Starting this week, the selection of cryptocurrencies to buy and sell on ChangeHero’s website has extended massively: from 25 to 125 assets. The improvement does not come at any compromise to the security or safety of the process, as the transactions are processed by regulated fiat-to-crypto gateways. In this article, learn more about the opportunities opened up by this development and consider the pros and cons of swapping vs. buying directly.
Opening Up Direct Access Across the Market Spectrum
The expansion brings a practical shift for users looking to enter positions quickly. To access lesser-known altcoins, in addition to crypto-to-crypto swaps, users can now buy crypto on ChangeHero directly with cards and select alternative payment methods. This extends to a wide range of assets, from major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) to more recent projects such as Monad (MON), dogwifhat (WIF), and Polyhedra Network (ZKJ).
The change is particularly meaningful for those exploring less liquid markets. When a specific token is seeing sudden momentum or a time-sensitive opportunity appears, direct purchase removes the friction of multiple transaction steps. Instead of converting funds through an intermediary cryptocurrency and potentially dealing with separate fees and slippage, users can enter their desired position directly.
Why Supporting Both Blue-Chips and Long-Tails Matters
Established cryptocurrencies carry obvious benefits: deep liquidity, widespread acceptance, and battle-tested infrastructure. But limiting purchase options to only major assets would omit a crucial part of the market reality. Many investment strategies depend on accessing tokens before they gain mainstream visibility, or on holding positions in projects building specialized solutions.
Speaking of which, the list now includes emerging ecosystem plays on networks like Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Solana. This means users interested in layer-2 scaling solutions or alternative consensus mechanisms can take positions without first converting through Bitcoin or Ethereum. The selection spans established DeFi protocols like Aave (AAVE) and Curve (CRV), NFT marketplace tokens like Blur (BLUR) and SuperRare (RARE), and newer experimental projects that might not yet have centralized exchange listings.
For conservative investors, the inclusion of stablecoins across multiple networks (USDT and USDC on Ethereum, BSC, Solana, Polygon, and others) provides flexibility in maintaining dollar-pegged positions while minimizing network fees based on current conditions. For those willing to take on more risk, meme coins and emerging protocols offer different risk-reward profiles.
When to Buy Directly vs. When to Swap
The decision between purchasing directly or swapping existing holdings comes down to portfolio structure and market conditions. Direct purchase makes sense in several scenarios: entering an initial crypto position without existing holdings, responding to time-sensitive opportunities where swap timing matters, or accessing tokens without sufficient liquidity in decentralized swap pools.
Swapping, conversely, serves different purposes. If holdings already exist in one cryptocurrency and the goal is rebalancing or rotating between positions, swapping is the more efficient choice.
The trade-off involves several factors. Direct purchase typically means paying credit card processing fees and potentially less favorable exchange rates, but provides immediate access and avoids blockchain transaction fees for the initial acquisition. Swapping involves network fees and potential slippage, but can offer better rates for active trading pairs and doesn’t require sharing payment details with fiat gateways.
For diversification purposes specifically, direct purchase shines when building new positions in assets not correlated with existing holdings. If someone holds primarily Bitcoin and wants exposure to Solana ecosystem tokens, buying directly with a card bypasses the step of selling Bitcoin, which itself triggers a taxable event in many jurisdictions and requires timing two separate market executions.
Uncompromising Security
ChangeHero maintains its non-custodial approach throughout the expanded purchase options. The platform processes fiat-to-crypto transactions through licensed partners Mercuryo and Finchpay, rather than holding user funds or requiring custody arrangements. This structure means users receive purchased cryptocurrency directly into their own wallets while benefiting from the regulatory compliance of established payment processors.
The arrangement addresses one of crypto’s persistent friction points: accessing digital assets while maintaining control of private keys. Traditional centralized exchanges require users to deposit funds and trust the platform’s security measures. ChangeHero’s model keeps the exchange itself from holding user assets, reducing counterparty risk while expanding what can be purchased directly.
The Bottom Line
The expansion from 25 to 125 purchasable cryptocurrencies is a meaningful infrastructure improvement for the platform. It acknowledges that the crypto market operates across a spectrum from established blue-chip assets to experimental protocols, and that users need direct access across this range.
For those interested in exploring the full selection of available cryptocurrencies, ChangeHero maintains an updated list on their platform, with support for purchases across major blockchain networks including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Solana, Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, Polygon, Tron, and others.
Visit the platform’s website: https://changehero.io/
