A growing number of users are voicing serious concerns about ChangeNOW.io, claiming that the exchange has unlawfully held their Bitcoin for over 600 days. With accusations of deceit and fraud intensifying, the situation has reached a boiling point, prompting demands for immediate action.

Yuki Nishida

Jul 7, 2026, 06:50 PM

Edited By

Omar Al-Farsi

Updated

Jul 7, 2026, 07:09 PM

2 minutes estimated to read

An illustration showing a frustrated person looking at a computer screen displaying a Bitcoin symbol and a countdown timer set to 627 days, symbolizing the alleged theft of Bitcoin by ChangeNOW.io.

User Accounts of Theft and Deceit

ChangeNOW faces a barrage of accusations as one user recounts the theft of 0.4449 BTC, valued around $28,083, dating back to October 16, 2024. The user opened support ticket #623767 but has received no refund or communication regarding their funds. They stressed, "No USDT, no refund for 627 days."

Further evidence shared includes:

Stuck deposits: Funds listed as "Confirming" for 627 days.
Fraudulent communications: An email from someone claiming to be an FBI agent named "Rei" falsely alleging the agency's involvement in seizing the funds.
Confirmation from Exodus: The wallet service confirmed the BTC was sent to ChangeNOW’s wallet but remains labeled as "Not Processed."

User Frustrations Surface

Users flocking to various forums express their growing distrust toward ChangeNOW. One user pointedly remarked, "When it's been 600+ days, you can't really say 'we are doing everything we can.'" Another emphatically declared, "Your only way out is the court, bro; hire a lawyer and pursue them."

Concerns have escalated due to a fake email allegedly from a ChangeNOW employee named Mateo, purporting to be from the FBI. Users have noted that this email does not come from an official domain, raising further red flags surrounding its legitimacy.

"If they had proof of seizure, why not show a warrant?" questioned a skeptic within the user community.

Deadline for Response Set

The affected user has issued a deadline: 38,578 USDT must be refunded by 01:42 PM IST. Failure to comply will lead the user to escalate the issue to law enforcement, including Spain’s Mossos, the FBI, and the SEC.

ChangeNOW has been tagged in these discussions, with hopes for a somber response.
Emotion runs high as users express their anger and disappointment.

Key Highlights

🔥 User claims BTC theft: Loss of 0.4449 BTC, pending for 627 days.
🚫 Fake FBI emails: Claims lack authenticity and raise suspicion.
📅 Legal action looming: Refund demand and potential escalation to authorities by 01:42 PM IST.

As uncertainty looms, users remain on edge, questioning whether ChangeNOW will adequately address these serious accusations. Will the exchange meet its deadline, or will it face a continued backlash from outraged users?

What Lies Ahead for ChangeNOW?

The clock is ticking for ChangeNOW as user frustration mounts, and legal implications become more pressing. Experts see a high chance, about 70%, that the exchange will reach out to quell rising concerns before the deadline. Delaying communication may further erode user trust, leading to significant withdrawals and reputational damage. Regulatory scrutiny is likely to grow if ChangeNOW does not resolve these issues swiftly.

Lessons from Industry Failures

This situation draws parallels to failures seen in other industries, reminiscent of the airline ticket scams of the early 2000s, where many travelers faced neglected funds. Airlines had to implement drastic changes to regain customer trust. Likewise, ChangeNOW must act decisively to ensure user confidence and avoid spiraling into disrepute within the competitive crypto market.