Cryptocurrency trading is not entirely anonymous, which is why many traders use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect their transactions and personal information.
That’s why we recommend to use NordVPN for crypto trading.
A VPN encrypts internet traffic and can mask a user’s IP address, making it difficult for third parties to track and intercept crypto transactions.
In this article, we will introduce the top 5 VPNs for anonymous crypto trading, based on their security and privacy features, server coverage, and overall performance.
Top 3 VPNs for Anonymous Crypto Trading
With its proprietary protocol Lightway, military-grade encryption, and TrustedServer technology, ExpressVPN offers excellent security and anonymity for all of your crypto transactions.
NordVPN is feature-rich, affordable, and crypto-friendly. With thousands of servers in 60 countries, military-grade encryption, and the added security of a dedicated IP, you can use NordVPN to secure your crypto transactions and access geo-blocked crypto markets.
Despite being located in Sweden, a country with data retention laws, Mullvad is still one of the best choices for anonymity. The provider allows code-generated subscriptions, payments in crypto, even in cash and doesn’t log any identifiable information.
It’s not just about using a VPN.
You should carefully choose a provider that matches your needs and provides security and privacy features that allow for anonymous crypto trading.
The VPNs on my list check the mandatory no-logs policy and advanced security feature boxes for anonymous crypto transactions.
Plus, with their diverse server lists, you can unblock every crypto market worldwide.
There are other additional features that you’ll like, so let’s check them out!
A Quick Peek at the Best VPNs to Use With Crypto Trading
Before diving into a detailed review of the five best VPNs for crypto traders, here’s a quick peek at some of their best features.
- NordVPN: Best choice for crypto trading
- ExpressVPN: Advanced security features and great speed
- Mullvad: Great for users who want to remain completely anonymous online
- Private Internet Access: Affordable and very user-friendly
- ProtonVPN: Comes with a free VPN plan, great for a test run before committing long term
Detailed Review of the 5 Best VPNs to Use With Crypto
Each VPN provider on this list has its strengths, although I also found things that can be improved.
The final choice is up to you.
But before you make it, let’s go over each provider in detail to see which one fits your needs the most.
NordVPN
When you’re trading cryptocurrencies, you can eliminate many security and privacy threats like hacks, phishing attacks, or cryptojacking with a reliable VPN, like NordVPN.
It’s the perfect combination of convenience, competence, and good value for money.
Plus, NordVPN is based in Panama, a country without mandatory data retention policies.
Additionally, when you take a closer look at NordVPN’s privacy policy, you’ll see that the provider collects the bare minimum of data, like your email address or billing information.
Other than that, NordVPN doesn’t collect any traffic or usage logs.
As for its security features, NordVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption over secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx, its proprietary protocol built around WireGuard technology.
That’s secure enough to protect your crypto transactions from third-party observers, including your internet service provider (ISP) and government.
The overall security is backed by features like the Double VPN, NordVPN’s obfuscated servers, Onion Over VPN, and the CyberSec malware and ad blocker.
NordVPN has dedicated IP addresses in the US and several European countries.
That’s a helpful feature for crypto traders because a dedicated IP address will enable a more stable connection between you and your trading platform or crypto wallet.
However, the dedicated IP is an add-on feature.
To use it, you have to pay an additional $70 per year for one IP address location of your choice.
You can find the dedicated IPs in the Specialty servers side-bar menu, along with other great features like the very secure Obfuscated servers, the P2P-supported servers, Double VPN, and the Onion Over VPN feature.
Otherwise, if you want access to almost every crypto market around the world, you can turn to one of NordVPN’s 5000+ servers with shared IPs in 60 countries.
Many of these are US-based servers.
That’s convenient if you want to access geo-blocked crypto platforms, like Binance in the States or Voyager in New York.
With the crypto trading market shifting towards mobile apps, it’s good that NordVPN supports many devices, including iOS and Android.
The app’s interface is very user-friendly, and you’ll get used to it in no time.
Using NordVPN with your crypto trading app or your Atomic wallet is very easy.
First, open the VPN app, choose a more secure protocol like the NordLynx or OpenVPN TCP, connect to one of NordVPN’s servers, then log into your crypto wallet.
You can pay for NordVPN in crypto. Currently, you can choose between Bitcoin payments, Ethereum, Litecoin, BTT, Dash, and a few others.
When possible, pay with crypto instead of using other payment methods.
That’s one way of staying anonymous online and not sharing identifiable data.
Finally, considering everything, NordVPN’s price plans are affordable.
From a more expensive 1-month plan to just a few bucks per month for long-term subscriptions, NordVPN counts as one of the more affordable premium providers on the market.
Plus, it has a very convenient 30-day money-back guarantee and even better discounts that you can get using my exclusive discount link!
Pros
- No-logs privacy policy
- Advanced security features
- An add-on feature that enables dedicated IP addresses in five countries
- Good choice of crypto coins for anonymous payments
- 5000+ servers in 60 countries
Cons
- Short term subscription is more expensive
- No free trial
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a fitting choice for all of you privacy-conscious traders who prioritize online safety.
The provider is a no-logs VPN.
An independent audit further proves the claims that ExpressVPN doesn’t log browsing history, traffic destination, data content, IP addresses, or DNS queries.
Good privacy features are always a plus for crypto trading because they will keep any identifiable data hidden away from ISPs and your government.
Considering the provider is located in The British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN’s no-logs claims are also supported by the lack of data retention laws there.
To “seal the deal” of privacy, ExpressVPN’s Trusted Server technology goes one step further in guaranteeing an anonymous VPN experience.
It means ExpressVPN’s servers run on RAM.
So, the sensitive information you share with your VPN, including the ones about your cryptocurrencies, can’t fall into the wrong hands.
Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN also uses AES-256-bit encryption on protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2.
It does, however, come with its open-source VPN protocol – Lightway. It’s certainly an advantage.
Unlike the industry-favorite OpenVPN, Lightway will keep you secure without slowing your connection.
Apart from all the security benefits, this will also prevent crypto trading websites from buffering.
I like that this protocol is available for most devices, including Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, even routers.
As a very secure and speedy option, it’s great for the ever-changing crypto market.
With such a massive server network, I’m a bit disappointed that ExpressVPN doesn’t have dedicated IP addresses.
Still, it’s pretty amazing that you get VPN servers in 94 countries worldwide.
ExpressVPN has the largest server network on this list. In comparison, Mullvad covers less than half of the countries ExpressVPN does.
You’ll get access to every crypto market out there.
Or you can trade cryptocurrencies on eToro securely, even from countries or states where the platform isn’t available yet.
ExpressVPN is a bit expensive compared to NordVPN and the rest of the VPNs on the list.
But it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and supports cryptocurrency payments with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP.
It means you can securely try it out with any crypto trading platform and decide whether it’s a fit for you or not.
So, don’t wait up, and get this fantastic ExpressVPN deal today!
Pros
- Great security features
- Keeps no-logs
- Servers in 92 countries
- Great customer support
Cons
- No dedicated IP
- More expensive subscriptions
Mullvad
Although not one of the industry’s most popular VPNs, Mullvad has a lot to offer. Especially in the privacy and anonymity domains.
At first, I was a bit reserved since Mullvad is in Sweden, a Fourteen Eyes country.
That means your ISP or government can legally peek into your privacy and monitor what you do online, including on crypto trading platforms.
Despite that, Mullvad still manages to provide much-needed privacy to its users.
The VPN doesn’t even require email addresses from its users. This unique feature differentiates this provider from the others on this list.
Instead, you get a randomly generated code to create a “numbered account.”
According to the privacy policy, Mullvad doesn’t log any identifiable data, like user activity.
Thanks to its code-based accounts, it doesn’t store email addresses or passwords either.
You can pay with either cryptocurrencies or even cash to stay completely anonymous.
Mullvad supports cash payments, which is unusual for VPN providers.
The only other option on this list with cash payment is ProtonVPN, while the leaders in the VPN industry, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA, don’t cover this.
So you can pay with cash or crypto, connect to a VPN server, and use Binance with the added anonymity.
Another distinctive thing is the price. Mullvad doesn’t offer standard monthly or yearly subscriptions.
Instead, it bills $5 per month, no matter how many months you use it. So, according to your budget, you can choose your subscription then top the balance for as long as you use the VPN.
Like the other VPNs on this list, Mullvad supports the OpenVPN protocol with AES-256-bit encryption, as well as WireGuard.
Both will protect you against attempted hacker attacks.
Unfortunately, Mullvad offers a much lower server count or around 750 servers in 38 countries than other VPNs.
That’s less than half of ExpressVPN and PIA’s server network. Still, it’s more than enough to unlock BlockFi in most countries.
For example, I tried opening the platform from a blocked country, and all I got was an error message.
Then I connected to a German VPN server, and I successfully reached it and logged in.
Some VPN servers are rented, while some are owned by the provider.
A VPN-owned server is a more reliable option for crypto traders because it’s usually faster.
You also know who has physical access to these servers and their data.
Mullvad is the go-to cryptocurrency trading VPN for many, and it might be the right pick for you, so make sure to try it out.
Even better, use this code to get the best offer today!
Pros
- Very anonymous and private
- Uses numbered accounts
- Great security features
- Can be paid in cash or crypto
Cons
- Low server count
- Lacks 24/7 customer support
- No dedicated IP address
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is another leading VPN on this list.
But unlike NordVPN and ExpressVPN, PIA is located in the US, which is part of the Five Eyes countries.
That can be a major setback for privacy enthusiasts.
The FVEY (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US) is the most powerful surveillance alliance worldwide, making complete privacy a bit tricky, even when you trade cryptocurrencies.
Nonetheless, PIA still claims to be private and a no-logs VPN.
PIA logs the bare minimum, like the email address you use to create an account, or your payment data, much like other providers on this list.
It doesn’t log identifiable data, like your actual IP address or server locations.
That makes trading on crypto exchanges like Coinbase much more private.
If you choose to pay anonymously with crypto, you don’t have to expose personal information.
PIA currently supports Bitcoin payments, also Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
What’s reassuring to me on this matter is PIA’s transparency.
The provider publishes a “transparency report” or a public disclosure of their demands for user data.
Besides great privacy features, PIA also comes with top-notch security features.
It has the essentials like the kill switch that will protect your privacy while trading with crypto even if your internet or VPN malfunctions, or the DNS leak protection that ensures that your actual physical location stays hidden.
But PIA also comes with its proprietary ad-blocker MACE, which blocks intrusive pop-ups, trackers, and malicious websites.
That’s an excellent feature for crypto trading since it lowers the risk of malware attacks.
PIA supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, with AES-256-bit encryption.
That’s secure enough to withstand malicious attacks against your privacy and protect your crypto portfolio from becoming compromised.
If you’re looking for a VPN to circumvent geo-restrictions and access markets like Binance or BitMAX in the US, or Coinbase in Russia, this is the one.
At the moment of writing, PIA offers an impressive server list with thousands of servers in 78 countries.
What’s even better, PIA has dedicated IP addresses.
Like NordVPN, this is an add-on feature. However, it’s slightly cheaper, coming at around $5 per month or less if you get a more extended subscription.
The dedicated IP address enables a more stable VPN connection with your crypto trading platform and reduces the risk of error messages, buffering, or an account ban.
Apart from NordVPN, PIA is the only other provider on my list that offers this feature, making it a valuable option despite the setbacks.
Finally, PIA’s affordability is one of my favorite things since the VPN is one of the cheapest options on this list.
Plus, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee AND a 7-day free trial available for iOS and Android devices.
Want to try it out for yourself? Check out this discount link!
Pros
- Strong security features
- It comes with its own ad-blocker MACE
- Offers Dedicated IPs
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 7-day free trial
Cons
- Headquarters in a Five Eyes country
- Free trial only for mobile apps
ProtonVPN
Last but not least is ProtonVPN. The provider found its place on this list for several reasons.
First, it’s a secure option with features that go hand in hand with the industry favorites, like NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
It comes with many security features, like its Secure Core infrastructure that’ll protect your privacy and your crypto portfolio in case of a network attack.
The provider enables the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers. ChaCha20 is slightly less secure but faster than AES.
For maximum protection when buying or selling crypto, I’d go for the AES-256-bit encryption.
ProtonVPN is a no-logs VPN that will keep crypto trading private and your online activity away from prying eyes, including government surveillance.
ProtonVPN comes with several feature-determined price plans, different from the other options on the list.
With a more expensive subscription, you get more features and vice versa.
I would suggest using ProtonVPN Plus for crypto trading since it has great security and privacy features, and it’s more reliable than the Basic or the Free VPN plan.
With this subscription, you get 1500+ servers in 61 countries, much better speeds, up to 10 simultaneous connections with ProtonVPN Plus, and even more with ProtonVPN Visionary.
With such a diverse server list, you won’t have a problem connecting to your Huobi account, no matter where you are, and accessing markets worldwide.
Like Mullvad, you can pay anonymously for a subscription with cash or Bitcoin.
Before you get to that, make sure you grab this exclusive deal first!
Pros
- Advanced security features
- Secure core feature
- Free plan
- 30-days money-back guarantee
- Up to 60 server locations
Cons
- It doesn’t offer Dedicated IP
- No 24/7 live chat
Things to Look Out For in a VPN as a Crypto Trader
There’s more to it than choosing any VPN to keep you secure online as a crypto trader. A reliable and trustworthy VPN should be the bare minimum.
But, as a long-term investment in your privacy, there are other things to keep an eye on, including:
- Advanced security features
- A strict no-logs policy
- Versatile server list
- Dedicated IP addresses
- Good customer support
- Price and payment options (if the VPN allows crypto payments)
Some of the VPNs on my list, like NordVPN, check out all criteria, while others have most of them.
But why, out of all things, are these features so important? Let’s check it out.
Security Features
First and foremost, you need strong encryption. Crypto trading comes with risks, and basic security features won’t cut it.
For secure transactions, look for VPNs with AES-256-bit encryption and the current market’s favorite – the OpenVPN protocol.
The combination of these two makes up for quite a secure connection. Make sure to also check for additional security features, like DNS leak protection or the kill switch.
The VPN kill-switch prevents leaks and is a crucial component of a secure VPN in case of connectivity issues.
Privacy Features
It’s all about privacy. To say that a VPN provider protects your privacy, it needs to check out a few criteria.
First, the VPN’s headquarters. Make sure the VPN is under a jurisdiction that shares your values of user privacy and has no data retention laws.
With some exceptions, most VPNs located inside the Five, Nine, or Fourteen Eyes countries aren’t private, despite their claims of zero-logs policies.
With that being said, it’s also essential to go over the privacy policy carefully to see what logs the provider keeps on you.
It’s a major red flag when the VPN collects usage logs or what you do once you connect to a VPN server.
Finally, don’t forget to check the VPN for leaks. A VPN that leaks your data is neither secure nor private.
To check, use online tools before and after connecting to a VPN server. The IP address should be different, and if it’s not, your VPN is leaking your actual IP address.
Global Server Network
Having a large and diverse VPN server list is important, especially if you want to access different crypto markets and trading platforms, regardless of where you’re residing.
The VPN servers help you bypass geo-restrictions imposed by the country or the trading platform itself.
Also, check whether the VPN offers dedicated IP addresses.
It’s not necessarily an issue if a VPN doesn’t provide this feature, but you’d want extra stability as a crypto trader.
Shared IPs are good for privacy and anonymity.
But to dodge captchas, avoid getting blacklisted, or make online transactions more secure, a dedicated IP is a better choice.
Affordability and Payment Options
Finally, one thing that you can’t disregard when you search for a VPN is the price.
Personally, I’d be willing to sacrifice a few extra bucks a month, as long as I know that I’m getting the best possible value for my money.
What’s more important is the way you pay for VPN subscriptions.
As a crypto trader, you might want to pay for the VPN with crypto. That’s both a convenient and more anonymous way than using a payment card and giving away your card credentials.
Device Compatibility
Many crypto trading platforms are expanding their services to mobile apps. You can find great ones on your Android or iOS device.
However, to actually protect your wallets, you also need a VPN that’s compatible with these devices.
Most premium providers already support Windows. Linux, and macOS, but also iOS and Android. Some, like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, are also compatible with routers.
When in doubt, go for VPNs that cover as many devices as possible so that you can protect your crypto transactions no matter the device you use to access the platform.
Why Use a VPN for Cryptocurrency Transactions?
When you’re trading with crypto, using VPNs enables better security, privacy, and complete anonymity.
The different VPN servers also allow traders to access other crypto markets that would otherwise not be available.
Overall, owning a reliable VPN is a good investment. Here’s why.
It Increases Your Security
It’s important to stay secure online, even more so when you’re a crypto trader.
With the proper encryption and security protocol, you significantly lower the risk of falling victim to a hacker attack.
Public Wi-Fi connections, more often than not, offer no protection whatsoever, leaving your entire online activities exposed to eavesdropping.
But even your home network is not as secure as you’d think. To intercept your traffic, hackers can set up fake networks and steal your crypto trading platform credentials or wallet keys.
With a secure VPN, intercepting your traffic is impossible.
All information that leaves your computer is protected by the VPN and travels through a secure, encrypted tunnel.
With other features like the kill-switch, the VPN will block all traffic even if your connectivity malfunctions to prevent potential leaks.
It Adds Anonymity to Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are private, but not all the way.
Although they add certain secrecy to your transactions, you need to hide your IP address and internet traffic to achieve complete anonymity for crypto trading.
When you’re trading crypto, the trading platform or the blockchain Explorer sees your real IP address.
With that, you expose your real-life location to others. In the case of a website breach, this information can fall into the wrong hands and jeopardize your crypto portfolio.
When you connect to a VPN server, the VPN encrypts your traffic and assigns you a different IP address to conceal your identity and enable you complete anonymity online.
It Helps You Bypass Limitations
Crypto trading comes with some limitations. For example, one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, Binance, isn’t available in the US.
Instead, US citizens get to trade crypto on Binance. US, the American partner of the company, while the “original ’’ platform is geo-blocked.
With a VPN, you can bypass geo-restrictions and access different crypto markets, no matter where you reside. The more server location the provider covers, the more choice you have.
Another type of limitation with crypto trading can be bandwidth throttling.
If your ISP detects high amounts of traffic from your IP address, it can limit your bandwidth and mess with your transactions.
With a VPN, you’ll be able to hide your traffic from your ISP, which gives you additional privacy and eliminates the possibility of bandwidth throttling.
How to Use a VPN for Crypto Trading?
Using a VPN with crypto trading only takes a few easy steps.
After making your final choice on the VPN you want to use to protect your crypto transactions, the next thing to do is:
- Register for a VPN.
- Download and set up the VPN client on all devices you use for crypto trading.
- Log in with your credentials and select a VPN server to connect to.
As long as you are connected to a VPN server, you can now access your crypto wallet and trade crypto anonymously.
Binance Not Working With a VPN: How To Access It?
If you’re using a good VPN, the chances of Binance not working are slim. But it’s still possible. If you find yourself in this situation, try the following:
- Check your internet connection. That’s the main culprit more often than you’d think.
- Change the VPN server. You might be using an overcrowded server or a faulty one.
- Restart your VPN, and make sure the software is updated.
- Contact your VPN’s customer support. They might be able to help you with more complex issues.
- If nothing else works, change the VPN. Changing your VPN with a more reliable one can potentially fix your Binance problem.
Remember, for maximum security and increased effectiveness, always use trustworthy VPNs with Binance or other crypto trading platforms.
FAQ
Do Any Free VPNs Accept Cryptocurrencies for Paid Plans?
Some “freemium” VPNs accept cryptocurrency for their paid plans. However, you must be careful which one you choose for crypto trading. Not all of them are reliable and secure.
Apart from ProtonVPN, other providers like TunnelBear, and Windscribe (offering both free and premium plans), can be paid for with cryptocurrencies.
They are also quite safe and have decent features. Still, keep in mind that these free plans are very limited.
On the other hand, completely free VPNs are rarely ever secure to use. They’re known to collect user data and spread malware and viruses.
My advice is to stick to good reputation VPNs optimized for crypto trading. After all, it’s better to give a few more bucks than to put your entire crypto portfolio in danger.
Is Crypto Trading Safe?
Crypto trading is not entirely safe.
The market’s volatile nature aside, it’s essential for crypto traders to keep their transactions secure and protect themselves against hacker attacks.
Consequently, as a crypto trader, you’ll need a secure VPN that will keep you anonymous online and encrypt your internet traffic to keep it away from prying eyes.
Is It Illegal to Use a VPN With Binance?
Using a VPN with Binance is legal, but there are a few things you should keep an eye on.
For example, Binance is currently banned in the US so using a VPN to access Binance is against the websites’ policies.
Using Binance with a VPN in countries where VPNs are banned can also get you into trouble.
Finally, using Binance for illicit purposes still makes your actions illegal, with or without the use of a VPN.
Is Buying Crypto With a VPN Legal?
Buying and trading cryptocurrencies with a VPN is legal in most countries around the world.
But countries like China, Iran, and Algeria have a more complicated “relationship” with decentralized assets.
For example, Algeria completely bans the purchase, trading, and possession of crypto.
In China, on the other hand, while it’s not illegal to own coins, it’s illegal for financial groups to provide any Bitcoin-related services.
Before buying or trading cryptocurrencies, take the time to learn the laws and regulations in your residing country.
If it’s safe and legal to do it, then it’s also safe and legal with a VPN.
Do All VPNs Support Cryptocurrencies?
Some VPNs support cryptocurrencies as a payment option.
With the growth of crypto, its implementation as a payment option in VPNs is also on the rise. Still, not all providers support it.
The added anonymity is an excellent feature for those that do, making them more reliable and trustworthy options for crypto traders.
Supporting cryptocurrencies, however, is no guarantee that the VPN is secure for your crypto transactions.
Before deciding, check all aspects of a VPN, including its privacy policy, security specs, and additional features.
Conclusion
Crypto trading requires attention to detail, keeping up with the market’s changes, and proper research before you decide to invest.
The same rules apply when you’re choosing a VPN.
Combine the two, add a premium VPN like NordVPN, and you’re in for a more optimized and secure crypto experience.
Don’t wait up, and grab the best deals today!
