Changelly is a real instant exchange running since 2015; check its Terms, rate window and KYC rules before you swap
Changelly launched in April 2015 and describes itself as an instant crypto exchange platform. Its Terms say it does not hold crypto on deposits or balances, it publishes a 0.25% fee on floating swaps, and it asks for KYC when its risk-scoring system flags a transaction. On Trustpilot it has 4,598 reviews, but its score is hidden for a breach of Trustpilot's guidelines.
A service that states who runs it, publishes its terms and fees, sends the swap result to your own wallet and has a public track record. Each of these can be checked on its own pages before you send funds.
What does Changelly state about itself?
- April 2015Changelly launch, with support for 30 cryptocurrencieschangelly.com
- 0.25%fee on floating swaps, from the output amountchangelly.com
- 15+fiat providers compared in its Buy sectionchangelly.com
- 4,598Trustpilot reviews, score hidden by Trustpilottrustpilot.com
- Custody: its Terms say Changelly does not provide custodial services and does not store crypto on deposits or balances.
- Terms and fees in writing: the Terms set the floating fee, the fixed-rate window of 15 or 20 minutes and the 3-hour limit for late floating deposits.
- KYC policy: not required for every user; requested when risk scoring flags a transaction.
- Support: 24/7 live chat, email and tickets.
- Products: mobile apps for iOS and Android, an exchange API, a fiat on/off ramp API and Changelly PAY for businesses.
Is Changelly safe to use?
A non-custodial swap limits how long a service touches your funds, but some risks stay with you. These checks apply to Changelly and to any instant exchange:
- 1Read the current Terms
Changelly's Terms and homepage FAQ ask you to create an account, while its KYC FAQ describes swaps started without one.
- 2Pick the rate type on purpose
A fixed rate is held for 15 minutes, or 20 for BTC, XMR, LTC, DCR, EOS, GAS, BNB and VET.
- 3Send the deposit on time
Floating-rate deposits more than 3 hours late may not be honored.
- 4Check the address and network
No swap service can reverse a confirmed blockchain transaction.
- 5Keep the order ID
Support needs it if the swap is put on hold for a check.
Why is Changelly's Trustpilot score hidden?
Trustpilot's page for changelly.com says the company's rating is unavailable due to a breach of its guidelines. The 4,598 reviews remain readable.
Trustpilot does not explain the breach on the profile page, so read recent reviews yourself. For comparison, SimpleSwap shows 4.2 from 2,650 reviews. More on the Reviews page.
You may hearNon-custodial means no KYC.
What the sources sayChangelly does not hold your funds, but it may still ask for KYC when a transaction is flagged.
You may hearA fixed rate is held as long as you need.
What the sources sayChangelly holds it for 15 minutes, or 20 for eight coins.
You may hearA floating deposit is always processed.
What the sources sayChangelly's Terms say floating deposits arriving more than 3 hours late may not be honored.
How does it compare with SimpleSwap?
| Feature |  SimpleSwap |  Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Self-custodial multi-source swap aggregator source | Instant crypto exchange with a fiat Buy section source |
| Custody | One model: wallet to wallet, no long-term user balances source | Non-custodial: no deposits or balances held for users source |
| Assets | 2,800+ swappable assets, 3.2M+ pairs source | 1,000+ to 1,200+ cryptocurrencies, depending on the page source |
| Fixed-rate window | 20 minutes source | 15 minutes; 20 for BTC, XMR, LTC, DCR, EOS, GAS, BNB, VET source |
| Fee | From 0.2%, built into the quoted rate source | 0.25% of the output on floating swaps, plus network fee; dynamic on fixed source |
| Swap time | Under 1 min on fast chains; 10 to 30 min on BTC and ETH source | About 5 to 40 minutes on average, excluding confirmations source |
| KYC | Fiat purchases; may be required for transaction security and compliance source | Not required for every user; requested when risk scoring flags a transaction source |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 from 2,650 reviews source | Score hidden by Trustpilot; 4,598 reviews source |
More comparisons
Questions
Is Changelly legit?
Changelly has run since April 2015, publishes its Terms and its floating-rate fee, and sends swaps to your own wallet. Trustpilot hides its score for a guidelines breach, so read recent reviews before you swap.
Is Changelly safe?
Its Terms say it does not hold crypto on deposits or balances. As with any swap service, check the address and network, keep the order ID, and send fixed-rate deposits within the 15 or 20 minute window.
Does Changelly require verification?
Not for every user. It may ask you to pass KYC when its risk-scoring system flags a transaction.
How long does a Changelly exchange take?
About 5 to 40 minutes on average, per its transactions FAQ, not counting blockchain confirmations.
What is a safer alternative to Changelly?
No service is safer by default; compare the facts. Changelly alternatives lists SimpleSwap and six other services on the same fields.