Dawnswap

What is Dawnswap

Dawnswap is an independent Haveno network instance operated by the Dawn Collective, a group advocating anonymity, autonomy, and decentralization. Launched in mid-2025, it provides a downloadable, self-hosted client for peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading with Monero (XMR) as the base currency. The software runs locally on the user's machine, connecting to other traders through a decentralized network rather than routing through a centralized server. As of 2026-05-30, the service remains operational with both clearnet and Tor onion access.

How no-KYC is it?

Dawnswap advertises a guaranteed no-KYC policy. The FAQ explicitly states "Does Dawnswap do KYC?" with a clear negative, and the platform never requests credentials or sensitive data during registration or trading. This aligns with the Haveno protocol design, which uses Monero's inherent privacy features and Tor routing to obscure participant identities. The only exception noted is dispute resolution: arbitrators may request information from both parties when adjudicating a case, a standard Haveno mechanism for handling trade conflicts. Users seeking absolute anonymity should understand this edge case before engaging in trades that might escalate to arbitration.

Privacy & security

The platform layers multiple privacy technologies: Tor for network obfuscation, Monero for blockchain-level anonymity, and end-to-end encryption for trade communications. The Dawn Collective emphasizes that Dawnswap "will never ask you for credentials or sensitive data." A Tor onion service mirrors the clearnet site at a published .onion address, and PGP signing is used for releases and critical communications. The collective provides a verifiable PGP public key with fingerprint D8B3 7AB7 E252 4B64 6CE7 EA2B CBFA FAA7 1218 AAA2. Third-party sources encourage users to verify PGP signatures of releases and review code changes from upstream Haveno, reinforcing the auditability claims.

Payments, fees & limits

Dawnswap supports a broad range of assets and payment methods. Cryptocurrencies include Monero, Bitcoin, USDT (ERC-20 and TRC-20), USDC, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and DAI. Novel additions include precious metals proxies: XAU (Gold), XAG (Silver), and XGB (Goldback). Fiat trading is available for "most fiat currencies" with "many common payment methods from all over the world including cash in person."

Fee structure as of 2026-05-30: maker fee is 0%, taker fee is 0.4% to cover system costs and maintain network sustainability. Minimum trade and deposit amounts are reduced to 0.02 XMR (down from the Haveno default of 0.1 XMR), with minimum deposit percentage lowered to 5% (default Haveno setting: 15%). Dispute resolution timelines are shortened from 6 days to 3 days, with arbitrators available 24/7.

User experience & support

Getting started requires only "a computer and an internet connection." Users download the client, create a trade account profile, and connect to the network. The Dawn Collective offers support through a SimpleX group chat with multiple backup links, and publishes a PGP-signed text file containing the official Simplex group links. No email registration or traditional account system is required. Custom installation paths allow side-by-side use with other Haveno-based networks, useful for traders active across multiple instances like RetoSwap. The collective's GitHub repository (dawn-collective/haveno-dawn) hosts releases and source code for those preferring to compile from source.

Who it's for

Dawnswap suits privacy-conscious traders seeking non-custodial, peer-to-peer exchange without identity verification. The reduced minimums (0.02 XMR) and 5% deposit requirement lower barriers for smaller traders compared to standard Haveno defaults. Cash-in-person support appeals to those prioritizing offline anonymity. The platform is less suited to users wanting instant web-based trading-Dawnswap requires software installation and synchronous peer matching, with trade speeds dependent on counterparty responsiveness rather than automated market making.