A practical, link‑rich guide for beginners and power users. Follow the prompts, choose your path, and you’ll be holding and spending Monero (XMR) in minutes.
Important: Exchange availability for Monero changes by country and time. If your exchange doesn’t offer XMR in your region, you can still buy another coin (e.g., BTC or LTC) and swap it to XMR using a non‑custodial wallet. Always test with a small amount first.
The purpose of this page is to help you buy and obtain custody of Monero, a private cryptocurrency used for digital payments. Answer the following questions and do the corresponding steps and you will be on your way to owning and spending Monero.
Start Here
Do you want to buy Monero as fast as possible or as privately as possible?
- As fast as possible (Recommended for beginners)
- As privately as possible (Advanced users only)
Do you already have a cryptocurrency exchange account?
Note: Robinhood, Venmo, PayPal and several other companies do not count because many either limit transfers or don’t let you withdraw to your own wallet.
Which cryptocurrency exchange do you have?
- Binance.US
- Coinbase
- Gemini
- Kraken (In some regions, direct XMR purchase may be unavailable; see note)
- None of the above
Heads‑up on regional support: Exchanges periodically add/remove XMR by jurisdiction. If you can’t buy XMR directly in your account, buy BTC or LTC, withdraw to your wallet, then swap to XMR in‑wallet.
How to buy crypto on Binance.US which can be converted to Monero
- Sign into your Binance.US account.
- Buy Bitcoin (BTC) or Litecoin (LTC). Buy a little extra to cover network & swap fees. Example: for about $100 in XMR, buy ~$110 in BTC/LTC.
- Install a non‑custodial wallet: Cake Wallet (iOS/Android). Alternatives: Monero GUI (desktop), Feather (desktop).
- Create and back up a BTC/LTC wallet inside Cake.
- In Cake, tap Receive and copy your BTC/LTC address.
- Withdraw your BTC/LTC from Binance.US to that address. Always send a tiny test first.
- Once it arrives, swap to XMR inside Cake.
How to proceed if you use Kraken
Note: Some regions no longer support direct XMR trading on Kraken. If XMR isn’t available in your account, use the BTC/LTC → withdraw → in‑wallet swap flow below.
- Sign into your Kraken account.
- If XMR is listed for you, you can buy it directly, then withdraw to your wallet. If not, buy BTC/LTC instead.
- Install Cake Wallet (mobile) or a desktop wallet and create/backup a BTC/LTC wallet.
- Withdraw BTC/LTC from Kraken to your wallet’s address (test with a small amount first).
- Swap to XMR in your wallet.
How to buy crypto on Coinbase which can be converted to Monero
- Sign into Coinbase.
- Buy BTC or LTC (buy a little extra for fees).
- Install Cake Wallet and create/backup a BTC/LTC wallet.
- In Cake, tap Receive and copy your BTC/LTC address.
- From Coinbase, withdraw your BTC/LTC to that address.
- After confirmation, swap to XMR inside Cake.
How to buy crypto on Gemini which can be converted to Monero
- Sign into Gemini.
- Buy BTC or LTC (extra for fees recommended).
- Set up Cake Wallet and create a BTC/LTC wallet. Back up your seed.
- Withdraw BTC/LTC from Gemini to your wallet address (send a small test first).
- Swap to XMR in your wallet.
No exchange account? Start from scratch
Fastest (beginner)
- If you are in any US state (excluding New York), sign up for Kraken.
- If you are in New York state, or don't want ot use Kaken, create an account at a reputable on‑ramp (e.g., Kraken, Coinbase or Binance.US, depending on availability in your state/country).
- Buy XMR directly on Kraken.
- On other exchanges, buy BTC or LTC with a debit card or bank transfer.
- Install Cake Wallet and set up an XMR wallet, then back up your seed.
- If you both BTC or LTC you need to exchange elsewhere, create those wallets, then back up your seed.
- Withdraw XMR to your wallet. At this point you have Monero in your private wallet and are done.
- Send the BTC or LTC to your wallet with the new address you just created, then swap to XMR.
More private (advanced)
- Acquire BTC with fewer identity links (e.g., cash‑friendly methods or gift cards at your own risk and within local laws).
- Deposit BTC to a non‑custodial wallet you control.
- Use a reputable non‑custodial swap service (inside Cake or externally) to exchange BTC→XMR. Consider using Tor for extra network‑level privacy.
- Send/hold XMR only in wallets you control.
Wallet‑only onramp
Some wallets integrate card/Apple Pay providers. Fees and availability vary by jurisdiction. If available, you may be able to buy XMR or buy BTC/LTC then swap inside the wallet.
Create & back up your wallet (critical)
Never share your seed phrase. Anyone with your 25‑word Monero seed (or 12/24‑word BTC seed) can take your funds. Write it down offline and store securely. Do not screenshot or email it.
- Install one of the following:
- Mobile: Cake Wallet or Monero.com (Android)
- Desktop: Monero GUI, Feather
- Create a new wallet. Carefully write down the seed words and any passphrase.
- Understand addresses:
- Standard XMR address (primary) usually starts with
4. - Subaddress (recommended for receiving) starts with
8and helps with organization and privacy. - Payment ID is largely deprecated in favor of subaddresses.
- Standard XMR address (primary) usually starts with
- Optionally enable a PIN/biometric in your wallet app and consider an encrypted notes app (offline) for recording restore height, etc.
Verify downloads (desktop): If using desktop wallets, verify signatures when possible. See getmonero.org/downloads and each wallet’s docs for GPG instructions.
How to convert to Monero in Cake Wallet
- Open Cake Wallet.
- Ensure your BTC/LTC deposit has confirmed (the app shows confirmations).
- Create a Monero wallet in Cake if you haven’t yet.
- Switch to the wallet that holds your BTC/LTC.
- Tap Exchange.
- Choose From: BTC or LTC → To: XMR. Enter the amount.
- For the destination, select your Monero wallet (tap the address book icon, choose your XMR subaddress).
- Review the quoted rate/fee and confirm. Keep the app open until it shows the swap completed.
Inside Cake, swaps are provided by integrated third‑party services. Availability, rates, and limits vary. If a quote fails, try a smaller amount or another provider.
Advanced: “As privately as possible” path
- Use a device/network you trust. Consider enabling Tor (or a reputable VPN) when interacting with swap services or explorer sites.
- Acquire BTC with fewer personal ties (cash‑oriented methods/gift cards where lawful). Understand trade‑offs and legal obligations in your area.
- Deposit BTC into a fresh wallet you control (new address). Wait for confirmations.
- Perform a non‑custodial swap to XMR using your wallet’s built‑in exchange or an external reputable swap that deposits directly to your XMR subaddress.
- After receipt, consider sending to a fresh subaddress for ongoing use. Avoid reusing addresses.
- Prefer subaddresses for receiving.
- Split large purchases into multiple smaller swaps to vary timing and liquidity.
- Use payment proofs or TXIDs for dispute resolution when needed—never share your seed.
Withdrawing & sending safely
Exchange → Wallet
- Copy your wallet’s correct asset address (BTC→BTC, LTC→LTC, XMR→XMR). Never mix networks.
- Send a test (e.g., $5–$20).
- Wait for confirmations, then send the remainder.
Wallet → Wallet
- Prefer sending to a subaddress provided by the recipient.
- Set a sensible fee (defaults are fine). Avoid “zero fee” gimmicks.
- Keep your app open until broadcast is confirmed.
Track a transfer
For BTC/LTC, paste the TXID into a block explorer. For XMR, use your wallet’s built‑in history; third‑party explorers cannot show your amounts due to privacy.
Where to spend Monero
Explore merchants, gift cards, services, and more that accept Monero.
- Merchant directories: Monerica (browse businesses, exchanges, gift cards, etc.).
- Gift cards & prepaid: buy cards and pay with XMR (availability varies). Then spend cards in‑store/online.
- Direct merchant payments: look for Pay with Monero buttons or ask at checkout.
Troubleshooting & tips
My exchange won’t let me buy or withdraw XMR.
Buy BTC/LTC instead, withdraw to your wallet, then swap to XMR in‑wallet. If bank card purchases are blocked, try ACH or smaller amounts.
The swap quote failed or was too expensive.
Try a smaller amount, wait a few minutes, or try a different integrated provider. Market volatility and network congestion can affect quotes.
My BTC/LTC hasn’t arrived.
Check that you used the correct address and network. Look up your TXID on a block explorer. Some ACH buys require a holding period before withdrawal.
Monero shows 0 XMR after a swap.
Rescan or refresh your wallet. Ensure the destination was your XMR subaddress. If needed, contact the swap provider with your TXID/payment proof.
FAQ & Glossary
Common questions
- How private is Monero? Amounts, senders, and receivers are obfuscated by default using ring signatures, stealth addresses, and confidential transactions.
- How long do swaps take? Often 5–30 minutes, depending on confirmations and liquidity.
- What’s a seed? The list of words that can restore your wallet and funds. Keep it offline and secret.
- Can I use the same address forever? You can, but using new subaddresses improves privacy and organization.
Glossary
- Non‑custodial wallet: You hold the keys/seed. “Not your keys, not your coins.”
- Subaddress: A receive address unique to a purpose/contact; starts with
8. - TXID: Transaction ID used to reference a specific transfer on a blockchain.
- Restore height: Block height from which your wallet starts scanning.
Safety & best practices
- Back up your seed phrase on paper or steel. Store in separate safe places.
- Test with small amounts before large transfers.
- Beware of fake support and phishing. Never disclose your seed.
- Keep software up to date; verify downloads for desktop wallets.
- Consider Tor or a reputable VPN for additional network privacy.
(Duplicate anchor kept for legacy links) Do you already have a cryptocurrency exchange account?
