
Do you dabble in trading cryptocurrency and want to be sure that your valuable Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin stash is secure?
If so, do you really need to be using a VPN when engaging in crypto-trading on a crypto exchange like Coinbase, Binance or a decentralized exchange like Uniswap?
Other experts and ourselves recommend it.
The big question is, which VPN should you be using for the job that will enable trading Bitcoin throughout the crypto industry securely for you?
There are plenty of hackers and other security risks out there and with the value of crypto-currencies rising all the time, these are only going to multiply.
In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about using a VPN to stay safe when buying and selling cryptocurrency. We will also show you how we tested all of the top VPNs to identify the best VPN for crypto trading.
Table of Contents
Ready to level up your Crypto game? Keep scrolling down.
Top VPNs for trading Crypto
Let’s get straight down to business and tell you which VPN service we recommend for trading on a crypto exchange or self holding and also, just as importantly, why they are the best.
1. ExpressVPN
- Best in class for Crypto
- Works with Coinbase & Binance
- Secure for self stored coins
- Audited no log policy
- Strong encryption
- Apps for most devices
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Paying monthly expensive
The key to the best VPN services for a crypto exchange or holding is security and ExpressVPN offers that in spades.
The service is located in the British Virgin Islands with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption for all subscribers across its entire network.
This is combined with only the very best VPN protocols, including their Lightway protocol, which is a lightweight, super-fast, and ultra-secure new development available for ExpressVPN customers.
This all comes along with some superb security features such as the all-important kill switch, DNS leak resolver, the ability to unblock streaming services and much more.
ExpressVPN also offers unlimited bandwidth and no user logs that have been independently verified, which means that your online privacy is guaranteed when you are connected to their service. This means that you can buy and sell crypto-currency with confidence when using ExpressVPN.
The ExpressVPN apps are also very user-friendly, with split-tunneling. They are available on almost every device you can think of, meaning that if you want to trade on the go or access your wallet, ExpressVPN is ideal for all the most popular mobile devices.
ExpressVPN works great with Coinbase.
It is also ideal for crypto trading no matter where you are in the world too. It has a massive server network of more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide meaning you can get a fast local connection from just about anywhere.
ExpressVPN also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee which gives you loads of time to try before you buy and you can connect up to five devices simultaneously too.
You can even pay for your subscription with cryptocurrencies if you like – definitely the best VPN for crypto trading.
Our #1 Recommended VPN
30-day money back guarantee
2. NordVPN
- Lots of server locations
- Audited no log policy
- Registered off shore
- Strong security provisions
- Large range of apps
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Not the fastest
If any VPN runs ExpressVPN for the crown of top cryptocurrency payments VPN, it must be NordVPN.
This is another VPN that offers split tunneling and 256-bit AES encryption. All your cryptocurrency transactions are protected with encryption good enough for the US military to keep their data safe.
NordVPN is also headquartered offshore which means they can offer a comprehensive no user logs guarantee and like ExpressVPN, their claims have also been independently checked and verified.
The NordVPN service offers unlimited bandwidth and even more security features than ExpressVPN with the likes of double VPN servers, a kill switch, and compatibility with the Tor network available for user security.
They also offer the best security protocols, including the new favourite, Wireguard.
NordVPN’s apps are available on a wide range of devices and their super-fast connections make this the ideal VPN for trading on the go.
There are an enormous 5,279 servers available to all NordVPN subscribers in 60 countries which means all the big cryptocurrency trading markets are well catered for.
They are also one of the most cost effective VPNs on the market right now too. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and six simultaneous connections allowed with every subscription, this is another good option for cryptocurrency traders.
3. VPN.ac
- Run by security experts
- Great for advanced users
- Very fast servers
- Strong encryption protocols
- Good range of apps
- Fewer server locations
- 24 hour connection logs
While our top two recommended VPN providers are household names, VPN.ac is a provider that has gone somewhat under the radar in recent years.
But if you want strong encryption and fast connection speeds, this is a virtual private network well worth taking a closer look at.
VPN.ac has actually led the way on security for years. It has a kill switch feature that will stop your internet if your VPN connection drops, the 256-bit AES encryption and popular protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard.
The service offers a 4096-bit RSA key is used for handshaking which makes them even more secure.
The privacy policies are sound too with VPN.ac. They do keep some connection logs but only for 24 hours and their no user logs guarantee looks pretty watertight too.
VPN.ac has apps for all the major desktop and mobile devices and like NordVPN, it allows up to six simultaneous connections.
As a smaller provider, its server network is understandably more modest with around 150 servers in 20 different countries. But key markets are well catered for still and quality has trumped quantity here too, so you will be able to ensure your online security and stop anyone who wants to collect user data.
With competitive pricing points and excellent customer service as well as a low profile which can also keep hackers away from your private data and IP address, VPN.ac is another option well worth considering if you want to engage in Bitcoin and other payments.
4. CyberGhost VPN
- Good range of apps
- More servers than most
- Good download speeds
- Supports Wireguard
- 45-day money back guarantee
- Owns ‘VPN Review’ websites
- Apps a little bulky
If this is all a bit daunting for you and you just want a simple-to-use VPN for conducting Bitcoin payments and others, then CyberGhost VPN could be the VPN service provider for your crypto trading.
This reliable VPN service offers some of the best apps we have ever road-tested. All of the most popular devices are covered and the apps have some great single click functions.
For cryptocurrency traders, the good news is that these functional features come together with great security and privacy protections too.
CyberGhost VPN has 256-bit AES encryption and all of the key features like a kill switch you would be looking for. There is a dependable no user logs guarantee available too. However, if you are a more advanced user, the lack of additional security features is something you might miss.
But CyberGhost VPN does have good connection speeds, a decent server network with more than 7,000 servers in 90+ countries, and it allows up to seven simultaneous connections. It is also quite good for unblocking streaming services, so it will let you bypass geo-restrictions and access Netflix, too.
With competitive prices and a 30-day money-back guarantee, CyberGhost VPN is another provider worth considering for cryptocurrency fans.
5. Surfshark
- Registered off-shore
- Decent download speeds
- Easy to use apps
- Large range of devices supported
- Newer unproven provider
- Unaudited no-log policy
Surfshark is another of the best VPNs from the British Virgin Islands that can help you access trading platforms, switch between IP addresses, and let you exchange Bitcoins and more.
For crypto trading, while Surfshark has plenty to offer, our early choices off more.
Security-wise, Surfshark ticks all the core boxes. There is 256-bit AES encryption, split-tunneling, double-VPN, coverage of multiple devices, blocks for IP tracking and all the best VPN protocols. But when it comes to logging, Surfshark keeps far more information than we would like and this will raise concerns for security-conscious cryptocurrency traders.
All the core security features like an automatic kill switch are there too and the Surfshark apps are also great to use and available on most devices.
For such a young VPN service, there is a sizeable server network with more than 3,200 servers in 65 countries, meaning all the main cryptocurrency hotspots are well catered for. Speeds are consistently impressive across this network too.
Even better, you can have an unlimited number of simultaneous connections with every subscription too. And with low prices and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you might just think that Surfshark is worth a roll of the dice.
6. VyprVPN
- Registered in Switzerland
- Easy to use apps
- Strong security protocols
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Not the fastest
- Confusing package deals
While Surfshark is new to the market, VyprVPN is one of the longest-standing VPNs on the market and it is still highly recommended for crypto trading.
It comes with all the usual VPN protocols, including WireGuard plus its own Chameleon protocol that allows it to reach crypto exchanges inside countries like China that try to block VPNs.
It is a strict no-logs VPN, and it is crucially independently verified, so you can be sure the VyprVPN no logs guarantee does precisely what it says on the tin.
A downside to VyprVPN is the connection speeds which are not as fast as some of the other providers on this list. The apps are a bit hit and miss too, with some devices not provided for.
While VyprVPN doesn’t allow unlimited simultaneous connections, it has lifted its bar to 30 devices with every account, which is more than enough for most households.
Its prices are a little confusing and certainly not the cheapest on the market, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee which is welcome.
7. IPVanish
- Good range of apps
- Plenty of server locations
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Registered in the US
- Apps a little dated
Another established VPN provider that has been around for some time is IPVanish and it is another that still warrants a place on this list.
Security-wise, IPVanish ticks all the boxes with 256-bit AES encryption and a strict no-logs policy.
However, this provider has had some security issues in the past, which may raise concerns among the more security-conscious cryptocurrency traders who need private internet access when accessing their trading platform.
IPVanish apps have long been regarded as among the best at preventing data leaks and this remains the case. However, their connection speeds are modest these days in comparison to some of their competitors.
The prices are also far less competitive than they once were too and, while the 30-day money back guarantee and unlimited simultaneous connections are welcome, there are definitely better value VPNs on the market for cryptocurrency fans.
Why do I need a VPN for Crypto?
With our rundown of the best VPNs that cryptocurrency traders would be looking at laid down, the next question you might be asking yourself is, why do I need a VPN for cryptocurrency trading platforms at all?
There are a number of different reasons that we could put forward here but the three most compelling are:
1. Trade securely
Cryptocurrency is valuable and there are plenty of bad guys out there these days who know it. The blunt fact is that trading cryptocurrency online is a risky business and insecure traders are vulnerable.
So, you want to be sure that when you are trading, your internet connection is secure and the risk of data leaks of your trading accounts, your wallets, or your bank accounts being compromised by hackers are minimal.
That’s where VPN services can help.
A VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic and if you choose any of the providers from our above list, you can be sure that the encryption being used is 256-bit AES. This is military grade and basically uncrackable.
ExpressVPN is great even for self-held coins.
Most of the best VPNs don’t stop there either.
There are features like DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch that work to ensure that there is no risk of your cryptocurrency trading platform details leaking.
If you are super-cautious, there are a number of providers on our list that offer more robust security features too.
As you can download a VPN onto any device you might be trading on, you can be sure that no matter whether you are at home, on the move, or even overseas, your trading details, your financial details, private keys and most importantly your crypto assets are always secure and safe.
2. Stay semi-anonymous
One of the reasons many people like to trade crypto is that it is thought of as being anonymous (or at least semi-anonymous) and is therefore something you can dabble in private without the authorities or anyone else needing to know about it.
VPN providers can help to keep your cryptocurrency partly (although not entirely) anonymous too.
When you connect to VPN service providers, your traffic is not only encrypted but it is also redirected through a third-party VPN server.
This changes the dedicated IP Addresses attached to your internet data and that stops outside parties being able to link your traffic to you, granting you private internet access.
The websites, crypto wallet, and trading platforms you use will not have your real IP Address and so will not be able to trace your trades or your account back to you.
Plus, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will not be able to see what websites or platforms you are using or the content of your internet data either.
This means you can limit the record of your crypto transactions, which is great for those who want to remain as anonymous as possible.
3. Unblock exchanges
Cryptocurrency trading is a rapidly growing market and new exchanges are cropping up all over the world. But not every exchange is available in every country. Even the big and popular exchanges are not accessible everywhere due to local laws and other obstacles.
So, what can users in these countries do if they want to use a platform that isn’t freely available to them? A VPN is the answer.
When you choose a server to reroute your data through, that server can be in any country where your chosen VPN provider has servers based.
When you choose a server located in, say, the USA, your internet traffic is stamped with a different IP Address and to the exchanges, it looks for all the world like you are connecting to the internet and exchange platforms from the USA.
This means you can access any cryptocurrency platform and exchange available in the country. As you will have seen from our recommended VPN details above, most of our chosen VPN services have servers in dozens of countries.
This means that with a VPN, literally any cryptocurrency exchange is open to you, no matter where in the world you happen to be. Although we would urge you to be sure you are fully compliant with all local laws.
How we made our selection
So, having read about the three principle benefits of using a VPN for cryptocurrency trading, you might be wondering how exactly we have gone about choosing our recommended VPNs.
Here is a short rundown of the main criteria we used:
1. Strong security
Security is definitely the top priority so we have ensured all recommended VPNs have military grade 256-bit AES encryption as standard.
We have also looked into the more detailed security settings and the extra available features and ranked our chosen providers after ensuring that all of them will do everything a VPN can to keep your cryptocurrency transactions safe.
Limiting your exposure to hacks is critical.
2. No logging
These days it is tough to use the internet without your activity being logged. Websites log user activity, internet service providers do, cookies are everywhere, and staying anonymous is almost impossible.
We have looked for VPNs that offer a strict no-logs policy that you can trust and all those which will help to ensure that trading crypto isn’t being logged by any of the usual culprits.
3. Worldwide access
Cryptocurrency is a global currency and we know that traders will come from all around the world and often want to trade while on the go.
That’s why we have looked a VPN server locations to ensure that there are as many server locations available as possible and that all the most popular markets are well covered. Local servers mean faster connections too and speed is often of the essence when it comes to trading.
All of our recommended VPNs will help you unblock and access cryptocurrency exchanges from just about anywhere and all offer good connection speeds across their entire network.
4. Apps for your devices
As well as working everywhere, traders are also looking for a VPN that has apps on all the devices they use to trade on. This can be desktops when trading at home or mobile devices when trading on the move.
All of the VPNs we have recommended offer an extensive range of dedicated apps for all the most popular devices. We always advise to check your devices are covered before signing up, but our top recommendations have enough apps that we are pretty confident they will work for you.
It is also worth noting that some VPNs have certain features that only work on some apps.
That isn’t the case with our top recommendations but it is worth checking your chosen VPNs offer what you need on all your devices before making your final choice.
How to use a VPN for Crypto Trading
Once you have chosen your preferred VPN, getting things set up is simple.
Here is a brief guide using our top recommendation, ExpressVPN, as an example. All other VPNs follow a similar method:
- Click on one of the ExpressVPN links on this page to access the best deals on their service.
- Choose your preferred subscription package and follow the onscreen instructions to sign up.
- Download the ExpressVPN app onto your chosen device. Always do this from either the ExpressVPN website or your official app store.
- Install the app and then open it and log in with the account details you were given in step 2.
- Choose your preferred server location from the list and then click Connect.
- Start trading your cryptocurrency on your preferred exchanges as usual.
Trade securely using ExpressVPN.
Contact the helpful ExpressVPN customer support team if you have any issues.
Is there a Free VPN for Crypto Trading?
No, we do not recommend any free VPNs for trading crypto since they are often very insecure.
Free VPNs have been found to download malware, spyware, and other unpleasant software onto your system. They often have limits on bandwidth or data, offer slow speeds, and sometimes don’t even bother to encrypt or secure your data at all.
Many make money by selling user data to third parties, which is the last thing a cryptocurrency trader wants and more than a few have connections to Communist China which is not ideal either.
Take as one example the popular free VPN SuperVPN, which has been downloaded more than 100 million times yet is packed with vulnerabilities, doesn’t encrypt your data, and has been proven to record user activity.
This offers none of the benefits that a cryptocurrency trader needs and the same is true of most other free VPNs to a greater or lesser extent.
The premium VPNs we have recommended above will only cost you a couple of dollars a month. If you are a half-decent trader, you should be able to make that back in no time at all. And the benefits of these VPNs more than outweigh their modest costs.
Summary
If you want to stay safe and private when trading cryptocurrency, you need to be connected to a VPN when you do it.
ExpressVPN is our, and many other VPN reviews’ top recommendation for cryptocurrency traders, with NordVPN and VPN.ac not far behind.
These VPNs only cost a few dollars a month but will encrypt your internet traffic with military grade encryption, ensure there are no logs of your activity online and keep you semi-anonymous online.
They will also offer fast speeds, great apps for all your devices and much more besides.
All you need to do is choose your provider, sign up, download the app, and get connected. With all the information in this guide, you can be trading securely and privately in no more than a few minutes.