How to swap Bitcoin (BTC) to Monero (XMR)
The usual way is a swap: send BTC to a swap service or your wallet's built-in swap and receive XMR at your own Monero address, typically within 30 to 60 minutes. For a fully peer-to-peer trade, Bisq and RetoSwap match you with another person through escrow. Always send a small test first and type swap-site addresses yourself.
Quick steps
- Open your Monero wallet. Use Cake Wallet, Monerujo, Feather or the GUI and copy a receiving address from inside the app.
- Pick a swap route. Use your wallet's built-in swap, an aggregator such as Trocador, or a swap service whose address you type yourself.
- Enter amounts and addresses. Choose BTC to XMR, enter the amount, paste your XMR address and a BTC refund address, then compare the quoted XMR you will receive.
- Send the BTC. Send exactly the requested amount to the deposit address shown, from a wallet you control.
- Track the order. Keep the order ID. The swap proceeds after Bitcoin confirms.
- Confirm the XMR arrived. Wait for 10 Monero confirmations, about 20 minutes, before spending.
The short answer
Since most exchanges stopped listing Monero, swapping from Bitcoin has become the most common way to get XMR. You need a Monero wallet, some BTC in a wallet you control, and a swap route. Bitcoin's confirmation time is usually the slowest part.
Your options
| Method | Examples | Speed | Trust required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in wallet swap | Cake Wallet (ChangeNOW, Trocador, Chainflip, NEAR Intents, LetsExchange), Monerujo (Exolix) | Usually under an hour | The provider holds coins during the swap |
| Swap aggregator | Trocador | Usually under an hour | The service you pick from its list |
| Single swap service | ChangeNOW, FixedFloat, StealthEX, Exolix | Usually under an hour | That service |
| Peer-to-peer | Bisq, RetoSwap | Hours, depending on the trading partner | Escrow and arbitration |
We do not take payment from any of these and do not link to them. SideShift no longer lists XMR, and eXch closed on 1 May 2025.
What you need before you start
- A Monero wallet that you control, with the seed backed up. See how to create a Monero wallet.
- BTC in a wallet you control, so that any refund comes back to you and not to an exchange account.
- A Bitcoin refund address from that wallet. Most swap forms ask for one in case the swap fails.
- Enough for fees: the Bitcoin network fee to send, plus the swap service's spread.
- Time: allow at least an hour, and more when the Bitcoin network is busy.
Check also that swaps are allowed for you. Rules differ by country; see is Monero legal?.
Fixed or floating rate?
Swap services usually offer two kinds of quote:
- Fixed rate: the XMR amount is locked when you start, provided you send the exact BTC amount within the time window. You pay for certainty with a slightly worse rate.
- Floating rate: the rate is set when your BTC arrives. Often better, but it can move while Bitcoin confirms.
Aggregators show several quotes side by side, which makes comparison easy. Look at the XMR you will receive after all fees, not the headline rate.
Avoiding frozen swaps and scams
- Type the address of the swap service yourself. Lookalike swap sites are common in search ads.
- Check your XMR address twice. Paste it from your wallet, then compare the first and last characters. Malware that swaps clipboard contents exists. Our address validator checks the format locally.
- Know the AML terms. Some services can pause a swap that their screening flags and ask for documents before releasing or refunding coins. Aggregators like Trocador show a KYC rating per service.
- Save the order ID and the refund address you entered.
- Start small, especially with a service you have not used before.
Peer-to-peer: Bisq and RetoSwap
On Bisq, BTC/XMR trades can be confirmed automatically by checking the Monero transaction with its transaction key. RetoSwap, built on Haveno, works the other way round: it is Monero-based, with security deposits held in escrow. Its published fees are 0.1% for makers and 0.8% for crypto takers. These routes avoid a central swap operator, at the cost of speed and some effort. Compare them in Haveno vs RetoSwap vs Bisq.
How long it takes
Bitcoin needs one or more confirmations at about 10 minutes each before most services send XMR. Then Monero needs 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes, before you can spend it. A swap usually completes within an hour, but it can take longer when Bitcoin fees are high and your transaction waits in the queue. See sending Monero and the confirmation time tool.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Swap shows "waiting for deposit" for a long time | Look up your Bitcoin transaction. If it is unconfirmed because the fee was low, it will usually complete once mined. Some wallets let you speed it up with replace-by-fee. |
| You sent a different amount than quoted | On a fixed-rate order, the service usually recalculates at a floating rate or refunds you. Contact support with the order ID. |
| Swap paused for "verification" | The service's AML screening flagged the deposit. Read its terms and contact support through the official site only. |
| XMR shows as locked in your wallet | Normal. It unlocks after 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes. |
| XMR has not arrived | Check that your wallet is fully synced and connected to a working node, then ask support for the Monero transaction ID. |
Never share your seed with "support". Real support needs only your order ID.
Tax and records
In many countries swapping one crypto for another is a taxable disposal of the BTC. Keep the order ID, date, amounts and the transaction IDs on both chains. See Monero taxes.
Going the other way? Selling Monero covers XMR to BTC and to cash. Have a stablecoin rather than BTC? Use USDT to XMR.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to swap BTC to XMR?
There is no single cheapest service; rates change constantly. Compare the final XMR amount across a few quotes, for example through an aggregator, and try a peer-to-peer trade if you are not in a hurry.
How long does a BTC to XMR swap take?
Usually under an hour: about 10 to 30 minutes for Bitcoin confirmations and about 20 minutes for Monero's 10 confirmations. Busy Bitcoin periods can make it longer.
Can a swap service keep my coins?
Some services can pause a swap flagged by their anti-money-laundering checks and request ID before refunding or completing it. Read the terms and use well-known services.
Can I swap directly from an exchange?
You can, but it is safer to withdraw BTC to your own wallet first so the refund address is yours and the exchange is not left holding coins.