Wealthsimple – Frequently Asked Questions
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General
Is Wealthsimple safe?
Yes. Wealthsimple is regulated in Canada, is a CIRO member, and uses bank-level encryption. Your accounts are protected by CIPF up to $1 million per account type (for Trade/Invest) and CDIC for Cash/Save. Wealthsimple has a strong track record of security and compliance.
How much do I need to start?
There is no account minimum. You can start investing with any amount.
What types of accounts does Wealthsimple offer?
Wealthsimple offers RRSP, TFSA, RESP, non-registered, USD savings, and more. They also offer crypto trading, managed portfolios, and tax filing.
How do I contact Wealthsimple support?
You can contact Wealthsimple support via in-app chat, email, or phone (for some products and tiers). Support is available 7 days a week for most inquiries. Premium and Generation clients receive priority service.
Can I access Wealthsimple on both web and mobile?
Yes. Wealthsimple is available on iOS, Android, and web. You can manage your accounts, make trades, and access support from any device.
Wealthsimple Trade
What is Wealthsimple Trade?
Wealthsimple Trade is Canada's first commission-free stock and ETF trading platform. It allows you to buy and sell thousands of stocks and ETFs on Canadian and U.S. exchanges with no trading commissions, via mobile or web.
Are there any fees for trading?
There are no commissions for stock or ETF trades. U.S. trades incur a 1.5% FX fee unless you have a USD account (free for Premium, or $10/month for Plus). Options trading has a per-contract fee. No annual or inactivity fees.
Does Wealthsimple Trade support fractional shares?
Yes, you can buy fractional shares of over 500 popular stocks and ETFs, starting from as little as $1.
Is my money protected in Wealthsimple Trade?
Yes. Trade accounts are protected by CIPF up to $1 million per account type in case of broker insolvency. Cash in Trade is not CDIC-insured but is covered by CIPF.
How do I deposit or withdraw money from Trade?
You can deposit or withdraw funds via linked Canadian bank accounts. Deposits are typically instant up to your limit; withdrawals may take 1-3 business days. Instant withdrawals to Visa Debit are available for a fee.
Can I transfer my investments from another brokerage to Wealthsimple Trade?
Yes. You can transfer assets from another Canadian brokerage to Wealthsimple Trade using the electronic ACATS process. Wealthsimple often reimburses transfer fees for qualifying amounts.
Does Wealthsimple Trade provide tax documents?
Yes. Annual tax documents (T3, T5, T5008, etc.) are provided in-app and can be imported into Wealthsimple Tax or downloaded for filing.
Wealthsimple Invest
What is Wealthsimple Invest?
Wealthsimple Invest is a robo-advisor that builds and manages a diversified ETF portfolio for you, based on your goals and risk tolerance. It offers automatic rebalancing, dividend reinvestment, and goal tracking.
What are the fees for Wealthsimple Invest?
Management fees are 0.5% for Core (<$100k), 0.4% for Premium (≥$100k), and as low as 0.2% for Generation (≥$500k). ETF MERs are extra (~0.15–0.25%). No account or withdrawal fees.
Are my investments safe with Wealthsimple Invest?
Yes. Invest accounts are protected by CIPF up to $1 million per account type. Cash in registered accounts is also CDIC-insured up to $100k per bank.
Can I set up automatic deposits to my Invest account?
Yes. You can schedule automatic deposits (weekly, biweekly, monthly) to your Invest account, making it easy to build your portfolio over time.
Can I change my portfolio risk level or investment goals?
Yes. You can adjust your risk level or switch to a Socially Responsible or Halal portfolio at any time. Wealthsimple will automatically rebalance your portfolio accordingly.
How do I withdraw money from Wealthsimple Invest?
You can withdraw funds at any time. Withdrawals are processed after selling the necessary investments and typically take 1-3 business days to reach your bank account.
Wealthsimple Crypto
What is Wealthsimple Crypto?
Wealthsimple Crypto lets you buy, sell, and hold 90+ cryptocurrencies in a regulated, secure environment. Crypto is held in cold storage with insured custodians. You can also withdraw supported coins to your own wallet.
Are there fees for trading crypto?
Wealthsimple Crypto charges a spread (about 2% for Core, 1% for Premium, 0.5% for Generation) on trades. No deposit or withdrawal fees. Staking rewards are available for select coins, with a fee on rewards.
Is my crypto protected?
Crypto is held in cold storage with regulated custodians and insurance. However, crypto is not CIPF or CDIC insured. Wealthsimple uses strong security and 2FA to protect your account.
Can I withdraw crypto to my own wallet?
Yes. You can withdraw supported cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others) to your own wallet. Not all coins are eligible for withdrawal; check the app for supported assets.
Does Wealthsimple Crypto support staking?
Yes. You can stake select cryptocurrencies (ETH, SOL, ADA, DOT) and earn rewards. Wealthsimple takes a percentage of staking rewards as a fee.
Are there limits on crypto trading or transfers?
Yes. There may be annual buy limits for certain altcoins (excluding BTC/ETH) for non-accredited investors, as required by Canadian regulations. See the app for your specific limits.
Wealthsimple Cash
What is Wealthsimple Cash?
Wealthsimple Cash is a no-fee chequing and high-interest savings account with a prepaid Mastercard. Earn 1.75–2.75% interest, get 1% cashback, and enjoy unlimited free e-Transfers and bill payments. Funds are CDIC-insured up to $1M.
Are there any fees for Wealthsimple Cash?
No monthly fees, no e-Transfer or bill payment fees, no FX surcharge, and no ATM fees from Wealthsimple. Some third-party ATM operators may charge a fee.
Is my money safe in Wealthsimple Cash?
Yes. Cash balances are held in trust at multiple CDIC member banks, providing up to $1M in deposit insurance coverage per person.
How do I send or receive Interac e-Transfers?
You can send and receive Interac e-Transfers directly from the Wealthsimple Cash app. There are no fees, and transfers are typically instant or within minutes.
Can I use Wealthsimple Cash for bill payments and direct deposit?
Yes. You can pay bills and set up direct deposit (including payroll and government payments) into your Wealthsimple Cash account.
Does Wealthsimple Cash offer joint accounts?
Yes. You can open a joint Wealthsimple Cash account and both account holders will have full access and their own cards.
Wealthsimple Tax
What is Wealthsimple Tax?
Wealthsimple Tax is an online tax filing software for Canadians. File your taxes for free (pay what you want), with support for all income types, deductions, and credits. NETFILE-certified and easy to use.
How much does Wealthsimple Tax cost?
Basic plan is pay-what-you-want (including $0). Plus ($40) adds audit defense and priority support. Pro ($80) includes a session with a tax expert. All plans support full tax filing features.
Is Wealthsimple Tax safe and accurate?
Yes. Wealthsimple Tax is CRA NETFILE-certified, uses bank-level encryption, and guarantees maximum refund and calculation accuracy. Your data is stored securely in Canada.
Can I import my tax slips automatically?
Yes. Wealthsimple Tax supports CRA's Auto-fill My Return, allowing you to import T4, T5, RRSP, and other slips directly from the CRA into your return.
Can I file for my spouse or family members?
Yes. You can file up to 2 returns on Basic, 8 on Plus, and 20 on Pro. The software optimizes credits and deductions between spouses automatically.
Is Wealthsimple Tax available in French and for Quebec returns?
Yes. Wealthsimple Tax supports both English and French, and can file both federal and Quebec provincial returns (except Pro plan, which is English-only for expert help).