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Over the years, the adoption of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum has been on the rise. It’s not surprising, considering there are ample opportunities to earn an income, and the technology behind them, known as the blockchain, offers greater privacy.
If you’re dabbling in the world of digital currencies, you might be wondering: do I really need a VPN for crypto trading? Well, you’ve got plenty of reasons to use one! For starters, you’ll be able to access online exchanges blocked in your country.
You can also increase the security of your crypto transactions by taking advantage of a VPN’s encryption capabilities. These are just some of the many things VPNs can help crypto traders with. Read on to learn more.
What is cryptocurrency trading?
Cryptocurrency trading is the buying and selling digital currencies in the financial market. These digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many others, are exchanged using online platforms or cryptocurrency exchanges.
The primary objective of cryptocurrency trading is to profit from the price fluctuations of these digital assets. Traders who analyze market trends, utilize various trading strategies, and make informed decisions to capitalize on price differences between cryptocurrencies gain profit accordingly.
There are different trading methodologies, such as day trading, swing trading, and long-term investment.
Why Should You Use a VPN for Crypto Trading?
Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and often unregulated. Unlike traditional banks that the state bank of a country secures, cryptocurrencies aren’t backed by governments or regulatory bodies.
This makes trading cryptocurrencies somewhat risky in the event where you get hacked and lose your funds. On the other hand, a VPN ensures your digital activities remain anonymous on the web, meaning you can be trading vast volumes of cryptocurrencies without being intercepted by an intruder.
Potential Security Risks of Crypto Trading
When you head online, there’s an element of risk involved in any online activity. Whether it’s accessing social media sites or making financial transactions, an online connection hosts all sorts of intruders.
The severity drastically increases if you’re engaging in financial services such as crypto trading. Apart from getting hacked, cryptocurrencies are riddled with loopholes such as:
Offline wallets
Much like how crypto exchanges are susceptible to getting hacked, offline wallets are vulnerable to hacking.
Initial coin offering (ICO)
The crypto bubble has given birth to thousands of ICOs from multiple parts of the world. While most of the ICOs are legitimate, some are entirely fake.
Fake crypto exchanges
Similar to fake ICOs, fake crypto exchanges exist on the web that disguise themselves as legitimate exchanges. Be wary of them and only trade via a reputable exchange.
Unsecure addresses
Crypto addresses aren’t as anonymous as you think, meaning your crypto trading activities can be easily compromised. To stay anonymous, keep your wallet address under the radar and far away from social media or unreliable people.
Phishing attacks
Social engineering attacks such as phishing and vishing are increasing at a rapid rate. Malicious actors impersonate as trusted entities and trick you into giving your personal information.
Cryptojacking
The newest online threat, cryptojacking, hijacks a victim’s device and uses its resources such as its CPU to mine Bitcoin. Mining Bitcoin requires intense resources, which could slow down your system. Make sure you’ve got an antivirus actively running in the background.
Double Spending
Double spending enables the scammer to conduct multiple transactions with a single coin. What’s shocking is that all transactions would appear hijacklegitimate, but only one of them is genuine.
How does a VPN help protect your crypto trading
Here’s how a VPN makes your life easier when using cryptocurrencies:
Secures your crypto traffic
When you connect a VPN, it encrypts the data transferred between your device (smartphone, laptop) and a remote server. If you don’t know what encryption is, it’s basically a method to make your internet traffic difficult to decipher.
Why does that matter?
Allow us to explain:
You either use private or public Wi-Fi to conduct crypto transactions. These networks usually have WPA2 for security, which isn’t enough. Even its successor, WPA3, has serious vulnerabilities. And you won’t believe this – most public hotspots don’t offer any encryption, meaning your traffic can be intercepted by anybody to steal your trading platform credentials or wallet’s private keys. Fortunately, using a VPN leaves no loopholes for hackers to exploit!
Related Read: What is Encryption and How Does it Work?
Prevents IP Tracking
Contrary to popular belief, cryptocurrencies aren’t 100% anonymous. While they do provide a certain degree of privacy, you shouldn’t expect them to offer complete anonymity. You don’t have to take our word for it. Here’s what Bitcoin says on their website:
“Bitcoin is designed to allow its users to send and receive payments with an acceptable level of privacy as well as any other form of money. However, Bitcoin is not anonymous and cannot offer the same level of privacy as cash.”
Given that all transactions are public knowledge, it isn’t impossible to associate your Bitcoin address to your device’s IP address and find your real identity. With a VPN, you don’t have to worry about that as the server’s IP will be associated with your crypto activities instead.
Unlocks trading platforms
Depending on your location, you might not be able to access the trading platforms you want to use. For instance, the Chinese government has blocked all domestic and foreign exchanges in an effort to curb cryptocurrency trading within the country. Similarly, Binance (one of the largest crypto exchanges) no longer provides its services to US investors.
Related Read: How to Access Binance with a VPN in the US
A VPN lets you bypass censorship and geo-restrictions to unlock your desired trading platforms from anywhere in the world. You can get through to those platforms as you can make it appear as if you’re residing in a supported country. All you have to do is connect to a server where the exchange is available, and you’ll be able to access it easily. Furthermore, you can also trade region-specific cryptocurrencies by switching your virtual location via a VPN.
How to Use a VPN for Trading Cryptocurrency
Using a VPN for trading in crypto is a pretty straightforward process:
- Sign up for a PureVPN account
- Download and install the app on your device and extension on your browser
- Login with your credentials
- On the Chrome extension, navigate to Popular Websites
- Scroll down and select the cryptocurrency exchange of your choice
By selecting the cryptocurrency exchange, you’ll be redirected to its website with complete anonymity. You could be anywhere in the world and gain access to the crypto exchange without any limitations.
Can I use a VPN to buy crypto?
Yes, you can use a VPN to buy crypto. While using a VPN, you get additional security and privacy when accessing cryptocurrency exchanges and making transactions.
VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your internet connection, giving you secure access. However, choosing a reputable VPN service is necessary so that your data is never compromised.
PureVPN – The Best VPN for Crypto Trading
If you’re in the market for a good cryptocurrency VPN service, look no further. Here’s why crypto traders should choose PureVPN:
Strong Encryption
With AES-256-bit encryption securing all your traffic, you can be sure that your crypto transactions are safe from cybercriminals.
Leak-Proof Service
WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection keeps your real IP address from leaking when you engage in crypto trading activities.
Audited No-Logs Policy
Our no-logs policy is verified by two highly reputable independent third-party auditors. We can’t share what we don’t have!
Internet Kill Switch
This fail-safe feature prevents your crypto trading activities from being exposed if your VPN connection drops due to any reason.
Global Server Network
Unlock and trade on virtually any crypto exchange with unlimited access to 6,500+ servers in 140+ countries.
24/7 Customer Support
If you run into a snag while using PureVPN, fret not! Our customer support team is available round-the-clock via live chat or email.
How to buy cryptocurrency with PureVPN?
Choosing a reliable VPN for your crypto transaction is an excellent decision to keep you secure. Here’s how you can use PureVPN to buy crypto securely:
- Get a PureVPN subscription and download the app for your device.
- Connect to the server where crypto trading is allowed.
- Login to your Crypto Exchange and trade safely!
Cryptocurrency Trading Security Tips
While using a VPN for crypto trading is the right step, you must protect your cryptocurrency transactions keeping these tips in mind:
Don’t keep your wallet on your primary device
Your crypto wallet should be kept private and not on your primary mobile phone. In case your primary device gets hacked or stolen, you might lose your crypto assets. If you don’t have a separate device, don’t keep large sums of cryptocurrency in the crypto wallet.
Avoid connecting to a public WiFi
Public WiFi hotspots are a breeding ground for hackers and cybercriminals. They attract all sorts of malicious actors who can easily hack your online accounts. When connecting to a public WiFi, connect using a VPN and trade cryptocurrencies and other online activities.
Use a solid alphanumeric password
A strong alphanumeric password will solidify your crypto wallet and crypto exchange account against unauthorized access. Make sure to use a unique password with a combination of alphabets, numbers, and special characters.
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication, commonly known as 2FA, offers an additional layer of security that is used in combination with your account password. You can set up 2FA via SMS, an email, or Authenticator apps such as Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator.
Be cyber aware
We live in a digital era where all operations have shifted online, meaning you cannot afford to ignore or not stay updated with the latest cybersecurity happenings occurring across the globe. This is because, with the internet, any mishap or vulnerability affects each one of us.
List of Popular Crypto Exchanges
1. Coinbase
Do I Need a VPN for Coinbase?
Coinbase is available in 100+ countries across the world. If you want to access it from outside these supported regions, a VPN is your best bet.
2. Huobi
Do I Need a VPN for Huobi?
Huobi is accessible in 130+ countries worldwide, excluding the US and China. To access the exchange from unavailable regions, you should get a VPN.
3. Kraken
Do I Need a VPN for Kraken?
Kraken doesn’t offer its services in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Congo-Brazzaville, North Korea, Congo-Kinshasa, Libya, Cuba, Iraq, and Iran. You’ll have to use a VPN to access it from these regions.
4. Bithumb
Do I Need a VPN for Bithumb?
Bithumb blocks trading in 11 countries, including Iraq, North Korea, and Iran. If you’re traveling or living in these regions, you won’t be able to access the exchange without a VPN.
5. KuCoin
Do I Need a VPN for KuCoin?
KuCoin is available in 100+ countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Japan, India, Australia, Singapore, etc. excluding China and others. Using a VPN is the easiest way to access the platform from unsupported regions.
6. Bitfinex
Do I Need a VPN for Bitfinex?
Bitfinex doesn’t offer its services to clients in Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Ecuador, and Bolivia. You can’t access the exchange from these countries unless you use a VPN.
7. Poloniex
Do I Need a VPN for Poloniex?
Poloniex isn’t available to the citizens of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and the US. If you’re in these countries, you’ll have to use a VPN to access the exchange.
8. Bitstamp
Do I Need a VPN for Bitstamp?
You may face difficulties in accessing Bitstamp from Russia, as the platform has been blocked a few times in the past. In this scenario, you’ll need a VPN to regain access.
9. FTX
Do I Need a VPN for FTX?
FTX doesn’t provide its services to the residents of United States of America, Cuba, Crimea and Sevastopol, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea, or Antigua and Barbuda. A VPN will let you access and trade on the exchange from these countries.
10. OKEx
Do I Need a VPN for OKEx?
OKEx is available in 100+ countries across the world, excluding the US. To access the platform from there, you’ll need a VPN.
11. Bittrex
Do I Need a VPN for Bittrex?
Bittrex blocks residents from Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Iran, and the Crimean region. If you’re in these countries, you won’t be able to access the exchange without a VPN.
12. Upbit
Do I Need a VPN for Upbit?
Upbit doesn’t offer its services to residents of the US. You’ll have to use a VPN connection to access the platform from there.
13. Coinone
Do I Need a VPN for Coinone?
Coinone is only available to traders in South Korea and (recently) Indonesia. If you want to access it from anywhere else, a VPN is your best bet.
14. Gate.io
Do I Need a VPN for Gate.io?
Gate.io isn’t accessible in countries like the US, Canada, China, Malaysia, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Pakistan, and Crimea to name a few. With a VPN, you can access the platform from unsupported regions without any restrictions.
15. Gemini
Do I Need a VPN for Gemini?
Gemini only supports crypto trading in Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, and the US. You’ll need a VPN to access the exchange from unavailable countries.
16. ZB.com
Do I Need a VPN for ZB.com?
ZB.com doesn’t provide its services in China. If you want to access the platform from there, using a VPN is the easiest method.
17. eToro
Do I Need a VPN for eToro?
You won’t be able to access eToro from a number of countries, including Japan, Canada, Iran, and Sri Lanka. Setting up a VPN will allow you trade on eToro from unsupported regions.
18. HitBTC
Do I Need a VPN for HitBTC?
HitBTC isn’t available in the US, North Korea, Sudan, Crimea and Sevastopol, Cuba, and Syria. Using a VPN is the only way to access and trade on the exchange from these regions.
19. Yobit.net
Do I Need a VPN for Yobit.net?
Yobit.net isn’t accessible to traders in China. To access the exchange from there, you’ll need to use a VPN connection.
20. Bitrue
Do I Need a VPN for Bitrue?
Bitrue doesn’t provide its services in China and the American states of New York or Texas. If you’re in these regions, you won’t be able to access the platform without a VPN.
21. Rain
Do I Need a VPN for Rain?
Rain is only available in the Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and the UAE. To access the exchange outside these regions, you’ll have to use a VPN.
22. Robinhood
Do I Need a VPN for Robinhood?
Robinhood is supported by most countries, excluding Syria, Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, and the Crimea region of Ukraine. You’ll need a VPN to access and trade on the exchange from these regions.
23. Bybit
Do I Need a VPN for Bybit?
Bybit isn’t available to traders in a number of countries, including the US, China, Singapore, North Korea, and Quebec (Canada), Cuba, Crimea, Sevastopol, Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Sudan. With a VPN, you can instantly access the platform from anywhere.
24. IDEX
Do I Need a VPN for IDEX?
If you’re a resident of the state of New York (US), you won’t be able to access and trade on IDEX unless you connect to a VPN.
25. Deribit
Do I Need a VPN for Deribit?
Deribit provides its services in most countries, excluding the US and Panama. You’ll only be able to access the platform from these regions using a VPN.
26. Paxful
Do I Need a VPN for Paxful?
Paxful is inaccessible in a number of countries, including North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Lebanon, and Republic of Congo. You’ll need a VPN to access the exchange from unsupported regions.
27. CITEX
Do I Need a VPN for CITEX?
CITEZ isn’t supported in countries like the US, Japan, New Zealand, and Thailand. If you want to access the platform from anywhere, a VPN is the best way.
28. Binance
Do I Need a VPN for Binance?
Binance has stopped its services in the US due to an update to their Terms of Use. By using a VPN, you can access and trade on the exchange restriction-free.
29. BitREX
Do I Need a VPN for BitREX?
If you’re in the US, you won’t be able to use BitREX’s services – unless you connect to a VPN on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crypto trading, like any form of financial trading, carries some risks. Specific safety measures include the platform you use, knowledge and experience, and risk management strategies while you trade.
You can trade cryptocurrencies via a crypto exchange. Several crypto exchanges offer users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies and other digital currencies. Some notable exchanges include Binance, Coinbase, FTX, Bybit, and Uniswap.
A VPN establishes a secure connection between your device and the internet. This keeps spying agencies, surveillance entities, and your ISP far away from viewing your online activities or associating your IP with any blockchain activity.
Yes, using a VPN is legal for crypto. Some countries may restrict VPNs or cryptocurrency trading due to regulatory concerns. It is advisable to take into consideration the potential legal consequences.
Yes, using a VPN for crypto trading is an excellent strategy to keep yourself secure. This is because cyber intruders and salty investors aim to target other investors with techniques such as false transactions and unauthorized wallet access.
Phishing, ransomware, and DDoS are other risks you must be aware of, and use a VPN to safeguard your privacy and security.
Yes. PureVPN accepts Bitcoin via Coingate and other electronic wallets.
If you wish to protect your financial information from potential data breaches associated with traditional payment methods, cryptocurrency is an excellent way to buy a VPN.
Cryptocurrency payments offer an extra layer of security by eliminating the need to share sensitive credit card or bank account details.