Looking for what Monero veterans actually use if it isn't a CEX. Just the methods people here consider the safest practical ways to turn some Bitcoin or cash into XMR. What works, and what would you avoid?
pull down to refresh
pull down to refresh
Looking for what Monero veterans actually use if it isn't a CEX. Just the methods people here consider the safest practical ways to turn some Bitcoin or cash into XMR. What works, and what would you avoid?
idk if I count as a "Monero veteran" (I don't feel like it lol), but I recently wrote a whole post on this: https://themeritocrat.substack.com/p/where-id-look-to-swap-sats-for-xmr
I’ll copy it here. If someone reads this months or years later, I’ll keep the Substack version updated (e.g. when SeraiDEX launches: https://serai.exchange/).
From my experience this is the question I get most across every channel I use.
Where I’d Look to Swap Sats for XMR Without KYCWhere I’d Look to Swap Sats for XMR Without KYC
Just a List with Notes.Just a List with Notes.
RE: “Where the hell one can swap sats for XMR in a “safe” & no KYC way?”
Depending on amount, location, and how much you want to hunt for a good rate: go P2P if the stack is large, or a fixed-rate instant swap if you just want it done.
P2PP2P
Atomic swapsAtomic swaps
Instant swaps and aggregatorsInstant swaps and aggregators
There are a lot of them, see lists:
The two I know as long-standing projects with good people running them are Trocador (@TrocadorApp, https://trocador.app) and OrangeFren (@OrangeFren, https://orangefren.com). Filter hard for Never-KYC: a “no-KYC aggregator” still routes through a partner that CAN freeze a deposit!
There are also projects based on Hyperliquid (@HyperliquidX, hyperfoundation.org), and also Thorchain (@THORChain, thorchain.org) recently added Monero, DYOR them if you want.
Rule of thumb: small stack + speed → aggregator with a Never-KYC filter. Large stack + “I do not want a third party holding anything” → RetoSwap / Bisq / BasicSwap / eigenwallet.
After the swap, move XMR off the receiving address.
*These are just my thoughts, based on personal and community perception of how well-known and reputable the people behind these projects are. I do not accept any “sponsored posts” offers to mention any swaps online.
P.S. And thank you for the first post in my turf, @samourai - upvoted! 🧡
P.P.S. #FreeSamourai
Search on the platform https://xmrbazaar.com/
Lots of people are willing to convert them for you (me included).
There's Retoswap and Bisq as well.
A ful(ler) list:
https://themeritocrat.substack.com/p/where-id-look-to-swap-sats-for-xmr
Yes, if you find your trustworthy P2P trader on RetoSwap or XmrBazaar, that is the safest way.
Trustworthy is the key word: there are a lot of scammers!
On XmrBazaar, for the safest options look for a yellow checkmark (verified seller) and/or a yellow shield (bonded user) - @SoulReaver is one of them :) - AND transact ONLY with multisig escrow (https://xmrbazaar.com/escrow-guide) or a bonded user. ALWAYS.
How do you verify the yellow check and shield people aren’t scammers?
No one can verify that people aren’t scammers.
Bonded users (shield badge) put real XMR at risk: if they scam and lose a dispute, they can lose the bond. Bonds guide: https://xmrbazaar.com/bonds-guide/
Yellow check / verified users are either well-known in the Monero / XmrBazaar community and/or have a solid prior track record.
Escrow (or a bond) is the only truly scam-proof signal we have: scammers do not lock their own money in 2-of-3 multisig, and they definitely don’t use bonds: it would bankrupt their entire “business model.”
TL;DR: Use multisig escrow or a bonded seller. Always.
Makes sense. Thanks.
Thanks for the replies. SN never emailed me notifications and my spam is empty. Came back to close the tab and learned a lot.
@AilliA, your list is one of the most helpful. I was subscribed to the newsletter but never got this one either. Thanks for the tip!
Consensus seems to be RetoSwap. Tried it a while ago and it just did not work. Never used BasicSwap or EigenWallet, those sound like what I need. If neither works I’ll reach out to you @SoulReaver on XMRBazaar. I like the marketplace idea and already had good luck with a small order, but the scam rate is high enough I would not use it for any amount I’m not ready to lose. Not blaming the site itself.
it t wasn't the newsletter: I skipped sending that one and just posted it online. I didn’t find an image that satisfied me for the topic (stupid, I know; I should have sent it anyway without an image).
btw I also don't receive email notifications from StasherNews (checked spam too).
Not sure if we're supposed to get them, @stasher?
No, we don't send emails to you ever except for the login codes.
Thank you, I didn’t know. For some reason the expectation is that if you use email, you receive email notifications :)
Stacker does that, but I haven't set anything up, not sure I will. Its solely for account recovery, not even a requirement now that we also have a recovery phrase option.
Also, eigenwallet recently announced that a web version is coming:
Orangefren.com for crypto to crypto swaps. Theres also eigenwallet for btc -> xmr.
For cash, retoswap.
Retoswap. I use Trodacor as well.
Cake Wallet works on the fly.
I use RetoSwap to do this
I highly recommend retoswap.com