How to swap bitcoin for Monero privately

Why swap to Monero?

Every bitcoin transaction is public: anyone can follow coins from address to address. Monero hides the sender, the receiver and the amount of every payment, so once your coins are in XMR, their history stops being visible.

Option 1: an instant exchange

1. Copy your Monero address

   Open your Monero wallet and copy a receiving address. A fresh subaddress, starting with 8, is best.

2. Pick the exchange and the pair

   Choose BTC to XMR, enter the amount, and paste your address. Pick a fixed rate if you want to know the exact amount you will get.

3. Send your bitcoin

   Send exactly the amount shown to the deposit address the exchange gives you. Keep the order page open or save its link.

4. Wait for your XMR

   The swap starts once your bitcoin has a confirmation. Monero arrives a few minutes later and can be spent after 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes.

• b1exch – instant exchange, KYC score A
• Bitania – instant exchange, KYC score A
• CCE Cash – instant exchange, KYC score B
• Fswap – instant exchange, KYC score A
• Explace – instant exchange, KYC score B
• The Change – instant exchange, KYC score B
• EagleSwap – instant exchange, KYC score A
• xmr2cex – instant exchange, KYC score A

Option 2: a trustless atomic swap

With an atomic swap, no one ever holds your coins. Either the trade completes, or both sides get their coins back. It is the most private way to swap, and slower.

• eigenwallet – Monero wallet with built-in trustless BTC to XMR atomic swaps. Formerly UnstoppableSwap.
• BasicSwap – Decentralized exchange for cross-chain atomic swaps between BTC, XMR, LTC and more. No central server.

Tips

• Send from your own wallet, not straight from a regulated exchange. Coins coming from exchanges and flagged addresses are the ones most often checked.
• Use a new Monero subaddress for every swap.
• Check the exchange's KYC score first. See how to avoid a held swap.