Best VPNs for Crypto Trading: Online Security and Privacy Assurance

If your crypto portfolio is worth at least $100, you should care about the security of your assets. Every crypto trader, especially active in the DeFi space, should pay attention to their security and privacy to forestall cybercriminals.

Something as common as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can protect your assets from being stolen. The service encrypts, reroutes, and transmits your data through a secure channel. It hides your IP address. When you install a VPN, neither your internet service provider nor anyone using your network can see your data. Equally important is choosing a trusted VPN for crypto trading. 

Below is an overview of the best VPNs for crypto trading based on different metrics, which we covered in depth in this guide. Read on to learn more about why VPN is important for crypto activities and the best services for your Android and iOS devices.

Why Crypto Traders Need VPNs

In the first six months of the year, the crypto market lost about $2 billion to crimes, including hacking and phishing. Hacks, majorly because of private key exploits, were responsible for half of the total amount lost, Cryptopolitan reported. 

Bad actors always look for the slightest chance to steal your crypto. Hackers can exploit something as negligible as IP addresses to track your online activities and potentially expose some sensitive information that can lead to the loss of your crypto assets. 

This emphasizes the need for added security, and a VPN service is one optimal basic layer of protection you can add to your crypto portfolio or activities. 

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and hides your real IP address, making it harder for hackers to track your online activity and potentially identify you.

More importantly, a VPN allows you to access some crypto websites that originally would not connect due to geo-restrictions. For instance, in the image below, we tried connecting to Coinbase, but it could not be reached despite being in a legally supported jurisdiction.

Image 2: Failure to connect without VPN

However, using a VPN enabled us to connect to the Coinbase website.

Image3: Access-Enabled to Coinbase Using VPN

VPN anonymity is invaluable for crypto traders who love privacy and wish to remain undetected. Although complete anonymity is elusive in the crypto world, a good VPN, combined with responsible trading practices, can significantly enhance privacy and keep your assets safe.

Most privacy-focused VPN services have a strict no-log policy, ensuring your browsing activities are not stored anywhere. 

Some also now provide a kill switch feature that automatically stops your internet connection when the VPN connection drops. In that way, your real IP address is not exposed even when your connection is temporarily disrupted.

How to Choose the Best VPNs for Crypto Trading

Not every VPN service is good for crypto traders. Here are some features to consider when choosing the best VPN for crypto trading. 

1. Privacy and Security: This is the crux of it all. A good VPN should be able to keep you anonymous at all times and provide necessary security measures, including a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, kill switch, and leak protection.

You should also pay attention to the country where the VPN provider is based. The jurisdictions can affect your privacy and security. Ideally, you want to use VPN services in countries with strong data protection laws and limited government surveillance.

• Speed: Connection speed is important, especially in the fast-paced crypto market. So, compare network and latency speeds before choosing a VPN. You can also prioritize providers with high or unlimited bandwidth to ensure that you can download or upload large files without worrying about data caps or throttling.

• Crypto Payment Support: Though not as important as the others, but you may want to consider VPNs that support crypto payments for convenience and privacy reasons. It’d be easier to pay with crypto, especially if you cannot access dollar card services.

• Value: While there are free VPN services, the security features are usually limited compared to paid versions. But when choosing a premium VPN, ensure you get the value for your money. Consider whether the pricing and features are worth it before subscribing. 

• Reputation and Reviews: With all these factors considered, ideally, you still need to know what users say about the VPN. Checking app stores and public reviews can help you learn the pros and cons of a particular service, and save you from a potential headache because of using the VPN.

Comparing Best VPNs for Crypto Trading

Detailed List of 10 Best VPN for Crypto Trading 

For crypto trading, the necessities are security, privacy, and fast internet connection. In now particular order, here are the 10 best VPNs for crypto trading based on those criteria. 

1. NordVPN

Image 5: NordVPN for Crypto Trading

NordVPN is one of the top global virtual private network providers. It offers several security features that are ideal for crypto trading. The service has been around since 2012 and is available on all devices, including Android, iOS, and Desktop. 

Security: NordVPN uses U.S. military-grade AES-256 encryption to encrypt users’ online activities. It claims that “it would take the world’s most powerful computer billions of years to unencrypt your data. NordVPN also offers users the option to choose between OpenVPN and WireGuard as VPN protocols.

OpenVPN is a good choice if you want to prioritize security, while WireGuard is a good choice if you want to prioritize speed. 

Privacy: NordVPN not only changes your IP address, but it also hides your virtual location and then encrypt your connection. It also maintains a verified no-logs policy, meaning it does not keep users’ activity or connection logs.

Speed: NordVPN has an average download speed of 417.0 Mbps in the United States and 255.9 Mbps in the United Kingdom, as per AV-TEST. It also claims to have an unlimited VPN bandwidth.

Location: Based in Panama, NordVPN has 6463 servers across 111 countries, including U.S., U.K., Canada and many more.

Pricing: The monthly plan goes from $12.99/mo up to $14.99/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes for $4.59/mo up to $6.49/mo.

Rating: NordVPN has a 4.6/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.7/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

2. Surfshark

Image 6: Surfshark VPN for Crypto Trading

Surfshark is another good VPN for crypto trading. It keeps your online identity hidden and protects your device from exposure to sneaky viruses and malware. Surf also provides users with an alternative email address and even a virtual phone number to use online.

The service was launched in 2018, and it’s available on several devices, including Android, Apple, Windows, Linux, and many others. 

Security: Surfshark uses some of the strictest security measures, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 VPN protocols. It also uses AES-256-GCM encryption, which is considered among the best encryption algorithms. 

Surfshark also performs regular internal and external penetration tests to check against exploitable vulnerabilities.

Privacy: Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, verified by Deloitte. There are also provisions for a personal detail generator and masked email generator, all aimed at keeping the personal information of users’ hidden from the open web.

Speed: Surfshark claims to offer high-speed connections with no data, bandwidth, or speed limitations. It has an average download speed of 260.79 Mbps on a local VPN server, 250.81 Mbps in the United States, and 190.87 Mbps in Australia.

Location: Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, with over 3,200 servers across 100 countries.

Pricing: The monthly plan goes from $15.45/mo up to $20.65/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes from $2.99/mo up to $5.99/mo.

Rating: Surfshark has a 4.6/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.8/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

3. IPVanish

Image 7: IPVanish VPN for Crypto Trading

IPVanish is another good VPN provider that offers industry-standard privacy and security protections that a crypto trader or investor would need. 

In addition to that, IPVanish also provides users with a secure browser and cloud storage service. The platform was launched in 2012, and it’s available on several devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and others.

Security: IPVanish uses the AES-256-CBC encryption with a SHA256 hash algorithm to encrypt users’ traffic. It also offers a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an OpenVPN scramble solution, among other things.

Privacy: IPVanish also offers a strict no-traffic-logs policy, which helps keep users anonymous. It claims to collect only a minimum amount of data necessary to provide the VPN service, which includes an email address and payment method.

Speed: IPVanish’s average download speed ranges between 52 – 230 Mbps. It said the connection speed can vary for different reasons, including server distance, user network congestion, and so on.

Location: IPVanish is based in the United States. It has over 2,400 servers in more than 90 locations around the world.

Pricing: The monthly plan goes from $12.99/mo up to $14.99/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes from $3.33/mo up to $4.49/mo.

Rating: IPVanish has a 4.4/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.5/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

4. ExpressVPN

Image 8 Text: ExpressVPN for Crypto Trading

ExpressVPN is another solid option for crypto trading. It’s among the popular VPN providers known for having strong security features and reliable performance. ExpressVPN has been around since 2009, and it’s available on popular devices including Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS. 

Security: ExpressVPN uses AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard) to encrypt users’ traffic. The service also has a kill switch and implements post-quantum cryptography to help keep users safe in the future.

Privacy: ExpressVPN regularly rotates IP addresses to prevent tracking. It also adheres to a strict no-log policy and uses its proprietary TrustedServer technology to ensure all data is wiped from servers with every reboot.

Speed: ExpressVPN’s download speed ranges between 87.48 Mbps and 198.6 Mbps.

Location: ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. It has over 3,000 servers located in about 105 countries.

Pricing: The monthly plan goes from $8.99/mo up to $12.95/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes from $3.99/mo up to $8.32/mo per month.

Rating: ExpressVPN has a 4.2/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.7/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

5. CyberGhost 

Image 9: CyberGhost VPN for Crypto Trading

CyberGhost is a reliable VPN service with several advanced security features that will benefit crypto traders. The platform was launched in 2011. It’s available on multiple devices, such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android, and so on.

Security: CyberGhost encrypts data using a 256-bit AES algorithm. It supports three VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.

Privacy: CyberGhost follows a no-strict log policy. It also uses its own DNS, which keeps DNS requests within an encrypted tunnel. The servers run on RAM-only. 

Speed: The download speed falls in the range of 89.53 Mbps to 118.6 Mbps.

Location: CyberGhost is based in Romania. It has over 11,500 servers in 100 countries.

Pricing: The monthly plan goes for $12.99/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes from $2.19/mo.

Rating: CyberGhost has a 4.4/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.2/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

6. Proton VPN

Image 10: Proton VPN for Crypto Trading

Proton VPN is a community-supported open-source VPN service that ticks all the right boxes for crypto trading. It was launched in 2017 and it’s available on PCs, Macs, smartphones, and even routers. 

Security: Proton VPN reportedly uses a 256-bit AES encryption algorithm to encrypt user traffic, a 4096-bit RSA for key exchange, and HMAC with SHA384 for message authentication. It claims to support OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols at the highest encryption setting.

Privacy: Proton VPN does not keep logs of users’ web activities. There are no recording session lengths and no monitoring of users’ IP addresses.

Speed: Proton VPN offers decent speeds, with download speeds ranging from 80 Mbps to 120 Mbps, though it claims speeds of up to 300 Mbps are frequently reported. 

Location: Proton VPN is based in Switzerland and has about 7,119 servers in 112 countries.

Pricing: The monthly plan goes for €9.99/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes for €4.993/mo and €4.49/mo for two years.

Rating: Proton VPN has a 4.5/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.6/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

7. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Image 11: Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN for Crypto Trading

Private Internet Access (PIA) is among the top-rated and cheapest VPN services with advanced security measures. It’s also 100% open-source. PIA was launched in 2010. It is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, Apple iOS, Android, smart TVs, game consoles, and routers.

Security: PIA encrypts and authenticates user traffic using the IP Security Architecture (IPSec) open framework. It also supports standard VPN protocols, including WireGuard. Users also have the option to choose between 128-bit AES or military-grade cipher, 256-bit AES for encryption.

Privacy: PIA follows a strict No Logs policy, which it claims was reviewed in an independent audit conducted by one of the Big Four firms.

Speed: PIA has ultra-fast 10 Gbps VPN servers. The download speed falls between 90.48 Mbps to 145 Mbps.  

Location: Private Internet Access is based in Colorado, United States. It has over 35,000 servers in more than 90 locations around the world. 

Pricing: The monthly plan goes for $11.95/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes for $3.33/mo and $2.03/mo for three years.

Rating: PIA has a 4.6/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.7/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

8. VyprVPN

Image 12: Vyper VPN for Crypto Trading

VyprVPN is another solid VPN service worth mentioning. Though not the most affordable on the list, it provides all the needed security and privacy features, plus a good number of IP addresses to protect your data. 

It was launched in 2009 in response to Room 641a, an infamous room in San Francisco where the NSA was spying on AT&T’s networks. VyprVPN is supported on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Router, and TV.

Security: VyprVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption by default and also provides DNS protection. VyprVPN also has a proprietary VPN protocol called Chameleon, which enable users defeat VPN blocking.

Privacy: Information such as user IP address, location, websites visited, and personal communications remain private as VyprVPN does not keep logs of users’ activities, as verified in an independent audit.

Speed: VyprVPN has an average download speed of 258 Mbps, which varies depending on the chosen server location.

Location: VyprVPN is based in Switzerland. It has over 700 servers in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Pricing: The monthly plan goes for $10/mo. However, the yearly plan (for 12 months) goes for $5/mo and $3/mo for two years.

Rating: VyperVPN has a 4.6/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.7/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

9. PrivateVPN

Image 13: PrivateVPN for Crypto Trading

PrivateVPN is worth giving a try. It has all the needed security and privacy features, plus a stable connection, which is good enough for crypto trading. It has been around since 2009, and it supports several devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, and routers.

Security: PrivateVPN uses the military-grade AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 256-bit encryption code with a 2048-bit DH key for all of its servers. It also supports several VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN, L2TP, IPsec, PPTP, and IKEv2. 

Privacy: PrivateVPN also adheres to a zero-logging policy, in addition to having a kill switch. 

Speed: PrivateVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and server switches. The download speed falls between 95Mbps and 110Mbps, depending on the server location.

 
Location: PrivateVPN is based in Sweden. It has over 200 server locations in 63 countries. 

Pricing: The monthly plan goes for $9.90/mo. However, the three-year plan (for 36 months) goes for $2/mo.

Rating: PrivateVPN has a 4.5/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.6/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

10. Norton Secure VPN

Image 14: Norton Secure VPN for Crypto Trading

Norton Secure VPN is the newest VPN service on the list. It was launched in 2019 and works pretty well enough to secure and protect users, as well as bypass geo-restrictions. However, Norton is only available on iPhone, PC, Android, and Mac. 

Security: Norton uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm and also supports different tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec. It also offers a kill switch and split tunneling for Windows and Android.

Privacy: Norton has a privacy monitor feature that scans users’ search websites to check whether their personal info has been exposed.

Speed: Norton’s download speed falls between 86.09 Mbps and 468 Mbps, depending on the server location. 

Location: Norton Secure VPN is based in the United States. It has more than 1,500 servers in 29 countries. 

Pricing: Norton only has yearly plans, which start from $39.99/yr (for $3.33/mo for the first 12 months) and can go as high as $59.99/yr (for $5.00/mo for the first 12 months). 

Rating: Norton VPN has a 4.1/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.4/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

Best Free VPNs for Crypto Trading

If you are not big on cash, don’t worry. There are some free VPN services that work well enough to keep your online activities hidden from bad actors. Below are some notable mentions and the features that are available. 

Best Free VPN for Android

In no particular order, here are some of the best VPNs for Android devices, ranked by the rating and download count on the Google Play Store.

Best Free VPN for iPhone

In no particular order, here are some of the best VPNs for iPhone devices, ranked by the rating on the Apple Play Store.

Carefully read the privacy policies of any VPN service you are considering. Look for a policy that explicitly spells out its log-keeping protocol. The best VPN service providers regularly publish transparency reports and so, be sure to follow up on any developments. VPN providers that are the most serious about transparency engage third-party auditors to help them identify and close any gaps in their code. 

Source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/best-vpns-for-crypto-trading-security-privacy/