The Best VPNs for Crypto Trading 2024

Cryptocurrency trading can be both lucrative and risky, so it's important to give yourself a secure edge with the right VPN. Whether you're interested in buying and selling crypto or just monitoring markets for potential investments, a reliable VPN encryption is essential to protect your privacy and keep your data safe from cybercriminals.

Ultimately, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two of the top-rated virtual private networks for crypto trading.

NordVPN is an excellent choice for crypto enthusiasts looking for maximum security without sacrificing speed or usability. It features a wide range of advanced features like double encryption, DNS leak protection, dedicated IP addresses, and military-grade encryption protocols.

ExpressVPN is another great option for those interested in crypto trading. It offers some of the highest levels of encryption available, plus numerous additional security measures such as perfect forward secrecy and split tunneling.

Let’s dig into the features of these two crypto VPNs plus a third highly-rated option, Surfshark, to figure out which one is best for you.

The best VPNs for crypto trading 2024

Today there are a lot of VPNs available, making it hard to choose the one that best suits your needs. To help you out, here are our choices for the best VPN services for crypto trading.

• NordVPN: Best overall option for crypto trading
• ExpressVPN: Best for security
• Surfshark: Best budget VPN

Top 3 VPN services for cryptocurrency compared

VPN	Best Overall
Starting price	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)
WebRTC leak test	Pass	Pass	Pass
DNS leak test	Pass	Pass	Pass
Headquarters	Panama	British Virgin Islands	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Accepts crypto payments	Yes — Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP	Yes — Bitcoin. Ethereum, XRP, USDC, BUSD, PAX, GUSD	Yes — Bitcoin, Ethereum, TRX, XRP, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Monero, BEAM, USDT
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read Our NordVPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read Our ExpressVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Our Surfshark Review

NordVPN: Best overall option for crypto trading

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is an ideal choice for those looking to perform crypto trading as securely as possible. The VPN’s fast speeds, extensive server network across more than 60 countries, and strict no-logs policy make it exceptional for traders.

NordVPN also offers several features specifically designed with crypto traders in mind, such as the NAT firewall protection on its servers that prevents hackers from accessing your device and the double encryption feature, which encrypts your data twice for extra security.

NordVPN also allows multiple payment methods, including the option to pay with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum if you want added anonymity. Lastly, NordVPN is quite reasonably priced compared to similar services, so cost shouldn’t be a concern for most crypto traders.

What we liked

We chose NordVPN as the best crypto VPN overall thanks to its excellent performance and speed, intuitive apps for most devices, solid and independently audited security features, ability to unblock many popular streaming websites, great 24/7 customer support, and affordable price.

The VPN service provides multiple layers of protection against cyber threats, using strong encryption protocols such as OpenVPN. All incoming traffic is encrypted with AES-256-GCM, which makes it impossible for anyone monitoring your activities online to decipher your data.

Additionally, NordVPN doesn’t keep any logs of user activity or connection information, which leaves no room for tracking or tracing what you do online. The kill switch feature further adds extra security by automatically disconnecting you from the internet if your VPN connection drops.

We also like that it offers split tunneling, which means your connection is encrypted when you access your crypto wallet. Still, you can choose to leave the VPN off while gaming or doing other activities that may require faster internet speeds.

NordVPN offers excellent customer support, with 24/7 live chat and knowledgeable staff that can help you troubleshoot any issue quickly and efficiently. The service is very affordable, and NordVPN offers several different levels of protection plans with various duration options, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

What we didn’t like

Regarding crypto trading, NordVPN has a few downsides that should be noted. First and foremost, the lack of a free plan means you’ll have to pay for a subscription to use its features.

While NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, this isn’t enough time for most traders who need longer periods to test strategies and strategies without risking their capital.

Additionally, OpenVPN configuration may require additional technical know-how, which can be an issue when setting up the VPN connection. For example, you may need to use command line prompts to open and run OpenVPN on Windows. Its connection speeds can also be a bit slow and inconsistent on some servers, making trading difficult in high-volatility markets.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
WebRTC leak test	Pass
DNS leak test	Pass
Headquarters	Panama
No-logs policy	No logs
Accepts crypto payments	Yes — Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP
Security features	Split tunneling, kill switch, Meshnet, dedicated IP, dark web monitor, double VPN
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read Our NordVPN Review

ExpressVPN: Best for security

Who it’s best for

ExpressVPN is the perfect choice for a secure and reliable VPN that won't slow your internet speeds while researching and completing crypto transactions. While it remains tight-lipped about the number of servers, ExpressVPN offers connections in 8. This provides easy access to global markets to make profitable investments wherever you are.

It also has strong encryption protocols to keep your data safe when trading online and offers a split tunneling feature that allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection and which ones don’t. Plus, with its strict no-logs policy, ExpressVPN ensures that none of your activity is ever tracked or stored.

What we liked

With its in-house Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN users can enjoy faster speeds with the same level of encryption as other protocols. All data is encrypted with AES-256, ensuring that none of your sensitive information can be intercepted or stolen.

ExpressVPN also goes above and beyond when it comes to safety and privacy. It has a strict no-logs policy and regularly conducts independent third-party audits on its systems. KPMG completed the most recent no-logs policy audit in September 2022.

Additionally, ExpressVPN offers many features specifically catered to those who engage in crypto trading. The Threat Manager feature allows you to detect malicious addresses and prevent phishing attacks, while the MediaStreamer feature allows you to access geo-restricted content. ExpressVPN also offers 24/7 live chat support for all, meaning you can always get help troubleshooting or understanding a particular feature if needed.

What we didn’t like

ExpressVPN is expensive. Other VPN services like NordVPN, CyberGhost, or Surfshark offer two-year plans at lower prices than ExpressVPN offers for one year. Though this could be overlooked, given the quality and reliability of the service offered by ExpressVPN, it could be a significant disadvantage if you’re on a budget.

Finally, in terms of design, ExpressVPN’s interface is quite plain, and we found some features that were located in odd spots or were more than two clicks away.

While some may appreciate a plain interface, it doesn't do justice to the level of service the VPN provides. By comparison, NordVPN offers a much more sophisticated interface that can create a more pleasing user experience.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Number of servers	Unlisted in {% offer id="11" field="num_countries" %
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
WebRTC leak test	Pass
DNS leak test	Pass
Headquarters	British Virgin Islands
No-logs policy	No logs
Accepts crypto payments	Yes — Bitcoin. Ethereum, XRP, USDC, BUSD, PAX, GUSD
Security features	Split tunneling, kill switch, private DNS, Threat Manager, MediaStreamer technology
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read Our ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark: Best budget VPN

Who it’s best for

Surfshark is a great choice for anyone on a budget who’s looking to stay secure and anonymous while trading cryptocurrencies. With Surfshark’s military-grade encryption, any data you send or receive online remains safe from prying eyes — even your internet service provider (ISP) won't know what you're up to.

Surfshark also uses top-of-the-line protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2) to ensure a fast connection with no lag in speed or reliability.

Plus, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections so that you can always keep every device on your network protected. And thanks to its low price point and a 30-day money-back guarantee, anyone looking to secure their crypto trading activities should definitely consider trying out Surfshark.

What we liked

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections to use the same account across all your devices. This makes it especially useful if you need to access exchanges or accounts from multiple locations and devices at once, something that's essential for day traders who want to stay ahead of the market.

Surfshark is cheaper than other top-tier VPNs, such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, making it a much more cost-effective option for those on a budget. Despite its lower price tag, Surfshark still has great features, such as its strict no-logs policy, which ensures your data and activity remain completely anonymous.

Surfshark also offers extra features such as static IP addresses and rotating IPs, which can be useful for those wanting additional privacy when trading on exchanges. Its CleanWeb feature acts as an ad blocker and also helps protect you from malware and trackers. With these features combined, we believe Surfshark is a great solution for crypto traders looking to stay secure and anonymous while conducting their transactions.

What we didn’t like

Surfshark is a good VPN for crypto trading, but there are some features and issues that make it less than ideal. Firstly, their main server location is in the Netherlands, which may not be ideal for those looking to use a VPN while trading cryptocurrency due to privacy concerns. Additionally, Surfshark doesn’t offer port forwarding, an important feature if you need to access your resources remotely.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Surfshark’s kill switch isn’t enabled by default. Any sudden interruption in your VPN connection could expose your data until you manually re-enable it.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in {% offer id="4" field="num_countries" %
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
WebRTC leak test	Pass
DNS leak test	Pass
Headquarters	Amsterdam, Netherlands
No-logs policy	No logs
Accepts crypto payments	Yes — Bitcoin, Ethereum, TRX, XRP, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Monero, BEAM, USDT
Security features	Split tunneling, kill switch, CleanWeb, private DNS, camouflage mode
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Our Surfshark Review

Honorable mentions

In addition to the top three VPNs discussed above, other options, such as IPVanish and Private Internet Access (PIA), are worth considering. 

IPVanish

IPVanish offers a large network of servers but, unfortunately, lacks servers optimized specifically for various situations.

The issue with IPVanish’s lack of optimized servers is that latency can be higher than desired when accessing global exchanges, which is incredibly important when trading cryptocurrency. Latency affects how quickly orders are executed on an exchange—if orders take too long to go through, profits may be lost, or costs may be incurred.

IPVanish also has numerous privacy issues, with reports of user data being shared with third parties without consent or notification. This means that users are potentially exposed to malicious actors, and their details could be vulnerable if the provider is ever breached.

Read Our IPVanish Review

Private Internet Access (PIA)

First of all, PIA has had a dubious business perspective in recent years. In 2019, Kape Technologies acquired it, which has recently bought several web-based companies, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. Kape has close links to various advertising and data mining companies, stirring up questions about the VPN's commitment to user privacy.

Additionally, while PIA can have quite fast connection speeds, it could be quicker. Some users experience frequent buffering when streaming content or playing online games. This can be a big disadvantage for those trading cryptocurrencies who need reliable and speedy connections to monitor their trades quickly and accurately.

Read Our PIA Review

Best VPNs for crypto trading FAQs

Should I use a VPN for crypto trading?

Yes, you should use a secure VPN for crypto trading. An unencrypted connection means that your financial activity can be easily accessed by prying eyes and hackers. By using a VPN, you can help protect your privacy and secure your financial information, whether you’re accessing your crypto wallet or using cryptocurrency exchanges.

Here are some tips to improve your online security:

• Always double-check the URL of the exchange website before submitting any sensitive information.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever available. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter an additional code or password after logging into your account.
• Consider using a hardware wallet for your crypto funds. This device stores cryptocurrency offline and isn’t connected to the internet.

Bottom line: The best VPNs for crypto

After carefully analyzing the features and amenities each VPN offers, NordVPN stands out. With its military-grade security protocols and fast servers, NordVPN guarantees a high level of protection while enabling reliable connection speeds when trading cryptocurrencies.

ExpressVPN offers a complete suite of advanced security features and fast speeds, making it an optimal choice for those who value their data privacy. And for crypto traders looking to save money without sacrificing performance, Surfshark is the ideal budget VPN option. Both services boast fast speeds, reliability, and top-notch security when trading cryptocurrencies online.

Honorable mentions go out to IPVanish and PIA, which offer solid performance at competitive prices. However, they lack certain features that NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark have to offer. Ultimately, the right option for you depends on your preferences and budget — but with any of these five VPNs in tow, you can surely trade crypto with confidence.