Stores That Accept XMR

Nowadays, cryptocurrency is becoming a more and more common way to pay for purchased goods. Monero or XMR is not an exception to that tendency. Today we’ll discuss how and where you can use your Monero assets to buy things or to pay for services.

What Is Monero?

Monero (XMR) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that was launched in 2014 and aims to offer secure, anonymous, and untraceable transactions. In contrast with Bitcoin, where all the transactions are transparent on the blockchain, Monero exploits advanced cryptographic techniques to make transaction details unreadable. Among these are ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT (Ring Confidential Transactions), which jointly mask the sender of a payment and recipient together with the value being transacted. Because of these strong privacy guarantees, Monero is a cryptocurrency preferred by those who seek financial confidentiality.

Additionally, Monero is designed to be decentralized and resistant to censorship. It uses a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism but employs a mining algorithm called RandomX, which is ASIC-resistant, ensuring that mining remains accessible to individuals with standard consumer hardware.

How Can I Use Monero?

Using Monero (XMR) involves a few basic steps, from getting a wallet and acquiring the cryptocurrency to sending and receiving it securely. Here's a guide on how to use Monero:

1. Getting a Monero Wallet

The first step in using Monero is setting up a wallet to store your XMR. A Monero wallet allows you to securely hold, send, and receive XMR while keeping your transactions private. There are several types of wallets available:

• Desktop Wallets: The official Monero GUI (Graphical User Interface) wallet, or Cryptomus, is suitable for desktop users.
• Mobile Wallets: Wallets like Cake Wallet (iOS/Android) and Monerujo (Android) provide convenience for mobile users.
• Hardware Wallets: Ledger and Trezor support Monero and offer offline, more secure storage options.

After setting up your wallet, make sure to back up your seed phrase and private keys, as they are crucial for accessing your funds.

2. Acquiring Monero

There are several ways to get Monero:

• Cryptocurrency Exchanges: You can buy Monero on major exchanges like Binance, Kraken, or Huobi. First, create an account, deposit funds (such as USD, EUR, or BTC), and then purchase XMR.
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Transactions: You can also acquire Monero directly from others via P2P platforms, which let you buy Monero without intermediaries.

Once you've purchased Monero, withdraw the funds to your personal Monero wallet for added security.

3. Sending Monero

To send Monero, follow these steps:

• Open your Monero wallet and select the "Send" option.
• Enter the recipient's Monero address, which is a long string of characters unique to his wallet.
• Enter the amount of XMR you want to send.
• You may need to set a transaction fee. Lower fees mean slower transaction times, while higher fees may speed up the process.
• Review the details, and once confirmed, send the XMR. Monero’s privacy features will ensure that the amount and addresses are shielded from public view.

4. Receiving Monero

To receive Monero:

• Open your wallet and generate your receiving wallet address.
• Share this address with the sender who will need it to transfer XMR to your wallet.
• Once the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, the XMR will appear in your wallet, and your transaction remains private thanks to Monero's stealth addresses and ring signatures.

5. Using Monero for Payments

Monero is accepted by a growing number of merchants and services, particularly for those who value privacy. You can use Monero to pay for goods, services, or even donations to individuals and organizations that accept this crypto.

Always ensure that your wallet is secure, and keep your private keys and a seed phrase safely stored, as they are critical for recovering your wallet in case of loss or theft.

How To Spend Monero?

Monero offers multiple ways to spend your holdings, whether through direct purchases with merchants, trading for fiat or other cryptocurrencies, paying for privacy-oriented services, or making peer-to-peer payments. Here’s a breakdown of how you can use it in different scenarios:

1. Buy Something Directly

Monero is accepted by a growing number of online merchants and retailers, especially those that value privacy and anonymity in financial transactions. You can spend Monero directly to purchase goods or services from these merchants. Some examples include:

• E-commerce Stores: Certain online stores that sell tech gadgets, apparel, or digital products accept Monero as a payment method.
• Gift Cards: Some platforms allow you to buy gift cards for popular retailers and services (like Amazon, Netflix, and more) using Monero.

To spend Monero directly, you simply need to enter the amount to be paid, provide your Monero wallet address, and complete the transaction through the merchant’s payment gateway.

2. Sell for Fiat or Other Cryptocurrencies

If you prefer to convert your Monero into fiat (such as USD, EUR, etc.) or another cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin or Ethereum), you can do so via exchanges or peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms.

• Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Major exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and Huobi allow you to trade Monero for other cryptocurrencies or fiat money. To do this, deposit your Monero into the exchange wallet, trade XMR for the fiat or crypto of your choice, and withdraw the converted funds to your bank account or external wallet.

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Trading: Platforms like LocalMonero or Cryptomus enable you to sell your Monero directly to buyers for fiat currency. This method offers more privacy and flexibility in terms of payment options (bank transfer, PayPal, etc.). You can find a buyer on the platform, agree on a price and payment method, complete the transaction, and receive your fiat.

3. Pay for Online Services

Several online services accept Monero as payment, especially those focused on privacy and security. These include:

• VPN Services: Many virtual private network (VPN) providers accept Monero for anonymous subscription payments.
• Web Hosting and Domains: Some hosting services and domain registrars accept Monero, providing privacy-focused web solutions.
• Digital Subscriptions: Certain media outlets and content platforms, especially in niche privacy-focused spaces, may accept Monero for subscription payments or donations.

4. Use Monero to Make Private Peer-to-Peer Payments

Monero can also be used for direct, person-to-person transactions. If you know someone who accepts Monero, you can pay them directly by sending XMR from your wallet to theirs. This is useful for private transactions, personal payments, or even splitting bills while ensuring anonymity.

Stores That Accept Monero

For your personal comfort, we’ve prepared a list of 20 stores that accept Monero as a payment option:

• Newegg;
• Bitgear;
• Spendabit;
• Phone House;
• CheapShirts.io;
• CoinTelegraph Store;
• Hodlmoon;
• FashionCrypt;
• Trusted Health Products;
• Medlab Gear;
• Supplements One;
• Bitrefill;
• Coincards;
• MoneroGift;
• GamerAll;
• Bitgamer;
• MMOGA;
• Takeaway.com;
• Bitcoin Coffee;
• NordVPN.

We’ve also divided them into spheres, so making a choice of a merchant would be even easier for you:

1. Technology & Electronics

• Newegg: A large retailer of computer hardware and consumer electronics.
• Bitgear: Sells electronics, gadgets, and computer parts.
• Spendabit: A cryptocurrency search engine that helps users find tech-related products.
• Phone House: Offers smartphones and accessories, allowing payments in Monero.

2. Fashion & Apparel

• CheapShirts.io: Sells custom-printed shirts and other apparel.
• CoinTelegraph Store: Offers crypto-themed apparel and accessories.
• Hodlmoon: Specializes in cryptocurrency-themed clothing and merchandise.
• FashionCrypt: Offers a variety of apparel that can be purchased using cryptocurrencies, including Monero.

3. Health & Wellness

• Trusted Health Products: Offers natural health products and supplements.
• Medlab Gear: Provides medical supplies and health-related products.
• Supplements One: A retailer offering vitamins and nutritional supplements.

4. Gift Cards & Vouchers

• Bitrefil: Allows users to purchase gift cards for popular retailers with Monero.
• Coincards: Offers gift cards from a variety of stores that can be bought using Monero.
• MoneroGift: Provides Monero-based gift cards and vouchers.

5. Gaming & Entertainment

• GamerAll: An online store selling in-game items and skins for games like Counter-Strike.
• Bitgamer: Offers video games and accessories with Monero as a payment option.
• MMOGA: Provides gaming codes, keys, and game accounts.

6. Food & Beverages

• Takeaway.com: Some regional branches of this food delivery service accept Monero.
• Bitcoin Coffee: A coffee shop that accepts Monero and other cryptocurrencies.

7. VPN & Privacy Services

• NordVPN: A well-known VPN service provider that accepts Monero for subscription payments.

Note that the availability of Monero as a payment option may vary depending on location and store policies, and it’s always a good idea to verify with the specific store before making a purchase. And if you are interested in other merchants accepting a particular cryptocurrency, you can easily find them in the merchant catalog.

We hope this article was helpful for you! Have you found all the answers? Which of the merchants on the list suits your desires most? Let us know in the comments.