If you made a Venn diagram of people who use Bitcoin and people who use VPNs, more than a few of those people would land in the overlapping center. We share an interest in technology and a preference for online privacy. So, it makes sense that many of the best VPN providers accept Bitcoin as payment to appeal to privacy-conscious users.
While not completely anonymous, paying with Bitcoin allows you to buy a VPN subscription outside the scope of banks and other financial institutions. The price of a subscription is pegged to the same dollar amount that you would spend otherwise and thus adjusts according to the current price of Bitcoin. In countries where Bitcoin is banned and exchanges are censored or monitored, a VPN can help bypass these obstacles and allow you to trade cryptocurrencies freely.
If you tread carefully, you can sign up and pay for a VPN without leaving any trace of who you are. We’ll discuss that further later and provide detailed reviews of the best VPNs for the job. In case you’re short on time, though, we’ll start with a quick summary.
The best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payments:
- NordVPN: The best VPN for Bitcoin payments. Veteran provider that does not skimp on privacy and digital security. Keep no logs of browsing activities. Vast server network. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly. - Surfshark: Fast and secure, with a no-logs policy and no connection limits. This low-cost service allows users to pay in Bitcoin and ensures you’re protected at all times.
- ExpressVPN: Solid commitment to protecting the privacy and security of its users. Allows Bitcoin payments and doesn’t require an email address. Super-fast servers in over 100 countries. Also works in China and throughout the Middle East.
- CyberGhost: Good beginner’s option. Extensive server network of over 10,000 in 100+ countries. Fast server speeds, strong privacy features, and the ability to retain anonymity.
- PrivateVPN: Direct Bitcoin payments accepted (no third-party middleman). Scores top marks at unblocking geo-restricted content.
- PureVPN: A fast VPN that offers excellent value for money. Strong on privacy, accepts Bitcoin, and works with many streaming services.
- Private Internet Access: Solid security and privacy offering. Accepts crypto payments and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
- ProtonVPN: Highly advanced VPN that accepts Bitcoin. Solid no-logs policy. Apps for all popular platforms. Works with Netflix US. Ideal for secure torrenting.
VPNs often claim to keep you safe and private online but many VPNs (especially free ones) leak information.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs for security and this list only includes VPNs which keep you anonymous and don't track your activity. Plus we only recommend VPNs which offer a full-money back guarantee allowing you to try them risk free.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use our top VPN for Bitcoin users with no restrictions for a month—great if you want to see what all the fuss is about before committing to a longer subscription.
There are no hidden terms or conditions—simply tell support staff within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you to claim a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How we selected the best VPNs for Bitcoin payments
There are a huge number of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service and can’t all guarantee your anonymity. In order to find the best VPNs for you, we looked for providers that met the following criteria:
- Accepts Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrency payment
- No logs of online activity or IP address
- Strong encryption and leak protection
- Shared, dynamic IP addresses
- Fast and reliable speeds
This is just an overview, but you can read more about how we test and rank VPNs in our methodology section below. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the list.
Best VPNs for Bitcoin: at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our pick for best VPN for Bitcoin payments.
| No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | PrivateVPN | PureVPN | Private Internet Access | Proton VPN |
| Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateVPN.com | PureVPN.com | PrivateInternetAccess.com | ProtonVPN.com | Ranking for Bitcoin: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Streaming Services | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer | Netflix Hulu | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | Activity logs | No identifying data | No identifying data | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Chromebook, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook | Total number of servers | 6,000+ | 3,200 | Undisclosed | 11,000+ | 200+ | 6,500+ | Undisclosed | 3,800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $2.99 74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months | $1.99 87% OFF + 4 months free | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free | $1.99 85% off the 5-yr standard plan | $2.19 SAVE 82% on the 2 yr plan + 2 months free | $4.49 SAVE 55% on a 2-year plan |
The best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payments
At Comparitech, we are committed to bringing you the best possible VPN advice. To do this, our team personally uses every provider and subjects them to vigorous real-world testing before we ever recommend them to you. The following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences.
Here’s our list of the best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payment:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for Bitcoin payments. It accepts Bitcoin via BitPay for all of its plans, and those who use it still get the 30-day money-back guarantee. The only other information necessary to sign up is an email address. NordVPN adheres to a strict zero-log policy. DNS and IPv6 leak protection come built in, as do two kill switches: one that allows you to block internet traffic across the entire device when the VPN connection drops and one in which you can specify which programs get cut off. On top of normal OpenVPN and IKEv2 servers, specialized servers include Tor over VPN, double VPN encryption, and anti-DDoS. 256-bit AES encryption is paired with perfect forward secrecy for an uncrackable tunnel.
More than 6,200 servers are located in 100+ countries across the globe. NordVPN is a capable unblocker of geo-locked streaming channels. It works with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. You can connect up to 10 devices at one time, making it a great option for a small household or office. US customers can also pay with cash at certain vendors.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
NordVPN speed test data
| No value | NordVPN |
| Website | NordVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 354 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 262 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 284 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $2.99 74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months |
Pros:
- Accepts Bitcoin via Bitpay for all their plans
- Zero-logs policy
- Extremely fast speeds
- Operates a large network of over 6,200 servers in 100+ countries
- Round-the-clock chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Desktop apps can take a bit of getting used to
Our score:
BEST VPN THAT ACCEPTS BITCOIN:NordVPN is our top choice for users wanting to buy VPN with Bitcoin. Offers a robust network of servers. Strong security and privacy features. Allows up to 10 devices. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review here or check out the video review below.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a high-quality, low-cost provider that allows users to sign up anonymously using a throwaway email address and Bitcoin. It keeps your traffic safe from snoopers using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. There’s also split tunneling functionality and a NoBorders mode that helps bypass especially stringent web filtering in places like China.
This service offers access to over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries worldwide. It works with a huge range of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, and as such, is an excellent choice for anyone who streams frequently. With no connection limit, users can secure every device they own simultaneously.
Surfshark offers MacOS, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux apps. It can even be manually installed on supported network routers.
Surfshark speed test data
| No value | Surfshark |
| Website | Surfshark.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 521 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 702 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 561 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $1.99 87% OFF + 4 months free |
Pros:
- Pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple
- Excellent record on security and privacy
- Connect as many devices as you like
- No-logs policy
- Provides decent speeds
Cons:
- Occasional slow speeds
Our score:
BUDGET-FRIENDLY VPN:Surfshark is an affordable service with a lot to offer Bitcoin users. It’s the best VPN for Bitcoin payments on a budget. Strong unblocking abilities and powerful security features make it an obvious choice for streaming and gaming while abroad. Still not convinced? Why not take advantage of Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee?
Read our full review of Surfshark here or check out the video review below.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin via BitPay for all of its plans. The 30-day money-back guarantee still applies to those who pay with Bitcoin. To sign up, the only other necessary information is an email address. ExpressVPN does not log your internet activity or your email address but does store some non-identifying diagnostic info like dates (not times) when you used the VPN, total amount of data transferred per day, and choice of VPN server. The apps use best-in-class security, including 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and comprehensive leak protection.
ExpressVPN operates more than 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. It’s one of the most reliable VPNs when it comes to securely accessing platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO. A kill switch is built into the desktop apps.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and certain wifi routers.
ExpressVPN speed test data
| No value | ExpressVPN |
| Website | ExpressVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 319 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 303 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 278 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans |
Pros:
- Accepts Bitcoin via BitPay for all plans
- 30-day money-back guarantee still applies to Bitcoin-paid signups
- Superfast server network is great for streaming and downloading
- Industry-leading security features
- 24/7 live chat customer support
Cons:
- Not the cheapest provider here
- Could provide more control over advanced features
Our score:
FAST AND VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is a speedy, secure service. It has a vast server network that is optimized for high-speed connections. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Hard to beat on privacy and security. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee too.
Read our full ExpressVPN review here, or check out our video review below.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost accepts Bitcoin payments via BitPay on all of its plans, and you still get the 45-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost uses 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy to create a super-secure tunnel to the VPN server. The company boasts a clear no-logs privacy policy. You can also avail of extra security features like anti-malware and anti-tracking. DNS and IPv6 leak protection is built-in. Some servers are equipped with double encryption for added security.
CyberGhost allows you to connect up to seven devices at the same time. Over 10,000 servers are available to choose from in 100+ countries. You can select a server based on how you plan to use the VPN, such as streaming or anonymous browsing. CyberGhost can help you securely stream several streaming channels like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Pros:
- Accepts Bitcoin via BitPay, and a 45-day money-back guarantee still applies
- Keeps no user activity logs and provides strong encryption to bypass activity detection
- Good value provider with fast servers that are great for streaming and downloading
- Apps are easy to use and great for new users
- Vast network of over 10,000 servers
Cons:
- Doesn’t work in China
- May not offer enough control for experienced users
Our score:
GREAT FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is easy to use and set up. Great security and privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks popular streaming platforms. Ideal for beginners looking to buy VPN with crypto. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is an up-and-coming provider that’s poised to take on the legacy competition. If you don’t want to go through BitPay, which handles the Bitcoin transactions for the other VPNs on this list, PrivateVPN allows you to send Bitcoin directly to the company with no middleman. The website explains:
“When you’ve payed the correct amount, you will receive a Transaction ID from your Bitcoin account provider, and in order for us to complete your payment, we have to match your Transaction ID towards your Order ID.”
You’ll get 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and a no-logs policy. DNS and IPv6 leak protection comes standard, and you can simultaneously connect up to 10 devices. PrivateVPN is one of the best streaming VPNs in the business despite its smaller server network. You can securely access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video from abroad.
Pros:
- Can pay with Bitcoin via BitPay or directly using details on the site
- Provides a secure, encrypted connection
- Keeps no logs whatsoever
- Works with a wide range of Netflix country catalogs
Cons:
- Support staff are well trained, but they only operate during European business hours
- New network with a smaller number of servers to choose from
Our score:
GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Good for general-purpose use and HD Streaming. Great security and privacy. Allows up to 10 devices to connect at once. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
6. PureVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN starts at just $1.96, making it one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. Despite being low cost, the VPN performs superbly in terms of privacy and security. It has a rock-solid no-logging policy that has been independently audited, and it provides a choice of protocols with robust AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption.
The VPN is exceptionally fast, thanks to its WireGuard implementation. This, along with the fact that it works with an impressive number of international streaming services, makes it a VPN that many home users are going to gravitate towards.
The server network extends to 65 different countries, which makes it a good option for accessing regional content or bypassing censorship. It has apps for all popular platforms, and each subscriber can install the VPN on up to 10 devices consecutively.
Live chat support is available on its website, but the wait times can be quite long. Other than that, the VPN is a fantastic all-rounder, and you can pay with Bitcoin via Coingate. Plus, you can try the VPN thanks to its 31-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- No logs policy
- Servers in 65+ countries
- 10 devices per account
Cons:
- Live chat support is a bit slow
- Some features require an additional fee
Our score:
FAST & CHEAP:PureVPN is a service that ticks most home users's boxes. It has fast servers, works to watch Netflix, and has strong encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. IP addresses in 69+ countries. 31-day money-back guarantee to test the service.
Read our full review of PureVPN.
7. Private Internet Access
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a strong contender if you’re looking for a VPN that checks almost every box. With a whopping 30,000+ servers spread across 90+ countries, you’re never far from a fast, secure connection. But the features don’t stop there. PIA offers unlimited device connections to secure your entire digital life without breaking a sweat.
Security-wise, PIA is a fortress. In addition to letting you retain your anonymity by paying with a variety of cryptocurrencies, it has built-in ad blocking, a kill switch to serve your connection if the VPN drops, and DNS leak protection to keep your browsing habits under wraps. They also have a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your data stays yours. And let’s not forget the military-grade encryption that keeps prying eyes at bay.
Speeds and streaming abilities are excellent. PIA works with Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus effortlessly, so your binge-watching sessions are sorted. Need help? Their live chat support is available 24/7.
Pros:
- Has no connection limit
- Built-in blocker takes care of ads and trackers
- Offers options for crypto payments
Cons:
- App design is somewhat lacking
- Many servers are virtual
Our score:
WIREGUARD ON:Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous devices, servers in 90+ countries and solid security credentials. Allows Bitcoin payments. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review.
8. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ProtonVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN is a reliable and advanced VPN that was developed by the team behind ProtonMail. The VPN is based in Switzerland, a country that has strong data privacy laws, and the VPN is dedicated to user privacy with a solid no-logging policy. For added security, it has self-maintained, secure core servers. And it is worth noting that the entire service has been subjected to a third-party security audit,
The VPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and Linux, and they are some of the most advanced VPN apps we have ever used. You can make use of AES encryption, a choice of protocols, obfuscation, a system-level kill switch, multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and port forwarding. The latter makes it a superb option for torrenting.
Servers are available in 85+ countries, and you can get an IP address in any of those locations. While testing, we were able to access many popular streaming services, including five different Netflix regions, British TV services, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and many other popular services.
The biggest drawbacks are the relatively high cost of this subscription and the fact that it may be a bit tricky for beginners to use. However, if you want an advanced VPN with many features and super fast speeds, this VPN is well worth testing using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Best of all, you can pay with Bitcoin using a burner email if you want to.
Pros:
- Access to IPs in 85+ countries
- Works with Netflix and most other streaming services
- Port forwarding feature is perfect for seeding torrents
Cons:
- A touch expensive
- Advanced features may confuse beginners
Our score:
SECURE AND PRIVATE:ProtonVPN is one of the best VPNs for Bitcoin payments. Highly advanced service based in Switzerland and has a solid no-logs policy. Apps are available for all popular platforms and include AES encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Works to get an IP address worldwide. Works with Netflix US. Ideal for secure torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.
VPN testing methodology
Comparitech strives to publish the most accurate, useful, and comprehensive VPN reviews and recommendations on the web. To do that, our reviewers evaluate every VPN we recommend based on a combination of real-world experience, expert analysis, and a series of performance and security tests. When it comes to Bitcoin VPNs, we specifically look at:
- Security: We assess each VPN’s encryption scheme and test connections for various types of data leaks.
- Logging policy: We sift through each VPN’s privacy policy and terms of service for any language or lack thereof that could indicate the collection of personally identifiable data while using the VPN.
- Speed: We measure and record download speeds while connected to VPN servers located around the world.
- Payment: For this article, we focused on VPNs that accept Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrencies as payment. All VPN providers we have covered also accept debit and credit cards as forms of payment.
- Customer support: Our reviewers contact each VPN’s customer support staff as secret shoppers to gauge response times and quality.
- Streaming: We use real-world tests to find out which VPNs can access popular streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video.
To get a better idea of how we rate and review VPNs, check out our full VPN testing methodology.
How to buy a VPN with cryptocurrency – Bitcoin
We’ll assume you already have a Bitcoin wallet with funds in it. Follow the steps below to purchase your chosen VPN with cryptocurrency.
Here’s how to buy a VPN with Bitcoin:
- Go to your chosen VPN provider’s website (we particularly recommend Nord VPN) and begin the signup process. When you get to the crypto payment section, find the Bitcoin or cryptocurrency option.
- Each VPN provider likely uses a third-party payment system, such as BitPay or CoinGate, to handle Bitcoin transactions. You can either sign up or continue as a guest. For this example, we’ll choose the latter.
- Enter any necessary contact details, such as your email address, and continue. This will vary depending on the payment system used by your VPN provider.
- Next, you’ll be presented with a payment URL and QR code. You can either use the Bitcoin wallet app on your phone to scan the QR code or copy and paste the URL.
- In your crypto wallet app, confirm the transaction details and send the Bitcoin. You might need to wait for your transaction to be verified on the blockchain. The time varies depending on your transaction fees and how many times the transaction needs to be validated in subsequent blocks.
- Once the payment has been made, continue with signup as usual.
Bear in mind that if you’re buying a VPN with Bitcoin to stay anonymous, you’ll need to take additional precautions. These include signing up with a burner email and hiding your IP address and other identifiers from the VPN’s website – more on that below.
Transaction fees when buying a VPN with Bitcoin
Bitcoin transaction fees are as volatile as the price of Bitcoin itself, so by the time you read this, the cost will likely have changed. That being said, as of the time of writing, the average fee was about $2.5, which is the lowest it’s been in a long time. Fees have reached more than $60 on average in the past.
Using a money-back guarantee if you pay with Bitcoin
This depends on each provider’s policy. Due to the volatility involved in the price of cryptocurrencies, some VPNs do not provide a money-back guarantee for users who pay with Bitcoin or other altcoins.
For this reason, we generally recommend that you contact your provider to check that the money-back guarantee will still apply if you pay using Bitcoin. All our recommendations offer live chat support on their website, which means you can easily ask whether the money-back guarantee will protect you.
The good news is that our top recommendation, NordVPN, always honors its money-back guarantee, even if you pay via Bitcoin. This means you can pay anonymously if you want to and still request a refund if you aren’t satisfied.
However, bear in mind that the VPN will return the value of the VPN subscription at whatever the crypto exchange rate is at the time of the refund. This could mean that the exact amount of Bitcoin you get back is more or less than what you paid initially.
How to anonymously buy a VPN subscription
A common misconception is that Bitcoin is anonymous. In fact, the sender, receiver, and amount of every transaction are recorded in the blockchain, a digital public ledger of all cryptocurrency transactions on the Bitcoin network. Whether you use a VPN or not, the blockchain will record your wallet address, the wallet address of the recipient or sender, and how much bitcoin was transferred. That means your purchase of a VPN with Bitcoin can still be traced back to you.
However, only the wallet addresses of each transaction are recorded, and wallets aren’t necessarily tied to their owner’s real identity. This pseudo-anonymity will be sufficient for many, but if you really want to anonymously spend Bitcoin on, say, a VPN subscription, be prepared for a few more steps and fees.
If you want to spend your Bitcoin anonymously, check out our guide on how to mix Bitcoin. We explain how to use Tor Browser to hide your IP address, create burner email accounts on Mailinator, and ultimately tumble Bitcoin to hide its origin.
How to unblock Bitcoin sites and apps
If Bitcoin-related websites and apps, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, are blocked in your country, you can use a VPN to gain access. A VPN encrypts all of a device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of your choosing. That means you can access blocked sites and apps by connecting to a server in a country where Bitcoin is legal.
Here’s how to unblock Bitcoin sites with a VPN:
- Sign up for one of the recommended VPNs above, we particularly recommend NordVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app
- Run the VPN app and select a server located in a country where Bitcoin is legal and open
- Access the website or app as you normally would
It’s that easy! You can even gain access to exchanges and other Bitcoin-related services that are region-locked to specific countries, although exchanges in other countries will likely require local forms of payment.
Where to get a burner email address
Most VPNs at least require an email address to sign up. You can use your own email address if you’re not too concerned about leaving a trace, but Bitcoin users might want to use a burner email to make the entire transaction as anonymous as possible.
A couple of our favorite free burner email services are Mailinator and Guerrilla Mail. To use them anonymously, access their websites with a VPN or Tor Browser. The VPN website should also be accessed using Tor Browser or a VPN. This prevents websites from logging your IP address, which can be traced back to you (note that the VPN services we recommend don’t record IP addresses, but their websites likely do).
Mailinator allows you to receive email at any address you can think of that ends in “@mailinator.com”. Just make something up, e.g., paulbischoff@mailinator.com, when you sign up. There’s no need to set anything up ahead of time; just go to Mailinator and check the email address you just invented. Note that anyone can check the same email, as all emails are part of the public domain—but no registration or authentication is necessary, so as long as you’re on the Tor Network, nothing can be traced back to you. You can’t reply using Mailinator, but you probably only need the email for account verification and app activation, anyway. Also, emails are deleted every eight hours or so, so make sure to copy any important information ahead of time. Although emails get deleted, the email addresses do not, so you can continue to receive mail at the same address as long as you check within eight hours of receiving it.
Guerrilla Mail offers disposable temporary email addresses. A new email address is generated as soon as you go to the website (again, use Tor Browser). You can send and receive emails, reply, and open attachments. No registration is necessary. Like Mailinator, anyone can check your inbox without a password, but emails are not part of the public domain. Email addresses last indefinitely, but the emails themselves only last for one hour before being deleted. Guerrilla Mail is open source and accepts Ethereum donations.
Buying VPNs with Bitcoin: FAQs
Why use Bitcoin to buy a VPN?
VPNs are primarily designed to enhance your privacy, and some people worry that using a traditional payment method, such as a credit card, will leave their real name and bank details somewhere in the VPN’s system.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can help by obscuring your identity a little, though it’s not impossible to tell who owns a specific wallet by any means. To really sign up anonymously, the best option is to find a VPN that accepts gift cards and buy one of these in person with cash.
Why doesn't every VPN accept cryptocurrency?
One of the biggest problems with crypto is that it’s extremely volatile. For instance, Bitcoin has previously lost half of its value in a matter of months. This makes setting a price particularly difficult, especially since transaction fees are also wildly unpredictable.
Of course, for consumers, the problem is that currently, crypto can’t really be used to buy very much. VPN providers know this, and can capitalize by taking unwanted crypto in exchange for access to their services. There is, after all, a small chance that the crypto’s price will skyrocket in the future, though this may be too optimistic to gamble on for smaller providers.
Is cryptocurrency fully anonymous?
No, most cryptocurrency is not fully anonymous, including Bitcoin. All transactions that occur using Bitcoin are recorded and verified on a public ledger called the blockchain. Those records include wallet addresses from which cryptocurrency is sent and received. Although a wallet address doesn’t constitute an identity, in most cases, it’s not hard to figure out who the owner of a wallet is or what device that wallet is stored on. For this reason, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are often considered pseudo-anonymous, or “pseudonymous” for short.
Some cryptocurrencies are more anonymous than others, such as Monero. Cryptocurrency can also be tumbled (a.k.a. “washed” or “mixed”) to better obscure the connection between sender and receiver, though such services operate in a legal grey area.
Can I buy a VPN with other cryptocurrencies?
Most VPNs don’t support any cryptocurrencies and those that do usually only accept Bitcoin. This makes sense: it’s the most well-known coin and has maintained a high value for a long time. However, there are a couple of providers that accept other forms of crypto. NordVPN, for instance, lets you pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. Surfshark, meanwhile, supports 10 different cryptocurrencies including Tron, Litecoin, Beam, Monero, and Dogecoin.
Should I use a VPN for crypto trading?
It’s always a good idea to have additional security and privacy online, especially when you’re engaging in sensitive activities. Crypto exchanges aren’t always secure, and many traders have fallen victim to cyber-attacks and security breaches. Plus, some cryptocurrency trading platforms are geo-blocked and not available everywhere. A VPN for cryptocurrency can help with these issues and give you some extra peace of mind.
This time I used bitcoin to extend my subscription with Nordvpn. By the way, recommend their product to someone looking to add an extra layer of security to your daily life on the web