Updated on: October 3, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for crypto trading in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : Offers top-tier security and privacy features, maintains blazing-fast speeds, excels at bypassing censorship and geo-blocks for trading while traveling, has user-friendly apps, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
When trading cryptocurrencies, it’s important to keep your identity private so that no one can track your sensitive trades or IP address. Plus, there’s also a high likelihood that your favorite crypto exchange may be blocked when traveling abroad.
Fortunately, a good VPN secures all of your private information with bank-grade encryption. It also has servers located all over the world, meaning that in theory, you could access an exchange from practically anywhere. Keep in mind that this could be against the broker’s T&C’s, though.
Not all VPNs are good choices for crypto trading. Some VPNs may not have adequate privacy and security features or may have buggy apps, slow speeds, or high prices.
Luckily, I’ve managed to find some excellent choices for crypto trading after weeks of testing dozens of VPNs. ExpressVPN is easily my favorite, as it has a large server network, includes strong privacy and security features, maintains fast speeds for instant trades, and much more. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Crypto Trading
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Crypto Trading
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for trading crypto in 2024. On top of lightning-fast speeds, user-friendly apps, and an excellent array of security features, ExpressVPN accesses international brokers and DeFi apps 100% of the time.
It’s also great at keeping your data safe, with features like RAM-only servers (your data is erased whenever they’re reset), an independently audited and confirmed no-logs policy, and perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key used for each VPN session. This means that even if one key is compromised by a hacker, all the data from past and future sessions is safe.
ExpressVPN has other useful security features for Crypto traders as well. ExpressVPN Keys is a great password manager that stores and secures your logins and passwords for the crypto platforms and DeFi apps you use. I also like its Threat Manager, which blocks your access to any malicious or fake crypto trading sites, as well as limits the amount of data ad trackers collect about you.
I really like that all of ExpressVPN’s servers have obfuscation, which is designed to bypass heavy internet censorship by making it look like you’re not using a VPN at all. In theory, this allows you to make trades on your home platform while traveling.
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. In my tests, even faraway servers barely slowed me down. I didn’t have trade-ruining lag when I used Binance or even DeFi apps like Pancake, and my trades always processed instantly.
Another way that ExpressVPN stood out to me was its ease of use. It has an intuitive user interface that’s beginner-friendly — for example, there’s a convenient Quick Connect feature that connects you to the fastest server based on your location. Installing it only took a few minutes, even on mobile, and it even gives you the option to set up an automatic connection right away.
ExpressVPN has several plan options starting at $4.99 / month. It also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, and there’s an option to purchase a plan with cryptocurrency.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my top pick for trading cryptocurrency. It has excellent privacy features, like RAM-only servers and obfuscated servers. It’s lightning-fast, easy to use, and offers a lot of value to anyone who wants to securely trade. Plus, its plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent Ad Blocker for Secure Crypto Trading
Private Internet Access (PIA) keeps you safe while trading crypto with its ad blocker PIA MACE, which blocks ads, trackers, and prevents you from accessing fake and malicious trading sites — it’s actually the best ad blocker on the market.
It also has plenty of other security features. You get a verified no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and full leak protection. It also has obfuscation via Shadowsocks, an open-source proxy, and it’s one of the best VPNs for using in restrictive countries, like Iran and Indonesia. It also has a cool Advanced Kill Switch option that prevents you from going online if you’re not connected to a VPN server, guaranteeing your crypto trades are protected 100% of the time.
PIA is one of the fastest VPNs I’ve tested. While slightly slower than ExpressVPN, I had no problem trading on brokerages like Coinbase or Binance or even using MetaMask. I also like how it displays the server ping (the distance the internet signal travels between your device and the server), so you can always choose the fastest server.
It’s also very beginner-friendly. I was able to install PIA and get it running within minutes. Its interface is intuitive, letting you quickly connect to an optimal server, manage automated connections, view your recent connections, and more without any hassle. Plus, PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so everyone in your household can trade crypto on their devices.
At $2.03 / month, Private Internet Access is one of the most cost-effective VPNs out there. All plans come backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and can be purchased with multiple cryptocurrencies.
Bottom Line:
PIA offers a fantastic ad blocker that also protects you from malicious trading sites, an audited no-logs policy, obfuscated servers, and more. It consistently maintains blazing speeds and is very user-friendly. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Beginner-friendly VPN for Trading
CyberGhost VPN includes easy-to-use apps for all of the popular operating systems. I like how you have multiple automation settings to help you get started trading right away. For example, you can easily configure which server you connect to at launch and set up specific apps (like your favorite crypto trading app) to open after launching CyberGhost and connecting to a server.
The servers are also very fast. I tested out trading on various platforms like Coinbase, Binance, KuCoin, and more, and I never experienced noticeable lag that got in the way of precision trades. The VPN also displays the distance to each server, allowing you to pick the closest server for the fastest speeds.
CyberGhost also stands out for having strong security features. One of the unique ones is NoSpy servers, which are housed at CyberGhost’s headquarters in Romania and only select staff members can access. In addition, it has RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, a data breach monitoring tool that alerts you to any exposed information like passwords and emails, and an ad, tracker, and malware blocker — honestly, PIA MACE worked better at stopping pop-ups.
However, CyberGhost VPN has one major drawback: the absence of obfuscated servers, a feature present in competitors like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. This means it doesn’t work in restrictive countries, as you won’t be able to mask your VPN use.
CyberGhost VPN has several plans, with prices starting at only $2.03 / month. The long-term plans come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, while the monthly plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee. Plus, you can purchase with crypto.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN’s automation rules make it easy to stay connected at all times. It’s also fast and secure but doesn’t work in countries that censor the internet. The longer plans are covered by a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Great Security Features + Fast Speeds on all Servers
NordVPN offers a lot of security features that make trading crypto safe and easy. It includes RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, full leak protection, and a really good ad blocker — it works while you’re not using the VPN.
I’m a big fan of its dark web monitoring. If any information associated with your NordVPN account comes up on the dark web, you’ll be alerted immediately and able to take further action to protect your credentials. If you use the same email address for your NordVPN account as you do for other crypto apps, you’ll know if they’ve been exposed.
NordVPN has fast speeds on all of its servers. NordVPN consistently performed well in my tests and never got in the way of trying (and failing) to make lucrative time-sensitive trades. That being said, ExpressVPN was a bit faster.
Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, you’ll have no problem with NordVPN. I never had an issue finding a server (there’s even a cool map you can use), there’s a fastest server option, it comes with easily manageable settings, and you get a very intuitive user interface.
NordVPN offers several plans that start at $2.99 / month. All of NordVPN’s plans come backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee and are purchasable with multiple cryptocurrencies.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN offers advanced security features that make trading crypto secure. The obfuscated servers shield your traffic from your ISP, its ad and tracker blocker also prevents you from visiting malicious websites, and it has great dark web monitoring. Though it isn’t the best for restrictive countries, it’s a very fast VPN. NordVPN’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Affordable VPN for Crypto Trading
Surfshark is a good option for users who are on a tight budget while crypto trading. All of Surfshark’s plans offer a lot of value, and you get unlimited connections (like with Private Internet Access).
Surfshark is very secure for trading, too. It comes with RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, a very good ad blocker, and an IP rotator tool, which constantly changes your IP address without disconnecting you from the server — this prevents other traders from figuring out your location. One drawback is that Surfshark lacks WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection, but thankfully, I never experienced any leaks during my tests.
Surfshark is also pretty fast. It worked well for instant trading, and I never had any delays accessing traffic-heavy trading platforms on local servers. However, I experienced noticeable slowdowns connected to distant servers — ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access provided me with very fast speeds on nearby and distant servers.
Surfshark’s apps are user-friendly across all platforms. It takes a few minutes to install and connect to a server in one click (or tap). They’re all simple to use and come with a Quick Connect setting.
Surfshark costs as low as $1.99 / month, and all plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also accepts cryptocurrency as a payment option.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark is an affordable VPN that doesn’t skimp on security. It includes great security features, has fast speeds on local servers (but slowdowns on distant ones), and an intuitive user interface. Surfshark’s plans come backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
How to Choose the Best VPN for Crypto Trading in 2024
- Look for a VPN that’s compatible with crypto platforms.You’ll want a VPN that lets you access every international brokerage you need. ExpressVPN, for example, works with Coinbase, Binance, KuCoin, and even DeFi apps like Pancake.
- Make sure your VPN has strong security features. I only recommend VPNs that include 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch to cut your internet if the VPN connection drops, and strong leak protection.
- Use a VPN with fast speeds. Every VPN will slow down your connection speed a little bit due to the encryption process, but the best VPNs will have a minimal impact. All the VPNs on my list have great speeds.
- Consider usability and user-friendliness. Pick a VPN that has an intuitive user interface and makes it easy to connect to servers and use all of its features.
- Find a VPN that offers a lot of value. Choose a VPN that allows multiple connections, useful extra features, offers affordable prices, allows payments through cryptocurrency, and has a money-back guarantee.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear is easy and fun to use and has really good security, but its server network is on the smaller side. Plus, there’s no money-back guarantee.
- IPVanish. IPVanish is secure and has an intuitive interface, but it’s not as fast as the other VPNs on my list, it doesn’t have RAM-only servers, and you can’t purchase it with crypto.
- VyprVPN. VyprVPN has pretty fast speeds and great security features. However, you can’t pay with cryptocurrency, it lacks RAM-only servers, and it doesn’t include an ad or malware blocker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a VPN for trading crypto?
A good VPN encrypts all of your crypto trading traffic and changes your IP address. Top VPNs like ExpressVPN wrap your data in a layer of protective and scrambled coding, preventing anyone from seeing the websites or apps that you use when you’re making a transaction.
Many countries also have certain international trading brokerages blocked — for example, in the US, you can’t use Binance, only Binance US, which has completely different crypto offerings. If you live in a country where Binance is available but travel to the US, a VPN will help you access your Binance account and make any crypto trade.
Are there drawbacks to trading crypto without a VPN?
Yes. If you’re in a restrictive country without a VPN, you may not be able to access most cryptocurrencies on the market. A lot of cryptocurrencies only exist on DeFi platforms or on international brokerages that you’ll need to use a VPN to access.
The DeFi platforms that host niche cryptocurrencies are also home to all sorts of colorful characters, like tech scammers, investment scammers, and phishing scammers. To avoid being a target, you’ll need a VPN to encrypt your data, block trackers, and hide your IP address.
Will using a VPN make trading crypto completely safe?
No, a VPN won’t keep you 100% safe — I strongly recommend following all of the best practices while trading crypto. However, using a good VPN secures your data with bank-grade encryption, ensuring no one can monitor your traffic or trades. Plus, when you connect to a VPN server, it assigns you an IP address that matches the server location, hiding your true location.
However, cryptocurrency can be something of a hive of scammers and villains. You need to be on the lookout for scam coins, pyramid schemes, fast-talking salesmen pitching pump and dumps, and threat actors tricking people into helping them steal their wallet. It’s imperative that you still use common sense, along with connecting to a VPN server.
Can I use crypto to buy my VPN?
Yes, as the best VPNs usually let you purchase plans via crypto. ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access provide an option to purchase your subscription through Bitcoin, meaning that you can stay anonymous.
