Bitcoin is not available as a payment method during account sign-up, though it can be used to purchase account credits once you have created your account. You can then use those credits to purchase your Proton paid plan.
Maybe it’s just not available on their mobile web app? I see it when I login to Protonmail (I don’t use the VPN though):
There are ways to achieve significant privacy using Bitcoin, the protocol itself is pseudonymous, lightning in many ways enhances privacy. But you need to know what you are doing and there are many gotchas.
It seems they still do: https://protonvpn.com/support/vpn-bitcoin-payments/
Maybe it’s just not available on their mobile web app? I see it when I login to Protonmail (I don’t use the VPN though):
so they at least need to know who you are once?
Edit: looks like I misunderstood.
No? You just need an account, then you can add the paid tier using crypto if you want. At no point is credit or debit required.
I see. Then it makes sense (just an inconvenience).
Typical Proton marketing privacy and whatnot and then proceeding to identify all users.
Proton has free accounts, you don’t need to start with a paid one.
Yup, I checked this on my free account. No personal data needed.
Bitcoin is not privacy protective.
This. In fact, it’s the opposite and designed for transparency.
I wonder why they don’t just have Monero as an option
There are ways to achieve significant privacy using Bitcoin, the protocol itself is pseudonymous, lightning in many ways enhances privacy. But you need to know what you are doing and there are many gotchas.
BTC --> XMR --> BTC is the simplest method to achieve anonymity with Bitcoin, or you can just purchase Monero directly via cash by mail.
Just make sure you dont use the same amount…
How many dollars do you need to spend to get $1 worth of Bitcoin using this method?
Between basically nothing and way to much depending on the amount you transfer, the method you use and the country you live in
You can create a free account at first and then upgrade using bitcoin.
Nope. Let’s jump to conclusions and shit on Proton without doing simple research on the issue. Looking at the above comments