Peer-to-peer bandwidth marketplace Orchid has announced that its VPN app, which promises better privacy, is now available on the Apple app store. Unlike other VPN apps where users pay a monthly subscription to use their services, the Orchid VPN app will allow users to purchase bandwidth from trusted VPN providers on the Orchid network using cryptocurrency technology. Orchid works by aggregating the bandwidth of VPN services around the world so that users can "hop" to one or more networks for greater confidentiality. Providers are paid with the Orchid OXT digital currency in exchange for their bandwidth. Orchid co-founder and CEO Dr. Steven Waterhouse explained in a press release that anyone can join the company's global privacy network now that its VPN app is available on both the App Store and Play Store, saying: “ The availability of the App Store combined with the ability to make in-app purchases of credits that are powered by cryptographic networks represent the latest revolutionary developments for Orchid. To allow anyone to freely and securely access the Internet, we must make privacy tools accessible and easy to use. Using Apple's in-app purchases to use Orchid instead of creating an account with OXT makes it easy for anyone to join our global privacy network. We are excited to use this technology to advance the privacy and crypto industries. "
vpn orchid
To access Orchid's peer-to-peer bandwidth network, users will need to create an Orchid account using OXT or purchase credits that function as a gift card that can be used at Orchid. These credits are completely private and help create an extra layer of privacy to further protect users online. Other apps that require cryptocurrency payments can often make users frustrated as they involve several complex steps to purchase digital currencies. To make matters worse, users often have to wait several minutes for their transactions to reach a sufficient number of confirmations from network nodes before finalizing their purchase. Orchid solves the problem of having to use multiple cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets by allowing users to use their VPN app with a single Apple purchase per app, instead of a multi-step encryption process. To add a VPN connection from a randomly selected provider, users can log into their account in the Orchid app and select "Add Hop". They can then select "Buy an Orchid Account," choose the amount they want to spend, and confirm their purchase through Apple. When users buy bandwidth over the network, they are actually buying pre-populated accounts that are like gift cards that can only be used on the Orchid network. The company is also taking steps to protect which pre-populated account is assigned to which specific user for privacy. At the same time, users can access the network by spending OXT by selecting the “Crypto Account” option. Using a VPN provides an extra layer of online privacy and the same can be said for using cryptocurrency, so Orchid combining the two makes a lot of sense.- Also check out our full list of the best VPN services