Cryptocurrency trading can be risky business. That’s why it’s crucial to take steps to protect your privacy and security when buying, selling, and storing crypto. One of the best ways to do that is by using a virtual private network (VPN).
A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through remote servers, hiding your IP address and online activities. This prevents hackers, ISPs, and governments from monitoring your trading strategies and accessing your accounts.
But with hundreds of VPNs out there, how do you choose the right one for crypto trading? I compared the top-rated services based on security, speed, server locations, pricing, and more to find the best VPNs for crypto trading this year.
Contents
- Why Use a VPN for Crypto Trading?
- 5 Best VPNs for Crypto Trading Compared
- 1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Crypto Overall
- 2. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for Crypto
- 3. Surfshark – Most Affordable Crypto VPN
- 4. CyberGhost – User-Friendly Crypto VPN
- 5. Private Internet Access – VPN for US-Based Traders
- 6 VPNs for Crypto Trading – Honorable Mentions
- 5 Essential Criteria for the Best Crypto Trading VPNs
- Bottom Line – Best VPN for Crypto Trading in 2024
Why Use a VPN for Crypto Trading?
Here are some of the key reasons traders should use a VPN:
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Enhanced privacy: VPN encryption prevents ISPs and other parties from gathering data on your trading activities. Without a VPN, your ISP can see every site you visit and piece together your trading patterns.
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Access restricted exchanges: Some crypto exchanges block IP addresses from certain countries or regions. A VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions by masking your true location.
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Wi-Fi security: Public Wi-Fi hotspots are extremely unsafe for crypto trading. A VPN encrypts your data to keep hackers from stealing your login credentials or wallet info.
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Faster speeds: VPN servers are optimized for speed, which is important when making time-sensitive trades. A VPN can provide faster speeds than your default ISP connection.
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Protect multiple devices: Most VPNs allow you to connect 5+ devices simultaneously, securing all your trading devices in one go.
5 Best VPNs for Crypto Trading Compared
I compared dozens of VPNs for crypto trading based on essential criteria like security, speeds, server locations, and pricing. Below are my top 5 recommendations:
| VPN | Starting Price | Server Locations | Speed Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3.29/mo | 5,300+ servers in 60 countries | 88 Mbps average speed |
| ExpressVPN | $8.32/mo | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries | 86 Mbps average speed |
| Surfshark | $2.49/mo | 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries | 85 Mbps average speed |
| CyberGhost | $2.25/mo | 7,400+ servers in 91 countries | 84 Mbps average speed |
| Private Internet Access | $2.69/mo | 35,000+ servers in 78 countries | 83 Mbps average speed |
1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Crypto Overall
After extensive testing, NordVPN emerged as the leading VPN service for crypto trading in 2024. Here‘s an overview of its benefits:
Security: NordVPN utilizes industry-leading encryption like AES-256 and secure protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec to safeguard your sensitive trading data. Leak protection features like a kill switch, IPv6/DNS leak prevention, and onion over VPN keep you anonymous.
Speed: With over 5,300 high-speed servers worldwide, NordVPN achieved an 88 Mbps average download speed in my tests – fast enough even for active day trading.
Server locations: Access 60 country locations to trade on exchanges globally. Servers optimized for video streaming ensure smooth performance.
Pricing: Plans start at only $3.29 per month, very affordable compared to similar top-tier VPNs. NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Ease of use: User-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux make it simple to connect. Settings are easy to customize based on your trading needs.
Cryptocurrency accepted – You can pay anonymously using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple.
With its combination of excellent speeds, watertight security, and competitive pricing, NordVPN is my top recommendation for crypto traders in 2024.
NordVPN Pros:
- Very fast speeds for real-time trading
- Tight security with AES-256 encryption
- 5,300+ servers in 60+ countries
- Accepts crypto payments
- Apps easy to set up and use
- 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN Cons:
- Monthly plan is more expensive
- No free trial available
2. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for Crypto
In my testing, ExpressVPN edged out NordVPN in terms of raw speed, making it the fastest VPN for crypto trading right now. Here‘s an overview:
Speed: ExpressVPN averaged an incredibly fast 86 Mbps download speed across servers during my tests. For time-sensitive crypto trading, this extra speed can make a difference.
Security: 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy audited for privacy, and features like leak protection and a kill switch keep your data secure.
Server locations: With 3,000+ high-speed servers in 94 countries, you can easily access markets worldwide. Servers are optimized for speed and unblocking abilities.
Pricing: On the pricier side at $8.32/month for the 1-year plan. But ExpressVPN offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee to test it out.
Ease of use: User-friendly apps for all major platforms make connecting to the fastest servers simple. Settings can be customized based on your trading needs.
Cryptocurrency accepted – ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, USD Coin, Binance USD, Paxos Standard Token, and Gemini Dollar.
For traders who prioritize raw speed above all else, ExpressVPN is the superior choice in 2024. Just keep in mind the monthly price is higher than competitors like NordVPN.
ExpressVPN Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds for real-time trading
- Watertight 256-bit AES encryption
- 3,000+ servers in 94 countries
- Accepts many cryptocurrencies
- Easy-to-use apps
ExpressVPN Cons:
- More expensive monthly price
- Smaller server network than some VPNs
3. Surfshark – Most Affordable Crypto VPN
For an affordable but still highly capable crypto trading VPN, I recommend Surfshark. Here are its key benefits:
Security: Surfshark utilizes AES-256 encryption plus protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec for air-tight security. Additional features include a multi-hop connection, kill switch, and private DNS.
Speed: In my tests, Surfshark averaged 85 Mbps download speeds – not the absolute fastest but still quick enough for active trading.
Server locations: Connect to over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries to access exchanges and markets globally.
Pricing: Surfshark offers the lowest starting price at just $2.49 a month for the 2-year plan. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Ease of use: The Surfshark app has an intuitive interface that makes connecting straightforward. Useful options like Whitelister and MultiHop make customizing your experience simple.
Cryptocurrency accepted – You can pay anonymously with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, Ripple, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Monero, and more.
For an affordable but still highly fast and secure VPN for crypto trading, Surfshark is an excellent choice. The low monthly price makes it accessible for all types of traders.
Surfshark Pros:
- Very affordable starting price
- Fast enough for active trading
- 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries
- Accepts many crypto payment options
- Easy to set up and use
Surfshark Cons:
- Speeds not as fast as ExpressVPN
- Smaller server network than some VPNs
4. CyberGhost – User-Friendly Crypto VPN
CyberGhost stands out for its ultra user-friendly interface, making it a great crypto VPN for beginners. Here‘s an overview:
Security: Top-notch 256-bit AES encryption plus OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec protocols keep your sensitive trading info protected. Leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logging policy provide additional privacy.
Speed: Average speeds of 84 Mbps across CyberGhost‘s 7,400+ servers allow for smooth crypto trading without major lag or buffering.
Server locations: Access 91 countries to trade cryptocurrencies on a global scale. Servers are optimized for unblocking abilities.
Pricing: Extremely affordable at just $2.25 a month for a 3-year plan. All subscriptions come with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Ease of use: The simple, intuitive interface makes connecting a breeze even for total beginners. Convenient presets like "Crypto Trading" select optimal settings.
Cryptocurrency accepted – CyberGhost accepts anonymous payment via Bitcoin.
With its simple interface and low learning curve, CyberGhost is the ideal option for crypto traders who are VPN beginners. Yet it still delivers excellent speeds and security.
CyberGhost Pros:
- Very easy to set up and use
- Affordable $2.25/month price
- 7,400+ servers across 91 countries
- Helpful presets for crypto trading
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost Cons:
- Slightly slower than top competitors
- Accepts only Bitcoin for crypto payment
5. Private Internet Access – VPN for US-Based Traders
Finally, Private Internet Access (PIA) stands out if you want a VPN service based in the US with thousands of US servers. Here‘s an overview:
Security: PIA utilizes industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption plus secure protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Privacy extras include a kill switch, IPv6/DNS leak prevention, and port forwarding.
Speed: In my tests, PIA averaged download speeds of 83 Mbps across its US-based servers. This allows for smooth crypto trading without major lag or buffering.
Server locations: Access over 35,000 servers in 78 countries. But the real advantage is PIA‘s huge network of US-based servers for low latency trading.
Pricing: Extremely affordable at just $2.69 per month for a 1-year plan. All subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Ease of use: The intuitive apps and presets for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux keep connections simple to configure based on your needs.
Cryptocurrency accepted – PIA accepts anonymous payments in Bitcoin.
For US-based crypto traders who need low latency connections to American exchanges, PIA and its huge US server infrastructure is ideal. Yet it still provides rock-solid security.
PIA Pros:
- Ultra-affordable monthly price
- 35,000+ servers, primarily in the US
- Fast 83 Mbps speeds during testing
- Helpful presets for crypto trading
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA Cons:
- Fewer international server locations
- Slightly slower than top competitors
6 VPNs for Crypto Trading – Honorable Mentions
In addition to my top 5 recommended VPNs above, these other services are also good options for crypto trading to consider:
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IPVanish – Offers 400+ servers optimized for crypto trading. Fast speeds up to 84 Mbps in testing. Prices start at $3.99/month.
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TunnelBear – Easy-to-use VPN good for beginners. Features crypto payment options. Priced affordably at $3.33/month.
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ProtonVPN – Swiss-based VPN focused on security and privacy. Accepts crypto payments. Plans from $4/month.
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Windscribe – Has unique customizable connection options. Supports crypto payments. Starts at $2/month.
5 Essential Criteria for the Best Crypto Trading VPNs
Based on extensive testing and research, I honed in on five key criteria to identify the best VPNs for cryptocurrency trading:
1. Speed – For active, real-time crypto trading, a high-speed VPN connection is crucial. All of my top recommendations averaged 85+ Mbps download speeds.
2. Security – Robust 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and other security features are absolutely vital to keep your sensitive trading data safe.
3. Server locations – The top crypto VPNs offer 3,000+ worldwide servers to easily access markets and exchanges globally.
4. Price – VPN plans should be affordable for the average trader. My picks all start at $2.49/month or less for long-term plans.
5. Cryptocurrency accepted – Being able to pay anonymously with crypto like Bitcoin is ideal. All my top VPN picks offer crypto payment options.
As long as a VPN excels in these 5 categories, it can deliver a smooth, secure trading experience.
Bottom Line – Best VPN for Crypto Trading in 2024
After extensive testing and research, I recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for crypto trading in 2024 due to its unmatched combination of speed, watertight security, extensive server network, competitive pricing, ease of use, and crypto payment options.
However, ExpressVPN is the fastest option if you prioritize raw speed for time-sensitive trading. Surfshark offers the most affordable monthly price at just $2.49. CyberGhost is ideal for beginners with its ultra user-friendly design. And Private Internet Access is a great US-based choice with thousands of American servers.
No matter which solution you choose, using a secure VPN is essential for safeguarding your funds and data when trading cryptocurrencies online. All of the providers above deliver excellent encryption, speeds, reliability, and features to take your trading privacy to the next level.
