Meta Description: Let’s pit Changelly against StealthEX in the battle of crypto swap platforms. See how these two non-custodial exchanges stack up when it comes to fees, the range of supported coins, KYC requirements, speed, and security. Find the best crypto swap solution for discreet trading.
Both Changelly – which has been around since 2015 – and StealthEX (established 2018) are crypto swap platforms that don’t hold onto your coins. Instead, they offer anonymous exchanges without asking you to sign up. Changelly has a lot more fiat support thanks to its six payment partners and optional KYC which lets you trade up to 10,000 euros every 48 hours. StealthEX, on the other hand, is all about keeping it anonymous with no KYC required for swapping between coins and you can spend up to $700 without having to verify yourself. However, there is another option: Swapzone (which lists over 4500 tokens and has 28 partner services including Changelly). This lets you access both Changelly and StealthEX at the same time, comparing the best exchange rates and giving you the price guarantee you need without leaning in favour of one provider or the other.
Choosing a good crypto exchange is vital when you’re swapping Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any of the thousands of other digital assets. This comparison uses a similar method to how ChangeNOW rates crypto exchanges, looking at fees, speed, security, the full range of supported assets, user experience, and reputation to help you make an informed decision.
Changelly vs StealthEX: Quick Comparison
| Category | Changelly | StealthEX |
| Founded | 2015 | 2018 |
| Supported Assets | 800-1000+ cryptocurrencies, 50+ fiat currencies through 6 partners | 2000+ cryptocurrencies, 11 fiat currencies through 2 partners |
| Fees & Pricing | 0.25% for crypto-to-crypto swaps, 4-7% for fiat purchases. Fixed and floating rates available. | ~0.4% including network fees, transparent all-inclusive pricing. Fixed and floating rates available. |
| Transaction Speed | 5-40 minutes average depending on blockchain network | 5-30 minutes average depending on blockchain network |
| Security Model | Non-custodial exchange, funds never stored on platform. 2FA available for accounts. | Non-custodial exchange, custody-free wallet-to-wallet transfers. Never hacked since 2018. |
| KYC Requirements | Optional for crypto swaps. Basic KYC up to 10,000 EUR/48h. Required for fiat transactions. | None for crypto-to-crypto swaps. Required for fiat purchases over $700. |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat and email support. Multilingual assistance. | 24/7 support via chat and email. Fast response times. |
| User Reviews | 3.5/5 on Trustpilot (2M+ users). Praised for variety, criticized for occasional delays. | Highly positive reviews across platforms. Praised for privacy, speed, and support. |
| Mobile Apps | iOS & Android apps (4.7/5 rating) | Android app available, iOS in development |
| Registration | Optional account creation for tracking and features | Zero registration required for crypto swaps |
| Trading Pairs | 25,000+ trading pairs across major exchanges | 900,000+ trading pair combinations with cross-chain support |
| Unique Features | Changelly Pro for advanced trading (spot, margin, futures with up to 100x leverage), affiliate program with 50% revenue share | Unlimited anonymous swaps, extensive cross-chain capabilities, complete privacy focus |
| Fiat Partners | MoonPay, Banxa, Simplex, Switchere, Wert, Topper (6 providers) | Mercuryo, Simplex, Guardiarian (3 providers) |
| Best For | Users wanting broad fiat options, established reputation, optional advanced trading features | Privacy-conscious traders, anonymous swaps, extensive altcoin selection |
What Are Changelly and StealthEX? A Platform Overview
Changelly: The Long-Term Crypto Swap Game
Changelly has been around since 2015 and is a non-custodial crypto exchange. This means it aggregates rates from a bunch of different exchanges like Binance and Poloniex. Headquartered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the platform has grown to 2 million+ users worldwide and supports 800-1000+ different cryptocurrencies.
Their smart pricing algorithm checks all the major exchanges in real time to give you the best possible rate for your coin swap. Changelly doesn’t hold your coins during a transaction – it transfers them directly from one wallet to another. On average, you can expect to get your coins in 5-40 minutes. This way of working reduces the risk of your coins being hacked while still giving you control over your private keys.
Changelly offers two options: the basic swap service and Changelly Pro, which is a more advanced version of the platform that lets you trade in the same way as a regular exchange. It came out in 2020 and offers all the features you’d expect – spot trading, margin trading with 3x-25x leverage, and futures contracts with 50x-100x leverage for advanced traders who want to try something a bit different.The mobile app for iOS and Android maintains a 4.7/5 rating across app stores.
StealthEX: Where Anonymity is Key
StealthEX was founded in 2018 in the Costa Rica, and it’s also a non-custodial exchange – which is a big deal. This means that they support 2000+ different coins and over 900,000 trading pair combinations. They partner with exchanges like Binance and Huobi to get them the best possible liquidity and pricing.
The key thing about StealthEX is that it keeps everything completely private and anonymous. They don’t ask for any registration or KYC verification so you can swap as much as you like without anyone knowing. They don’t hold your data or transaction history and they’ve managed not to get hacked since they started – which is pretty impressive.
StealthEX takes 05-30 minutes on average to complete an exchange, depending on the state of the blockchain. They offer a floating rate (based on market prices) and a fixed rate (locked in for a set amount of time) to try and manage risk. An Android mobile app provides full functionality, with an iOS version currently in development.
Fees on Changelly, StealthEX Compared
Changelly Fees – 0.25% fee for the majority of Trades
Changelly slaps a flat 0.25% fee on all crypto-to-crypto trades which is pretty standard for an instant exchange but makes it pretty competitive in cost terms. Whether you’re doing a big swap like BTC to ETH or some obscure altcoin trade – that fee stays the same. On Changelly, it’s all about floating and fixed rate options – the latter usually comes with a tiny premium to help cover risks linked to currency volatility and it locks for 30 seconds.
When buying crypto with fiat currencies on Changelly, it’s a different story – the fees are a lot higher. This can range from 4% right up to 7% depending on what payment method you use and who Changelly has partnered with to service that particular fiat currency. Changelly aggregate all this – that means you’ll be getting these services from Moon Pay, Banxa, Simplex, Switchere, Wert, and Topper – each one charging a different rate. All these higher costs come back to the processing fees for credit cards, bank transfers and Apple Pay.
Network transaction fees will come into play for all blockchain transfers and Changelly shows you exactly what those fees are upfront, so you can get a clear idea of the overall costs involved before making a trade on the site.
StealthEX Fees – Mostly network and liquidity provider based
StealthEX takes a 0.4% trading fee – this includes all the fees you’d have to pay for network charges and also charges from the partner exchanges that help provide the liquidity to fill your trades. When you go to make a trade on StealthEX, the platform gives you a clear all-inclusive breakdown of how much you can expect to get after all the fees have been taken off. This rate will vary depending on the exact crypto pair you’re trading and the current network conditions at the time.
One bonus on StealthEX – unlike some of the other exchanges out there – is that there are no separate deposit or withdrawal fees. The rate that is shown to you when you go to make a trade already includes all the costs of swapping your crypto. When buying fiat currencies like USD, EUR, GBP or 8 other options on StealthEX through Mercuryo or Simplex, you just pay the partner’s fees, which will vary by the payment method you’re using and which currency you’re after.
If you’re buying crypto with a fiat currency like any of those above and the trade is under $700, StealthEX will let you get away without all the ID checks that come with trusting the platform.
Supported Coins – A Side By Side Comparison of Changelly and StealthEX
How Do These Two Exchanges Compare in Terms of Supported Cryptocurrencies?
StealthEX is out in front when it comes to sheer numbers – they support a whopping 2000+ cryptocurrencies compared to Changelly’s 800-1000+. And with many of those being hard-to-find tokens and newer DeFi projects that arent even listed on more centralized major platforms. You can also find popular coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Monero, Solana, and thousands of ERC-20 tokens on both.
Changelly tends to focus on the assets that have good liquidity across its partner exchanges – this helps them keep prices competitive and executes trades much quicker. They add new coins all the time as well, especially those that are really taking off. You can even find some unique trading pairs like ACM/BTC ( AC Milan Fan Token) and PSG/ETH ( Paris Saint-Germain Fan Token) on their platform.
StealthEX is the go-to for those looking to trade exotic altcoins and niche blockchain projects, making it a magnet for those who are looking for something a bit more off the beaten path. But it does come with a caveat – lower liquidity pairs can experience wider spreads and take longer to process, especially when the network is congested.
Cross-Chain Swaps and Trading Pairs
StealthEX offers an insane number of trading pair combinations with over 900,000 cross-chain swap options. This means you can exchange tokens from one blockchain to another without having to manually bridge assets or use multiple platforms. This works for EVM chains (like Ethereum, BSC, Polygon and Arbitrum) and non-EVM networks.
Changelly also does cross-chain swaps but through their integration with major exchanges and DEX aggregators. They handle exchanges across 6 DeFi chains (Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, Avalanche, Fantom, Optimism, and Arbitrum) making it much easier to rebalance your portfolio. No more juggling multiple exchange accounts.
If you’re swapping between different blockchain ecosystems all the time, StealthEX’s broader pair selection gives you a lot more direct routes. Changelly on the other hand is all about the popular trading pairs with good liquidity and tight spreads.
KYC Requirements: a fight for that last bit of Privacy
Changelly’s KYC Policy: Opt-in, set your own Boundaries
Changelly is set up to offer optional KYC, and its rules depend on how big a transaction is and how actively you use the service. For the most part, you can do some pretty sizeable crypto-to-crypto swaps without giving ’em the time of day. But if you need to put your own name on it, Basic KYC is pretty painless – a passport scan is all you need to get going, and that unlocks trading up to 10,000 EUR in 48 hours.
But if you’re using the service to swap fiat for crypto, or if you’re doing a direct bank transfer, things can be a bit more complicated. It really depends on the partner the transaction is going through (Changelly works with MoonPay, Banxa, and Simplex, and each has its own set of compliance rules) – they usually want you to verify your identity for any purchase above a certain threshold.
For real power users, Advanced KYC kicks in if you’re really pushing the limits of the system. That means video verification, some more ID scanning, and a contract to sign. While it’s more hassle, Changelly need to do this to make sure they can serve users who need to comply with the rules and regulations in more strict markets.
And since Changelly is a non-custodial platform, they don’t actually store your money – they only do KYC checks when the system really demands it. Which means if you’re the kind of person who really values anonymity, you might find Changelly’s set-up a bit too compromising for your taste.
StealthEX: No Registration, No fuss, No Verification needed
StealthEX is the total opposite of Changelly – it doesn’t need any of your personal details for any crypto-to-crypto trades, no matter how big or small they are. They don’t store transaction history, they don’t link trades to your identity, and they don’t really care who you are. That’s why it’s a big draw for the people who absolutely need to swap crypto without leaving a trace.
When it comes to buying crypto with fiat, StealthEX works with Mercuryo and Simplex, and they’ve got a pretty generous limit on buying crypto without needing to prove who you are – up to $700 across all purchases. Any purchases above that need to go through the usual verification process, but that’s down to the partner services and their own compliance policies.
StealthEX does all this without storing any of your data or even seeing the cash, because it’s a pure intermediary service that only connects wallets with liquidity providers, and moves the cash on without touching it. Occasionally you might have to verifty if a wallet is on one of the provider’s blacklists or if the transaction triggers some dodgy detection system.
For the people who want to swap crypto with zero registration or verification, StealthEX is the dream – it takes it back to the original peer-to-peer vision of what cryptocurrency should be.
How Fast Do Crypto Swaps Go? – Speed and Reliability Compared
Average Swap Times for Changelly and StealthEX
Changelly pretty much gets most swaps done in 5-40 minutes from the point you deposit to the point when you get the swapped cash. Now, the speed of the transaction is going to depend on a few things – how busy the blockchain is, how many confirmations you need, and what specific currencies are being swapped out. Bitcoin swaps take a bit longer due to block times, but speed demon networks like Solana or TRON move way faster.
Your average swap on StealthEX usually takes 05-30 minutes, given normal network conditions. The fact that StealthEX has these direct integrations with partner exchanges helps keep the speed consistent. When the blockchain gets really busy or there’s congestion, both platforms are going to experience some delays because they have to wait for enough confirmations before releasing the cash.
People who use aggregator platforms to compare both services tend to report smooth swap experiences. In reality, the speed difference between Changelly and StealthEX is pretty minimal – what really matters is the state of the network at the time of the swap.
What Makes Exchange Speed Go Fast or Slow?
There are a bunch of variables that can make crypto swaps take longer on both platforms. For one, blockchain verification times vary wildly depending on the network – Bitcoin needs 6 confirmations (which can take about 60 minutes), Ethereum needs 12 (which is roughly 3 minutes), and then there are other networks with their own rules. Then there’s the matter of how fast your partner exchange can process transactions – especially when trading volumes are high.
If you’re doing a fixed-rate swap, you have a limited amount of time to get the exchange done or the locked price isn’t going to stick. If the initial exchange takes too long, the platform is going to have to re-quote at the current market price. With a floating-rate swap, the price can adjust in real time to avoid this issue, but you do run the risk of being exposed to market volatility.
To avoid delays, just make sure to send the right amount, double-check the wallet address, and include any necessary memos or destination tags if the currency requires them. Both platforms also give you the ability to track your swap progress right through each stage.
Security and Trustworthiness: Non-Custodial Protection
How Non-Custodial Swaps Protect Your Cash
Both Changelly and StealthEX are non-custodial exchanges – which means they never actually hold onto your money. When you initiate a swap, the crypto just moves from your wallet to the partner exchange’s system, gets converted, and then transfers to your wallet address. This no-custody setup essentially eliminates the risk of a platform-level hack affecting your funds.
The thing is, non-custodial architecture puts the security squarely on your shoulders. You have to make sure your wallet is secure, verify the recipient address, and keep hold of your private keys – neither platform can help you out if you send funds to the wrong address or lose access to your wallet – blockchain transactions are irreversible.
StealthEX has maintained a spotless security record since 2018 and has never been hacked. Changelly, which has been around since 2015, has managed to get through millions of transactions without any major security breaches. The no-custody model significantly reduces the attack surface compared to your standard centralized exchanges that store huge amounts of cryptocurrency in hot wallets.
Security Track Record and What Real Users Say
Changelly averages a decent 3.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot based on a whole heap of user reviews. The good stuff surrounds very helpful 24/7 customer support, swift resolutions to problems, and transparency when it comes to fees. Some not-so-ideal reviews point out delays that pop up during times of network congestion or when the price of a coin has a mind of its own on volatile trading days.
StealthEX gets heaps of positive feedback on crypto forums and review sites, people praising their super quick support response times, the ability to make swaps without needing to register first, and pretty competitive rates to boot. The support team is always on top of things, including during edge cases and times when things go a bit haywire with the network – and they’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
Both platforms go to the trouble of implementing SSL encryption to keep their website secure, and they offer two-factor authentication for users with accounts. The big difference in security comes down to their KYC practices: Changelly asks for your personal info when it’s required, while StealthEX doesn’t store any user info for standard crypto to crypto transactions.
User Experience: From Interface to Ease of Use
Mobile Apps and Getting Around
Changelly has got mobile apps for both iOS and Android that are pretty much fully-featured, with a 4.7 out of 5 average rating to boot. The mobile app makes swapping crypto super easy with clear instructions, live rate displays, and tracking for your transactions. When you want to buy fiat with your credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly in the app is all you need.
StealthEX has got an Android app that lets you do all the swap stuff, and they’re working on an iOS version right now. Their web based platform is super smooth on desktop and mobile browsers, so you can just use your browser. They’ve done a pretty good job of keeping things simple and user friendly, with an intuitive process that guides new users through their first swap step by step.
Both platforms have that “less is more” thing going on when it comes to interface design – new users can easily compare rates and make their swaps without getting overwhelmed by a bunch of complicated charts and order books – let alone advanced trader features. Changelly Pro has all the trader tools if you’re one of those types.
Registration and Getting Started
StealthEX lets users make swaps without needing to register – they just need to choose what they’re buying or selling, enter the amount, give them your wallet address, and that’s it. Under 90 seconds is how long the whole process takes – no accounts or email addresses needed.
Changelly also lets you do basic swaps without needing to make an account, but registering does give you a few extra features like being able to track your transactions, favourite trading pairs, and get your support sorted faster. Signing up is a one minute affair using just an email address and a password.
For people making their first crypto swap, both platforms make it straightforward. StealthEX’s zero-registration approach is a win for maximum simplicity, and Changelly’s optional account system is a good option for people who are a bit more into crypto swaps.
Buying Crypto with Real Money – Fiat Support at Changelly
Changelly’s Range of Fiat on-Ramp Options
We partner up with 6 top-notch fiat payment providers: MoonPay, Banxa, Simplex, Switchere, Wert and Topper to give you a wide choice. You can buy cryptocurrency with your credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro), or debit card, even use bank transfers (SEPA), Apple Pay, Google Pay, or regional payment methods like iDEAL, Interac, or Sofort.
We’ve worked hard to create a network of multiple providers so you can buy crypto no matter where you’re from. Each provider has their own set of currency pairs, fees, and verification requirements. Our aggregator model lets you see what’s on offer and pick the best rate for the situation.
Buying with fiat will cost you 4-7% depending on who you use and how you pay. That’s because traditional payment systems come with their own costs, like processing fees, chargebacks and compliance headaches. Bank transfers are usually cheaper than using a credit card.
StealthEX Lets You Buy Up to $700 Worth of Crypto Without ID
StealthEX works with two fiat providers: Mercuryo and Simplex. They support 11 different fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, GHS, MXN, VND, BRL, TL, KES, ZAR and TZS. You can use credit cards, debit cards, Google Pay, or Apple Pay to buy 30 different cryptocurrencies, including the big ones like BTC, ETH, TRX, ALGO, BAT, BCH, DAI and USDT.
The big advantage of StealthEX is that you can buy up to $700 worth of crypto without having to verify your identity. That means you can make multiple smaller purchases without needing to show your ID. This makes it a lot easier to access smaller amounts of cryptocurrency.
If you try to buy more than $700, you’ll need to go through the verification process with the payment provider (either Mercuryo or Simplex). And, of course, the fees will be based on the payment method and the cryptocurrency you choose. But generally, credit cards will be more expensive than bank transfers because of the extra processing costs and risks of chargebacks.
Why Compare Changelly and StealthEX with Swapzone?
How Swapzone makes it Easy to Compare Changelly and StealthEX Rates
Rather than having to decide between Changelly and StealthEX, Swapzone lets you compare both crypto exchanges at the same time – it’s an exchange aggregator founded in 2019 that compares rates from a bunch of partner services so you can pick the best deal. With 28+ partner services on board, Swapzone supports 4500+ different tokens and gives you a live rundown of the rates being offered by Changelly, StealthEX, ChangeNOW, SimpleSwap, and loads of other instant exchanges all on one screen.
When you’re looking to make a swap on Swapzone, the platform goes out and checks all of its partner exchanges to find you the best rate – and it does this in seconds. You can then see exactly how much you’ll get from each provider after fees have been taken out. You simply pick the option that suits you best and complete the transaction directly with that exchange.
Swapzone is a neutral player – it doesn’t lean towards any particular exchange. It earns a tiny bit of cash from its partners by referring to them, but that doesn’t get passed on to the users. What you see on the platform is the true market rate. It’s not that different from how flight comparison sites work and can help you bag a great deal
Getting the Best Price on Crypto Swaps Every Time
Lots of newbies to the world of crypto can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of crypto swap services out there. Swapzone solves this by putting everything in one place – you can compare rates from Changelly, StealthEX, and 26 other exchanges without having to hop between websites or sign up for loads of accounts.
No registration is needed, and no KYC (Know Your Customer) checks are required for trading – you don’t even need to create an account, let alone give any personal details. If you do want to track your history or favourite currency swaps, you can do so by linking a wallet or email, but swapping without any hassle works just fine too. On average, Swapzone completes exchanges in just 5-30 minutes – that’s as fast as its partner exchanges, if not quicker.
Swapzone has a great reputation and users consistently say that it makes finding the best rate really straightforward, and that the support team is always on hand to sort out any problems that might come up. And when you look at their 4.2/5 rating on Trustpilot, it’s clear that thousands of successful swaps for all sorts of different currencies and trading volumes bear this out.
The Bottom Line
Both Changelly and StealthEX deliver solid non-custodial crypto swap experiences in their own way. Changelly (founded 2015, 800+ cryptocurrencies, 0.25% fee) really stands out with more fiat options through its 6 payment partners, a solid rep serving 2 million users, and the option to do KYC checks for bigger trades. StealthEX (founded 2018, 2000+ cryptocurrencies, 0.4% fee) really leads the way in terms of security with no KYC required for crypto-to-crypto swaps, more asset coverage and complete anonymity in terms of transactions.
Rather than choosing between them, or jumping back and forth between the two, you can just use Swapzone’s aggregator to compare live rates from 28 partner services including Changelly and StealthEX. And since this is based on real-time data, you can be sure that you’ll be getting the best price for each and every transaction without needing to maniacally check every single exchange yourself. Try Swapzone to compare the two platforms, side by side, and make your first anonymous crypto swap in a jiffy – with thousands of different trading pairs available, you’ll be able to see exactly what’s going on with complete transparency.
Compare Changelly and StealthEX rates with Swapzone and get the best deal without having to sign up.
Resources & Further Reading
Official Platforms
- Changelly Official Website – Instant crypto exchange with 800+ cryptocurrencies and 0.25% fees
- Changelly Pro Trading Platform – Advanced trading with spot, margin, and futures contracts
- StealthEX Official Website – Anonymous crypto swaps with 2000+ supported assets
- Swapzone Exchange Aggregator – Compare rates from 28+ exchanges including Changelly and StealthEX
Reviews & Ratings
- Changelly on Trustpilot – 3.5/5 rating with verified user reviews
- StealthEX on Cryptoradar – Independent ratings and user feedback
- 99Bitcoins Changelly Review – Comprehensive analysis of features and fees
- Coinpedia StealthEX Review – Detailed platform overview and assessment
Educational Resources
- ChangeNOW Review Methodology – Framework for evaluating crypto exchanges
- Changelly Support Center – Knowledge base and help articles
- StealthEX Blog – Crypto guides and project analysis
Alternative Comparisons
- Best Crypto Swap Platforms 2025 – Comparison including ChangeNOW and SimpleSwap
- Top Instant Exchanges – Market overview of leading platforms Alternative Comparisons
- Best Crypto Swap Platforms 2025 – Comparison including ChangeNOW and SimpleSwap
- Top Instant Exchanges – Market overview of leading platforms
