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How to buy Monero (XMR)
Learn how to buy Monero (XMR) in our step-by-step guide.
Monero (XMR) is in the top 1,000 cryptocurrencies by market cap, valued at $2,125,759,230.
Monero is a highly volatile asset capable of major price swings in a single day. Today XMR is trading for $116.98, which is slightly down from yesterday's trading price of $118.66. Monero's seen a decrease of -24% over the past year.
So before you buy Monero, make sure you understand these unique risks as well as its legal, regulatory and tax status here in the US.
If you're ready to get started, read on for step-by-step instructions and a list of platforms you can buy Monero.
How to buy Monero in 5 steps
The whole process can take as little as 15 minutes and all you'll need is a smartphone or computer, an internet connection, photo identification and a means of payment.
- Compare crypto exchangesThe easiest way to buy Monero is from a cryptocurrency exchange. Comparing in the table below lets you find one with the features you want such as low fees, ease of use or 24-hour customer support.
- Create an account To create an account on an exchange, you will need to verify your email address and identity. Have some photo ID and your phone ready.
- Make a depositOnce verified, you can deposit USD using the payment method that best suits you – cryptocurrency, bank and card payments are widely accepted.
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Buy Monero
You can now exchange your funds for Monero. On beginner-friendly exchanges, this is as simple as entering the USD or XMR amount you want to purchase and clicking "buy".
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Secure your Monero
Consider transferring your XMR to a personal crypto wallet to protect against some of the risks of keeping it on an exchange, such as hacks, scams or platform bankruptcy.
Where to buy Monero
Find an exchange to buy, sell and trade XMR by comparing deposit methods, supported fiat currencies and fees. Select Go to site to sign up directly with the provider.
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How we keep this Monero guide up-to-date
- XMR price data is regularly updated through data feeds so you always have the latest information.
- Monero performance data is regularly updated using automated comparisons.
How do I find the best places to buy Monero?
Cryptocurrency exchanges offer similar services, but differ in a few key ways – mainly fees, the range of cryptos available and payment methods. You can use our table to compare the features of popular cryptocurrency exchanges available in to help you choose the one that's right for you.
Some other factors you may want to consider are customer support, user reviews, ease of use and whether or not the exchange is registered with a local regulator. This information can be found by clicking on the exchange name in the table which will take you to its review page.
What will I need to buy Monero?
To create an account on any cryptocurrency exchange you will need an email address. Some exchanges may also ask for a phone number and photo ID, so it's a good idea to have those ready.
An increasing number of cryptocurrency exchanges will ask to verify your identity before you can deposit funds and start trading Monero.
- This process is known as Know Your Customer (KYC) and usually requires photo ID and a webcam or smartphone. You may also need to prove your address by uploading a copy of a recent bank statement or utility bill.
- Some exchanges allow you to deposit and trade cryptocurrencies without passing KYC, but they will not allow you to transfer local currency from your bank account. So if you are planning on purchasing XMR with your local currency then you will need to pass KYC.
- Once you have verified your identity, it is a good idea to enable 2-factor authentication (2FA) before depositing any funds. This will increase the security of your account and help keep your funds safe.
What are the best ways to buy Monero?
Once you've created an account, you will need to deposit funds to buy XMR with. You can either deposit local currency from a bank account or credit card, or transfer cryptocurrency from another exchange or wallet. Here are some popular ways to to buy XMR:
- Bank account: Transfers from local bank accounts are usually free, but you will need to double-check this with the exchange you choose – this information can be found in our table by clicking on 'view details'.
- Credit or debit card: Linking a card to your account is another convenient way to top up your account, but be aware that it usually attracts an additional fee. An advantage, though, is that you can use a card to make instant purchases or set up a recurring purchase.
- Cryptocurrency: You can usually purchase XMR by trading it for another cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or a stablecoin. This varies between exchanges though, so you will need to search for XMR on the spot market to see what cryptocurrencies it can be traded for.
What is the easiest way to buy Monero?
The easiest way to buy XMR is by placing an 'instant buy' order to purchase it for a fixed price but not all crypto exchanges offer this feature.
Alternatively, you can open a trade on the spot market which allows you to set your own price – this is the most common way to purchase cryptocurrency. Using the instant buy feature is straightforward but typically more expensive than using the spot market.
Best Monero wallets to store your XMR
You can keep your XMR on the exchange you purchased it on, or move it to a personal wallet:
- Some people like to use their own wallets to guarantee total ownership over their assets, or to use them with other applications like DeFi services.
- Hardware wallets are typically considered to be the safest type of cryptocurrency wallet, as they use a physical device to enhance security in a number of ways. You can take a look at some of our top hardware wallet picks for self-custody of your XMR below.
Trezor Model T Wallet
★★★★★ 4
Price (USD)
$179
Supported assets
9,000+
Ledger Nano X Wallet
★★★★★ 4.6
Price (USD)
$149
Supported assets
5,500+
SafePal S1 Wallet
★★★★★ 4
Price (USD)
$49.99
Supported assets
30,000+
Disclaimer: This page is not financial advice or an endorsement of digital assets, providers or services. Digital assets are volatile and risky, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential regulations or policies can affect their availability and services provided. Talk with a financial professional before making a decision. Finder or the author may own cryptocurrency discussed on this page.
Is Monero a good investment?
As with any investment, it is vital you understand the risks and potential upside of the asset before making any financial decision. With regards to XMR, here are a few things you should consider:
- Criminal concerns. As a coin valued for its privacy and anonymity, Monero has been reportedly linked with criminal activities. For example, whoever was behind 2017's WannaCry crypto-ransomware worm is thought to have exchanged their Bitcoin for Monero, while reports have also nominated XMR as the currency of choice on the dark web black market. This public perception of the coin's links with illicit activities could potentially hamper its widespread adoption.
- Regulation. The threat of new regulations and crackdowns on cryptocurrency from several governments around the world could potentially create increased demand for privacy coins like Monero among people looking to avoid tax and legal barriers. On the other hand, this also leads to fear that privacy coins will themselves be the subject of regulations, which is worth keeping in mind when thinking of buying XMR.
- Competition. Monero is far from the only privacy coin that aims to offer security and anonymity to users. Other similar coins include Dash (DASH), Zcash (ZEC) and Verge (XVG).
Today's Monero price versus ATH
Compare today's price of Monero ($116.98 USD) against its all-time high (ATH) price of $542.33 on January 09, 2018. The closer the bar is to 100%, the closer XMR is to reaching its ATH again.
Current price: $116.98
All time high: $542.33
How do I trade, convert or sell Monero?
You can convert or sell your XMR with the same exchange you bought it through:- Sign in to the exchange you have XMR on.
- If you store your Monero in a digital wallet, compare crypto exchanges to convert or sell it on.
- Choose Sell or Convert and place a sell order.
- Choose the amount of XMR you'd like to convert or sell.
- Confirm the sell price and fees and close your sale of Monero.
- Complete your transaction and move your XMR to a wallet for storage.
How to buy other cryptos
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.
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