So on that note, are there any VPN providers that HN would recommend? Something preferably not based in the USA or any countries exceedingly friendly with the USA (so the UK, Sweden, etc are out)
Well, Mullvad is based in Sweden, which the asker didn't seem to like[1]. However, they do have exit nodes in the Netherlands too, if you prefer, and allow payment with bitcoin.
[1] Although I can't think of any suitable alternative countries – I mean, most countries are either fairly friendly with the US, or fairly corrupt, or both (or even fairly corrupt and fairly unfriendly with the US and currently surrounded by big US military bases on all sides). Perhaps the Principality of Sealand?
