Canada’s Best OTC Desk: EZO

In Canada and beyond, over-the-counter desks (OTC desks) offer private off-exchange crypto trading services. EZO takes this one step further—redefining what it means to trade OTC with a model built on transparency and accessibility.

EZO’s OTC desk came to be from observing the challenges unique to high-volume cryptocurrency trading in Canada: market volatility, liquidity constraints and the ever-present need for privacy and stringent regulatory requirements. 

What sets EZO apart? Unlike traditional desks that impose high entry thresholds and opaque fee structures, EZO offers a no-minimum trade requirement and a clear, rewarding pricing model—making high-quality crypto trading available to everyone, regardless of portfolio size. Our non-custodial OTC desk combines white-glove service with open access, ensuring that institutional-grade trading support is available without compromise.

At the core of EZO’s mission is a belief that financial empowerment shouldn’t be reserved for the few. Everyone deserves secure, professional-grade tools to navigate the crypto market.

In Sum

• OTC (over-the-counter) crypto desks provide private, off-exchange trading services, enabling large or discreet trades with enhanced privacy, price stability and personalized broker support compared to public exchanges.
• EZO redefines OTC crypto trading in Canada by removing minimum trade limits and offering transparent, no-spread fees, making high-quality trading accessible to all users.
• It operates on a non-custodial model, allowing clients to maintain full control of their assets while receiving premium, white-glove service.
• The platform supports buying, selling and swapping major cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH with integrated fiat on/off-ramp services and fast settlements.

What Is An OTC Desk?

An over-the-counter desk specializing in crypto works as a white-glove premium service, with experienced professionals handling the transaction on behalf of their clients. Buying from a traditional exchange is not suited to everyone—exchanges often impose limits on the amount it is possible to trade, whether daily or yearly. The exchange experience otherwise lacks privacy given that purchases and sales are typically publicly displayed on order books, which represent intentions to trade. This transparency can allow other traders to front-run or counter-trade large visible orders, potentially leading to unfavorable price movements for those placing them.

Additionally, new crypto investors are often confronted with the custodial vs non-custodial dilemma. They have to choose between the user-friendly interface of a custodial wallet as offered by a CEX and the full autonomy and independence over their holdings non-custodial wallets provide. Yet, the first is built upon the principle of custody, in which you entrust your keys to the centralized exchange, while the latter often requires a higher level of crypto expertise to efficiently navigate.

New crypto investors often also face the challenge of learning how to trade or convert between different digital assets, a process known as crypto-to-crypto swaps. These swaps allow users to exchange one cryptocurrency directly for another without first converting to fiat, using peer-to-peer decentralized exchanges (DEX). These decentralized platforms also tend to be more complex to navigate.

By contrast, simplicity is at the forefront of the over-the-counter trading experience. It can be especially advantageous for those who are ready to trade large sums or swap cryptocurrency with ease. On the other hand, it also suits beginners who need help but still want to stay in control of their private keys and crypto assets

What Are the Advantages of Crypto OTC Desks?

First, OTC desks offer the advantages of privacy and price stability, where large trades are kept confidential in private company order books, in effect preventing market speculation or price volatility. OTC desks enable predictive pricing for substantial trades which eliminates slippage risk.

Second, OTC desks provide as a core offering personalized customer service, with experienced brokers acting as an intermediary for your purchase or your sale.

What Are Current Shortfalls in the Crypto OTC Desk Market?

Currently, the Canadian crypto OTC desk market is plagued by a lack of pricing transparency. While the nature of blockchain makes it that every transaction, once completed, is  reflected upon public ledgers, much of on-exchange crypto transactions are run on order books which display buy and sell orders. This enables traders a look into market depth and running prices, but it also makes it that large-volume transactions are highly visible and subject to adverse market reactions as their intentions are revealed to the market.

As previously mentioned, OTC desks operate via private order books. This has the advantage of offering discreetness, but this gained privacy can also work against customers who remain unaware of hidden spreads—which refer to discrepancy between bid and ask prices. Some spread is unavoidable, reflecting the price of locking a rate in a highly volatile market, but some OTC desks take advantage of their own privacy to charge large spreads acting as hidden fees or even an undisclosed commission.

On the other hand, most OTC desks, like centralized exchanges, rely on a custodial model—which means that they hold private keys, and therefore, the cryptocurrency, on behalf of their clients. Entrusting crypto assets access to a third party leaves them vulnerable to mismanagement.

How Does EZO Distinguish Itself from Other OTC Desks?

EZO delivers a unified solution that overcomes the limitations of centralized and decentralized exchanges, as well as that of custodial OTC desks in order to enhance our customers’ overall crypto trading experience.

Our licensed Canadian OTC desk works on a non-custodial basis, offering our clients full autonomy over their cryptocurrency while ensuring security and promoting regulatory compliance. EZO is registered as a money services business with FINTRAC (#C100000157) and Revenu Québec (#18845). We additionally hold a registration as a payment service provider with the Bank of Canada.

At EZO, we combine user-friendly simplicity with complete client autonomy, empowering our customers to maintain full control over any digital assets acquired through our white-glove service. Unlike other Canadian OTC desks, we require no minimum trade amount—ensuring that every Canadian client receives premium, personalized service and guidance, regardless of transaction size. For our high-volume and returning clients, we offer a degressive fee structure that rewards loyalty by reducing fees as lifetime trading volume grows.

What Does EZO Do?

EZO offers a crypto OTC desk, allowing our clients to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, swap them for fiat currencies and vice versa, as well as swapping cryptocurrencies at the best rates with personalized service.

Through EZO’s OTC desk, our clients have plenty of options:

• Fiat On-Ramp Services: Deposit CAD or other supported fiat currencies directly into your EZO account to purchase bitcoin or ethereum, providing a seamless entry into the crypto market.
• Buy Bitcoin (BTC): Securely purchase bitcoin with competitive, market-rate pricing and transparent fee structures.
• Buy Ethereum (ETH): Acquire ethereum confidently with EZO’s OTC desk, designed to handle high-volume transactions with ease.
• Crypto-to-Crypto Swaps: Exchange bitcoin for ethereum or vice versa through EZO’s secure crypto-to-crypto swap service, maximizing liquidity and minimizing fees.
• Fiat Off-Ramp Services: Convert bitcoin or ethereum into CAD or other fiat currencies with direct transfers to your bank account via wire or Interac e-Transfer, offering flexibility and convenience.
• Sell Bitcoin (BTC): Efficiently sell bitcoin through EZO’s private exchange, benefiting from robust liquidity and seamless execution.
• Sell Ethereum (ETH): Sell ethereum securely, ensuring prompt settlement and reliable support for large trades.

EZO stands out by always offering the real rate, with no margin and transparent fees. Volume is cumulative and gives access to degressive fees as our business relationship grows.

Who Is EZO For?

EZO is the optimal choice for high-net-worth individuals seeking a secure, discreet and efficient way to acquire cryptocurrency at the most competitive rates. Through personalized service and deep liquidity, EZO ensures privacy and pricing that far exceed what traditional exchanges can offer, making it ideal for those who value confidentiality and control over their digital asset exposure.

For institutional investors and corporate entities integrating cryptocurrency into their financial strategy, we offer ideal execution and settlement solutions. Whether they are  building long-term treasury positions or navigating regulatory complexities, clients benefit from EZO’s expertise, seamless onboarding and robust compliance infrastructure.

Crypto miners aiming to liquidate large volumes of digital assets can count on EZO’s OTC services to execute sizable trades without triggering price volatility on public exchanges. By leveraging direct counterparties and trusted settlement networks, EZO enables miners to convert holdings into fiat efficiently, helping to maintain financial stability while optimizing returns.

EZO is well-suited for individuals and businesses new to cryptocurrency. Whether exploring crypto for personal interest or incorporating it into a business strategy, users benefit from no minimum trade amount, allowing them to begin with confidence and flexibility.

Our personalized service ensures that clients receive direct guidance—including assistance with setting up self-custodial wallets and understanding how crypto transactions work. EZO’s team takes time to answer questions and provide clarity, creating a welcoming experience for those just getting started in the digital asset space.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting started with EZO’s OTC Desk is simple.

You may contact our team via Telegram, by telephone, via email, by booking a meeting or by signing up with your email address.

Our team will get back to you shortly and you will receive an email in order to proceed to a personal or a business onboarding, depending on your needs. EZO operates in compliance with FINTRAC and The Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA).

Once onboarding is completed, you are ready to transact. Funds received are processed almost instantly, no matter what flow of transaction you choose:

• Buy bitcoin with fiat;
• Sell bitcoin for fiat;
• Swap bitcoin to ethereum;
• Swap ethereum to bitcoin;
• Buy ethereum with fiat;
• Sell ethereum for fiat.

A Short History of EZO’s OTC Desk

After obtaining its full suite of Canadian licenses and registrations, EZO’s OTC desk launched in late-2024 in Quebec and has since gained trust across the country. Individuals from the East coast to the West coast and businesses of all sizes buy and sell cryptocurrency at the best price with EZO.

Soon, we will be taking our OTC desk global, starting with a bold expansion in the United States. Get ready for the launch of our all-in-one self-service app, designed to revolutionize how users swap crypto and fiat, send payments and invest—all seamlessly, autonomously and at their fingertips. From a couple thousands to a million, EZO OTC desk offers you more value for your money.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An OTC Desk?

An OTC desk facilitates private, off-exchange cryptocurrency trades, allowing users to execute large or discreet transactions with personalized support, minimal market impact and improved price stability.

What Does EZO Do?

EZO is a Canadian non-custodial OTC crypto desk that helps clients securely buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH with transparent pricing and personalized service.

Is there a minimum trade size required?

While many OTC desks impose minimum trade thresholds, EZO operates with no minimum requirement, making them accessible to both new and experienced traders.