Do I need my own crypto wallet to use ChangeNOW?

Yes, you need a wallet address to receive the swapped coins, but you can use any wallet you control — a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor), a mobile or desktop wallet, or a self-custody app. You should never use an exchange deposit address as a destination for a ChangeNOW swap unless you understand the risks of mixing services. Because ChangeNOW is non-custodial, there is no internal wallet or balance, so a receiving address is required for every operation.

A typical ChangeNOW swap is a five-step flow: pick the pair, choose FixRate or FloatingRate, enter the receiving address, send your coins, and wait for the exchange to be forwarded to your address. Most swaps complete in 5–30 minutes depending on network congestion, and the exchange status is trackable in real time on the official site.

Two habits prevent the vast majority of swap problems: always set a change (refund) address, and start with a small test transaction when trying an unfamiliar pair. If a swap fails, the change address is where ChangeNOW returns your funds, so leaving it empty or wrong is the most common user error.

Bottom line

Yes, you need a wallet address to receive the swapped coins, but you can use any wallet you control — a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor), a mobile or desktop wallet, or a self-custody app. For the full picture, see the complete ChangeNOW FAQ covering fees, KYC, limits, refunds, supported coins, and more.