Can I buy Monero in South Korea?
Bitfinex, HTX (Huobi), KuCoin, MEXC, Poloniex list XMR worldwide, but we found no evidence either way for South Korea. Check their terms before signing up. Local rules restrict privacy coins on licensed platforms. Non-custodial swaps and P2P markets work without an exchange account.
Built from exchange notices, public exchange APIs and regulator texts. Every row links to its source. Last checked 5 Nov 2026. Wrong or out of date? Send us a source.
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Centralised exchanges
| Exchange | XMR status | Since | What we found | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitfinex | Available worldwide status | Nov 2026 | Public API lists XMRBTC, XMRUSD and XMRUST (USDT) exchange pairs on 5 Nov 2026. | Notice |
| HTX (Huobi) | Available worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: XMR/USDT online (XMR/BTC, /ETH, /USDC offline); XMR deposits and withdrawals allowed. Relisting date not found. | Notice |
| KuCoin | Available worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: XMR deposits and withdrawals enabled; XMR-USDT/BTC/ETH/USDC trading enabled. Exact reopening date not found. | Notice |
| MEXC | Available worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: XMRUSDT spot enabled (status 1). CoinGecko also shows XMR/USDC. | Notice |
| Poloniex | Available worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: XMR_USDT market state NORMAL (tradable since 28 Jul 2022 on current platform). | Notice |
| Kraken | Restricted worldwide status | Oct 2026 | Co-CEO Arjun Sethi said source-of-funds emails to XMR buyers were a mistake and XMR stays listed where offered. The 30-day caps remain on Kraken's limits page. | Report |
| Binance | Delisted worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: XMRUSDT spot symbol status BREAK (not trading). XMRUSDT USDT-M perpetual still trading; no XMR deposits/withdrawals. | Notice |
| CoinEx | Delisted worldwide status | Nov 2026 | CoinGecko shows no CoinEx XMR tickers on 5 Nov 2026; CoinEx API returned 503. Whether CoinEx ever listed XMR, and when it stopped, is unverified. (low confidence) | Notice |
| Gate | Delisted worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: Gate spot returns 'Invalid currency XMR'; only an XMR_USDT perpetual exists. Spot delisting date not found. | Notice |
| OKX | Delisted worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: no XMR spot or swap instruments listed. | Notice |
| TradeOgre | Delisted worldwide status | Sep 2025 | RCMP shut down TradeOgre and seized C$56M in crypto (announced 18 Sep 2025); site had already been offline for months. Not a 2024 event. | Report |
| Bitget | Not listed worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: XMRUSDT spot symbol does not exist; XMRUSDT USDT-futures contract exists. Spot history not verified. (low confidence) | Notice |
| Bitstamp | Not listed worldwide status | Nov 2026 | Trading-pairs API lists no XMR pair on 5 Nov 2026; GhostSwap found no record Bitstamp ever listed XMR. | Notice |
| Bybit | Not listed worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API check 5 Nov 2026: no XMRUSDT spot market; only an XMRUSDT linear perpetual (no XMR deposit/withdrawal). Spot history not verified. (low confidence) | Notice |
| Coinbase | Not listed worldwide status | Nov 2026 | API returns NotFound for XMR-USD on 5 Nov 2026; GhostSwap found no record Coinbase ever listed XMR. | Notice |
Rows marked "worldwide status" have no evidence specific to South Korea; the exchange may still block South Korea in its terms. Futures-only markets are not counted as a way to buy XMR, because you cannot withdraw coins from them.
Routes that don't need an exchange account
Graded swap services| Route | Type | XMR status | What we found | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haveno | P2P | Available | Open-source, non-custodial Haveno software that public networks such as RetoSwap run on; Tor-only P2P trading against fiat and crypto. | Source |
| Instant swap services | Swap | Available | Accountless swap services (e.g. GhostSwap) still swap BTC/ETH/USDT to XMR into the user's own wallet. Terms and KYC triggers vary by provider. | Source |
| RetoSwap (Haveno network) | P2P | Available | Non-custodial P2P Monero exchange over Tor; fiat and crypto offers; site reports 19,000+ completed swaps. Fees 0.1% maker, 0.8-2% taker. | Source |
| THORChain | DEX | Not listed | Native XMR swaps were announced in a 25 Aug 2026 press release, but as of 5 Nov 2026 THORChain mainnet has no XMR pool (API: pool does not exist). XMR is in staged testing before a soft launch. | Source |
Rules in South Korea
All jurisdictionsBanned for licensed providers
FSC guidelines under the Special Payment Act (announced Nov 2020, effective March 2021) bar VASPs from handling 'dark coins' such as XMR. Source is news. Source.
All Korean registered exchanges: FSC guidelines under the Special Payment Act bar VASPs from handling 'dark coins' such as XMR from March 2021 (announced 3 Nov 2020). (since 1 Mar 2021) Source
A summary of public sources, not legal advice.
Timeline
- 2021-03-01 All Korean registered exchanges Delisted FSC guidelines under the Special Payment Act bar VASPs from handling 'dark coins' such as XMR from March 2021 (announced 3 Nov 2020).
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Monero in South Korea?
Bitfinex, HTX (Huobi), KuCoin, MEXC, Poloniex list XMR worldwide, but we found no evidence either way for South Korea. Check their terms before signing up. Local rules restrict privacy coins on licensed platforms. Non-custodial swaps and P2P markets work without an exchange account.
Is Monero legal in South Korea?
FSC guidelines under the Special Payment Act (announced Nov 2020, effective March 2021) bar VASPs from handling 'dark coins' such as XMR. Source is news. A summary of public sources, not legal advice.
How can I get XMR without an exchange account?
Non-custodial routes do not need an exchange account: Haveno, Instant swap services, RetoSwap (Haveno network). Coins go straight to your own wallet. Check the local rules that apply to you.
Other countries
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