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All the best VPNs for crypto trading and payments

Navigating the world of cryptocurreny can leave you exposed, unless you use a VPN.
By Mashable Team  on 
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Overview

Best For Streaming

ExpressVPN

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Best For Beginners

CyberGhost VPN

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Best For Security

NordVPN

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Best For Multiple Users

Surfshark

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Best For Server Network

Private Internet Access

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Table of Contents

Don't worry. We're not going to even attempt to explain the intricacies of the cryptocurrency market. What we will say is that crypto wallets, exchanges, and trading platforms can be dangerous places to navigate. Hackers frequently populate these services, looking for an opportunity to take possession of your most prized property. Scary stuff, right?

So what can you do to protect yourself against these undercover agents? Simple: You can invest in a VPN. These cybersecurity services protect your data and hide your identity when you're online. They also help provide protection for your assets when you're using cryptocurrency platforms.

There are plenty of impressive VPNs that would make a perfect partner for anyone looking to enter into the world of crypto trading and payments, but which service is right for you? It's not an easy question to answer, but we'll give it a try.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide vital protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address, making all of your activity untraceable and secure. We know it's not a simple concept. It can be helpful to think of VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Do you need a VPN for cryptocurrency trading?

Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. There's no need to panic, because whether you're investing in a new cryptocurrency, using your favorite crypto wallet, or paying with coins, VPNs make sure that everything remains private and anonymous.

It's really all about providing another layer of online protection against hackers. The best crypto VPNs secure your online activity, meaning your prized assets are protected from hackers looking to make a quick profit.

What features should you consider when shopping for a VPN?

There is a long list of things you should consider before investing in a VPN, but we know you've got other things to do. To speed up the process, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things offered by the best VPNs. Before you make any sort of decision, you should consider connection speed, server network, number of logins, security features, and privacy policy:

Connection speed: Using a VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant. Make sure you select a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't use cryptocurrency platforms without disruption.

Number of connections: The best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account, whilst others limit you to just a single device. Prioritize services that offer multiple simultaneous connections so you can stay secure on all your devices at the same time.

Server network: The best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. This is useful because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for investing your favorite coins.

Privacy policy: You need to pay special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN. These practices should be clearly laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't, you should avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. Your VPN of choice should not store these details as that would make the whole anonymity and privacy thing redundant.

Encryption: There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. This is obviously massively important when navigating cryptocurrency platforms because you need to know that your assets are secure.

There are other things you should consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start your shopping process.

Do you need to pay for a VPN?

The big question when it comes to VPNs is whether you should consider free services. We're all looking to get the best deal, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with these cybersecurity services.

There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. There does tend to be a catch with free versions however, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will work fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this simply isn't going to work. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but they obviously don't last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

With all of this in mind, the best option for securely accessing and using cryptocurrency platforms is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to pay up.

What is the best VPN for cryptocurrency trading?

We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for cryptocurrency trading and payments. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this list.

These are the best VPNs for crypto in 2022.

ExpressVPN is here again at the top of a roundup of the best VPNs. It's a recurring theme, and that's because ExpressVPN offers the best in online security and streaming. Subscribers get a wide range of advanced features that should suit beginners and advanced users, with strong connection speeds, powerful encryption, and access to a diverse network of servers located all around the world.

ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin payments through a wide range of wallets, and offers leak protection (DNS, IP and WebRTC) so your data is protected from being exposed when using these platforms.

What really sets ExpressVPN apart from the competition is its ability to reliably unblock top streaming sites like Netflix and Prime Video. If you're looking for a VPN for streaming and crypto trading, ExpressVPN should be at the top of your list.

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CyberGhost VPN is one of the most comprehensive services in the VPN market, with a seriously strong stance on privacy that sets it apart from the competition. This secure VPN does not store information on your IP address, DNS queries, browsing history, or session duration, which is particularly reassuring when you're navigating cryptocurrency platforms.

Subscribers also get access to a massive network of servers, split tunneling, multiple simultaneous connections, and so much more. Connection speeds can be inconsistent, but you can't have absolutely everything.

CyberGhost VPN is also really easy to install and actually use, with a slick and intuitive interface that should even suit complete beginners.

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NordVPN on a white background.

NordVPN

Best For Security

You should be taking online security seriously if you're regularly using cryptocurrency platforms. NordVPN is a service that makes security a priority, with a large and diverse collection of servers and specialized features that let you safeguard your data.

All users get access to over 5,500 servers located all over the world, with the option of connecting six devices at the same time. NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that lets you route your traffic between its own secure VPN servers and the Tor network, which creates another layer of security when you're trading those coins.

NordVPN doesn't offer the fastest speeds, but they're decent and crucially consistent.

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Surfshark logo on a white background.

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Users

Surfshark offers users a wide range of impressive features including split tunneling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with reliable unblocking of top streaming sites like Netflix. That's all good, but it's the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices that really sets Surfshark apart from the majority of the competition. If you need security for a lot of devices, Surfshark should be your top choice. It's that simple.

There are cheaper VPNs than Surfshark, but if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply. With features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection, we think its worth the price if you're regularly using cryptocurrency platforms on all your tech. Speaking of which, Surfshark lets you pay with multiple types of digital coins.

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Private Internet Access doesn't offer all the tricks that some of its competitors provide. Instead, this VPN keeps things simple with powerful encryption and a massive server network. What more do you really need?

Private Internet Access offers 10 simultaneous connections, meaning it's a great option for large households or anyone with a lot of tech. Users also get a dedicated IP address feature and plenty of customization options. There are more advanced options out there, but it's difficult to find things to complain about with Private Internet Access.

You can pay for your Private Internet Access subscription with BitPay, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

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