy these immediately to ensure liquidity in your trading records. For security reasons, Bitbuy will likely hide the Private Key forever once you navigate away from this page. If you lose it, you have to delete the key and start over. Paste these directly into your crypto apps in Canada tax software.
Method 2: Exporting Bitbuy CSV History
If you do not want to use an API, or if you want a hard copy backup of your data for your own records, the CSV (Comma Separated Values) export is the way to go. This file can be opened in Excel or Google Sheets.
Step 1: Navigate to History
Log in to your account on Bitbuy Canada and look for the trading interface. History or Activity tab in the main navigation bar. This serves as the central log for everything you have done on the platform.
Step 2: Select Your Report Type
Bitbuy usually separates different types of actions. You typically cannot get one single file for everything; you need to grab a few different ones to get the full picture. You will likely see options for:
- Trades: This covers your buying and selling.
- Deposits: This covers CAD or crypto coming into the account.
- Withdrawals: This covers assets leaving the account.
Step 3: Set Your Date Range
Click on Export to CSV. A calendar or date picker will appear. If this is your first time reporting, you should select “All Time” or start from the date you opened your account. If you filed last year, select the date range starting from January 1st to December 31st of the tax year you are working on.
Step 4: Download and Label
Click Download. The files will save to your computer for your Bitbuy’s records. I highly recommend renaming them immediately to something clear like “Bitbuy_Trades_2026.csv” and “Bitbuy_Deposits_2026.csv” to help organize your pro trade records. This organization saves you a massive headache later when you are trying to upload them to tax software and can’t remember which file is which.
Common Bitbuy Import Errors (Troubleshooting)
Even with a great exchange like Bitbuy, things can get messy. Data formats change, and sometimes the API misses a beat. Here are the most common issues users face and how to fix them.
The “Calculated Balance” Error
This is the classic crypto tax nightmare for Canadians using exchanges in Canada. You import your data, and the software says, “Warning: You sold 1.5 BTC but you only have 0.5 BTC in your wallet.” This is called a missing purchase history error.
This usually happens because a deposit was missed. Did you transfer BTC into Bitbuy from an external wallet, or did you buy Bitcoin Canada directly? If the software didn’t register that deposit, it thinks BTC appeared out of thin air. Check your “Deposits” CSV file. Ensure that every transfer into platform is accounted for.
Internal Transfers: Pro vs. Express
Bitbuy has offered different interfaces over the years, often distinguished as “Pro” (for advanced traders) and “Express” (for quick buys). Sometimes, moving funds between your Pro wallet and your Express wallet can look like a withdrawal and a deposit to a tax calculator.
These are not taxable events in the context of staking rewards on platforms like Solana or Polkadot. It is just you moving money from your left pocket to your right pocket. If your tax software treats these as taxable events, you need to manually tag them as “Internal Transfer” so you don’t trigger capital gains tax on them when using platform.
Missing Staking Rewards
If you utilize staking on Bitbuy, verify if these rewards are included in the standard Transaction History CSV from Bitbuy.ca. Sometimes, staking rewards on platforms like Chainlink are kept in a separate “Earnings” report. If you miss these, you are underreporting your income. Staking rewards are generally taxed as income based on their value at the time you received them, not as capital gains.
API Timeouts
Sometimes the API connection drops or fails to sync very old history (from 3+ years ago) on the blockchain. If you notice a gap in your data, you may need to use a hybrid approach. Use the API for recent data and manually upload a CSV for the older historical years to fill in the gaps.
Canadian Specifics: ACB vs. FIFO
This section is vital for Canadian residents. If you use generic international tax software, it might default to a calculation method called FIFO (First-In, First-Out), which may not be ideal for trading XRP or Polygon in the Canadian cryptocurrency trading landscape. This is the standard in the United States, but it is incorrect for Canada.
The Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) Rule
In Canada, the CRA requires you to use the Adjusted Cost Base method. This is essentially a weighted average cost.
Imagine you bought 1 BTC at $10,000, and later you bought another 1 BTC at $50,000 on a trading interface like Bitbuy Canada, which is often considered one of the best crypto platforms. You now have 2 BTC.
- FIFO (USA): If you sell 1 BTC, the taxman assumes you sold the first one (the $10k one). Your profit is huge.
- ACB (Canada): You average the cost. ($10k + $50k) / 2 = $30,000 per coin. If you sell 1 BTC, your cost basis is $30,000, which is essential for Canadians to report accurately.
As you can see, the method changes your tax bill drastically when accounting for Canadian dollars. When you set up your tax profile in Koinly, CoinTracker, or whatever tool you use to process your Bitbuy data, ensure the settings are toggled to “Canada (ACB)” and not “USA (FIFO).”
Superficial Loss Rule
Be careful about selling crypto at a loss just to lower your taxes, only to buy it back immediately on Coinsquare or any other platform with poor customer service. If you sell an asset at a loss and buy it back (or a person affiliated with you buys it back) within 30 days before or after the sale, the CRA denies that loss. This is called the Superficial Loss Rule. The loss isn’t gone forever; it gets added to the ACB of the repurchased items, but it won’t help you lower your tax bill this year.
Conclusion
Getting your Bitbuy tax reporting done correctly in Canada is largely about organization. The platform gives you the tools you need—robust APIs and detailed CSV exports—but it is up to you to ensure that data flows correctly into your tax forms.
Don’t wait until April 29th to start downloading these files, especially if you plan to buy Bitcoin Canada. APIs can hit rate limits, and finding a discrepancy in your 2021 history can take hours to investigate. Start early, double-check your method (ACB always for Canadians!), and if you are ever unsure, consult with a crypto-savvy accountant. The CRA is getting smarter about digital assets every year, and having a clean paper trail is your best defense.