Peer-to-peer exchange, run locally
Haveno runs on your machine and connects to peers over Tor. Offers, wallet keys, and escrow signing stay local; the client coordinates the trade without an exchange account, sign-up, or custody layer.
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01
Choose an offer
Browse peer offers priced against XMR and pick a payment method you both accept.
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02
Lock the deposit
Both sides commit a refundable security deposit into a shared multisignature address.
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03
Settle with the peer
Send the non-Monero side directly through the agreed method, outside Haveno.
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04
Confirm release
Confirm receipt and the escrow releases the XMR. Deposits return to both peers.
The arbitrator’s key does nothing on its own — it only works alongside one of the two peers, and only when a trade is disputed.
FAQ
What is Haveno?
An open-source, non-custodial peer-to-peer exchange built around Monero and Tor. You run it as a desktop application and trade directly with other people.
What can I trade?
XMR against fiat currencies, other cryptocurrencies, and supported assets. XMR is the base currency in every pair.
Does Haveno hold my funds?
No. Your wallet is local and your keys stay with you. Monero is held in a shared multisignature address during a trade, and the non-Monero side is settled directly between peers using the payment method you chose.
How are trades secured?
Both peers lock a security deposit and the XMR sits in 2-of-3 multisignature escrow. Normally the two peers sign the release themselves; if a trade is disputed, an arbitrator provides the third key.
Do I need to run my own Monero node?
Haveno can use a local node or a remote one. Running your own node is the stronger privacy choice, but it is not required to make a trade.
What is the security deposit for?
It gives both sides something to lose if they abandon a trade. When the trade completes normally, each peer gets their own deposit back in full.
What happens if my peer stops responding?
You can open a dispute. The arbitrator reviews what each side submitted and signs alongside whichever peer is owed the funds, which is what the third key exists for.
Do I have to stay online during a trade?
You need to be online at the points where you act — taking the offer, confirming payment, and confirming release. You do not need to keep the client running continuously in between.
Is there a fee to trade?
Haveno is free software and takes no custody of funds. Network transaction fees on Monero still apply, and arbitration may carry a fee when a dispute is raised.