ChangeHero
ChangeHero is a non-custodial, bootstrapped cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in 2018 in Costa Rica that aggregates liquidity from 10+ exchanges to offer instant crypto swaps and fiat on-ramps to 3+ million users across 180+ countries, monetized through transaction fees and a B2B API.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSan José, Costa Rica
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What ChangeHero does
ChangeHero is a non-custodial cryptocurrency exchange platform incorporated in San José, Costa Rica as HEROFINTECHS LIMITADA and operating since 2018. The platform enables instant crypto-to-crypto swaps across 300+ digital assets without requiring user registration or KYC, aggregating liquidity in real time from more than 10 global centralized and decentralized exchanges through a proprietary rate aggregation engine to source the best available rate for each pair. Its technology stack includes a 15-minute Fixed Rate lock option that protects users against intra-transaction volatility, a non-custodial architecture that ensures user funds remain in their own wallets throughout the swap, and an average transaction completion time of approximately 5 minutes. The platform also supports fiat on/off-ramps through licensed third-party providers (Mercuryo and UAB Finch Technologies, regulated under Lithuania's FCIS), enabling purchases of 150+ crypto assets and sales into USD/EUR.
Revenue is generated through transaction fees of up to 0.5% on Best Rate (floating) swaps and up to 0.7% on Fixed Rate swaps, billed pay-as-you-go per transaction with no account or subscription required. Distribution is anchored by a self-serve direct website and extended through a B2B channel consisting of a REST API, a 5-minute embeddable exchange widget, an affiliate program, and built-in integrations with hardware and software wallet partners including Exodus, Trezor, Tangem, CoolWallet, Edge, OneKey, and Zelcore. Marketing is driven by content (multilingual blog and 8-language website), earned media coverage in Forbes, crypto.news, Bitcoinist, and The Daily Hodl, and customer reviews on Trustpilot where the service carries an Excellent rating. As of the latest reported daily metrics, ChangeHero processes approximately 5,070 transactions and $14.02 million in 24-hour turnover, serving more than 3 million users across 180+ countries; the company is privately held and bootstrapped, with no disclosed institutional funding rounds.
ChangeHero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ChangeHero
- Legal name
- HEROFINTECHS LIMITADA
- Website
- https://changehero.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ChangeHero is a non-custodial, bootstrapped cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in 2018 in Costa Rica that aggregates liquidity from 10+ exchanges to offer instant crypto swaps and fiat on-ramps to 3+ million users across 180+ countries, monetized through transaction fees and a B2B API.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ChangeHero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cryptocurrency Exchange
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (52232), Securities and Commodity Exchanges (52321)
- SIC
- Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crypto Payment Gateways & Checkout APIs (FSADAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms (BPAMAFAL), Crypto-Enabled Cross-Border Transfers & On/Off-Ramps (FSAGAKAO)
Keywords
Where ChangeHero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San José
- HQ country
- Costa Rica
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ChangeHero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Crypto swap transaction fees: Charges conversion fees on crypto-to-crypto exchanges: up to 0.5% for Best Rate option and up to 0.7% for Fixed Rate option, based on market conditions and liquidity
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Best Rate (Floating Rate) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Fixed Rate |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Fiat purchase minimum |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
ChangeHero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ChangeHero is a non-custodial instant cryptocurrency exchange that aggregates liquidity from 10+ global centralized and decentralized exchanges to deliver best-available swap rates across 300+ crypto assets without requiring user registration or KYC. It also offers fiat purchase and sale of 150+ cryptocurrencies via licensed providers Mercuryo and FinchPay, and provides B2B integration products (REST API and embeddable widget) for wallet and fintech partners.
Product overview
ChangeHero is a cryptocurrency exchange platform operating a non-custodial instant exchange service. The platform's core offering consists of three integrated services: a crypto-to-crypto swap exchange supporting 300+ assets with best-rate aggregation and no registration required; a fiat purchase/sale service for buying and selling 150+ crypto assets using local currencies and payment methods; and an API suite comprising a REST API for business partners and an embeddable exchange widget with 5-minute integration. The platform aggregates liquidity from 10+ global exchanges to ensure competitive rates and processes transactions typically within 5 minutes, serving users across 180+ countries without mandatory KYC for crypto swaps.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Crypto Exchange (Swap) Non-custodial instant cryptocurrency exchange service enabling users to swap between 300+ crypto assets with best-rate aggregation from 10+ exchanges, no registration required, and completion typically within 5 minutes. Aimed at individual crypto holders seeking fast, anonymous swaps.
- Buy Crypto Fiat-to-crypto purchase service allowing users to buy 150+ cryptocurrency assets using local currencies and payment methods including credit/debit cards, processed through licensed providers Mercuryo and FinchPay. Aimed at retail users in 180+ countries.
- Sell Crypto Crypto-to-fiat sale service enabling users to sell cryptocurrency for USD, EUR, and other fiat currencies with funds credited to bank accounts, featuring one-time verification. Aimed at retail users converting crypto holdings to fiat.
- ChangeHero API REST API solution for business partners enabling cryptocurrency exchange integrations with 300+ crypto assets, partner dashboard, and optional KYB verification for institutional clients. Aimed at wallet providers, fintech platforms, and crypto services.
- Exchange Widget Embeddable, fully customizable cryptocurrency exchange widget with flexible design and full adaptability, offering 5-minute integration for partners to add swap functionality to their platforms.
- Affiliate Program Partner referral program allowing affiliates to earn commissions by referring users to ChangeHero's exchange services, with revenue share on referred transactions.
- Direct Purchase Support Expansion to 125 Assets An expansion of ChangeHero's Buy Crypto service increasing the number of cryptocurrencies directly purchasable with fiat to 125 assets through multiple payment methods.
Quantifiable outcome
- Transactions completed within 5 minutes average
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ChangeHero
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ChangeHero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature3 records
ChangeHero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Exodus WalletcoreExodus integrates ChangeHero for in-wallet cryptocurrency exchanges, enabling users to swap thousands of cryptocurrency pairs directly within the Exodus ecosystem
- TrezorcoreHardware wallet partner offering secure cold storage with integrated ChangeHero exchange functionality for Trezor users
- Swap SpaceminorAggregator partner listing ChangeHero as an exchange option for users
- SwapzoneminorAggregator partner listing ChangeHero as an exchange option for users
- MercuryocoreLicensed fiat on-ramp provider processing cryptocurrency purchases in 173 countries with no KYC for purchases up to 700 EUR
- FinchPaycoreLicensed fiat provider for crypto purchases and sales; UAB Finch Technologies authorized under Lithuanian FCIS supervision
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ChangeHero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SimpleSwap: SimpleSwap operates a near-identical instant crypto swap service with no registration required, fixed and floating rates, and global coverage. Direct competitor in the same product category.
- StealthEX: StealthEX is a non-custodial instant crypto exchange with no KYC and a partner API/widget program. Direct competitor particularly in the privacy-focused retail segment.
- Changelly: Changelly is a non-custodial instant crypto exchange with a similar aggregator model, partner API, and merchant widget offering. Directly competes with ChangeHero on retail swaps and B2B integrations.
- Swapzone: Swapzone is a partner/aggregator listing ChangeHero among multiple exchange providers. Functions as both a distribution partner and a competing aggregator in the same vertical.
- Exolix: Exolix is a non-custodial crypto swap service offering 500+ assets with a similar no-registration, fixed/floating rate model. Direct competitor in the same aggregator category.
- ChangeNOW: ChangeNOW is a direct competitor offering non-custodial instant crypto swaps with multi-exchange aggregation, no account required, and an API for partners. Closest comparable on business model, target customer, and pricing structure.
- SwapSpace: SwapSpace is a swap aggregator that lists multiple exchange providers (including ChangeHero) to surface best rates. Competitor/peer with overlapping service and an overlapping audience.
Broad incumbents
- MoonPay: MoonPay is a larger, well-funded crypto payments infrastructure provider offering fiat on-ramp APIs and embedded widgets. Broader incumbent with overlapping B2B functionality but heavier fiat focus.
Emerging players
- 1inch: 1inch is a DEX aggregator routing swaps across decentralized liquidity sources. Comparable aggregation/routing logic to ChangeHero's rate engine, but on-chain rather than CEX-routed and typically serving DeFi users.
Others
- Mercuryo: Mercuryo is a licensed fiat on-ramp provider that ChangeHero integrates with for fiat purchases. Ecosystem partner/enabler rather than direct competitor, but Material adjacent in the embedded crypto-payments stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ChangeHero social profiles
Digital presenceChangeHero compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
ChangeHero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ChangeHero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ChangeHero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ChangeHero M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ChangeHero
What does ChangeHero do?
ChangeHero is a non-custodial instant cryptocurrency exchange that aggregates liquidity from 10+ global centralized and decentralized exchanges to deliver best-available swap rates across 300+ crypto assets without requiring user registration or KYC. It also offers fiat purchase and sale of 150+ cryptocurrencies via licensed providers Mercuryo and FinchPay, and provides B2B integration products (REST API and embeddable widget) for wallet and fintech partners.
Is ChangeHero a public or private company?
ChangeHero is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ChangeHero founded?
ChangeHero was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ChangeHero based?
ChangeHero is headquartered in San José, Costa Rica, in the Latin America region.
How does ChangeHero make money?
One revenue line is on record: crypto swap transaction fees.
Who are ChangeHero's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SimpleSwap, StealthEX, Changelly, Swapzone, Exolix, ChangeNOW and SwapSpace. MoonPay is listed as a broad incumbent. 1inch is listed as an emerging player. Mercuryo is listed as an others.
Does ChangeHero have an API?
Yes. ChangeHero offers an API solution for business partners, enabling integration of cryptocurrency exchange capabilities. The API supports over 300 crypto assets with a partner dashboard and optional KYB (Know Your Business) verification for partners. Developer documentation is at changehero.io/mrkt/changehero-api.
What industry is ChangeHero in?
ChangeHero's product category is Cryptocurrency Exchange. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSADAIAA, Crypto Payment Gateways & Checkout APIs, with a secondary code of BPAMAFAL, Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms. Its NAICS code is 52232 and its SIC code is 6200.