How to buy Monero in 2027 when the big exchanges don't list it: a step-by-step guide
Monero is the most private major cryptocurrency — and that is exactly why Binance, OKX and Kraken in Europe dropped it. Buying XMR is still easy: all you need is your own wallet and a no-sign-up swap on VertEXchange. Here is how, in five steps.
Why the big exchanges dropped Monero
- OKX removed XMR on January 5, 2024.
- Binance followed on February 20, 2024.
- Kraken removed it first in Ireland and Belgium, then across the whole European Economic Area on October 31, 2024.
The reason is the same everywhere — regulatory pressure: exchanges struggle to justify a coin that hides the sender, receiver and amount by default. Monero itself hasn't gone anywhere: the network has been running since 2014, and XMR trades at about $560 at the end of September 2026.
Step 1. Install a Monero wallet
Your coins should arrive at your own address, not at an intermediary's account. Proven options:
- Monero GUI — the project's official desktop wallet.
- Feather Wallet — a lightweight desktop wallet.
- Cake Wallet — for iPhone and Android.
Write your seed phrase down on paper — 16 or 25 words depending on the wallet — and never show it to anyone: it is the only way to restore your wallet.
Step 2. Copy your address
A primary Monero address starts with "4", subaddresses start with "8". This is the address you'll enter on a cryptocurrency exchange, and the XMR will be sent straight to it. It is convenient to create a new subaddress for each purchase, so your payments are not linked to each other.
Step 3. Choose what to pay with
Almost any coin works: BTC, ETH, USDT on TRC20 or ERC20, or SOL. Use what you already hold: every extra swap means an extra fee. If you hold bitcoin, you can exchange BTC to XMR without registration directly.
Step 4. Swap
- Open the pair you need and enter the amount: the rate and the XMR you get are shown right away.
- Paste your Monero address from step 2.
- Send your coins to the exchange address.
- Wait for XMR to arrive in your wallet.
With VertEXchange you don't need to sign up or give an email or phone number.
Step 5. Wait for the unlock
Received XMR can be spent after 10 network confirmations — about 20 minutes. This is a general Monero rule, not a delay of the exchange.
Other ways to buy XMR
| Method | Sign-up | How long | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchanges that still list XMR | Required, with ID checks | Minutes, plus withdrawal | Few platforms, withdrawals may be delayed |
| P2P platforms | Usually required | An hour or more | Finding a seller and fraud risk |
| VertEXchange, no-sign-up swap | Not required | Minutes to tens of minutes | You need your own wallet — but the coins are yours right away |
Common mistakes
- Wrong network when paying with USDT. USDT TRC20 and USDT ERC20 are different networks: send on the one you chose in the swap. For example, if you decided to swap USDT TRC20 for XMR, the USDT has to go out on the TRON network.
- An address from the wrong wallet. After pasting, check the first and last characters of the address.
- Swapping the full amount the first time. Start small to test the whole process.
Pick a coin, paste your Monero address and send — no sign-up, email or phone number.
Buy XMR
