ChangeNOW Review 2024: Is it The Best Swap Exchange?
TLDR
This ChangeNOW Review gives you everything you need to start swapping crypto. It is a user-friendly crypto exchange without registration or KYC requirements.
To exchange one of the 250+ supported cryptocurrencies, fees range from 0.5% to 1%, higher than its competitors like Binance.
Moreover, businesses find this exchange ideal, thanks to NOW Payments. It offers simple integration, charges only a 0.5% fee, and gives options to earn rewards.
The mobile app is ideal for new crypto enthusiasts but may not suit advanced traders needing in-depth analysis tools or charting options.
Let’s dig in!
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Coinwebs rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4 stars) |
| Launched In | 2017 |
| Founders | Santiago Lefebvre, Rose-May Lucotte, and Kevin Tayebaly |
| Headquarters | Seychelles |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies | 250+ Cryptocurrencies |
| Features | NOW token, NOW Payments, Crypto Loans, Instant Swaps |
| Customer Support | Live Chat $ Email Support |
| Payment Methods | Cryptocurrencies & Bank Cards |
| KYC Verification | Not Mandatory (Only For Fiat Purchases) |
Change Now Review: Company Overview
In October 2017, ChangeNow debuted in the crypto market and was the brainchild of three visionary entrepreneurs – Santiago Lefebvre, Rose-May Lucotte, and Kevin Tayebaly.
The company came in to change the way crypto swaps, storage, and lending works. Fast forward to today, their strategy has worked, as it now has 4M+ users worldwide.
What is their unique selling point? More privacy, speed, and transparency in limitless crypto swaps.
What’s fascinating is that even though ChangeNOW isn’t a regulated exchange, its reputation shines thanks to its partnerships with titans like Binance and Ledger.
Who should use ChangeNow?
Here is who we think should use it:
New crypto investors
If you are starting your crypto journey, we recommend this platform for its minimal user interface. It makes it easy to navigate different features of the exchange.
And you can access a wide range of cryptocurrencies that you can invest in using fiat currencies.
Businesses and startups
ChangeNow is a solid recommendation for businesses as it offers a variety of payment tools and plugins compatible with major CMS solutions like WooCommerce, Magento, Shopify, and more.
Businesses can also tailor their payment process using the API, invoices, billing, or point-of-sale terminal options.
Even better, they can earn NOW tokens, ChangeNOW’s native utility token, for integrating NOW Payments. These rewards can be used for discounts, premium features, or participation in governance. It’s a win-win for businesses and other users.
What are the Advantages of ChangeNow?
Buying crypto with fiat currencies
ChangNow offers you the option of buying crypto using your credit/debit cards or good old bank transfers.
However, the exchange does not handle these transactions for you. Instead, they have partnered with third-party partners, including Simplex, Guardarian, and Transak.
Now, regarding fiat currencies, ChangeNOW’s got quite the buffet – USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, EUR, and more. But here’s where it gets a bit interesting: the supported currencies can change depending on how you pay and how much you buy.
Minimal user interface
ChangeNOW keeps it simple for beginners. No fancy analysis tools or crypto charts exist, but swapping or buying crypto is simplified.
Punch in your recipient’s address and the amount you want to spend – easy as pie.
When testing the platform for this review, we hit a few bumps, such as occasional site freezing. However, this didn’t affect essential features like crypto swaps, and purchasing worked perfectly.
Mobile application
ChangeNOW offers a mobile app for both Android and iOS. The app itself is highly responsive and user-friendly, particularly for those new to crypto.
However, if you’re an advanced user or a day trader looking for a feature-rich app, it might come off as too basic compared to platforms like Crypto.com or KuCoin.
How to get started with ChangeNOW?
Follow these steps to start swapping right away without any mandatory registration:
More details
ChangeNOW offers a beginner-friendly crypto exchange with 250+ currencies, no registration, and a 0.5% to 1% exchange fee. It has its native token, NOW, crypto loans feature, and a wallet. You can deposit using bank card purchases or cryptocurrencies with a 1% fee, making it perfect for starters and businesses.
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Exchange with no registration.
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250+ cryptocurrencies.
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NOW Token rewards system.
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User-friendly mobile app.
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Swaps in 5 minutes.
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Not regulated.
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No crypto-to-fiat support.
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High fiat fees.
Step 1: Visit the website
Visit the website using your desktop or mobile apps.
Once you are at the main landing page, select the digital assets and amount for swaps. When done, click [Exchange].
Step 2: Enter the receiving wallet address
After that, you will be taken to a new screen, where you need to enter your receiving wallet address. When done, click [Next].
Step3: Review the details
Next, you will see a summary of your exchange and expected transaction time. Review the details and click [Confirm].
Step 4: Scan the QR
Finally, scan the QR code to deposit funds and finalize the transaction.
ChangeNow Review: Top Features & Perks
Here are some key features:
ChangeNOW exchange
When exchanging our BTC for ETH, all we had to do was type in the amount directly on their landing page, as non-custodial crypto exchanges require no signup. It means you can perform instant coin swaps.
Unlike the other exchange platforms we’ve reviewed, ChangeNow differs in many aspects. For example, it has no exchange limits. Also, transaction processing times on the platform vary depending on the assets you’re swapping.
However, ChangeNow boldly claims a maximum processing time of 5 minutes. When testing it, the transaction went through in less than 3 minutes.
Remember that ChangeNOW’s floating rate can change due to market volatility. If it fluctuates over 3%, your transaction is paused, allowing you to accept the new rate or request a refund.
When sending assets, you’ll have to pay network fees. Still, you should watch out for ETH gas fees, which are generally high. For those who prefer more stability, ChangeNow also offers fixed-rate swaps. This option lets you lock in a specific exchange rate at a slightly higher fee.
Crypto loans
ChangeNOW’s crypto lending platform has no rigidly fixed loan terms, and you’re not shackled to making monthly interest payments. Instead, you settle all the interest when closing the loan.
This feature lets you deposit your crypto assets, like Bitcoin (BTC), and borrow stablecoins, such as USDT or USDC. It’s a neat way to access liquidity without parting ways with your crypto holdings.
We liked the fixed Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio of 50%, which aligns with what Nexo offers but falls short of Bybit’s 75%.
But if you want lower interest rates, ChangeNOW might be a good option.
Even though it advertises a 10% Annual Percentage Rate (APR), the loans were available at a slightly higher 12% APR. Bybit is more appealing, with an 8.17% APR for a similar loan.
ChangeNOW wallet
NOW Wallet (the exchanges online wallet) is versatile and runs smoothly on mobile, MacOS, Windows, and Linux – a rare cross-platform gem.
For Web 3.0 enthusiasts, NOW Wallet connects seamlessly with decentralized apps (dApps) through WalletConnect, a feature akin to MetaMask. It supports seven major blockchains, including Ethereum, and allows for storing thousands of assets, not just the native 40.
On top of that, we liked that no personal info was required and we were in control of your private keys.
Here is what makes the NOW wallet standout:
- No need for registration.
- Easy crypto-to-fiat exchanges within the Wallet.
- Advanced Ethereum features like the account nonce.
- Support for over 550 assets.
- Built-in NFT functionality.
- Staking BEP2 NOW tokens with up to a 25% annual return.
Safety and Security
As mentioned earlier, ChangeNow operates as a non-custodial platform, which means when you exchange or buy assets, they go directly into your crypto wallet.
Here’s the kicker: ChangeNOW has not had a security breach since it started, making it more secure than most centralized cryptocurrency exchanges. That’s impressive, given the current state of security in Web3.
To ensure users’ safety, ChangeNOW employs an automated system that detects suspicious transactions, placing them on hold until customers complete KYC verification—a seamless and effective process.
As recommended for securing funds, ChangeNOW advocates storing funds in a hardware wallet.
The Native NOW Token
ChangeNOW is the sole instant cryptocurrency exchange with its token, the NOW Token.
NOW Tokens are available on Ethereum (ETH) as ERC20 tokens and Binance Chain as BEP2 coins. Initially, they minted a token supply of 200 million NOW tokens, with 100 million on each chain.
So, what’s the deal with NOW Tokens? They play a pivotal role as an internal currency within the world of NOW products, and they come with some perks:
- Better exchange rates
- Speedier customer support
- Exclusive offers across all NOW services
- The power to vote on asset listings
- Access to prizes, raffles, and promotional campaigns
- Enhanced conditions for affiliates
If you’re a ChangeNOW Premium user, you get cashback rewards NOW. That’s a sweet bonus.
However, here’s where it gets even more interesting – you can stake NOW and potentially earn up to a 12.5% return on your investment each year.
Impressive customer support
ChangeNOW has a help center where you can find answers to common questions, although some articles could use more detail.
Their customer support team is lightning-fast. They offer an email ticket system and live chat support, and during our testing, we got a response in under 60 seconds.
NOW payments
NOW Payments is designed for cryptocurrency payment processing. It allows you to seamlessly integrate cryptocurrency donation or payment buttons into your website, online store, or social media profiles.
Here’s how it works:
- You sign up with NOW Payments and grab their integration tool.
- Customers make payments using various cryptocurrencies, sending them to ChangeNOW’s accounts.
- Your cryptocurrency is instantly converted into your preferred coin and sent straight to your wallet.
NOW Payments isn’t picky – it accepts over 100 different cryptocurrencies. Plus, it offers speedy payouts with low transaction fees of 0.5%.
And to top it all off, you get round-the-clock support, complete with a dedicated account manager to assist you. It’s the future of crypto transactions made easy.
ChangeNOW Review: Fees and costs
| Types | Fee |
| Crypto Exchange Fees | 0.5% to 1% |
| Buying Crypto With Fiat | 1% |
| NOW Payments | 0.5% Per Transaction |
ChangeNOW’s fee structure is transparent and adaptable to different scenarios:
- Crypto Exchange Fees: ChangeNOW charges a transaction fee ranging from 0.5% to 1% when exchanging cryptocurrencies.
- Buying Crypto with Fiat: If you’re buying crypto with Fiat, ChangeNOW charges a service fee of 1% for processing the payment. This fee doesn’t include any additional charges from the payment processor or your bank.
- NOW Payments: For businesses accepting online payments in crypto using the NOW Payments feature, ChangeNOW levies a modest fee of 0.5% per transaction. This fee doesn’t cover network fees or any conversion fees that may be applicable.
Drawbacks of ChangeNow
Here are a few drawbacks of the crypto platform:
High fees on fiat-to-crypto purchases: The fees can be higher, sometimes up to 7%. So, If you want crypto-to-crypto swaps, go with ChangeNOW. But it might be the best option for better rates and lower fees.
No Crypto-to-fiat support: It does not support swapping crypto to fiat, meaning you cannot exchange your crypto earnings for your local currency using ChangeNOW payments. You will need to use other exchange platforms.
Lack of regulation: It may not be compatible with some regulations or laws in your jurisdiction, meaning that you may face legal issues or risks if you use ChangeNOW payments without proper compliance. You must check the legal status of crypto payments in your area before using ChangeNOW payments.
Best ChangeNow Alternatives
Binance
Compared to ChangeNOW, Binance is a better option for pro traders because of its advanced features and low fees of 0.015 % to 0.3%. It offers zero-fee trading for BTC and supports 150+ cryptos. You can also access the NFT marketplace and earn passive income using staking APYs up to 16%.
More details
Binance is a great combination of low fees, deep liquidity and multiple cryptocurrencies and trading pairs. We have tested every aspect of it and it STILL holds its reign as the top exchange in the world. In our view, it is the perfect crypto exchange for both newbies and advanced traders alike.
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Biggest exchange in the world.
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Industry's lowest trading fees.
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Advance trading options like leverage trading.
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600+ crypto options, 150+ for the US.
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Lucrative on-site staking options.
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Hiccups in account verification.
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Less regulated than some competitors.
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The corporate structure is not transparently.
ByBit
Although ChangeNOW supports more cryptocurrencies, ByBit offers a lower APR of 8.75% for crypto loans. Plus, it only charges $5 for crypto withdrawals and deposits. For advanced traders, it offers 100X leverage for crypto trades. You can also access spot, future, and perp markets.
More details
Bybit is a leading futures trading platform globally, offering up to 100x leverage and attracting users who prefer to remain anonymous. With a presence in 180+ countries, it is renowned for its efficiency and unique features in cryptocurrency derivatives trading.
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The platform offers up to 100x leverage trading.
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Strong educational resources.
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Diverse markets for traders, spot, perp, and futures.
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Risk-free demo accounts to explore all key features.
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TradingView integration.
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The platform is difficult for beginners to navigate.
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It does not offer a quality spot trading feature.
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The NFT marketplace is limited in terms of options.
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Security is of the gold industry standard.
Kraken
The key difference between the two is that Kraken works as a custodial exchange, while ChangeNOW is a non-custodial exchange. It supports trading 185+ cryptos in a regulated ecosystem, with 0.01% to 0.16% fees. Lastly, you can deposit using fiat and crypto.
More details
Kraken Exchange offers a robust platform for serious crypto traders. It stands out with its diverse coin selection, advanced trading features, and competitive fees. However, its complex interface may prove challenging for beginners. Strong security measures further reinforce its reliability.
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Margin trading and staking.
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Support/chat is one of the best.
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Low trading fees to withdraw Bitcoin (BTC).
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Provides tons of resources for learning.
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Only a few fiat currencies.
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Doesn't accept debit cards or Paypal.
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Has three apps.
ChangeNow Review: Our Verdict
We’ve explored ChangeNOW, a cryptocurrency exchange platform suitable for beginners. Its standout features include no-registration trading, a wide selection of 250+ cryptocurrencies, a NOW Token rewards system, and a user-friendly mobile app.
While the platform excels in simplicity and accessibility, occasional freezing issues and a lack of advanced features may limit its appeal to more experienced traders.
ChangeNOW also has a fair fee structure that ranges from 0.5% to 1%.
It’s a solid choice for newcomers looking for straightforward crypto transactions, but it may not meet the needs of advanced traders seeking advanced tools and charting options.
Its non-custodial service allows you to trade bitcoin and to exchange cryptocurrencies with affordable fees and competitive exchange rates. You can use ChangeNOw's mobile app for instant swaps.
Our ChangeNOW review found it a legitimate platform for swapping digital assets at better exchange rates. Users, to date, have not faced any threats or scam issues.
Yes, ChangeNOW claims to be completely safe for instant exchanges. It does not store user information or any user funds, and uses an automated risk prevention system.
The usual transaction time is 5 minutes, which is great compared to other wallets like Atomic Wallet.
You can start swapping from the landing page by connecting your crypto wallet like Exodus, MetaMask, or Atomic Wallet.
Sam Farao
Sam is our pioneering figure in affiliate marketing and the blockchain space (prior to co-founding Coinweb.com). His ventures, including Netpixel Media and Captana, have set new benchmarks in the affiliate marketing industry, leading to a notable acquisition by Speqta AB for 31.5 million Norwegian kroner ($3.8 million USD). Farao's foray into blockchain technology is marked by the Lightbulb Man project, a blockchain-based art collection featuring NFTs, which sold out in one day! This highlights his role in merging the worlds...
