How NordVPN Reaches Crypto-Paying Customers in 176 Countries

NordVPN is a global leader in the VPN market, providing advanced encryption and privacy features to millions of users worldwide.

With a strong emphasis on securing user digital data, this top-tier VPN service offers unique solutions like double VPN encryption and Onion Over VPN, alongside its innovative Threat Protection Pro™ that blocks malicious websites, trackers, and ads. 

With over 6,200 servers covering 111 countries, NordVPN ensures extensive global coverage while maintaining its reputation as a user-friendly and competitively priced VPN service. 

To further enhance accessibility to their services, NordVPN began accepting cryptocurrency payments, allowing them to serve customers who might otherwise face challenges accessing it.

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After integrating crypto payments with CoinGate, NordVPN has:

• Received crypto payments from 176 countries globally.
• Seen the average crypto payment count grow by 13% yearly.
• Organically got nearly 900 extra leads from CoinGate in 2023 and counting.

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This article explores NordVPN’s strategic decision to accept cryptocurrency payments and the benefits this move has provided. You can also find more similar case studies about crypto payments here.

Interested in accepting crypto payments in your business? Start by registering for a CoinGate account.

Inexpensive Global Reach Across 176 Countries

By 2017, NordVPN recognized that its customers were highly privacy-conscious, which inspired the company to explore cryptocurrency payments. 

Bitcoin, an open and borderless network, emerged as the ideal solution, bypassing many of the restrictions associated with traditional payment systems, such as strict accessibility requirements or geographical limitations.

After exploring various options, NordVPN partnered with CoinGate in 2022 to streamline its crypto payment process and better connect with harder-to-reach customers worldwide.

So far in 2024, NordVPN has received crypto payments from users in 176 countries, covering about 90.2% of the world.

Kestas Saulis, Head of Payments at NordVPN, notes, “Accepting cryptocurrency payments has been quite impactful, primarily for expanding our customer base and global accessibility.” 

Adopting crypto payments not only expanded the company’s reach but also reduced costs associated with maintaining traditional payment rails. 

While credit card processors typically charge between 1.5% and 3.5% per transaction, generally CoinGate charges 1% per transaction or less and, in addition, eliminates the risk of fraudulent chargebacks.

It’s worth highlighting that CoinGate processes more than Bitcoin payments – CoinGate supports multiple cryptocurrencies that people actually use, and makes sure customers can pay on multiple blockchain networks and layer 2 solutions. 

This allows lowering costs for customers as well. For example, In 2023, every 14th BTC transaction, or 7.8%, were made using the Lightning Network, which drops transaction costs to nearly zero. Payments in stablecoins like USDT are also getting prominent.

Find more curious data on crypto payments in our 2023 data report.

In turn, it has also significantly enhanced NordVPN’s service offerings over the years. “CoinGate assured secure and reliable transactions and supported various cryptocurrencies, which allowed us to cater to customers who use various crypto assets,” explains Saulis.

By accepting a range of well-established cryptocurrencies on various blockchains, CoinGate has helped NordVPN serve a diverse customer base, regardless of whether they have access to traditional banking services.

Currently, the most popular cryptocurrencies used at NordVPN are BTC (40.9%), USDT (29.1%), ETH (11.5%), LTC (5.7%), and TRX (5.4%).

As the cherry on top, the introduction of crypto payments was met with enthusiasm from NordVPN’s user base. 

Saulis notes, “Overall feedback was very positive as customers were able to use their preferred cryptocurrency for purchases.”  

Crypto Payments Picking Up the Pace

The implementation of cryptocurrency payments has been met with tangible success at NordVPN, with a significant uptick in crypto transactions over the past year. “We’ve seen a 13% increase in payments with crypto from Q3 of 2023 to Q3 of 2024, and 13% in 2024 YTD compared to 2023,” Saulis reports. 

Although cryptocurrency payments currently make up a small portion of overall transaction volume, interest in crypto solutions among NordVPN’s users continues to grow.

Ultimately, NordVPN’s integration of CoinGate’s cryptocurrency payment solutions has proven to be beneficial to their business operations while also aligning with their core values of privacy and security. 

Now, as one of the most prominent VPN providers in the market, NordVPN sets a benchmark for others in the industry considering the acceptance of cryptocurrencies for payments. 

Crypto Payment Processor as an Extra Marketing Force

Even though crypto payments are growing, the Head of Payments at NordVPN notes that no comprehensive marketing efforts were put into exclusively promoting crypto payment options to their audience, with a few minor exceptions, such as social media events like the latest CoinGate x NordVPN AMA session on X.

Instead, NordVPN has simply placed the CoinGate payment option alongside traditional methods on its checkout page. 

This way, one can guarantee that all users, at the payment stage of the process, are made aware of this payment option. “Cryptocurrency payments are listed among all the payment methods on our website. Users can choose this option on the checkout page to finish the purchase,” Saulis states. 

This straightforward approach effectively caters to the tech-savvy segment of NordVPN’s customer base, who value cryptocurrency for its numerous benefits.

However, CoinGate tends to promote its clients through high-ranking blogs and social media, often boosting their traffic and conversions. In 2023 alone, CoinGate articles generated over 31,723 leads for 43 merchants, with nearly 900 of those leads attributed to NordVPN, while the overall statistics for 2024 are even higher. 

But Why CoinGate?

NordVPN is committed to ensuring user digital privacy and security, which naturally extends to its payment options. 

It makes sense as cryptocurrencies provide decentralized payment rails that complement NordVPN’s privacy policies.

“By adopting cryptocurrency payments, we’ve also taken an additional step to enhance our commitment to our users’ privacy,” says Kestas.

Additionally, CoinGate allows NordVPN to convert cryptocurrencies into traditional currencies like Euros using the same account, ensuring financial stability and protecting against crypto market volatility. This flexibility lets NordVPN focus on its core mission without unnecessary financial distractions.

A Smooth Payment Integration Experience

Was integrating crypto payment options into NordVPN existing operations complex? Kestas explains that the integration of CoinGate’s payment system was exceptionally smooth. “The API documentation was clear, and we didn’t encounter any obstacles during the integration.”

Proactive support from CoinGate’s engineering team ensured a seamless setup, allowing NordVPN to implement the new payment method without disrupting core operations. This integration not only expanded payment options but also reinforced NordVPN’s image as an innovative, forward-thinking company.

The Future of Crypto in the VPN Industry

Kestas Saulis sees a bright future for cryptocurrency as a standard payment method across the VPN industry and beyond. He points out several factors driving this trend: “The growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies by businesses, coupled with increasing consumer awareness and adoption, will contribute to their mainstream use in transactions,” Saulis explains. 

Moreover, advancements in blockchain technology, which focus on scalability, interoperability, and privacy enhancements, are set to make cryptocurrency transactions even more efficient and secure. 

Regulatory advancements like MiCA or DORA and others are also expected to stabilize and further integrate cryptocurrency into established financial systems, providing a clearer framework for businesses to operate within. 

Saulis believes these developments will continue to elevate the role of cryptocurrencies in providing secure, private, and accessible payment options in the VPN industry.

Insights for Businesses Considering Crypto Payments

Saulis offers practical advice for other businesses contemplating the adoption of cryptocurrency payments: “Understanding the underlying technology and navigating regulatory requirements are essential first steps.” 

He emphasizes the importance of selecting a dependable payment processor like CoinGate, which can make a significant difference in how smoothly cryptocurrency payments are integrated and managed. “Educating customers about the benefits of cryptocurrencies and promoting security best practices are crucial steps in fostering trust and adoption,” he adds. 

Saulis also advises on the importance of managing volatility risk and monitoring the performance of crypto transactions to adapt business strategies effectively. 

By following these guidelines and remaining adaptable, he is sure that businesses can fully leverage the advantages of cryptocurrency payments to enhance their operational capabilities and meet the evolving demands of their customers.

There are many more success stories when it comes to accepting crypto payments.

For example, for hosting provider Cherry Servers, cryptocurrencies provide alternative ways to pay, making it easier for customers to access the services. 

Meanwhile, MoreMins crypto transactions already account for 10% of total.

Back in 2018, to help customers maintain online privacy, cybersecurity company Surfshark integrated a cryptocurrency payment method giving customers an additional way of leaving a smaller digital footprint.

Ondato, a KYC compliance platform, recognized the convenience and ease of using cryptocurrencies, which led to 1% of their clients choosing crypto as their preferred payment method.

Can your business benefit from cryptocurrency transactions, too? Take the first step to find out and register for a CoinGate account.