Swapping Monero (XMR): which services list it and what to check before you send
SimpleSwap and ChangeNOW both list Monero (XMR), as do most of the other services in this directory. A swap to or from XMR works like any other order: you send from your wallet and receive in your wallet, with no account for most crypto-to-crypto swaps on SimpleSwap and ChangeNOW. The XMR-specific part is the address.
A cryptocurrency built for private, censorship-resistant transactions (getmonero.org). Privacy on Monero is mandatory: every transaction hides the sender, the receiver and the amount, so you cannot accidentally send a transparent transaction.
What does a Monero address look like?
- 95characters in a Monero address: a standard address starts with 4, a subaddress with 8getmonero.org
- 106characters in an integrated address, with a payment ID built ingetmonero.org
- ~2 minbetween new Monero blocksgetmonero.org
A Monero address combines the public spend key and the public view key, encoded in Base58 with a checksum. Paste yours below to see which format it matches. The check runs in your browser.
Standard address, subaddress or integrated address?
Standard address
- 95 characters, starts with 4.
- The wallet's primary address.
Subaddress
- 95 characters, starts with 8.
- The recommended default for receiving.
- One per payment shows you which payment is which.
Integrated address
- 106 characters.
- A standard address with an encrypted payment ID built in.
Monero's documentation adds one caution: sending the balances of several subaddresses in one transaction links those subaddresses together on the blockchain.
How does Monero keep transactions private?
Monero uses three technologies at once (getmonero.org):
- Ring signatures hide which output is being spent.
- Stealth addresses hide the receiver.
- RingCT hides the amount.
Because of this, Monero is designed to be fungible: any 1 XMR can be swapped for any other 1 XMR.
Every Monero wallet also has a private view key for cases where you want to show incoming payments without giving up control.
How to swap Monero step by step
- Pick the pair
For example BTC to XMR or XMR to USDT.
- Paste the receiving address
From your own wallet, for the asset you receive. For XMR, a fresh subaddress keeps payments apart.
- Choose fixed or floating
A fixed rate locks the price for a set window: 20 minutes on SimpleSwap.
- Send the deposit
From your wallet to the address the order shows. A Monero block arrives about every 2 minutes, and received XMR stays locked for 10 blocks, roughly 20 minutes.
- Track the order
Use the order ID until the funds arrive.
Any 95-character string is a valid address.
An address carries a checksum. Copy it from your wallet rather than typing it, and compare the first and last characters.
A view key lets someone spend my XMR.
A view key shows incoming transactions only. It cannot spend, but it does reveal every incoming payment to the wallet.
XMR swaps need a special account.
On SimpleSwap and ChangeNOW, an XMR swap is a normal crypto-to-crypto order with no account for most swaps.
Which services list XMR?
The Monero list shows every service in this directory that lists XMR, side by side.
Before you send
- Receiving addressCheck it character by character before you confirm.
- NetworkSend and receive on the network the order shows.
- Seed phrase and keysKeep them private. Neither service will ever ask for them.
- FinalityNo swap service can reverse a confirmed blockchain transaction.
Questions
How does Monero keep transactions private?
Monero combines ring signatures, stealth addresses and RingCT to hide the sender, the receiver and the amount of every transaction.
Privacy is on by default and cannot be switched off.
What does a Monero address look like and how long is it?
A standard Monero address is 95 characters long and starts with 4; a subaddress is also 95 characters and starts with 8.
An integrated address, which includes a payment ID, is 106 characters long.
What is the difference between a standard address, a subaddress and an integrated address?
The standard address is the wallet's primary address. Subaddresses are the recommended default for receiving, one per payment.
An integrated address is a standard address with an encrypted payment ID built in.
What is a Monero view key and is it safe to share?
A view key lets someone see the wallet's incoming transactions, including those to all its subaddresses.
It cannot be used to spend, but sharing it gives up the privacy of every incoming payment.
Does SimpleSwap support Monero?
Yes. SimpleSwap lists XMR, and so does ChangeNOW. A swap to or from XMR works like any other order on both.