Best VPNs for Crypto Trading in 2024: Secure Your Digital Assets
As cryptocurrencies continue to gain mainstream adoption, security is more critical than ever for crypto traders and investors. One of the most important tools for protecting your privacy and shielding your transactions from prying eyes is a virtual private network, or VPN.
When you use a VPN, it encrypts all of your internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel, masking your real IP address and location. This prevents anyone – including your internet service provider, government agencies, or malicious hackers – from spying on your online activities and potentially compromising your crypto assets.
However, not all VPNs are created equal, especially when it comes to the unique security needs of cryptocurrency users. To help you choose the best VPN for safeguarding your digital assets, we‘ve analyzed the top contenders and narrowed it down to our top 6 picks for crypto trading in 2024.
What to Look for in a Crypto VPN
Before we dive into our recommendations, here are the key criteria we prioritized when assessing the best VPNs for crypto:
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Verified no logs policy: This ensures the VPN provider does not collect or store any records of your online activities. Critical for maintaining privacy.
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Strong encryption standards: Look for military-grade AES-256 encryption to keep your data secure.
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Fast connection speeds: Important for quickly executing trades and transactions without delays.
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Large server network: The more server locations, the better for unblocking geo-restricted crypto exchanges.
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Cryptocurrency payment options: The ability to pay anonymously with Bitcoin or other coins is a plus.
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Additional security features: Like a kill switch, split tunneling, multi-hop, etc.
Our Top VPN Picks for Crypto Trading in 2024
- NordVPN – Best overall VPN for crypto users
Our top choice for crypto enthusiasts is NordVPN. Based in privacy-friendly Panama, NordVPN operates a massive network of 5400+ servers in 60 countries while adhering to a strict no logs policy that has been independently audited twice.
NordVPN secures your data with unbreakable AES-256 encryption and a customizable kill switch. It also offers special obfuscated servers that mask VPN traffic, double VPN servers that route your traffic through two hops for added security, and Onion over VPN for maximum privacy.
NordVPN is one of the few premium VPNs to accept payments via Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. It‘s also one of the fastest VPNs we‘ve tested, ensuring quick and smooth transactions. Dedicated IP addresses are available for an extra fee if you need a static IP for trading.
- ExpressVPN – Best VPN for security
A close runner-up is ExpressVPN, a VPN provider laser-focused on security and trusted by millions worldwide. ExpressVPN boasts an impressive array of cutting-edge security features including:
- TrustedServer technology, which ensures all servers run on volatile memory (RAM) and never write data to a hard drive
- Private, zero-knowledge DNS on every server to prevent DNS leaks
- Perfect forward secrecy, which generates a unique secret key for each session
- Lightway protocol optimized for speed, security, and reliability
- AES-256 encryption, kill switch, and no logs policy
While ExpressVPN is a bit pricier than some rivals, you get what you pay for in terms of ironclad security for your crypto transactions. ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin and other coins as payment.
- Surfshark – Best budget-friendly VPN
If you‘re looking to protect your crypto activities without breaking the bank, Surfshark is an excellent option. Despite its lower price point, Surfshark doesn‘t skimp on security, offering many of the same premium features as its competitors like AES-256 encryption, a strict no logs policy, kill switch, and RAM-only servers.
One advantage of Surfshark is that one subscription covers unlimited devices, making it a great budget option to protect all your crypto trading gadgets. Surfshark‘s CleanWeb feature also blocks ads, trackers, and malware for an extra layer of security. It supports anonymous payment via Bitcoin, Ethereum and other altcoins.
- ProtonVPN – Highly secure VPN with Secure Core architecture
From the team behind the renowned encrypted email service ProtonMail, ProtonVPN offers a unique security system called Secure Core. This routes your traffic through hard-to-compromise "core" servers in privacy-friendly countries before sending it to an exit server, protecting against advanced network attacks.
ProtonVPN also uses only bare-metal servers running on RAM and offers a stealth protocol to evade VPN blocks and see censorship. While it doesn‘t yet accept crypto payments, it‘s still an incredibly secure option for protecting your transactions.
- Private Internet Access (PIA) – Proven no logs policy
One of the oldest VPNs on the market, PIA has established itself as a reliable choice for privacy, even having its no logs claims verified in court on multiple occasions. Its MACE feature blocks domains used for ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level.
PIA allows anonymous payment via Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It uses OpenVPN encryption and WireGuard for fast, secure performance. One subscription covers up to 10 devices simultaneously.
- CyberGhost – Dedicated "NoSpy" servers for enhanced privacy
CyberGhost offers a special NoSpy server network that provides premium hardware and extra security features for an additional fee. These servers are operated by CyberGhost itself on-site in a Romanian data center, ensuring no third party ever has access to your data.
The NoSpy servers come with extended bandwidth and faster speeds for quicker transactions. CyberGhost also offers dedicated IPs that are assigned only to you, which can help prevent exchange blocks. Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are accepted for anonymous payment.
Tips for Securing Your Cryptocurrency
In addition to using a trustworthy VPN, here are some other best practices to keep your crypto assets safe:
- Always enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on exchanges and wallets
- Use a hardware wallet to store coins offline in "cold storage"
- Double check URLs and never click suspicious links to avoid phishing scams
- Keep your device software and antivirus up to date
- Consider using a dedicated device solely for crypto trading
Why You Shouldn‘t Use Free VPNs for Crypto
You may be tempted to use a free VPN to save money, but this is almost always a bad idea, especially for high-stakes activities like cryptocurrency trading. Free VPNs typically have slower speeds, fewer server options, less reliable connections, and questionable data practices compared to premium VPNs.
Many free providers log user activity and sell the data to advertisers or hand it over to authorities. Some have even been caught injecting ads or malware into user‘s browsers. The adage "if you‘re not paying for the product, you are the product" holds true for VPNs.
It‘s just not worth the risk of having your crypto assets and privacy compromised just to save a few bucks a month. Stick with a reputable paid provider that has been independently audited and verified.
The Bottom Line
Using a VPN is essential for safeguarding your cryptocurrency transactions from surveillance and attackers. When choosing a VPN for crypto trading, prioritize security, privacy, speed, and accepting anonymous payment methods.
Our top recommendations – NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN, PIA, and CyberGhost – are all excellent options that tick these boxes. Combined with other security measures like 2FA and hardware wallets, a good VPN will go a long way in protecting your valuable digital assets. Stay safe out there!
