Introduction

This guide is primarily for purchasing Monero (XMR), but can be used for any cryptocurrency. It will have four parts:

• With KYC
• Without KYC
• Next Steps
  • Already In XMR
  • Not In XMR
• More Information

KYC stands for Know Your Customer. It is a process that requires you to provide personal information to verify your identity. This will apply to almost any purchase via a major exchange. (like Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.) People under the age of 18 generally cannot use these services, and will have to use a non-KYC method to obtain crypto.
Additionally, using KYC in general is not recommended, unless you will be swapping directly into Monero (XMR). This is because every single other crypto is 100% percent traceable, which means anyone can see what you buy and how much crypto you hold. It also means that any crypto you buy from a KYC exchange can be traced directly back to your real identity.
However, because Monero is ~100% private, it is safe to buy with KYC, and then swap into Monero, even if it’s not preferred. This also means that if you swap back to a traceable crypto, it can’t be traced back to you, as long as you use a new wallet.

First, you will need to set up a Monero wallet on your own computer. The best options for mobile are as follows:

• Cake Wallet
  • Amazing UI and UX, with the exception of syncing. It supports a variety of cryptocurrencies, and is generally reliable. It also has a built-in swap feature using Trocador, along with a few other providers, which is convenient.
• Monerujo (Android only)
  • The best choice for Android. Syncing works perfectly and security is high. It also has swaps built-in. However, the wallet itself only supports Monero.
    

Other options can be found at getmonero.org/downloads/.

With KYC

This is the easiest method, but it is also the least private.
The first step is to purchase another cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin. Ethereum or Litecoin are probably the best options, as they have low transaction fees, are widely supported, and confirm on the blockchain quickly. If asked what network to purchase on, ALWAYS choose mainnet or the one named after the currency you are trying to buy.
You can use pretty much any service for this. Some examples include:

• Kraken
  • Kraken is the only major exchange to directly offer Monero for purchase. It’s safe to buy Monero on Kraken, as long as you withdraw it to your own wallet before spending it.
• Trocador
  • Trocador has buy mode that you can use to purchase non-XMR crypto currencies. However, provider options are limited, and it’s not always the best rate.
• BitPay
  • Allows purchase of major cryptocurrencies with credit/debit card, bank transfer, and PayPal.
• PayPal and CashApp also support crypto purchases.

Refer to the “Next Steps” section for information on what to do after purchasing crypto.

Without KYC

This is a bit trickier, but not impossible. The most common method is to use a peer-to-peer exchange. Some examples include:

• Bisq
  • Bisq is a decentralized peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange. You will need to swap to Monero afterwards. May require a deposit of BTC to use.
• RetoSwap
  • Based on the Haveno protocol, which is a fork of Bisq specifically for Monero. Most transactions require a deposit of XMR, but some don’t. I’ll probably create a guide on how to use this in the future.
• xmrbazaar
  • A peer-to-peer marketplace for Monero. Cash to XMR at https://xmrbazaar.com/search/buy-exchange/
    

These will all have different options for payment methods, like gift cards, CashApp, cash in person/via mail, bank transfers, etc. You also might have some success contacting people directly.

Next Steps

Already In XMR

You’re all set! You can now use your Monero to purchase anything you want. If the vendor doesn’t accept XMR, you can use a swap service like Trocador to swap your XMR to another cryptocurrency. This is ~untraceable, as long as you use a new wallet. If the vendor only accepts credit/debit cards, you can use a service like stealths, xmr.cards, or the Cake Pay feature built into Cake Wallet to purchase prepaid debit or gift cards with your Monero.

Not In XMR

The next step is to swap from the currency you have to Monero. Some options are:

• Trocador
  • Trocador is a well-known provider aggregator for swapping between cryptocurrencies. It’s generally reliable, but rates can vary. As long as you use the swap providers with an A or B KYC/AML rating, you will not be asked to verify your identity. It has an easy to use interface, is generally reliable, and is a good beginner choice.
• eigenwallet (BTC->XMR only)
  • Highly private and decentralized. Only supports BTC->XMR atomic swaps.
• StealthEX
  • Supports a wide variety of cryptocurrency pairs. Built into Cake Wallet.
    

Make sure to enter any wallet addresses exactly, as any discrepancy will result in the loss of your funds. Crypto transactions are irreversible. Try to use tor or a vpn when using any of these services.

More Information

Xenu has a great guide on this topic, which can be found here: Attack of the Poisoned Outputs: Episode 12 - The Definitive Guide to Buying Monero. His site doesn’t support HTTPS, so try to use the tor mirror instead. The rest of the Attack of the Poisoned Outputs series, as well as his podcast, are also great, and can be found on his website. clearnet: antimoonboy.com tor He does a really good job of explaining how Monero works, and how it can be used in an even more private way.
kycnot.me lists services that don’t require KYC, including exchanges.
Monerica lists services that accept Monero as payment.
monero.eco lists Monero resources, like exchanges, wallets, forums, and more.