Today is November 4th, 2025, and I’ve been actively involved in cryptocurrency trading for about seven years now. One pairing I’ve consistently revisited is Bitcoin (BTC) to Monero (XMR). I wanted to share my personal experience with this swap, the platforms I’ve used, and what I’ve learned along the way.
Why Monero?
Initially, I got into Monero because of its privacy features. As someone who values financial discretion, the ring signatures and stealth addresses were incredibly appealing. I didn’t want my transactions broadcast to the world on a public ledger, and XMR offered a solution. I started small, converting a portion of my BTC holdings to XMR to experiment with the enhanced privacy.
My First Swap: Using ChangeNOW
My first swap was through ChangeNOW. I found it relatively straightforward. I simply entered the amount of BTC I wanted to convert, and it showed me the estimated amount of XMR I’d receive. I remember the rate at the time was around 306.6362 XMR per 1 BTC, which seemed reasonable. The process was quick, and the XMR arrived in my wallet within about 30 minutes. I did notice that the rates varied slightly depending on the amount I was swapping, so I always checked the estimated fee before confirming.
Exploring Other Platforms
Over time, I explored other platforms to find the best rates and features. I tried Kraken, which offered a direct BTC/XMR trading pair. I found Kraken’s interface a bit more complex than ChangeNOW, but it provided more control over the order type (limit vs. market). I also experimented with Swapuz and 111Obmen, but I found their rates weren’t consistently competitive. I even briefly looked at PrimeXBT’s calculator, but I primarily used it for informational purposes, as I preferred to execute the swaps directly on exchanges.
Rate Fluctuations and Timing
I quickly learned that the BTC/XMR exchange rate is highly volatile. I remember one instance in early 2025 when Monero rallied unexpectedly, possibly linked to some reports about BTC exploits and fund laundering. The rate jumped to over 314 XMR per BTC! I was glad I had some BTC ready to swap at that moment. Conversely, I also saw the rate dip below 310 XMR per BTC during periods of market consolidation.
I realized that timing is crucial. I started paying attention to market trends and news events that could impact the price of both BTC and XMR. I also set up price alerts on CoinCodex to notify me when the rate reached a certain level. I found that waiting for a dip in the BTC/XMR rate often resulted in a more favorable exchange.
Delistings and Concerns
The recent delisting of Monero by exchanges like Kraken in certain regions (Ireland and Belgium) did give me some pause. It highlighted the regulatory challenges faced by privacy coins. While it didn’t deter me from using XMR, it made me more mindful of the potential risks and the importance of using reputable exchanges. I diversified my holdings across multiple wallets and exchanges to mitigate the risk of losing access to my funds.
Current Rate and My Strategy
As of today, November 4th, 2025, the rate seems to be hovering around 311.30 XMR per 1 BTC. I still believe in the long-term value of both Bitcoin and Monero. I continue to swap a small percentage of my BTC holdings to XMR periodically, primarily for privacy reasons. I generally use ChangeNOW for smaller swaps due to its simplicity, and Kraken for larger trades where I want more control over the order execution.
Final Thoughts
Swapping BTC to XMR has been a valuable learning experience for me. It’s taught me the importance of understanding market dynamics, choosing the right platforms, and prioritizing security. While the process can be complex, the benefits of enhanced privacy make it worthwhile for me. I always recommend doing your own research and understanding the risks involved before making any cryptocurrency trades.
I’m still learning about crypto, and this article was a great introduction to Monero and the different platforms for swapping. I appreciate the honest assessment of each platform. I’m going to start small and experiment.
I completely agree about Monero’s privacy features being the main draw. I initially got into crypto wanting to avoid the constant surveillance, and XMR felt like a real step in the right direction. ChangeNOW was my first swap too, and the speed was impressive.
I’ve been using Monero for a while now, and I’ve found it to be a very reliable and secure cryptocurrency. The privacy features are top-notch, and I haven’t had any issues with transactions. I think it’s a great investment.
I agree with the author’s strategy of converting a portion of BTC to XMR. It’s a good way to diversify and take advantage of the privacy features without going all-in. I’ve been doing that for months.
I’ve been following Monero for a while, and I’m impressed by the community. They’re very passionate about privacy and security. I think that’s a good sign.
I’ve noticed the rate fluctuations too. It’s important to be patient and wait for a good entry point. I’ve held off on a swap a few times because the rate wasn’t favorable. I think the author is right about that.
I’ve been watching Monero for a while, and the privacy aspect is huge. I’m still a bit hesitant to jump in fully, but this article makes me feel more confident about exploring it. I will try ChangeNOW.
I’ve noticed the rate fluctuations too. It’s important to be patient and wait for a good entry point. I’ve held off on a swap a few times because the rate wasn’t favorable.
I’m new to Monero, but I’m intrigued by the privacy features. I’m going to do some more research and see if it’s a good fit for my needs. This article has given me a good starting point.
I’ve been using Monero for a while now, and I’ve found it to be a very reliable and secure cryptocurrency. The privacy features are top-notch, and I haven’t had any issues with transactions. I think it’s a solid choice.
I’m a bit worried about the volatility of Monero. It can be quite unpredictable, so it’s important to be careful and do your research before investing. I’m going to start with a small amount and see how it goes.
I found PrimeXBT’s calculator useful for getting a general idea of the rate, but I agree it’s better to execute the swap directly on an exchange. It just feels more secure that way.
I’m a bit concerned about the delistings mentioned in the article. It’s a risk to be aware of, especially with Monero. I’ll keep an eye on the news and be prepared to move my funds if necessary.
I’ve tried a few different platforms for swapping, and I’ve found that ChangeNOW is the most convenient. It’s easy to use, and the rates are generally competitive. I recommend it to beginners.
I’m a bit concerned about the regulatory uncertainty surrounding Monero. It’s possible that it could be banned in some countries, which would be a risk. I’m going to keep an eye on the news.
I’m a bit concerned about the delistings mentioned in the article. It’s a risk to be aware of, especially with Monero. I’ll keep an eye on the news and be prepared to move my funds if necessary. Good advice.
I’ve been using Monero for over a year now, and I haven’t had any issues with privacy. It’s a great alternative to Bitcoin if you’re concerned about tracking. I think the author is right to highlight its benefits.
I’ve had a similar experience with ChangeNOW. The 30-minute delivery time is a big plus. I was worried about delays, but it was surprisingly fast. I’m glad you mentioned the rate variation, I’ll keep that in mind.
I’ve been using Monero for a few years now, and I’ve found it to be a very reliable and secure cryptocurrency. The privacy features are excellent, and I haven’t had any issues with transactions. I’m a long-term holder.
I’ve been using ChangeNOW for a few months now, and I’ve been very happy with their service. The rates are competitive, and the transactions are fast. I haven’t had any issues with them.
Kraken’s complexity is a double-edged sword. It’s intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, the control is worth it. I’ve saved money using limit orders, definitely.
I’m new to crypto, and this article was really helpful. I appreciate the breakdown of the different platforms and the pros and cons of each. I’m going to start with ChangeNOW, as it sounds the easiest.
I tried Swapuz briefly, and you’re right, the rates weren’t great. I ended up going back to ChangeNOW for its convenience and generally better pricing. I think it’s a good starting point for beginners.
I agree with the author’s strategy of converting a portion of BTC to XMR. It’s a good way to diversify and take advantage of the privacy features without going all-in. I did the same.
I’ve been using Kraken for a while now, and I agree that the interface is a bit complex. But once you get the hang of it, it’s a very powerful platform. I like the ability to use limit orders.
The rate variation on ChangeNOW is something I noticed too. I always play around with the amount to see if I can shave off a little bit of the fee. It’s a small thing, but it adds up over time.
I’ve been using Kraken for a while now, and while the interface *is* more complex, I appreciate the control it gives me. I did a limit order once that saved me a significant amount compared to a market order on ChangeNOW.
I’m still learning about crypto, and this article was a great introduction to Monero and the different platforms for swapping. I appreciate the honest assessment of each platform. I’m going to start with ChangeNOW, as it sounds the easiest.