In this Changelly review, we are going to go over how their fee structure works, what kind of altcoins they support, and whether or not they can be trusted to trade your crypto!
Changelly is similar to Shapeshift, in that you can instantly swap altcoins to be traded instantly to the wallet of your choice. It’s quick, secure, and very very cheap at only 0.5% exchanges fees, which you can’t get any other mainstream exchange.
This is a great option for people that want to get an instant conversion from any of your favorite coins and don’t want to sign up for anything or provide personal information. They also allow you to buy cryptocurrency with a credit card or debit card, but that is a little more extensive process that will require some personal information (much like any other OTC exchange).
Let’s jump in and see if this is any different than buying or trading crypto on CoinMama. Let’s go!
What is Changelly?
Changelly is a platform that allows your trade cryptocurrency instantly without any personal verification or identity details, similar to Shapeshift. This platform uses a combination of the some of the top leading cryptocurrency exchanges to provide you with the best price on crypto-trading pairs that are not typically offered on other exchanges.
This is one of the ONLY remaining anonymous crypto trading platforms that allow you exchange different trading pairs without providing any identifying information and can be done in less than a minute.
Additionally, they integrate with many leading hardware wallets and software wallets directly to ensure your private keys are protected. These wallets include but are not limited to: Trezor, Ledger, Exodus, and Jaxx.
Is It Legit? Can I Trust It?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask when dealing with a cryptocurrency exchange. Changelly has been in existence since 2015 and has a very high TrustPilot customer satisfaction score for this type of service and has been widely trusted within an industry that doesn’t really rely on trust.
I have personally used this service (granted it was for a relatively small amount) but I did not run into any issues or delays when using the platform.
Simply put, this is a trusted resource to trade or convert your favorite crypto into another in a quick and efficient way and I will use them again myself if I ever need to.
What Kind Of Altcoins And Fiat Exchanges Can I Make?
So with this exchange, you can buy bitcoin with a credit card if needed. They do use an integration with Indacoin and Simplex for processing, so the rates are very high. I recommend if your goal is to buy crypto with a debit or credit card to use CoinMama, as it will be cheaper for you.
However, when exchanging between cryptocurrencies, the 0.5% fee is extremely low and is really a very good price. This is primarily what I have used this exchange for, if I need access to a particular coin and do not want to pay the exchange fees via an exchange like Binance or Coinbase.
Here is a list of all the support currencies, so you can verify if your particular coin is available on the platform.
If you do decide to buy any cryptocurrency with a credit or debit card, it will take about 24-48 hours depending on how much verification you have completed. If you do a crypto-to-crypto exchange or conversion, it can take as little as 5 minutes, up to 30 minutes, depending on how large the amount is.
What Makes It Different Than Shapeshift?
It really comes down to the fees, mostly. This has a lower crypto-to-crypto exchange rate than Shapeshift, however both options have a direct hardware wallet connection option. Additionally, Changelly does support a wider array of coins than Shapeshift does currently, but that can change in the future.
I enjoy using both platforms for different reasons, but if you want a quick and seamless process without using a hardware wallet, then you can use Changelly in a much easier way.
If you do want to see what Shapeshift offers, you can check out my full review of their new platform HERE.
Changelly – Conclusion
Overall, this is a good crypto-to-crypto conversion exchange with very high quality customer support and a no hassle, easy to use platform. If I need to swap altcoins in a pinch, this is the service I use. Period.
In my personal experience, I was able to exchange over $300 worth of crypto in under 10 minutes and I never ran into any issues or needed to use the customer chat or submit any tickets for support, which is good.
Bottomline: If you want to convert fiat-to-crypto, don’t use Changelly, use Coinmama. If you want to convert crypto-to-crypto, then I would STRONGLY recommend using this service, as I know firsthand it works, and I can convert my coins directly into whatever altcoin I need without having to do a “Double Conversion”, like I would on a standard crypto exchange.
What do you think? Have you used this service before? If so, let us know your experience below!
Cheers,
The Crypto Renegade
NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.
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SafePal vs Ellipal Titan (2020) | Which Air-Gapped Hardware Wallet Is Better?
SafePal vs Ellipal Titan! In this comparison, we are going to do a head-to-head of two of the most competitive and popular new cryptocurrency hardware wallets in this edition of the hardware wallet roundups.
I am going to dive into which of these hardware wallets is better and more secure. How big is your portfolio? Do you need mobile AND desktop support? Do you use any 3rd party wallets for integration? Do you need web-based access instead of a required download?
These are all questions you will need to consider when deciding which of these wallets will be best for you. At the end of the day, the coin support is one of the most important factors (besides security) when deciding which hardware wallet is best for you.
Ultimately, if it doesn’t support the coins you want to store offline, it won’t work for your particular situation. So keep that in mind as we dive into what I consider to be the most important factors when making such an important decision, such as choosing a cryptocurrency hardware wallet.
SafePal: Overview
This device was originally created by Binance Labs division and wanted to have a unique approach to a hardware wallet that was cheap enough for the average user, but also supported the Binance chain and added support for their internal projects. This really is a unique entry level hardware wallet, that greatly differs in terms of design, functionality, and overall user experience.
SafePal: Security
This can be considered one of the most attractive features of the device as it’s only $39.99 for this hardware wallet. Yes, you read that right. But why is it so cheap? Well, even though it looks like a very sleek and expensive device, its is made of plastic coating and a very small camera module that is used to transact at a very low resolution.l It’s obvious that they built this as cheaply as they could, while still remaining secure.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you also get what you pay for. One of the key features that sets this device apart from most other competing hardware wallets is the fact that there is NO:
- NFC
- BLUETOOTH
- USB
- CELLULAR
- EXTERNAL DEVICE CONNECTIONS
This gives it extra security, but it also makes it easier to use, as there are no extra devices necessary for this to operate, other than your smartphone. All you need right out of the box is a charger that supports USB-A to charge the device and a smartphone to download the SafePal App to setup and initialize the device.
SafePal: User Experience (UX)
This is the cheapest completely wireless hardware wallet on the market. It interacts only with your smartphone and the camera embedded into the device that allows you to transmit encrypted data via the QR code. This is truly a unique device.
This is a pretty solid introductory hardware wallet. It’s unique from it’s direct competitors and its simple and easy to use. As mentioned above, it has no connection weaknesses and cannot be hacked by any radio frequency or directly connected internet device.
It’s truly a unique wireless hardware wallet that can be used on the go and is one of only a few hardware wallets that are “truly wireless” with no dependence on other devices. Oh, and did I mentioned it’s under $40?
SafePal: Coin Support
This is the one weak point of this product is the lack of coin support, as it only supports: Bitcoin, Ether (and ERC-20 Tokens), BNB, Litecoin, Dash, and Bitcoin Cash. However, they have mentioned that there is Ripple (XRP) and Tron (TRX) coming very shortly. They truly are attempting to add more coins, and over time, if they don’t raise their price, this option will be a slam dunk for most users.
Additionally, I will add that the Binance Chain Coins (BEP2) tokens are also supported as this is a Binance hardware wallet after all. Below Is a full list of coins currently supported.
Ellipal Titan: Overview
This is a really unique device and has a very robust form factor that has ratings that rival that of some high-end smartphones. What separates this hardware wallet from the majority of other popular wallets is its communication method. So, what do I mean by that? This device has NO: USB Connection, NFC Connection, WiFi Connection, Bluetooth Connection, or Cellular Connection. So, how do you use it? The short answer is: QR Codes.
Ellipal Titan: Security
This is a 100% air-gapped device, so ultimately it is more secure than any other way to interact with a hardware wallet. Period. The device has a tamper-resistant enclosure that includes a self-destruct mechanism for any potential way to access the internals of the device.
It is built in such a way that if anyone tries to break the screen or drill a hole through to device in an attempt to open its internal layout, the private keys will be erased. This is extremely powerful and will ultimately deter people from trying to hack this completely wireless device.
Ellipal Titan: User Experience (UX)
This hardware wallet has a camera, a 4-inch full color display, and does not display any balances on the device itself. The portfolio management and execution of the device is managed via a companion iOS and Android app that is used to initiate transactions and allows you to utilize the camera from your smartphone to transfer funds securely to the cold wallet, and vice versa.
I have been using this device for several weeks now, and in my personal opinion, it has been super easy to use and also very secure. I like knowing that my device is essentially indestructible and does not require any other 3rd party connection in order for it to function. This not only makes it very convenient, but it also very secure and eliminates room for error when typing or copying pasting wallet addresses that you are trying to transact with.
Ellipal Titan: Coin Support
This is always the section I check the most when reviewing hardware wallets, because although functionality and security are important, none of that matters unless it supports the coins you want to store offline. So here is the current list of supported coins and the one that are currently in development listed in the above picture.
SafePal vs Ellipal Titan: Conclusion
Overall, these are very similar devices in many ways. They both are air-gapped. They both utilize encrypted QR codes for transmission, and they both are completely mobile and wireless.
Having said that, these are at two opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of overall build and quality. The form factor of the SafePal is slim and nice, however it is plastic and can easily be broken and/or pried open if someone really wanted access to the internals.
The Ellipal Titan is the clear winner here, as its form factor is designed to withstand most elements and has an “anti-tampering” design that makes it almost impossible to break open. That level of quality and security against attacks (and it breaking when being dropped), is no where to be found in this class of hardware wallets. You really can’t go wrong with the Ellipal Titan, as it’s become my “go to” wallet for 2020 (so far).
What do you think? Would you choose the BC VAULT over the D’CENT Wallet? Let us know down below in the comments!
Cheers,
The Crypto Renegade
NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.
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Sugi Card Review (2020) | New NFC Hardware Wallet Contender?
What Is The Sugi Card?
The Sugi wallet is a new type of hardware wallet developed by European fintech company, Sofitto, by the former technical lead of the Mycelium wallet. This is a unique wallet designed for crypto storage, as it is a near field communication (NFC) card hardware wallet protected by a PIN. Like other hardware wallets, the private keys are always kept on the device which lacks any kind on internet connectivity to ensure its security against hacking attempts.
But Sugi allows you to spend and deposit crypto just as easy as you were using a bank card. But unlike other bank cards, Sugi does not have access to your funds in any way. Sugi supports the following cryptos: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC) and ERC20-based tokens.
How Much Does The Sugi Card Cost?
The company has revealed that it intends to add more cryptocurrencies to the list in the near future. Sugi also mentioned that it plans to incorporate fiat currency functionality by establishing partnerships with banks in Europe. Appearance: The Sugi wallet looks just a regular payment card which has the wallet’s logo imprinted on it. System compatibility The card only works with mobile devices that have the Sugi App installed.
The app is compatible with iOS and Android systems. The Sugi Card wallet is available for purchase in three plans. The Newbie plan enables you to buy the Sugi Card for EUR 59,90. The Pro plan offers ONE Sugi Card which can be personalized by embossing a chosen name or nickname, and it comes at the price of EUR 69,90.
The Expert plan offers two customized Sugi Cards for EUR 119,90.
How Does the Sugi Wallet Work?
The card is used in tandem with the Sugi mobile app, in order to authenticate payments when you tap the card on your mobile device.From this perspective, it is more advantageous than a regular USB hardware wallet, which requires a PC or laptop to be plugged into. And seeing that most of us keep their phones near at all times, it is a convenient way of verifying and managing crypto funds on the go.Its design makes it very easy to use for anyone. Unlike other cards that require a complex and lengthy setup, with Sugi you just need to know how to tap a card and you’re done.
Making payments using the Sugi card In order to make a payment, you have to follow the steps presented below:
- Open the app.
- Enter your Sugi PIN.
- Tap the card to your phone.
- Adding cryptocurrency to Sugi wallet to deposit cryptocurrencies into your wallet, you first send them to the Sugi mobile wallet app like any other mobile wallet.
- To view your Sugi address, access the app.
How does It compare to the competition? Let’s check it out below!
How safe is Sugi wallet? Sugi implements top notch security which is on par with other hardware wallets, being more secure than a regular mobile wallet.
Who Makes The Sugi Card?
Behind its development are several members from the Mycelium team, a secure bitcoin wallet that was created by the most experienced developers in the cryptocurrency industry, which have been activating since 2009. The keys are stored offline in the PIN-protected card. To make transactions you will need to have both the card and the app. The wallet complies to the highest security standards in the European Union (ISO/IEC 14443). Sugi cards also generate a backup phrase that can be used to restore access to funds if the card is lost or damaged.
The wallet does not actually have access to your funds or keys, but recovers them through a secret sharing scheme.A secret sharing scheme is a system that breaks down information and divides it to multiple parties in a manner in which no single party can access the funds without having all the keys. Summary The Sugi card is an extremely easy to use crypto wallet that incorporates NFC to communicate with your mobile device. It combines the robust security of a hardware wallet with the convenience of a mobile wallet, making it perfect for traders that are always on the go but are worried about security.
Sugi Card Review: Final Verdict
The Sugi Hardware Wallet is an extremely easy to use crypto wallet that incorporates NFC to communicate with your mobile device. It combines the robust security of a hardware wallet with the convenience of a mobile wallet, making it perfect for traders that are always on the go but are worried about security.
PROS: The only NFC card as a hardware wallet Transactions are authenticated just by tapping the card on the phone In-store payments and ATM withdrawals will be among the future implementations Will feature both fiat and cryptocurrency payments Cards can be customized Lower price compared to other hardware competitors
CONS: While it is less expensive than other wallets, it still is $60 dollars Can be used only on mobile apps, although fiat functionality is not yes incorporated.
What do you think? Are you going to try the Sugi Card to secure your crypto? Let us know down in the comments below!
Cheers,
The Crypto Renegade
NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.
