# Is ChangeNOW safe? Check before you connect

> ChangeNOW: worst case for your money, official links, freeze and key risks, incidents and a 3-step safe setup. Sourced, checked 2026-10-24.

Canonical: https://tradingagentstack.com/check/changenow/

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3. ChangeNOW

# Is ChangeNOW safe to connect?

Swap service · Instant cross-chain swaps (hundreds of assets incl. XMR, ZEC). Checked 2026-10-24; every line links its source.

**Worst case:** While your coins sit at ChangeNOW mid-swap, an automated AML flag can hold them indefinitely until you complete ID and source-of-funds checks, and users report refunds stalling if they decline.

Already lost funds? [What to do if a bot or wallet is drained](https://tradingagentstack.com/trading-bot-drained-what-to-do/).

## Safe setup in 3 steps

1. Always enter a refund address you control when creating the swap

2. Test with a small amount first and only swap funds whose origin you can document

3. Use changenow.io or the App Store app from seller CHN Group Limited, and save your exchange ID for support

## What it can do with your money

| Who holds the keys | The service holds the keys You send coins to a ChangeNOW deposit address; during the swap ChangeNOW controls them and can place the transaction on hold for review. [source](https://changenow.io/terms-of-use/aml-kyc) |
| --- | --- |
| Can funds be sent out to any address? | Not applicable (no stored balance); the swap output is sent to your address unless the transaction is held. [source](https://changenow.io/terms-of-use/aml-kyc) |
| Can it hold or freeze your funds? | ChangeNOW AML/KYC policy: automated tools screen transactions and flagged ones 'may be placed on hold' for individual review (Sec. 4); it may request a government ID, proof of funds and other documents via Sumsub (Sec. 3); the verification link stays active for 3 days, after which the case is reviewed individually; refusing checks or giving false information can restrict access (Sec. 3, 7); some jurisdictions must complete KYC before using the service (Sec. 2). No maximum hold duration or refund rule is stated on this page. In Trustpilot replies ChangeNOW cites its terms: 'we reserve the right to freeze your exchange transaction for any period of time necessary'. [source](https://changenow.io/terms-of-use/aml-kyc) |
| Monero and Zcash | **XMR**: swap supported (to and from XMR) **ZEC**: swap supported (changenow.io/currencies/zcash) [source](https://changenow.io/currencies/zcash) |

## Official links

Each link below was confirmed from at least two independent places (the vendor's own pages plus another source). Anything else using this name is not on the list.

- Website: `changenow.io`

- App: `https://apps.apple.com/app/id1518003605`

Where we confirmed these
- https://apps.apple.com//app/id1518003605 (App Store 'ChangeNOW: Crypto Exchange', seller CHN Group Limited, developer site changenow.io)

- https://changenow.io (site links its app via changenow.app.link)

- https://fxstreet.com/company/changenow (website changenow.io)

## Incidents

Items marked "reported by users" are claims we could not confirm with the vendor or a security firm.

| Date | What happened | Amount | Outcome | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-07-29 | Reported by users (unverified): Trustpilot reviews describe swaps frozen under AML review with KYC/source-of-funds requests, holds lasting weeks to 10+ months, and stalled refunds for users who declined KYC (19 such reviews on the AML-filtered page, Feb 2021 to Jul 2026) (reported by users) |  | Mixed; ChangeNOW replies cite AML procedures and give no timelines | [source](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/changenow.io?search=AML) |

## Check a link

Got a link, @handle or repo that claims to be ChangeNOW? Paste it to see if it's on the official list.

Checking links inside Telegram? Send them to [@TASCheckBot](https://t.me/TASCheckBot), or add it to your group so anyone can type `/check`. Alerts on new drains and fakes: [@tradingAgentStk](https://x.com/tradingAgentStk).

## Get an alert for ChangeNOW

We email you if we add an incident, a freeze report, a known fake or a deadline for ChangeNOW. Free; unsubscribe anytime.

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Something wrong or out of date? [Send a correction](https://tradingagentstack.com/submit/) with a link to the vendor's docs. Not financial advice. [How we check](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/#method).

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