Where to buy Monero in 2026
In October 2026 you can buy XMR on a shrinking number of exchanges such as Kraken (outside the UK, EEA, Canada, India and UAE), KuCoin, HTX and MEXC, through swap services that convert BTC, LTC or USDT, on peer-to-peer markets like RetoSwap and Bisq, or via swaps built into wallets like Cake Wallet. Binance, Coinbase, OKX, Bitstamp, Bitpanda and Bitvavo do not list it.
The short answer
There are four kinds of places to get Monero. Which one suits you depends mostly on your country. We do not take payment from any of the services below and we do not link to them. Type addresses yourself, because phishing copies of popular services are common.
Venue comparison
| Venue type | Examples (Oct 2026) | Custody | ID checks | Typical cost | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralised exchange | KuCoin, HTX, MEXC; Kraken in some regions | Exchange holds funds until you withdraw | Yes | Trading fee plus withdrawal fee | Regional bans, sudden delistings |
| Swap service or aggregator | Trocador (aggregator), ChangeNOW, FixedFloat, StealthEX, Exolix | Holds your coins only during the swap | Usually not up front; checks on flagged trades | Spread of the quoted rate | Frozen swaps, lookalike sites |
| Swap inside a wallet | Cake Wallet, Monerujo (via Exolix) | Same as the provider behind it | Depends on the provider | Provider's spread | Compare quotes; check the provider |
| Peer-to-peer market | RetoSwap (Haveno network), Bisq | Escrow with security deposits | Platform does not run KYC; local law may still apply | RetoSwap: 0.1% maker, 0.8% to 2% taker | Payment fraud, chargebacks |
Exchanges: who still lists XMR
A survey of eight exchanges published by CryptoTicker on 6 October 2026 found no XMR on Bitpanda, Bitvavo, Coinbase, Bitstamp, Gate.io or OKX. Kraken listed five XMR pairs but blocks them for EEA customers, and KuCoin listed four pairs without EU authorisation. HTX and MEXC also had live XMR/USDT markets in October 2026; HTX (formerly Huobi) had delisted XMR in 2022 and later relisted it.
Kraken remains available to US clients, but since 15 August 2026 individual accounts can withdraw at most $1,500 of XMR and deposit $3,500 per rolling 30 days. On 24 October 2026 Kraken withdrew questionnaires that had asked XMR buyers about their employer and intended use of the coins, saying "XMR stays listed"; source-of-funds checks and its regional restrictions remain (CryptoSlate, Oct 2026).
Recent removals
| Date | Exchange | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Nov 2021 | Kraken (UK) | XMR trading and deposits stopped for UK customers |
| 5 Jan 2024 | OKX | XMR spot pairs removed worldwide |
| 20 Feb 2024 | Binance | All XMR pairs removed worldwide |
| 31 Oct 2024 | Kraken (EEA) | Trading and deposits halted; leftover XMR converted to BTC by 6 Jan 2025 |
| 2 Sep 2025 | Kraken (Canada) | Trading disabled citing Canadian compliance rules |
| 18 Sep 2025 | TradeOgre | Shut down by the RCMP, about CA$56 million seized |
| 10 Apr 2026 | Kraken (India) | Deposits and trading halted |
| 16 Jun 2026 | Kraken (UAE) | Deposits and trading halted for UAE residents |
The full, sourced list is on our delisting tracker. If you hold XMR on an exchange, read what to do if your exchange delists Monero.
Rules behind the delistings
In the EU, MiCA Article 76(3) has stopped trading platforms admitting coins with built-in anonymisation since 30 December 2024. From 10 July 2027 the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 bars crypto service providers from handling anonymity-enhancing coins. Neither rule bans owning XMR in your own wallet. Outside Europe, South Korea (2021), Thailand (2022), Dubai, India (January 2026) and the Philippines (June 2026) have restricted licensed platforms. Details: the EU 2027 ban and country guides.
Swap services
Swap services convert one coin into another without an account. You send BTC, LTC, USDT or another coin to a deposit address and receive XMR at your own address. Trocador compares several swap services and shows a KYC rating for each. Be aware that swap services can pause a trade flagged by their anti-money-laundering checks and ask for identification. SideShift no longer offers XMR, and eXch shut down on 1 May 2025. See BTC to XMR for a walkthrough.
Peer-to-peer markets
RetoSwap runs on Haveno, open-source software modelled on Bisq that works over Tor. Haveno has been mainnet-ready through third-party networks since 26 October 2024. Both buyer and seller lock a security deposit in escrow, and an arbitrator settles disputes. Bisq supports BTC to XMR trades. Liquidity is lower than on big exchanges and prices can carry a premium. Compare them in Haveno vs RetoSwap vs Bisq, and read buying Monero without KYC for the legal and safety side.
How to check a venue yourself
- Search the venue's own support pages for "Monero" or "XMR" and your country. Delisting notices are usually there.
- Check whether it is registered or licensed where you live.
- Look for recent independent news about withdrawals being paused or frozen.
- Try a small deposit and withdrawal before committing larger amounts.
How to choose
- You live where an exchange still lists XMR: the exchange is simplest, but withdraw to your own wallet promptly.
- You are in the EEA, UK or another restricted country: buy BTC or LTC on a licensed local exchange, then swap.
- You want to avoid a centralised middleman: P2P, accepting slower trades and more effort.
- Only a card is available: see buy Monero with a card.
Whatever you choose, have a wallet ready first: best Monero wallets.
Frequently asked questions
Which exchanges still sell Monero?
As of October 2026, KuCoin, HTX and MEXC list XMR pairs, and Kraken lists them outside the UK, EEA, Canada, India and UAE, with 30-day XMR deposit and withdrawal limits. Availability changes often, so check our delisting tracker and the exchange's own rules for your country.
Why can't I buy Monero in Europe?
EU rules stop licensed trading platforms listing coins with built-in anonymisation (MiCA Article 76(3), since 30 December 2024), and from 10 July 2027 the AML Regulation bars providers from handling them. Owning XMR in your own wallet remains legal.
Are swap services safe?
They are convenient, but you trust the service with your coins for the few minutes a swap takes. Some pause flagged trades and request ID. Use well-known services, type the address yourself, and start with a small amount.
Is RetoSwap the same as Haveno?
Haveno is open-source software; RetoSwap is an independent network that runs it. Haveno itself does not endorse any network.