Haveno review covering decentralized Monero trading setup, configurable fees, trade limits, multisig escrow, and practical safety steps on third-party networks in 2026.
Haveno is an open-source, non-custodial, decentralized P2P exchange platform forked from Bisq and optimized for trading Monero against fiat or other cryptocurrencies. All peer communications route exclusively over Tor, eliminating direct IP exposure between counterparties.
Trades settle through Monero-native 2-of-3 multisig escrow. The buyer, seller, and an arbitrator each control one key; the arbitrator never takes custody of funds and can only intervene in disputes. No user accounts, registration, or KYC are required at any stage.
The core Haveno project supplies the protocol, client software, and documentation but does not operate or endorse any specific mainnet instance. Traders instead join third-party networks such as RetoSwap that provide installers and maintain the live order books and arbitrator pools.
This separation keeps the protocol itself neutral while allowing independent operators to run instances with their own fee schedules and arbitrator sets. Because funds remain in user-controlled multisig wallets until release, the design removes single points of failure common to custodial platforms.
Users download verified installers from third-party operators such as RetoSwap rather than from a single central source. The core project supplies the protocol and documentation but does not distribute or endorse any specific mainnet instance.
An example release is version v2.7.4, provided as a Linux AppImage on May 5, 2026. Similar packages exist for other operating systems through the same operator channels.
The application integrates Tor by default for all peer communications. After launching the installer, the software connects to the Tor network automatically before any further configuration occurs.
During first run, users generate a local Monero wallet inside the application. No account creation or identity verification is required at this stage.
Once the wallet is created, the client connects to the chosen network instance. The interface then displays available offers and allows configuration of local preferences such as payment methods and security deposit parameters before any trading activity begins.
Trading begins when users browse or post offers on the selected Haveno network instance. Fiat options such as SEPA, ACH and PayPal are available alongside multiple cryptocurrencies; each method carries its own chargeback-risk profile that determines the maximum trade size.
No-deposit purchases are capped at 1.5 XMR. Crypto payment methods permit up to 528 XMR per trade with no signing or aging steps required. Fiat trades start at an initial 3 XMR limit; after account signing and aging periods of 30 or 60 days the ceiling typically rises to 12–48 XMR or higher depending on the method and network rules.
Every trade requires a security deposit, usually set at 15 % of the trade value and returned automatically on successful completion. Trading fees remain configurable by each network operator and combine the negligible Monero network fee with maker and taker percentages that third-party documentation places in the 0.1–0.5 % maker and 0.8–2 % taker range, averaging 0.1–1 % overall.
| Payment Type | Base Limit | After Signing & Aging | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-deposit buy | 1.5 XMR | N/A | 0.1–1 % |
| Crypto | 528 XMR | N/A | 0.1–1 % |
| Fiat (SEPA/ACH/PayPal) | 3 XMR | 12–48 XMR+ | 0.8–2 % taker |
Because limits and fees are instance-specific, traders should verify the current schedule inside the client before posting or accepting an offer. The 15 % deposit and multisig escrow together reduce counterparty risk while the absence of withdrawal fees keeps final costs low once a trade settles.
Haveno relies on Monero-native 2-of-3 multisig escrow, where the two traders and an arbitrator each hold one key. Funds never enter arbitrator custody; the arbitrator can only co-sign release or refund transactions if a dispute occurs. All peer-to-peer communication routes exclusively over Tor, preventing direct IP exposure between counterparties.
These measures reduce single-point failures and metadata leakage, yet they do not eliminate every risk. Payment-method details exchanged during fiat settlement can still link identities if the chosen rails require real-world verification. Tor protects network traffic but cannot obscure on-chain or off-platform activity once funds leave the escrow.
In mid-June 2026 a dispute-resolution vulnerability was confirmed, prompting a temporary trading halt across active instances. The issue was addressed in v1.8.0, released around June 20, 2026. Users should run at least this version before initiating new trades.
For concrete OPSEC, connect only through Tor and reject any clearnet node configuration. Select payment methods whose privacy properties match the trade size; avoid methods that demand extensive personal data for small amounts. When using account signing to raise limits, weigh the added traceability against the higher volume allowed. Always verify the installer hash before launch.
Haveno differentiates itself through its non-custodial architecture and Monero-native 2-of-3 multisig escrow, where arbitrators never hold funds. All peer communications route over Tor with no accounts or KYC required.
| Aspect | Haveno | Other Monero P2P Options |
|---|---|---|
| Custody Model | Non-custodial 2-of-3 multisig escrow | Often rely on centralized or single-party escrow |
| Privacy Routing | All communications over Tor | Varies; many use clearnet connections |
| Fee Structure | Configurable; typical maker 0.1–0.5%, taker 0.8–2% plus Monero network fee (fraction of a cent); no withdrawal fees | Fixed fees or higher taker premiums common on centralized P2P |
| Known Trade-offs | 15% security deposit; limits start at 1.5–3 XMR and rise after account aging; dispute resolution requires arbitrator intervention | Lower entry limits or faster onboarding but introduce KYC or custody risks |
These differences make Haveno suitable for users prioritizing Monero’s privacy features over the convenience found on many post-LocalMonero alternatives.
Trading fees are configurable per network instance. The default structure includes the Monero network fee plus a small trading fee, often cited as maker fees around 0.1–0.5% and taker fees around 0.8–2% depending on the payment method.
Many fiat payment methods start with an initial buy limit of 3 XMR. After account signing and aging periods such as 30 or 60 days, limits typically rise to 12–48 XMR or more. Crypto payment methods allow up to 528 XMR per trade without signing.
Arbitrators hold the third key in Monero-native 2-of-3 multisig escrow but never take custody of funds. They intervene only in disputes and release the escrow once both parties agree or evidence is reviewed.
A dispute-resolution vulnerability led to a trading halt in mid-June 2026. The issue was resolved in version 1.8.0 released around June 20, 2026, and the project has continued active maintenance since then.
Liquidity is provided by users on third-party operated network instances such as RetoSwap. The core Haveno project supplies the protocol but does not run any mainnet network itself.
Haveno uses Monero-native multisig, so any standard Monero wallet that supports multisig addresses can be used for funding and receiving trades.
No-deposit offers allow buys up to 1.5 XMR without requiring a security deposit from the buyer.
