MoonPay is a real company launched in 2019, and its US terms say MoonPay USA LLC is a registered money service business. Wikipedia reports a New York BitLicense too. The main catch is that crypto transfers are irreversible once sent, so a wrong address or a scammer's request can't be undone.
MoonPay sits behind the buy button in lots of wallets and crypto sites, so you might use it without choosing it. That's why people search whether it's safe and legit. I've read its US terms, its homepage and what Wikipedia records, so you can see what's established and what you need to watch for yourself.
Who runs MoonPay and where it started
According to Wikipedia, MoonPay was launched in 2019 by Ivan Soto-Wright, Victor Faramond and Maximilian Crown, with Soto-Wright as CEO, and it's headquartered in Miami. These are named founders and a named chief executive, not an anonymous operator.
MoonPay's homepage describes a service for buying, selling and using crypto. You can buy with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card, with other methods available in some regions. It also lets you sell crypto to a bank account, card or a MoonPay balance.
MoonPay's licences and registrations
The company's US terms say MoonPay USA LLC provides the services to US users and is a registered money service business. Wikipedia adds that CoinDesk reported MoonPay received a BitLicense and a money transmitter license from the New York State Department of Financial Services in 2025.
Those are statements from the company and a news report relayed by Wikipedia, so if the exact status matters to you, check the regulator's own register. A registration shows the company is on the regulator's radar. It doesn't mean your money is insured or that you can't lose it.
Who is the seller when you buy through MoonPay
The US terms say MoonPay is the merchant of record in connection with the purchase and sale of digital assets. In plain English, MoonPay is the company that sells you the crypto, even when you reach it through another wallet or app. That matters when you want to ask about a payment, because you may need to take it up with MoonPay rather than the site you started on.
What you can't undo
This is the part that catches people. The terms say a digital asset transfer is irreversible and outside MoonPay's control once broadcast. A chargeback with your bank doesn't count as formal notice of an error either; the terms say notice has to go to MoonPay directly.
- Check the receiving address carefully before you confirm.
- Make sure the network matches the one your wallet uses.
- Send a small amount first if you're unsure.
- Never buy crypto for someone who contacted you out of the blue.
The terms also say users must be at least 18 and live in a state that MoonPay serves. If MoonPay doesn't serve your state, the app should tell you so before you pay.
| What I checked | What the record shows |
|---|---|
| Who founded it? | Wikipedia names three founders and a launch in 2019 |
| Where is it based? | Headquartered in Miami, per Wikipedia |
| US status? | MoonPay USA LLC is a registered money service business, per its terms |
| New York licence? | A BitLicense reported by CoinDesk in 2025, per Wikipedia |
| Who is the seller? | MoonPay, as merchant of record |
| Can transfers be reversed? | No, the terms call them irreversible once broadcast |
| Minimum age? | 18 |
Lawsuits and criticism
According to Wikipedia, in 2022 MoonPay and Yuga Labs were named in a class action alleging that the prices of certain NFTs were inflated by celebrity promoters who didn't disclose their financial ties to the company. MoonPay said its celebrity relationships had already been disclosed. Wikipedia doesn't report the outcome, so I can't tell you how it ended.
If NFTs are new to you, my explainer on what an NFT is covers the basics. And I'd add that celebrity endorsement isn't evidence of safety for any crypto product.
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Keeping your crypto safe after you buy
A purchase through MoonPay is only the first step. Where the crypto goes next is your call, and it's where many losses happen. My guide to hot wallets versus cold wallets explains the trade-offs, and my overview of crypto apps shows the different types of service. I'm not giving investment advice, and prices can fall. Only use money you can afford to lose.
Scams that use the MoonPay name
Because MoonPay is built into so many sites, scammers imitate it. Watch for these:
- Fake MoonPay pages that ask for your seed phrase. Never share your seed phrase with anyone.
- Support staff who message you first on social media and ask you to install software or move funds.
- Lookalike addresses sent through adverts or direct messages.
- Anyone asking you to buy crypto and send it to them to release a prize, loan or refund.
Start from the official website or app store listing, and contact support only through the channels listed there.
My verdict on MoonPay
The company is a real, US-registered company with named founders and a clear merchant-of-record role, so it isn't a scam. Safe depends on how you use it. Transfers are final, scammers imitate it and a registration isn't a guarantee of your funds. Check the address, use official links only and never share your recovery words.
Frequently asked questions
Is MoonPay legit?
Yes. Wikipedia says it was launched in 2019 by three named founders, and its US terms say MoonPay USA LLC is a registered money service business.
Is MoonPay safe to use?
It is a real company, but its terms say digital asset transfers are irreversible once broadcast. Check addresses carefully, use official links and don't share your seed phrase.
Does MoonPay hold a BitLicense?
Wikipedia says CoinDesk reported that MoonPay received a BitLicense and a money transmitter license from the New York State Department of Financial Services in 2025. Check the regulator's register to confirm.
Can I get a refund through my bank?
The terms say a chargeback with your bank doesn't count as formal notice of an error and that notice must go to MoonPay directly. Read the refund and error sections of the terms.
How old do I need to be?
The US terms say users must affirm they're at least 18 and live in a state that MoonPay serves.
