Comparison of Valr vs Changenow [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Valr vs Changenow comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

VALR

Valr

  • Threenvest valuation: 3,8/5
  • US legal: No
  • Security: High 4,6/5
  • Mobile App: No
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

changenow

Changenow

  • Threenvest valuation: 3,4/5
  • US legal: Yes
  • Security: High 4/5
  • Mobile App: Yes
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

-0,01%/0,10%

Earns

No

Customer service

4/5
hidden

Fees

Yes

Earns

3/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
No

Beginners

No

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Africa.
4.0 – Competitive fees with a focus on instant crypto swaps.

Level

-0,01%/0,10%
hidden

Brief explanation

VALR’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and attractive to both novice and experienced traders. The exchange employs a tiered fee system where the trading fees decrease as the user’s monthly trading volume increases. This incentivizes higher trading volumes while maintaining affordability for smaller traders. Fees for typical trades start relatively low, with further reductions possible depending on the trade volume and currency pairs being traded. Additionally, VALR occasionally runs promotions that temporarily reduce fees or offer rebates, enhancing the trading experience.
ChangeNOW simplifies the process of trading cryptocurrencies by imposing a straightforward fee structure that varies depending on the transaction and the currency pair used. Typically, ChangeNOW integrates a service fee directly into the exchange rate, which means the rates you see already include the fee, ensuring transparency and avoiding unexpected charges. The platform does not charge a separate service fee, but network fees, which are payments to miners, still apply and are necessary for the transaction to be processed on the blockchain. This fee structure makes it easy for beginners to understand the total cost of each transaction without having to navigate complex fee schedules.

Valr

VALR
Read VALR review
  • Strong Security Measures: VALR employs robust security protocols including cold storage of assets, two-factor authentication, and secure encryption technologies to ensure user funds are protected against unauthorized access.
  • Compliance with Local Regulations: As a South African exchange, VALR adheres to local financial regulations and guidelines, which bolsters its credibility and reliability as a trustworthy platform in the eyes of both users and regulators.
  • High Trading Volume and Liquidity: VALR supports a high trading volume and offers substantial liquidity, making it easier for users to enter and exit positions, which is especially beneficial for traders looking to execute large volume trades.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its launch, VALR has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. Positive user reviews often highlight its user-friendly interface, range of supported cryptocurrencies, and responsive customer support.
  • Year Founded: Established in 2018, VALR has rapidly grown to become one of the leading exchanges in South Africa, demonstrating strong market resilience and continuous adaptation to user needs and technological advancements.
  • Pros
  • Wide range of cryptocurrencies
  • Competitive trading fees
  • Strong security measures
  • Cons
  • Limited global fiat options
  • Slow customer support response

Read VALR review

Changenow

changenow
Read VALR review
  • Security Methods: ChangeNOW employs robust security protocols, including non-custodial transactions that ensure users retain control over their private keys, enhancing overall security.
  • Customer Service: Despite some feedback about needing improvements, ChangeNOW is committed to enhancing its customer support services, with initiatives aimed at providing quicker and more effective responses.
  • Reputation and Reviews: The platform has received positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and quick swap features, establishing a solid reputation in the cryptocurrency community.
  • Trading Volume and Liquidity: With support for over 200 cryptocurrencies, ChangeNOW offers high liquidity, ensuring that transactions are executed swiftly and at competitive rates.
  • Transparency: ChangeNOW is transparent about its fees and processes, providing users with all necessary information upfront, which helps in building trust.
  • Pros
  • User-friendly, intuitive interface.
  • No registration required for exchanges.
  • Supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies.
  • Cons
  • Higher fees than some competitors.
  • No custodial services offered.

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Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

No
Yes

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

VALR Pty Ltd.
ChangeNOW International Ltd.

Regulation

Regulated in Sudáfrica
Not regulated

Year founded

2019
2017

Founder

Farzam Ehsani
Unknown

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
No

Mastercard

Yes
No

Wire transfer

Yes
No

Card

Yes
No

Comparative table

Valr FEATURES Changenow
VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
Minimum Trade
ChangeNOW allows users to trade small amounts of cryptocurrencies, accommodating users who prefer to trade minimal quantities.
One of VALR’s strongest features is its competitive fee structure, which ranks among the lowest in the industry, benefiting all types of traders.
Trading and Transaction Fees
While fees are competitive, they can vary and be higher for certain routes or less popular coins.
The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Supports over 200 cryptocurrencies, providing a wide selection for trading.
VALR supports a broad range of trading pairs, allowing users to trade directly between various cryptocurrencies without needing to convert to fiat.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Offers a vast array of trading pairs, allowing direct swaps between a diverse range of cryptocurrencies.
While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Website Transparency
Generally transparent about fees and trading processes, but could improve accessibility of detailed information on the backend processes.
The VALR card integrates seamlessly with the exchange, providing convenient access to funds and attractive rewards, enhancing the overall utility of the platform for everyday transactions.
Credit/Debit Card
Does not provide its own exchange card for in-store purchases or benefits.
VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Storage Offering
Provides a secure, non-custodial service that doesn’t store user funds but could enhance security features or options.
The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Staking and Rewards
Limited options for staking and rewards compared to other platforms that offer comprehensive staking services.
VALR offers both mobile and desktop platforms that are user-friendly and feature-rich, facilitating trading on-the-go as well as from a desktop setup.
Mobile App and Desktop
Both mobile and desktop interfaces are user-friendly, facilitating easy and efficient trading on any device.
While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Customer Service
Customer service is available but has room for improvement in terms of response times and support quality.
Deposits and withdrawals are facilitated smoothly, but improvements can be made in terms of speed and the variety of supported currencies and methods.
Deposit and Withdraw
Facilitates easy and fast deposits and withdrawals but could expand the variety of accepted payment methods.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
No significant tools, mainly a swap service

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,6/5
High 4/5

Additional features

Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services
Instant crypto swaps, NOW token rewards, fiat on/off ramps, ChangeNOW API

Anonymity

No
Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

50+
200+

User-friendliness

VALR offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.
ChangeNOW offers a straightforward and easy-to-use platform that is ideal for beginners. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and execute trades.

Value for money

Offers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in South Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.
Offers good value for money with competitive fees and a straightforward swapping service, making it an easy option for quick trades.

Countries of operation

South Africa
Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

Best for

Suitable for South African investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.
Ideal for traders looking for a straightforward and quick cryptocurrency swapping service with competitive fees.

Base currencies available

ZAR, BTC
BTC, ETH, USDT (varies by transaction)

Account

Trading

VALR is a popular exchange in South Africa, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a good range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees but lacks some advanced trading tools.
ChangeNOW is a non-custodial exchange known for its fast and anonymous transactions. It offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies but lacks advanced trading features and tools.

Deposit and withdrawal

VALR is popular in South Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.
ChangeNOW is a non-custodial exchange known for its fast transactions. It supports various deposit methods, and withdrawals are processed quickly with low fees.

Account opening process

VALR provides a seamless and fully digital account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is quick and usually takes less than a day to complete.
ChangeNOW provides a simple and quick account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and usually takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
No

Customer Service

VALR provides customer support via email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support may be a limitation for some users.
ChangeNOW offers support through email and live chat. The response time is quick, but the support team is not available 24/7, which may be a drawback for some users.

Security

VALR employs robust security features, including 2FA and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.
ChangeNOW provides strong security with 2FA and encryption. However, it lacks regulation from major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

alejandro-borja-analista-de-brokers.webp

Alejandro Borja

As an expert reviewer on our website, I highly recommend VALR for anyone entering the cryptocurrency market in South Africa. The platform’s wide array of cryptocurrencies paired with some of the most competitive fees in the market makes it a top choice. However, if you’re trading from outside of South Africa or require swift customer support, you might want to consider these aspects before deciding.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

Xavier Tarrasó

As a cryptocurrency analyst at our website, I’ve spent considerable time exploring and using various exchanges, and ChangeNOW stands out for its remarkable simplicity and efficiency. From my personal experience, this platform is especially well-suited for those who are new to the cryptocurrency world or those who prefer straightforward, quick crypto exchanges without the hassle of lengthy registrations. ChangeNOW’s focus on user privacy and security, without requiring personal information, provides peace of mind, making it a top recommendation for users valuing anonymity alongside ease of use. Whether you’re looking to swap small amounts or engage in more significant trades, ChangeNOW facilitates it all with commendable ease and speed.

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How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

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