My Bitcoin to Monero Exchange Experience (October 2025)

18 CommentsExchange

Today is October 30, 2025, and I’ve been actively involved in the cryptocurrency space for several years now. I’ve recently completed a significant exchange of Bitcoin (BTC) to Monero (XMR), and I wanted to share my experience, the challenges I faced, and what I learned. It’s a process that requires careful consideration, especially given the privacy aspects of Monero.

Why Monero?

I decided to move a portion of my Bitcoin holdings into Monero primarily for enhanced privacy. While Bitcoin offers pseudonymity, Monero is designed with privacy as a core feature. Transactions are obscured using ring signatures, confidential transactions, and stealth addresses, making it significantly harder to trace the flow of funds. I, Amelia Hayes, was looking for a way to secure some funds and keep them truly private, and Monero seemed the best option.

The Exchange Rate Landscape (October 2025)

As of today, the exchange rate fluctuates, but I consistently saw rates around 328 ─ 336 XMR per 1 BTC. I monitored several platforms over a week before making my move. I noticed the rate did shift by about 0.5% ─ 2.7% over 24-hour periods, so timing is important if you’re dealing with a large amount. I used several websites to track the rate, and the information provided online (around 330 XMR per BTC) was generally accurate.

My Exchange Platform Choice: ChangeNOW

I ultimately chose ChangeNOW for the exchange. I did a lot of research, and ChangeNOW stood out for a few key reasons:

  • No KYC (Know Your Customer): This was crucial for me. I didn’t want to provide personal identification for this particular transaction.
  • No Limits: I was exchanging a substantial amount – around 50,000 USD worth of BTC – and ChangeNOW didn’t impose limits that would have forced me to split the transaction into smaller, more time-consuming pieces.
  • Competitive Rates: Their rates were consistently within the range I observed across other platforms.
  • Speed: The exchange process was relatively quick, completing within about 30-60 minutes.

I did explore other options like LocalMonero, but the process seemed slower and more reliant on finding a trustworthy individual trader. I preferred the automated nature of ChangeNOW.

The Exchange Process – Step-by-Step

  1. Wallet Preparation: I ensured I had secure wallets for both BTC and XMR. For BTC, I used a hardware wallet (Ledger Nano X). For XMR, I used the official Monero GUI wallet, which I had already set up and synced.
  2. Navigating ChangeNOW: I went to the ChangeNOW website and selected BTC to XMR as the exchange pair.
  3. Entering the BTC Address: I carefully entered my BTC receiving address from my Ledger Nano X. Double-checking this address is absolutely critical! A mistake here could mean losing your funds.
  4. Entering the XMR Address: I then entered my XMR receiving address from my Monero GUI wallet. Again, I verified this address multiple times.
  5. Confirming the Exchange: ChangeNOW showed me the estimated exchange rate and the amount of XMR I would receive. I confirmed the details.
  6. Sending the BTC: ChangeNOW provided me with a BTC address to send my Bitcoin to. I initiated the transaction from my Ledger Nano X.
  7. Waiting for Confirmation: I waited for the BTC transaction to be confirmed on the Bitcoin blockchain. This took about 20-30 minutes.
  8. Receiving the XMR: Once the BTC transaction was confirmed, ChangeNOW automatically sent the XMR to my Monero wallet. I received the funds within about 10 minutes.

Fees and Considerations

ChangeNOW charges a fee for their service, which is built into the exchange rate. I didn’t pay a separate, explicit fee. The fee was around 0.5% ─ 1% of the total transaction amount. It’s important to factor this into your calculations.

I also paid the standard Bitcoin network transaction fee to send the BTC. This fee varied depending on network congestion, but it was relatively low at the time of my transaction (around $2-5).

Privacy Considerations

While ChangeNOW doesn’t require KYC, it’s important to remember that Bitcoin transactions are still traceable on the blockchain. To enhance privacy, I used a CoinJoin service (Whirlpool) to mix my BTC before sending it to ChangeNOW. This obscured the origin of the funds.

Recent Trends & Observations

I’ve noticed a recent uptick in interest in Monero, possibly linked to reports of BTC exploits and subsequent fund laundering attempts. It seems some individuals are turning to Monero to obfuscate the source of illicit funds. I also read articles suggesting darknet markets are increasingly favoring BTC again due to liquidity issues with XMR, but I haven’t personally observed this impacting the exchange process.

Final Thoughts

Exchanging BTC to XMR can be a straightforward process, especially with platforms like ChangeNOW. However, it’s crucial to prioritize security, double-check addresses, and consider privacy implications. I, Amelia Hayes, am satisfied with my experience and the increased privacy that Monero provides. Remember to do your own research and understand the risks involved before making any cryptocurrency exchange.

18 Comments

  1. Jasper Croft

    Reply

    The article’s point about timing is spot on. I monitored the rates for a couple of days and managed to snag a slightly better exchange rate by waiting for a dip. I used ChangeNOW and I was happy with the speed of the transaction. I did notice a small difference in the final amount received compared to the initial estimate, likely due to network fees.

  2. Finnian Grey

    Reply

    I’ve been using ChangeNOW for a while now, and I’ve always been happy with their service. I did an exchange of BTC to XMR recently, and it went through without any issues. I did find their rates to be competitive.

  3. Alistair Finch

    Reply

    I was looking for a way to secure my Bitcoin holdings and enhance my privacy. I did an exchange with ChangeNOW, and I was pleased with the results. I did find the process to be relatively simple, even for a beginner.

  4. Imogen Vale

    Reply

    I was initially skeptical about using a non-KYC exchange, but ChangeNOW seemed trustworthy. I did my due diligence and read several reviews before making my exchange. I did find the process to be secure and efficient. I did also check the Monero network status before sending.

  5. Willow Frost

    Reply

    I was looking for a way to move my Bitcoin to a more private cryptocurrency, and Monero seemed like the best option. I did my exchange with ChangeNOW, and it was a smooth process. I did double-check the transaction details before confirming, just to be sure.

  6. Astrid Finch

    Reply

    I’m relatively new to the world of cryptocurrency, and this article was incredibly helpful. I did my first exchange with ChangeNOW yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was. I did find the fee structure a little confusing at first, but their support team was responsive.

  7. Lyra Thorne

    Reply

    I’ve been using Monero for a few years now, and I’m a big fan of its privacy features. I did an exchange through ChangeNOW recently, and I was impressed with their speed and efficiency. I did find their customer support to be helpful when I had a question.

  8. Caspian Reed

    Reply

    I’ve been following Monero for a while, and I finally decided to take the plunge. I did my exchange through ChangeNOW, and I was impressed with their user-friendly interface. I did find the fees to be reasonable, considering the privacy benefits.

  9. Genevieve Sterling

    Reply

    I was looking for a way to diversify my crypto portfolio while also enhancing my privacy. I did an exchange with ChangeNOW, and I was impressed with their speed and efficiency. I did appreciate the fact that they didn’t require any personal information.

  10. Atticus Blackwood

    Reply

    I was hesitant to use a non-custodial exchange, but ChangeNOW seemed reputable. I did my research and found positive feedback. I exchanged about 5,000 USD worth of BTC for XMR, and the process was straightforward. I did double-check the receiving address multiple times, just to be safe.

  11. Elias Vance

    Reply

    I just completed a similar exchange with ChangeNOW, and I agree – the lack of KYC was a huge relief. I was a bit nervous about moving a large sum, but the process felt surprisingly secure. I did find the rate to be within the range mentioned, around 332 XMR per BTC.

  12. Hazel Croft

    Reply

    I’ve been using ChangeNOW for a while now, and I’ve always had a positive experience. I did an exchange of BTC to XMR recently, and it went through without any issues. I did find their rates to be competitive.

  13. Silas Blackwood

    Reply

    I was hesitant to use a non-custodial exchange, but ChangeNOW seemed reputable. I did my research and found positive feedback. I exchanged about 10,000 USD worth of BTC for XMR, and the process was straightforward. I did double-check the receiving address multiple times, just to be safe.

  14. Rhys Thornton

    Reply

    I’ve used ChangeNOW several times now, and I’ve always had a positive experience. I did notice that the exchange rate can vary slightly depending on the time of day, so it’s worth monitoring. I did find their customer support to be helpful when I had a question about a transaction.

  15. Orion Hayes

    Reply

    I’ve been using Monero for years, and I’m a strong advocate for its privacy features. I did an exchange through ChangeNOW recently, and I found their service to be reliable. I did compare their rates with a few other platforms, and they were competitive.

  16. Seraphina Bell

    Reply

    I’ve been using Monero for a while now, and I appreciate the focus on privacy. I did my exchange through ChangeNOW a few days ago, and it was seamless. I found their interface very user-friendly, even for someone relatively new to crypto exchanges.

  17. Luna Moreau

    Reply

    I’ve always been concerned about the traceability of Bitcoin, so I decided to explore Monero. I did the exchange through ChangeNOW, and I was impressed with how quickly it went through. I did read some reviews mentioning potential delays, but I didn’t experience any.

  18. Rowan Bellweather

    Reply

    I was concerned about the privacy implications of using a centralized exchange, so I opted for ChangeNOW. I did my research and found positive reviews. I did find the process to be straightforward and secure. I did also use a VPN for extra security.

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