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How to buy Monero without KYC

Big exchanges want your passport and a selfie. You don't have to give them either. Here are the main ways people get XMR privately.

KYC means "know your customer". In practice it means a database somewhere holding your name, your ID photos and every coin you ever bought. Exchanges get hacked. Data gets leaked, sold or demanded by governments. If privacy is the reason you want Monero, buying it with your passport defeats the point.

Here are the usual ways around it. Rules differ by country, so check what applies where you live.

In a hurry and don't mind showing ID once? The fastest way to get Monero is buying it with a card in the Monero.com app.

1. Peer to peer on a decentralized exchange

Haveno is a decentralized, non-custodial exchange built for Monero. You trade directly with other people, with escrow handled by the protocol, and pay with bank transfer, cash by mail, other cryptos and more. Several Haveno networks run today. Bisq works on a similar model for Bitcoin, which you can then swap.

2. Swap from another coin

If you already have Bitcoin, Litecoin or another coin, an instant swap service can turn it into XMR without an account. Aggregators compare rates across many services so you get a decent price. Some swap services are better than others about not freezing funds, so stick to ones with a good reputation and start small.

3. A wallet with a built-in exchange

Some Monero wallets, like Cake Wallet, have swaps built in. Send in BTC or another coin, get XMR in the same app.

4. Cash, in person

Meeting someone and trading cash for XMR is about as private as it gets. Meet in a public place and don't carry more than you're happy to lose.

5. Get paid in it

Sell something, freelance, or ask to be paid in XMR. No exchange involved at all.

6. Mine it

Monero is mined with ordinary computer processors using RandomX. You won't get rich, but you'll get coins that never touched an exchange.

Tips

Use your own wallet, never leave coins on a service.
Start with a small amount when trying a new service.
If you swap from Bitcoin, don't use coins that came straight from a KYC exchange if you want the trail to stay cold.

FAQ

Is buying Monero without KYC legal?

In many places, private trades are legal. Some countries regulate them. Check your local rules.

What's the easiest way?

If you already own another crypto, a swap is usually fastest.

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