dVPN Mode
dVPN mode is a 2-hop decentralized VPN available through NymVPN (opens in a new tab). Traffic is routed through two independent gateways rather than a single VPN provider's server, so no single operator ever sees both who you are and what you're doing.
How it works
User --> Entry Gateway --> Exit Gateway --> InternetYour device wraps each packet in two layers of encryption, one per gateway. The Entry Gateway strips the outer layer and forwards a packet it cannot read; the Exit Gateway strips the inner layer and sends the plaintext request to the destination. Responses follow the reverse path. The Entry Gateway therefore knows your IP address but not the destination, while the Exit Gateway knows the destination but not the sender.
Privacy guarantees
dVPN mode hides your IP from destination servers and splits trust across two operators. It does not add timing obfuscation or cover traffic. Packets are forwarded immediately, so an adversary watching both gateways could still correlate timing to link your requests. If you need protection against traffic analysis, see Mixnet Mode.
Performance
Added latency is comparable to traditional VPNs, and WireGuard keeps cryptographic overhead low, so browsing, streaming, and downloads are not noticeably affected.
Technical details
- dVPN Protocol: protocol stack and encryption details
- Censorship Resistance: AmneziaWG and DPI evasion
Further reading
- Introducing AmneziaWG for NymVPN (opens in a new tab): censorship resistance
- What Is a Double VPN? (opens in a new tab): multi-hop privacy explained
- Building a Decentralized WireGuard VPN (opens in a new tab): architecture decisions
- What is NymVPN? (opens in a new tab): general overview