How to swap USDT (Tether) to Monero (XMR)
Send USDT from a wallet you control to a swap service or your wallet's built-in swap and receive XMR at your own Monero address. The crucial detail is choosing the same network on both sides, for example USDT on TRON or USDT on Ethereum. Start with a small test, check the final XMR amount, and type the swap site's address yourself.
Quick steps
- Get a Monero address. Open your own Monero wallet and copy a receiving address from inside the app.
- Check which USDT network you hold. Look at your wallet or exchange withdrawal screen: TRON, Ethereum or another network.
- Choose a swap route. Use your wallet's built-in swap or a swap service whose address you type yourself, and select USDT on the matching network.
- Compare the quote. Check the XMR amount you will receive after fees and enter a USDT refund address on the same network.
- Send a small test, then the rest. Send the exact amount requested from a wallet you control, keeping the order ID.
- Wait for confirmations. Spend the XMR after 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes.
The short answer
USDT (Tether) is the world's most traded stablecoin, and in many countries it is easier to get than Bitcoin. Swap services that support Monero generally accept it. The process is the same as a Bitcoin swap, with one extra trap: USDT exists on many blockchains, and picking the wrong one can lose your coins.
Pick the right network
USDT is issued on several networks. ChangeNOW's Monero page, for example, lists USDT on Ethereum, TRON, Solana, BSC, Polygon, Arbitrum, TON and others. The network you choose on the swap form must match the network you send from.
| Network | Often labelled | Fees to send | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRON | TRC20, USDT-TRX | Usually low | Popular for exchange withdrawals in Asia, Turkey and Latin America |
| Ethereum | ERC20, USDT-ETH | Can be high when busy | Widest support |
| Others (Solana, BSC, Polygon, Arbitrum, TON) | Varies | Usually low | Check the swap service lists the exact network |
Most networks also need a little of their own coin (TRX, ETH and so on) in the sending wallet to pay the network fee. If the swap service does not list your network, do not send.
Routes
- Built-in wallet swaps: Cake Wallet supports several swap providers, and you can hold USDT and XMR in the same app.
- Swap services and aggregators: ChangeNOW, FixedFloat, StealthEX, Exolix, or Trocador to compare them. We do not link to or earn from any of them.
- Exchanges: where an exchange still lists an XMR pair against USDT in your country, you can trade there and withdraw. KuCoin lists XMR pairs but has no EU authorisation and agreed in January 2025 to leave the US market. See the delisting tracker.
- Peer-to-peer: P2P markets match you with a person instead of a service; see Haveno vs RetoSwap vs Bisq.
Risks specific to USDT
Frozen tokens
Tether can freeze USDT at specific addresses, and it has done so for addresses tied to crime or sanctions. Swap services screen incoming USDT for this reason and may hold a trade while they check it. Use USDT from a source you know.
Wrong network or token
Sending USDT on one network to a deposit address expecting another can mean lost funds, or a slow manual recovery if the service is willing to help. Fake USDT tokens also exist on some chains; only send the official token from a known wallet.
Address poisoning
On TRON and Ethereum, scammers send tiny transfers from addresses that look like ones you have used, hoping you copy the wrong one from your history. Always copy addresses from the source, never from your transaction list.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Your exchange withdrawal screen offers several networks | Pick one the swap service lists for USDT, and select the same one on the swap form. |
| Withdrawal fails for lack of gas | When sending from your own wallet, keep a small amount of the network's coin (for example TRX or ETH) to pay fees. |
| Swap stuck on "confirming" | Look up your USDT transaction on that network's explorer. Ethereum transactions with a low fee can wait a while. |
| Swap paused for checks | The deposit was flagged by screening. Contact the service through its official site with your order ID. |
| Received less XMR than expected | Floating rates move until your deposit confirms. Use a fixed-rate quote next time if you need certainty. |
Where your USDT comes from matters
If you bought USDT on a licensed exchange, withdraw it to a wallet you control before swapping, so the refund address belongs to you. If you received USDT from another person, consider whether it might be linked to a frozen or sanctioned address. Swap services screen deposits, and tainted USDT can lead to a held trade. Avoid buying USDT from strangers on social media for the same reason.
Costs
You pay the USDT network fee, the swap service's spread and the Monero network fee, which is typically around 0.00003 XMR. Compare the XMR you will actually receive across a few quotes. Our price converter shows the market rate so you can see the spread.
After the swap
Wait for 10 Monero confirmations (about 20 minutes) before spending. Back up your wallet seed and, for savings, consider a hardware wallet. Many tax systems treat USDT-to-XMR as a disposal of USDT; keep the order ID and both transaction IDs. See Monero taxes.
Swapping from Bitcoin instead? See BTC to XMR.
Frequently asked questions
Which USDT network is best for swapping to XMR?
Any network the swap service supports. TRON is popular because sending is cheap; Ethereum is widely supported but can be expensive. What matters is that the network you send on matches the one you choose on the swap form.
What happens if I send USDT on the wrong network?
The funds may be lost, or the service may only recover them manually, if at all. Always double-check the network before sending.
Can my USDT be frozen?
Yes. Tether can freeze USDT at specific addresses, and swap services screen deposits. Use USDT from a known source.
Is USDT to XMR a taxable event?
In many countries swapping one crypto asset for another counts as a disposal. Rules differ, so check our Monero taxes guide and your local rules.