Changelly Experience 2021: The Crypto Exchange Test
10 Stars
We present our Changelly experience. What does the crypto exchange offer in the test, how high are the fees and is the offer secure? You can find the answers in the review.
Changelly is an exchange for cryptocurrencies that has been on the market since 2015. On the homepage, it advertises that cryptocurrencies can be exchanged with each other very quickly and at low fees. In the test, the Changelly experience and other important information are discussed.
One reason to do a Changelly test. Because even if the customers seem to be satisfied, it is also about what it looks like behind the scenes. Are there fees? What about customer support? Is Changelly a scam?
Only then, when you have taken a closer look at the matter, can you finally say whether it is a recommendable exchange platform or not.
Our recommendation: Buy cryptos with eToro
Incl. wallet
Buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly in the wallet
Paypal, credit card and instant bank transfer
Regulated provider
Real cryptos or CFD trades
Advantages and disadvantages of Changelly at a glance
The Changelly fees are, as the provider claims, extremely favourable. The low minimum deposit, which is just 50 US dollars, is an indication that they also want to appeal to beginners and newcomers. Changelly accepts the euro as a means of payment, offers many cryptocurrencies and scores with an intelligent system that supports users in finding the best offer.
However, there are also a few downsides that cannot simply be ignored. FIAT Exchange charges additional fees, there is no demo account and PayPal is not supported.
Changelly Review - The Offer
Changelly is basically a classic crypto exchange. Here you can buy, trade or sell various altcoins as well as FIAT currencies. Furthermore, the exchange functions as an intelligent and advanced system that independently searches for the best exchange rates and prices, so that the user is supported - in the best possible way - in the course of trading. For this purpose, various crypto exchanges are used for comparison so that the best deal can be made possible.
As a customer, all that is left to do in the end is to choose one of the suggested top offers. Changelly promises very fast transactions, so that the exchanged coins can be exchanged between wallets within seconds.
Changelly experiences are currently available in eleven languages, including English, German, French and Spanish. However, this does not mean that the customer support is also available in several languages - the support staff all speak only English.
Currently, the platform is used by more than two million people. The 1 million mark was first cracked at the beginning of 2017.
The Changelly cryptocurrencies
When it comes to a crypto exchange platform, everything primarily revolves around the cryptocurrencies available. Here, Changelly can definitely convince because there is an extremely wide range of offerings. The following currencies are available - sorted in alphabetical order:
Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
Bitcoin | BTC |
Bitcoin Gold | BTG |
Dash | DASH |
Dentacoin | DCN |
Digibyte | DGB |
Digital Note | NOTE |
Dogecoin | DOGE |
Ethereum | ETH |
Expanse | EXP |
Game Credits | GAME |
Gulden | NLG |
Lisk | LSK |
Litecoin | LTC |
Melon | MLN |
Monero | XMR |
NxT | NXT |
Pot Coin | POT |
Ripple | XRP |
Skincoin | SKIN |
Stellar | XLM |
Syscoin | SYS |
Trustcoin | TRST |
Verge | XVG |
ZCash | ZEC |
There is hardly any other crypto exchange that can actually keep up here.
Step by step guide to trading at Changelly
Changelly is a rather interesting platform that you will probably come across if you want to buy coins of a certain cryptocurrency. However, if you want to take advantage of the offer, you first need to open an account.
Changelly does not charge any fees for the creation and management of the account. Changelly only charges fees for transactions. However, the team behind Changelly advertises that they are particularly fair. The wording from the homepage:
"We aspire to establish mutual trust with our clients; therefore we don't have any hidden or unreasonable fees. We always charge only 0.5% fee and that's it, full stop."
Changelly
Account creation is extremely simple. This means that beginners and experienced traders alike will not face any major challenges.
On the homepage, it is advisable to first adjust the language in the menu. Changelly is currently available in eleven languages.
Step 1: Registration
Registration is quick and self-explanatory. You provide some data and in return you get access to the trading platform. Of course, you also have to verify your identity because you can trade FIAT currencies.
Step 2: The deposit
At Changelly you have two different options for making a deposit. Either with FIAT currencies via a bank card or cryptocurrencies, which are transferred via a wallet.
Step 3: Trading at Changelly
Via Changelly, you can buy and subsequently sell cryptocurrency coins easily, simply and without complications.
At the beginning, it is a matter of deciding which initial and final currency should be chosen. Here, for example, you specify that you want to exchange Bitcoin for Ethereum. In addition, the desired exchange amount of the initial currency is specified - Changelly now shows what amount you would subsequently receive for it. If you want to continue because the price is OK for you, you click on "Next Step".
The recipient address
In the next step, you have to decide where the final currency should be transferred to. Here you can specify a wallet or a bank account, if it is a FIAT currency. Click on "Next" to confirm the entry.
Checking the data
Before the transaction takes place, you should check the data again - an exchange cannot be reversed. Once you are sure that the data is correct, click on "Confirm and make payment".
Transmitting the exchange currency
In the last step, the amount displayed in the initial currency is sent to the selected address. The address can be scanned via QR code or copied manually.
The final currency
Once the deposit has been made, the desired currency is then credited to the wallet. Please note that it can take around 15 minutes until the amount is visible in the wallet.
It is also recommended to use 2-factor authentication in addition to the password. This increases security.
It should be noted that technical updates can always lead to changes. If you want to open an account, it is advisable to always follow the step-by-step instructions on the homepage.
Our recommendation: Buy cryptos with eToro
Incl. wallet
Buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly in the wallet
Paypal, credit card and instant bank transfer
Regulated provider
Real cryptos or CFD trades
The story behind the Changelly Exchange
Changelly has existed as an initial prototype since 2013. The MinerGate team, a Bitcoin mining pool, launched the platform, which developed into an independent trading platform in 2014. Since then, an independent team has been responsible for the provider - with Konstantin Gladych, it was also possible to find its own managing director.
In 2016, several technical updates followed for the first time - Changelly subsequently received a new design and underwent a re-release. If you compare today's activities with the beginnings, when MinerGate was still behind the platform, there is no longer any connection.
The crypto exchange maintains connections and cooperations with the most important and largest crypto exchanges in the world. This is also the reason why there is sufficient liquidity to be able to process the various transactions without any problems.
On Changelly, the user can exchange a certain cryptocurrency for another currency, but can also exchange regular currencies, so-called FIAT currencies, for a cryptocurrency.
Even if the focus is on the extremely diverse range of altcoins, Changelly does not see itself as a "pure crypto platform". Ultimately, the provider has well thought-out systems that help when it comes to the user finding the best price. Since the trading platform cooperates with other crypto exchanges, the most lucrative price for the user can be found without any problems.
Changelly: The functions
Changelly offers users various functions. The advantage here is that it appeals to beginners as well as professionals, because these are - in part - self-explanatory, so that even the inexperienced are not faced with challenges that are hardly manageable.
Changelly: The payment methods
You can trade a wide variety of cryptocurrencies as well as FIAT currencies via Changelly. Well-known cryptocurrencies - such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple or Dash - are available as well as relatively unknown currencies (Expansy, Lisk or Gulden). After the user has registered and opened an account, trading can be started.
At the beginning, the user decides how much money to deposit and against which cryptocurrencies or currency to trade. The minimum sum must be observed. The next step is to select the wallet or the account data - if you trade with FIAT currencies, you can specify an account; if you trade with cryptocurrencies, you have to specify the wallet.
Payment by credit card (MasterCard or VISA) is accepted. Please note that PayPal is not supported by the provider.
Once the credit card information has been entered, the trade can be concluded. If 2-factor authentication was selected, the trade must subsequently be confirmed with the mobile device.
It should be noted that there is a minimum deposit, which is currently 50 US dollars.
Our recommendation: Buy cryptos with eToro
Incl. wallet
Buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly in the wallet
Paypal, credit card and instant bank transfer
Regulated provider
Real cryptos or CFD trades
Changelly: Security
On the part of the platform, an extremely large number of security features are offered, all of which ultimately pursue the same goal: Protecting data and also ensuring secure transactions. The website is encrypted with an SSL certificate so that the data is protected from external attacks. In addition, as already mentioned, 2-factor authentication is offered. This means that unauthorised transactions are de facto impossible. This is because each trade must be additionally confirmed on the mobile device before authorisation takes place.
This is extremely important because transactions that run via Changelly can no longer be retrieved. For this reason, it is also extremely important to double-check that the data is correct before confirming the transaction. If you want to use 2-factor authentication, you have to download the Google Authenticator app, install it and then set it up. The app is free of charge.
Changelly has already been mentioned in numerous online magazines (such as Forbes) - another indication that it is probably a reputable provider for whom the issue of security is extremely important.
Even if you search the internet for answers as to whether Changelly is a scam, whether there are dubious procedures or whether there are indications that you should keep your hands off Changelly, you will primarily come across benevolent testimonials. This is because Changelly - at least after closer inspection - offers a really good service that is also apparently quite secure, so that you don't have to be afraid of hacker attacks that could lead to your virtual money being gone.
The Changelly App
The Changelly app is a fairly recent development. The provider only announced in October 2018 that an app was now also available for Android users. This means that the offer can also be used on mobile devices without any problems. The advantage? You no longer have to log in to the platform via the browser and can trade cryptocurrencies even faster.
If you follow the manufacturer's specifications, all functions that are available via the browser are also included in the app. This means that you can exchange cryptocurrencies for other digital currencies, have an overview of all cryptocurrencies and real-time prices and can contact a customer service employee at any time. So those who use the app don't have to worry about having to do without any functions.
The app also has a so-called history view. This means that the user can view the history of the last transactions here.
In the support section, it is possible to send questions or comments to the support team. Sometimes, however, it is advisable to take a look at the FAQ section on the homepage if questions have arisen.
The app requires 8 gigabytes of memory and is compatible with Android devices from version 4.4.
Our recommendation: Buy cryptos with eToro
Incl. wallet
Buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly in the wallet
Paypal, credit card and instant bank transfer
Regulated provider
Real cryptos or CFD trades
Changelly: The customer service
Another plus point is the customer service. Changelly convinces with a very detailed as well as very well structured "Help & Support" area, which covers several pages. On the one hand, you will find many answers to frequently asked questions, which are formulated in such a way that even a beginner will not have any difficulties, and on the other hand, there is a detailed description of how to use the functions on the site under "How it works". They have really tried to describe the platform as precisely as possible and to answer all questions that may arise.
If you can't find answers in the "Help & Support" area, you can of course also contact the Changelly staff. The support team can be contacted via the "Support" button. This opens a form where the problem can be described. If the request is made on a weekday, you will receive an answer within 48 hours.
Please note that support is only available in English.
Changelly: The fees
Of course, as with all other crypto trading exchanges, Changelly also charges fees. These are the so-called "Changelly Fees". Currently, the commission fees are 0.5 percent - the percentage is fixed. The exchange rates, i.e. the transaction fees that have to be paid by the user, are calculated on the basis of the transactions, so that fluctuations can occur. However, according to the provider, they try to find the best offer for the user so that the fee is kept as low as possible.
On the homepage, it is advertised that the low fees are just 0.5 percent. However, this percentage only applies when it comes to cryptocurrencies - that is, when there is an exchange from Bitcoin to Ripple, Ethereum to Monero or Litecoin to Bitcoin.
However, the Changelly test has shown that one has to be careful when a FIAT currency is to be exchanged for a cryptocurrency. In this case, an additional commission and also a credit card fee of 5 per cent each are charged.
This means that fees amounting to 10 percent will be charged here. So if you don't pay attention here, you reduce your profit by 10 percent! Especially when it comes to larger amounts, 10 percent is simply too high.
Here is a direct comparison with our broker test winner eToro:
To make the fees for crypto trading comparable, let's take the following example:
We would like to buy bitcoin worth 1,000€.
We hold our Bitcoin for one month and sell it again
For the sake of simplicity, we assume that the exchange rate does not change during the 30 days.
With these assumptions, we now go through the fees of the largest providers:
providers | etoro | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
Deposit | for free | for free |
FIAT crypto conversion | for free | 10% |
Purchase fees | 0.75% | for free |
Holding fees | for free | for free |
Sales charges | 0.75% | for free |
Payout | 5 USD | for free |
Total fees | € 19.20 | € 100.00 |
Is Changelly a scam?
If you take into account the various results of the Changelly test and the testimonials that can be found on the World Wide Web, it is clear that it can in no way be a scam. Changelly is an extremely trustworthy site - you can buy or sell coins via Changelly without having to fear being ripped off by the provider.
With Konstantin Gladych, there is also a real person as managing director. Time and again there are platforms on the internet that advertise with fictitious persons - that is definitely not the case here.
Another indication why Changelly cannot be a scam: In spring 2017, the site broke the 1 million user barrier; currently, around two million people use the crypto exchange's offer.
In addition, the site is also convincing in the area of security. The site is encrypted using an SSL certificate and provides users with 2-factor authentication.
Changelly - The Conclusion
If you look at the offer, it can be said first that there is probably no other crypto exchange that offers so many cryptocurrencies. Changelly is probably unique in this respect. The fact that it has entered into cooperations with other exchanges - such as Binance - can only be seen as positive.
Account opening and transactions are simple and straightforward - the minimum amount of 50 US dollars also confirms Changelly's philosophy of offering a platform not only for experienced traders but also for beginners.
This is also true when it comes to the fees. Compared to other platforms, these are relatively low. The only disadvantage is that anyone who exchanges FIAT currencies for a cryptocurrency has to pay an extremely high fee of 10 percent (5 percent commission and 5 percent credit card fee).
Another disadvantage: even though the site is available in eleven languages, support is only offered in English.
In the end, however, it must be said that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Changelly is guaranteed not to be a scam; here you don't have to be afraid - not even of hackers, because on the one hand there is 2-factor authentication, and on the other hand the homepage is provided with an SSL certificate.
FAQ
The provider is a crypto exchange where cryptocurrencies can be bought and sold.
Changelly was convincing in our test. The diverse trading options, the low fees and the excellent customer support attract many customers, most of whom are very satisfied with the provider.
The amount of one's own investment should depend on one's own liquidity, as well as on the chosen cryptocurrency and one's own risk appetite. In general, you should never invest money that you actually need elsewhere, as profits can never be guaranteed.
Here, too, the platform is convincing. Payouts are processed very quickly and are in your account within a few minutes to 2 working days, depending on the selected payout method.
You should always know what you are investing in. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, so you should first get to know the chosen coin in detail. If you have the necessary know-how, as well as the occasional bit of luck, then nothing stands in the way of early profits.
