Places to Get Monero

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đź…§ Places to Get Monero

This page lists several ways to obtain Monero (XMR), including decentralized exchanges, peer-to-peer platforms, swap aggregators, instant exchangers, and centralized exchanges.

A listing is not an endorsement or guarantee of safety. Availability, KYC requirements, withdrawal policies, fees, and reputations can change without warning.

Before exchanging

  • Use your own non-custodial Monero wallet.

  • Verify every address and website before sending funds.

  • Test unfamiliar services with a small amount first.

  • Never send a wallet seed, private key, password, or remote-access code to “support.”

  • Remember that “no account required” does not necessarily mean “no KYC under any circumstances.”

  • Instant exchangers may freeze a transaction and request identification after receiving funds.

  • Check whether deposits and withdrawals are operational before using a centralized exchange.

  • Do not trust links received through advertisements, private messages, Telegram, Discord, or unsolicited email.

Official Monero software and wallets are available from the Monero Project download page.

Compare rates and reputations

These services help compare exchanges but do not eliminate the risks associated with the exchange ultimately processing the transaction.

  • OrangeFren — compares swap rates across multiple providers

  • Trocador — privacy-oriented exchange aggregator with clearnet and onion access

  • KYCnot.me — ratings and information about privacy-focused exchanges and services

  • CypherGoat — compares quotes from third-party exchange providers

  • Swapzone — exchange-rate aggregator

Important: An aggregator may route a swap through a third-party provider with its own KYC, AML, refund, and fund-freezing policies. Check which provider will process the transaction before sending anything.

Decentralized and peer-to-peer options

BasicSwap DEX

BasicSwap is an open-source, non-custodial decentralized exchange supporting peer-to-peer atomic swaps between Monero, Bitcoin, and other supported cryptocurrencies.

It does not require an account or centralized custodian, but users must install software and understand the atomic-swap process.

Eigenwallet

Eigenwallet—formerly UnstoppableSwap—provides non-custodial peer-to-peer atomic swaps between Bitcoin and Monero. It includes Tor support and is available for Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Bisq

Bisq is a decentralized peer-to-peer exchange primarily based around Bitcoin. Its altcoin trading system can be used to exchange BTC for supported currencies such as XMR when suitable offers are available.

Bisq requires installed software, a security deposit, and enough Bitcoin to cover trading and mining fees.

RetoSwap — use caution

RetoSwap, formerly Haveno-reto, is a peer-to-peer Monero exchange network that operates over Tor.

In May 2026, attackers exploited a vulnerability in the upstream Haveno trade protocol and stole approximately 7,000 XMR from affected trades. Trading was suspended while the vulnerability was investigated and patched. It has since been patched with no further incidents. Make sure to use there latest version.

Anyone considering RetoSwap should:

  • Read the current security announcements first.

  • Download only from the official website.

  • Confirm that they are running the latest required client.

  • Test with a small trade.

  • Avoid assuming that “decentralized” means risk-free.

The incident affected the trading protocol—not the Monero network itself.

Serai DEX — still under development

Serai is developing a decentralized exchange intended to support Monero, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and DAI. Treat it as a developing project until its mainnet exchange is publicly launched and independently reviewed.

Centralized exchanges

Centralized exchanges generally require an account and identity verification. They may impose deposit holds, withdrawal limits, regional restrictions, or additional source-of-funds checks.

  • Kraken — supports XMR in some jurisdictions, but availability varies by country and region

  • KuCoin — offers XMR trading in supported jurisdictions; account verification and regional restrictions may apply

  • CoinEx — offers XMR markets in supported jurisdictions; restrictions and KYC requirements may apply

Always confirm that XMR spot trading, deposits, and withdrawals are available for your account and location before depositing money.

Keeping funds on an exchange means the exchange—not you—controls the private keys. Withdraw purchased XMR to your own wallet after confirming the withdrawal details.

Instant exchangers

These services commonly facilitate crypto-to-crypto swaps without requiring a traditional trading account. However, their risk-control systems may flag transactions and request identification or documentation.

Check current reviews, terms, minimums, refund rules, and KYC policies before using any instant exchanger. Never assume that previous successful swaps guarantee future ones.

Wallets with integrated swaps

The following are wallets—not independent exchanges. Their built-in swap functions rely on third-party providers whose terms and KYC policies may differ.

Using a non-custodial wallet does not automatically make its third-party exchange provider decentralized or no-KYC.

Acquire Bitcoin first, then exchange it for XMR

Another method is to obtain Bitcoin through a peer-to-peer service and then exchange the BTC for Monero through an atomic swap, DEX, aggregator, or exchanger.

  • Bisq — decentralized P2P exchange with payment methods that may include cash by mail and money orders

  • RoboSats — Tor-based peer-to-peer Lightning exchange

  • Vexl — peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading application; availability is region-dependent

  • Bitcoin ATMs — convenient in some areas, but fees and identification requirements can be high

Bitcoin transactions are publicly visible. Exchanging BTC for XMR does not erase information already recorded by the Bitcoin blockchain or collected by the original purchase service.

Tor and network privacy

When a service officially supports Tor, obtain its onion address from the service’s verified website or another independently verified source. Do not rely on onion links posted in comments or private messages.

If a clearnet service blocks a Tor exit:

  1. Request a new Tor circuit or identity.

  2. Check whether the service publishes an official onion address.

  3. Consider using a different provider instead of weakening browser security.

  4. Do not disable Tor Browser protections merely to make an exchange function.

A VPN may hide traffic from a local network or ISP, but it does not make an exchange decentralized, remove its KYC requirements, or prevent it from freezing funds.

Closed, compromised, or removed services

These entries are preserved as warnings and should not be treated as active recommendations.

  • OpenMonero — removed following reports of a security compromise

  • Exch.cx — seized and shut down by German authorities in 2025

  • Majestic Bank — removed following serious concerns and reports of a possible exit scam

  • Haveno-reto — renamed RetoSwap; see the security warning above

  • Atomic Wallet “BTC-to-XMR exchange” — not a trustless atomic swap merely because it uses the word “Atomic”; use the decentralized options listed above for genuine peer-to-peer atomic swaps

Do not use cloned versions or revived domains claiming to represent closed services.

Places to research a service

Reviews can be manipulated. Look for detailed reports from established users, recent unresolved complaints, withdrawal problems, domain changes, copied reviews, and sudden increases in positive ratings.

Final safety reminder

Never risk more than you can afford to lose. Start small, verify the receiving address, retain transaction records until the swap is complete, and move funds into a wallet whose recovery seed you control.

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