How to buy Monero: the quick answer
To buy Monero with Bitcoin: install a Monero wallet, copy a receiving address, then use a BTC to XMR swap. Send your Bitcoin to the deposit address and the XMR arrives in your wallet in 20 to 60 minutes.
Right now 1 XMR costs about $548.03, or 0.006370 BTC. You don't need to buy a whole coin. Monero divides into 12 decimal places.
Step 1: Get a Monero wallet
You need a wallet that supports Monero. These are widely used and actively maintained:
- Cake Wallet (iOS, Android): the easiest start on a phone.
- Feather Wallet (desktop): light and fast, good for most computer users.
- Monero GUI (desktop): the official wallet from the Monero project.
- Monerujo (Android): a mobile wallet made only for Monero.
Download wallets only from their official websites or app stores. When the wallet shows your 25-word seed phrase, write it on paper and store it safely. It's the only way to recover your funds.
Step 2: Copy your Monero address
Open the "Receive" tab in your wallet. A standard Monero address starts with 4 and is 95 characters long. Most wallets also let you create subaddresses, which start with 8. A new subaddress for each purchase keeps your payments separate.
Never type a Monero address by hand. Copy it, then check the first and last few characters after pasting.
Step 3: Swap Bitcoin for Monero
- Open the BTC to XMR swapGo to BTC to XMR and enter how much Bitcoin you want to spend.
- Paste your Monero addressQuietSwap verifies it instantly. A green check means the address is valid.
- Review the feesYou'll see the rate, the 1% service fee and the Monero network fee before confirming.
- Send your BitcoinSend the exact amount to the deposit address from your Bitcoin wallet or exchange account.
Step 4: Check your Monero balance
After 2 Bitcoin confirmations, about 20 minutes, we send XMR to your wallet. It appears within a few minutes but shows as "locked" for 10 Monero blocks, about 20 more minutes. After that you can spend or move it freely.
If your wallet shows nothing, let it finish syncing. Monero wallets need to scan the blockchain to find incoming payments.
What it costs to buy Monero this way
Buying Monero with Bitcoin on QuietSwap involves three costs, all shown before you confirm:
| Cost | Paid to | Right now |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin network fee | Bitcoin miners, when you send your deposit | ≈ 3 sat/vB |
| Service fee | QuietSwap | 1% |
| Monero network fee | Monero miners, for the payout | 0.00012 XMR |
On a 0.01 BTC purchase the network fees are a few cents each, so the 1% service fee is the main cost.
Keeping your Monero safe
- Back up the seed phrase on paper, in two places. Never store it in a screenshot, email or cloud note.
- Keep your wallet updated. Monero upgrades its network from time to time, and old wallets can stop syncing.
- Consider a hardware wallet for larger amounts. Ledger and Trezor devices can hold XMR through compatible wallet software.
- Test with a small amount the first time you use a new wallet or address.
Other ways to buy Monero
Several large exchanges have removed XMR: OKX in January 2024, Binance in February 2024, and Kraken for users in the European Economic Area in October 2024. Some exchanges still list it in certain regions, but availability changes often.
Peer-to-peer markets
Decentralized markets such as Haveno-based networks let you trade with other people. Check the current status of any network before you use it.
Atomic swaps
Open-source tools let you swap BTC for XMR directly with a peer. Read how atomic swaps work first.
If you start with cash or a card, buy Bitcoin first on a regulated exchange in your country, withdraw it to your own wallet, then swap it to Monero.
Buying Monero: FAQ
Can I buy Monero on Binance?
No. Binance delisted XMR in February 2024, and OKX did so in January 2024. Kraken stopped offering it in the European Economic Area in October 2024.
What is the easiest way to buy Monero?
If you already own Bitcoin, swapping BTC to XMR is usually the quickest route. It takes 20 to 60 minutes and needs no exchange account.
How much Monero can I buy?
You can buy a fraction of a coin. On QuietSwap the minimum swap is the equivalent of $85, and the calculator shows exactly how much XMR you'll receive.
Is buying Monero legal?
In most countries, yes. Some jurisdictions restrict privacy coins on regulated exchanges. Check the rules where you live.