How to buy Monero (XMR) in 2026
Set up your own Monero wallet first, then buy through one of three routes: an exchange that still lists XMR in your country, a swap from Bitcoin, Litecoin or USDT, or a peer-to-peer market such as RetoSwap or Bisq. Most large exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase and Kraken in Europe, do not offer XMR, so many people buy another coin first and swap it.
Quick steps
- Check your local rules. Confirm that buying and holding Monero is allowed where you live, using our country guides.
- Create a Monero wallet. Install Cake Wallet, Monerujo, Feather or the Monero GUI from its official site and write the seed on paper.
- Choose a route. Use an exchange that lists XMR in your country, or buy BTC, LTC or USDT and swap it, or trade peer to peer.
- Buy and withdraw. Complete the purchase and withdraw to your own wallet address, copied directly from the wallet app.
- Send a test first. Move a small amount first and confirm it arrives before sending the rest.
- Wait for confirmations. XMR is spendable after 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes. Wait longer for large amounts.
The short answer
Buying Monero used to be as easy as buying any other coin. That changed. Binance removed XMR on 20 February 2024, OKX in January 2024, and Kraken stopped XMR for the whole European Economic Area on 31 October 2024. Coinbase has never listed it. In 2026 the usual path is: wallet first, then a route that works where you live.
Before you start, check that buying and holding Monero is allowed for you. In most countries owning XMR is legal, but some regulators bar licensed platforms from offering it. See is Monero legal? and the country guides.
Step 1: set up your own wallet
Do this before you buy, so the coins can go straight to an address you control. Good free choices are Cake Wallet (Android, iPhone), Monerujo (Android) and Feather or the Monero GUI (desktop). Write the seed words on paper and keep them offline. Follow how to create a Monero wallet.
Avoid browser-based "web wallets". MyMonero closed on 6 January 2026, and sites using its name are often phishing copies. Our Monero web wallet guide explains why.
Step 2: pick a route
| Route | How it works | ID checks | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange that lists XMR | Deposit money, buy XMR, withdraw to your wallet | Yes | Few exchanges still list XMR; future delistings |
| Swap from another coin | Buy BTC, LTC or USDT anywhere, then swap it to XMR | On the first purchase; the swap service may also check flagged trades | Swap service holds funds for the few minutes the swap takes |
| Peer-to-peer market | Trade with another person through escrow | Depends on the platform and your country | Payment fraud, slower, smaller liquidity |
| In-wallet purchase | Buy button inside a wallet app, run by a third-party provider | Yes | Higher fees; availability varies by country |
For a venue-by-venue comparison, see where to buy Monero.
Route A: an exchange that still lists XMR
Availability depends on where you live. Kraken still lists XMR in some regions, including the US, but has stopped it for the UK (2021), the EEA (31 October 2024), Canada (2 September 2025), India (April 2026) and the UAE (June 2026). Since 15 August 2026 it has also capped individual accounts at $1,500 of XMR withdrawals and $3,500 of deposits per rolling 30 days (CryptoSlate, Oct 2026). KuCoin, HTX and MEXC also listed XMR markets in October 2026. KuCoin has no EU authorisation and agreed in January 2025 to leave the US market (US Department of Justice, 27 Jan 2025). Check our delisting tracker before you deposit anything.
Route B: buy another coin and swap it
This works almost everywhere. Buy Bitcoin, Litecoin or USDT on a regulated exchange in your country, withdraw it to your own wallet, then swap it to XMR through a swap service or the swap feature built into Cake Wallet or Monerujo. Guides: BTC to XMR and USDT to XMR.
Route C: peer-to-peer
RetoSwap, a network running the open-source Haveno software, and Bisq let you trade directly with other people while the platform holds both sides' deposits in escrow. LocalMonero, once the biggest P2P venue, stopped trading on 14 May 2024. Compare options in Haveno vs RetoSwap vs Bisq.
Route D: card or in-wallet buy
Some wallets show a buy button powered by outside providers. These always require ID and cost more. See buy Monero with a card.
Step 3: receive and check your XMR
Copy your receiving address from the wallet, never from an email or chat. A standard Monero address is 95 characters and starts with 4; subaddresses start with 8. Our address validator checks the format in your browser.
Send a small test first. Incoming XMR becomes spendable after 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes. For large amounts, waiting longer is sensible: Monero saw an 18-block chain reorganisation on 14 September 2025. Details in sending Monero.
What it costs
Expect up to four layers of cost: the exchange's trading fee or spread, a withdrawal fee, the swap service's margin, and the Monero network fee. The network fee is small, typically around 0.00003 XMR for an ordinary transaction at the October 2026 fee level. Check today's fee and the current price.
Scams to avoid
- "Sellers" on Telegram or social media who ask you to pay first: there is no escrow and no recourse.
- Websites that want your seed to "deliver" coins. Nobody needs your seed to send you XMR.
- Exchanges you have never heard of, promoted with bonuses. Check how long they have operated and whether they are registered where you live.
- Fake support accounts replying to your posts. Real support never asks for keys.
More in Monero scams. Buying and selling can also have tax consequences: see Monero taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Monero on Coinbase or Binance?
No. Coinbase has never listed XMR, and Binance removed all XMR pairs on 20 February 2024. Most people now buy Bitcoin or another coin and swap it to XMR, or use a peer-to-peer market.
What is the easiest way to buy Monero?
For most people: buy Bitcoin or Litecoin on a regulated exchange, withdraw it to your own wallet, and swap it to XMR inside Cake Wallet or through a swap service.
Do I need a wallet before buying Monero?
Yes, ideally. Having your own wallet means coins go straight to an address you control and you are not exposed if an exchange delists XMR or fails.
Is it legal to buy Monero?
In most countries, yes, but some regulators stop licensed platforms from offering it, including in the EU from 10 July 2027. Check our country guides for your situation.