OTCBB Trading In Canada

How To Buy OTC Penny Stocks In Canada (Questrade)

This article will explore how to buy over-the-counter penny stocks from Canada. To trade, you need the following: a Brokerage Account, a Canadian bank account, and a stock trading platform.

To begin trading, you need to sign up for a brokerage account with an eligible Broker-Dealer that is registered with FINRA or an existing brokerage firm that offers penny stock transactions.

Before investing, investors should assess their risk tolerance and level of financial literacy as certain stocks may be more volatile than others. If you are interested in learning how to buy these stocks, this article will explore some of the best options available to Canadian investors.


Remember that penny stocks are often seen as high-risk investments due to their market volatility and the lack of knowledge about the companies involved. Always do your research as it is risky, though rewarding.

In This Post, I Will:

  • Explain How Canadians Can Buy US OTC Stocks (using Questrade and Interactive Brokers Canada)
  • Answer General Questions On Account Types Required For OTC (No TFSA or RRSP allowed, Only Cash or Margin Accounts Eligible)
  • Help You Get Setup To Open A New Broker-Dealer Account (With Cheaper Commissions)

Provide Broker-Dealer Examples For Canadians To Buy US OTC Stocks:

Does Canada Have An OTC Market

Canada does not have an Over-The-Counter (OTC) market, but these needs exist in countries like the United States. The US Penny Stocks Market (OTCBB), for example, has a broker-dealer exchange where penny stocks are often traded with a low stock price value per share. These stocks can be bought and sold as OTC transactions.

Some people believe that Canada has an OTC market for its securities. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) offers many listed companies.

The OTC market refers to markets where securities transactions occur between two parties without using an exchange. Market makers and dealers, also known as investment broker-dealers, play a crucial role in providing liquidity and pricing information to investors and traders on the US OTC Markets Group.

How Do I Buy Over-The-Counter (OTC) Stocks In The US

Most people are not familiar with how you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) stocks in the US. Before purchasing this type of stock, let’s look at what you need to know to avoid any confusion.

For starters, OTC stocks are traded between individual parties or brokerages without being listed on an exchange, which means you require an eligible brokerage account that provides you with the ability to purchase these penny stocks through their online brokerage services.

Using a Canadian TFSA or RRSP trading account to trade OTC stocks is not permitted. You will be required to open a new Cash Account or Margin Account with the broker you decide to use.

Additionally, most local banks charge approximately $9.99 CAD per trade, which can add up if you make many transactions and become quite expensive.

Discounted broker-dealers such as Interactive Brokers Canada or Questrade Canada have reduced commission prices less than traditional banks you may want to explore further.

Can You Buy And Sell OTC Stocks On Questrade

Questrade, one of Canada’s leading online brokerages, has opened up the ability to buy and sell over-the-counter stocks. The new service is an attempt by Questrade to lure more customers into their platform while expanding the number of securities traded within the Account.

Questrade will charge a commission for each trade made on OTC stocks, with commissions ranging from $4.95 to $9.95 per trade based on the type of brokerage account being used.

The video tutorial below is a good overview of how to buy stocks with Questrade.

How To Buy OTC Stocks On Questrade

Questrade is a Canadian brokerage service that allows OTC stocks to be purchased online. OTC stocks are shares in companies that do not trade on major exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange.

Before purchasing OTC stocks using Questrade, you should know that there is no guarantee of liquidity for these securities, and they may appear to trade at a price discount.

Many people assume that stock trading requires a high level of equity and a significant amount of money to invest. This, however, is not the case.

With Questrade’s over-the-counter stocks, even those with little to no investment experience can purchase stocks with as little as $1000 to open a new account.

Additionally, Questrade commissions are reduced compared to trading costs with your local bank for as little as $4.95 per trade.

The first step is to sign up for a trading account. Once your Account is set up, you can fund it by transferring funds from your bank or using a credit card.

Your Account will then be funded with the money you transferred from your bank or credit card and ready to invest.

Do I Need A Minimum To Open An Account

  • No minimum is required to open an account. To begin investing, you need a minimum of $1,000 in your account

What Documents Do I Need To Open An Account

  • To get started, you’ll need your SIN and driver’s license. Depending on the account, you may be required to provide other documents

How Does Questrade Stock Commissions Work

  • Stock commissions are what you pay per trade. They depend on the number of shares involved. At Questrade it’s 1/share (min. $4.95-max $9.95)

How Are Questrade Fees Lower Than Banks

  • By bringing investing online, Questrade has reduced overhead and fees, and pass the savings onto you

Does Questrade Offer Free Real-Time Snap Quotes

Yes, Questrade offers Free Real-Time Snap Quotes.

04 Search Stocks Free Snap Quotes1

Is It Safe To Buy Stocks On OTC

Buying OTC stocks can be a daunting task for many investors. The issue is that there are no stocks to purchase from, which might grab the attention of other investors looking to invest in other equities.

To buy OTC stocks, it’s essential first to know your strategy. For example, if you want to buy less expensive stocks at a lower risk, you should invest in penny stocks.

What Is Over-The-Counter Stock

Many people do not realize that the US has an over-the-counter (OTC) market. The OTC market is a decentralized, parallel marketplace for trading stocks.

The OTC market does not have the exact regulatory requirements as major stock exchanges do, which means there are fewer restrictions on what can be traded on this market.

This is especially important to smaller companies that may not meet these high regulatory standards.

Most Americans are familiar with the Dow Jones and NASDAQ, but few of us know how to buy stocks on the over-the-counter (OTC) market.

OTC stocks trade differently than traditional American stocks because there is no centralized trading system. The only way to buy an OTC stock is by having your broker-dealer purchase shares.

There are many online brokers which allow investors to purchase OTC stocks. Some of these brokers include Interactive Brokers, E*Trade, and Charles Schwab.

Of course, to buy OTC stocks in the US, you must be accredited with these companies and be approved for a trading account.

Can I Buy OTC Stocks In TFSA or RRSP Account

In recent years, investors have been looking for ways to help grow their money. One way of doing so is by making investments in a TFSA or RRSP.

If you have a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or Registered Retirement Savings Account (RRSP) and wish to invest in stocks, you will need to review the rules governing this type of investment.

You cannot use your TFSA or RRSP as an investment vehicle to buy and sell penny stocks on the OTCBB US markets.

It is possible to use these accounts to invest in major exchanges. However, this is unfortunately not allowed for investing in the OTCBB Penny Stocks Market. You will require a Cash Account or Margin Account instead.

What Are OTC Pink Stocks

What are OTC Pink Stocks? OTC Pink stocks are securities that trade over the counter but not on a major exchange. They are often bought and sold in massive quantities by retail investors, making them risky investments, but they can also be very lucrative.


They offer investors the opportunity to make considerable gains in a short time. However, because they are not listed on any major exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange, their values fluctuate wildly.


By clicking here, additional information on OTC Pink Sheet Stocks can be explained on our How To Buy OTC Stocks post.

Where Can I Get More Information How To Buy OTC Stocks

Our article with the title “How To Buy Over-The-Counter (OTC) Stocks” discusses further details of the breakdown of the different OTCBB exchanges.

Including steps on how one might go about buying these stocks, which are typically not part of a standard major stock exchange.

Where Can I Go To Learn More About OTC Stocks

With a wealth of information, you might not know where to start. One way to find out more about OTC stocks is by reading articles directly from The OTC Markets Group blog page.

Key Takeaways

One of the most effective ways to make money from stocks is to invest in penny stocks. These stocks are technically considered low-risk, high reward investments because they’re traded on markets with low trading volume for a low price.

You can buy penny stocks on the US OTCBB Markets in Canada through your broker-dealer using Questrade Canada or Interactive Brokers Canada or directly from your bank via their trading website.

Remember, if you are considering trading penny stocks, it is essential to understand the risk involved and create a repeatable strategy you believe in and follow.

Here are some additional tips to help you succeed:

Do:

  • Trade responsibly
  • Research your broker carefully
  • Research the company you are investing in
  • Research the market before you buy
  • Use stop-loss orders
  • Know your investment strategy
  • Understand the risks
  • Focus on your portfolio, not the market
  • Have a diversified portfolio

Don’t:

  • Trade on hype
  • Don’t trade with borrowed money
  • Rush to purchase a stock, be patient and manage risk vs reward before jumping in
  • Follow the news blindly (hype)

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