Now those trying to access Solaris are redirected to its upstart rival, Kraken. But amid the scramble for power and wealth, experts have told VICE World News that the huge profits being generated by these platforms are being fuelled by money from gangs involved in increasingly sinister crimes. Nearly half of the marketplaces launched in 2024 accepted only Monero, representing a sharp increase from just over one-third in 2023, signaling a growing preference for enhanced privacy and anti-surveillance capabilities.

Crypto Investigations

Previous analyses of U2U trading relationships around DWMs include only two studies21,22 based on unstructured21 or semi-structured22 interviews of 17 users of Silk Road and 13 sellers on various DWMs, respectively. Here, we dramatically extend previous work by exploring the collective emergence and structure of U2U pairs. First, we observe that the U2U network, formed by all transactions between pairs of users, has a larger trading volume than DWMs themselves. We then identify stable U2U trading relationships, which represent a subset of persistent pairs in our dataset31,32 forming the backbone of the U2U network.

In This News

• The results further support the recent efforts of law enforcement agencies to focus on individual sellers43,44,45, as well as, more recently, also buyers46,47.
• In the vertical axis, markets are in the chronological order of their launch date, although for some markets the activity effectively starts after the launch date (e.g., AlphaBay).
• Buyers browse listings, place orders, and pay with cryptocurrency — typically Bitcoin or Monero — to obscure transaction trails.
• But in fact it was a guerrilla marketing stunt promoting OMG, a darknet marketplace selling heroin, mephedrone, marijuana, and everything else in between.
• From identity theft to law enforcement surveillance, the dangers are real — and often underestimated.
• Scammed funds are also increasingly moving through decentralized protocols.
• Vendors on the site undergo strict screening, which reduces exposure to undercover investigators.

Markets like Torzon and BriansClub accept multiple cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Monero, Litecoin, and Dash, catering to the diverse preferences of their users. The integration of cryptocurrencies has made them a significant player in the dark web market ecosystem, facilitating secure and anonymous transactions. These darknet markets are difficult to disrupt directly, but efforts to thwart customers of stolen data from using it offers some hope.

Data and methods

Coins like Bitcoin and Monero, known for their privacy-enhancing features, have become indispensable tools for ensuring financial anonymity. This innovation not only simplifies cross-border transactions but also liberates users from the constraints of traditional banking systems, which often demand excessive personal data and impose rigid controls. You face significant risks when using dark markets, including scams where vendors take payment without delivering goods. There’s high exposure to malware and cybersecurity threats that can steal your personal information. Law enforcement agencies actively monitor these markets and can track users despite anonymity measures. You risk legal consequences if caught participating in illegal transactions.

Torzon Market

The most affected are multisellers, with a drop of 78% in the median income, followed by market-U2U and market-only sellers, with a drop of 59% and 47%, respectively. Although these three types of sellers are significantly affected, they recover and surpass the median income value they had before Bayonet (see Fig. 4c; Supplementary Information Section S4). Our classification shows that the number of sellers is significantly smaller than the number of buyers, as shown in Figs. The number of actors in the ecosystem is affected by several factors, especially market closures.

Darknet Market Vendors Turn to DeFi

Dark web marketplaces expose users to multiple layers of risk that extend beyond financial loss and affect legal standing, personal safety, and long-term consequences. Its catalog includes physical narcotics, digital goods, stolen accounts, and subscription bypass tools. The broad category mix positions Vortex as an entry-level market for general illicit trade.

Detection of the U2U network

Awazon Market is a top-tier dark web marketplace with claims to revolutionize secure anonymous commerce. It offers a wide range of goods and services with robust anti-DDoS protection (with military-grade security protocols) and no JavaScript, ensuring privacy and uptime. Using a reliable VPN provider helps keep you safe when you access marketplaces on the dark web. A VPN encrypts the data traffic and keeps your activities private on the dark web. It also masks your IP address, making it difficult for government agencies to monitor or track your activities.

Cryptocurrency Trading

We focus on two kinds of transactions, occurring (i) between the user and a DWM and (ii) between two users of the same DWM. The result is 40 distinct marketplace ego networks containing user-DWM and U2U transactions, whose typical structure is depicted in Fig. In each network, links are directed and the arrows point at the receiver of Bitcoin. Since users often migrate from one DWM to another12 and become users of multiple DWMs, the 40 ego networks are not isolated but can be combined to form one full network, as shown in Fig.

Emergence and structure of decentralised trade networks around dark web marketplaces

We count a total of 11 million transactions around all DWMs, that goes down to 9.9 million when multiple counting is avoided. Similarly, the simple sum of the single trading volumes surrounding all DWMs amounts to $33 billion, while the overall trading volume in all unique U2U pairs is $30 billion. Among the 40 large DWMs under consideration, 17 participate in at least one transaction in either 2020 or 2021, while the remaining 23 closed before 2020.

• These factors allow vendors to avoid typical oversight while operating covertly online.
• Overall, our study provides a first step towards the understanding of how users of DWMs collectively behave outside organised marketplaces.
• Some of the biggest markets have disappeared within just a few weeks in the latter half of 2022.
• Additionally, the growing popularity of decentralized finance (DeFi) may provide new avenues for laundering money through darknet platforms.
• Through the use of advanced encryption protocols and decentralized infrastructure, these platforms ensure that transactions remain confidential and secure.
• This multi-role classification, to be implemented in future work, can help gain a more nuanced understanding of the ecosystem and the structure of the dark web supply chains.
• It asks you to pay the merchant fee if you want to sell something, preventing the buyers from getting scammed.

What you can buy on the darknet markets

In the wake of recent headlines announcing actions against Hydra Marketplace by the U.S. and German governments, darknet markets have made an ironic entrance into the spotlight. The market’s extensive product range and robust security measures have made it a popular choice among users. Abacus Market’s rise to prominence underscores the dynamic and competitive nature of dark web markets, where new entrants continually vie for dominance. But according to Ingo Fiedler, co-founder of Blockchain Research Lab, this trend is primarily the result of increasing law enforcement focus on the darknet market industry. Darknet market vendors have suffered—as legitimate vendors have—through a strained postage and shipping network on account of COVID-19.

Payment Escrow

• Pairs of users in stable pairs meeting inside a DWM traded for a total of $145 million in 2020, which corresponds to 252% of the 2019 level, and to 593% of the 2018 level, see Fig.
• Dark markets are online platforms on the darknet where illegal goods and services are traded.
• Moreover, this darknet shop provides detailed statistics about each user profile on the platform, giving users a better idea of the vendors for the buyers and vice versa.
• Silk Road might seem like a distant memory by now, but darknet markets have persisted.
• In particular, our dataset does not include any attributes related to either users or their Bitcoin transactions, such as, whether the transaction represents an actual purchase or not.
• But amid the scramble for power and wealth, experts have told VICE World News that the huge profits being generated by these platforms are being fuelled by money from gangs involved in increasingly sinister crimes.
• This sharp decrease in user confidence preceded the marketplace’s complete disappearance from all internet-facing infrastructure, including its clearnet mirror.
• By utilizing advanced encryption and decentralized infrastructures, these marketplaces ensure a high level of privacy, enabling users to engage in transactions with confidence.

Journalists and activists use it to communicate securely in oppressive regimes. You can access it for legitimate purposes like whistleblowing and freedom of expression. However, it’s also used for illegal activities like drug trafficking, weapon sales, and stolen data trading. Law enforcement agencies monitor it for criminal activities, but legitimate users rely on it for privacy protection.

From pharmaceuticals to digital assets, these marketplaces offer unmatched convenience and discretion, setting them apart from mainstream e-commerce solutions. This adaptability has cemented darknet markets as a cornerstone of the evolving digital economy. As darknet markets continue to advance, their influence on the global economy is set to expand. Their commitment to user privacy and data protection resonates with the increasing demand for secure digital interactions in an era of pervasive surveillance. By offering a reliable and anonymous space for commerce, these platforms are reshaping the future of trade, highlighting the potential of decentralized, privacy-focused marketplaces. The growth of darknet markets is further underscored by their diverse product offerings.

Over time, ambitious individuals created infrastructure for these transactions, where for a fee, sellers have access to a digital ‘storefront’ to sell their products in a centralized marketplace. As we move forward, technological advancements and regulatory measures will continue to shape the future of darknet markets. Users and law enforcement agencies alike must stay vigilant, navigating the ever-changing landscape of the dark web.

Negative and positive numbers indicate the days prior and after the closure, respectively. Only the 33 DWMs that closed during our time period are considered in the analysis. The first major darknet market pioneered BTC trading, processing $1.2 billion before its 2013 shutdown.

The Rise of Darknet: A Secure Ecosystem for Anonymous Trade and Innovation

Using his credentials, cybercriminals committed a variety of online fraud activity over the course of six months. Some things, like medical records, driver’s licenses, and passport information. The consequences can be lethal to those whose data is stolen, like identity theft, emotional distress, and even financial loss. It added that many fraud shops are increasingly offering third-party crypto-payment processors like UAPS via API calls, as a way to reduce their own costs, improve operational efficiency and increase security.

The marketplace sold a variety of content, including drugs, stolen data, and counterfeit consumer goods, all using cryptocurrency. The market also had accompanying forums, hosted on a different URL, where buyers, vendors, and other members of the community could interact. Dark web marketplaces (DWMs) are online platforms that facilitate illicit trade among millions of users generating billions of dollars in annual revenue.

Empire is one of the two biggest darknet markets globally, the other being Russia’s Hydra market. Launched in February 2018; the Empire market is heavily inspired by Alphabay, with LTC, BTC, XMR, PGP 2FA, and MultiSig features. Abacus Market operated as a central deposit wallet, multisignature darknet marketplace supporting both Bitcoin and Monero cryptocurrencies.

The period of dominance by Silk Road is unique, because the ecosystem structure is effectively composed of and dominated by a single market, expressed by a market share equal to one, as shown in Fig. After the shutdown of Silk Road, in the last quarter of 2013, the ecosystem evolves to a structure where several markets coexist. This structural change is reflected in the median net income of sellers and buyers, as shown in Fig. While the curves for the seller and buyer median net income were negatively correlated before Silk Road’s shutdown, after that moment they became positively correlated. Specifically, sellers show a trend of increase and buyers a trend of decrease in their median net income before the shutdown. TRM Labs calculated that in the eight months since Hydra had been shut down, the new cluster of darknet markets had amassed $820 million in crypto currency deposits.

Lawmakers and platforms alike will need to decide what responsibility they’re willing to accept. These aren’t distant problems—they are immediate, and they affect public safety, financial systems, and global cooperation. TRM Labs reported that TRON accounted for 58% of illicit darknet markets 2026 crypto activity in 2024, followed by Ethereum at 24% and Bitcoin at 12%. By utilizing crypto transactions, these cartels can efficiently fund and facilitate the production of fentanyl, which is then trafficked into the United States, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.

The website allows visitors to view all the goods and services on display before they buy something. However, the platform lacks an advanced search option and a wallet-free payment option. The ASAP is a moderate design marketplace on the dark web that offers helpful tools like mandatory PGP encryption and two-factor authentication for a safe browsing experience. Like other marketplaces, ASAP Market also requires you to register for an account. Bohemia is a modern dark web marketplace with a great user interface that is easy to use and navigate. It asks you to pay the merchant fee if you want to sell something, preventing the buyers from getting scammed.

A curated collection of darknet resources for educational purposes, offering insights into darknet frameworks, tools, and security practices. Contrary to predictions, the market for cryptocurrency “cleaning” services, or Bitcoin mixers, stagnated. The competitive landscape remained unchanged, with no significant innovations reported. Black traffic schemes—malicious landing pages promoted via deceptive ads—remained a constant threat. These schemes leveraged mainstream ad platforms to distribute malware to unsuspecting users.

And beware—while many explore out of curiosity or for research purposes, it’s important to remember that engaging with these platforms, even as an observer, can lead to serious legal and ethical consequences. You can find featured listings on the homepage and browse the products of your choice. There’s also a search bar that you can use to search for any particular product or vendor. It doesn’t use JavaScript, meaning the website won’t track your activities or exploit vulnerabilities.

By 2025, these platforms are expected to further refine their operations, offering enhanced privacy and efficiency for users engaged in secure online trade. The integration of blockchain technology and decentralized marketplaces has already begun to reshape the landscape, ensuring that transactions remain anonymous and resistant to external interference. These platforms have created a thriving digital economy, with vendors and buyers engaging in transactions that are both efficient and secure. The use of escrow systems and reputation-based feedback mechanisms has fostered trust among users, ensuring a smooth trading experience. As a result, darknet markets have become a hub for innovation, with new features and services being introduced regularly to meet the evolving needs of the community.

For instance, you can choose the preferred security levels for enhanced protection. The security level is set to ‘Standard’ by default, but you can change it to the ‘safest’ and enjoy more security while accessing the dark web. Further market diversification occurred in 2015, as did further developments around escrow and decentralization. At CloudSEK, we combine the power of Cyber Intelligence, Brand Monitoring, Attack Surface Monitoring, Infrastructure Monitoring and Supply Chain Intelligence to give context to our customers’ digital risks. Constant uncertainty, fear of scams, and enforcement pressure create sustained stress.

Other major news sources blocked in some countries, like the BBC, also have dark web versions. The ongoing move toward decentralized platforms suggests the crypto drug ecosystem will remain fluid, creating new enforcement challenges. These marketplaces accounted for over 97% of illicit revenue generated through Bitcoin and TRON transactions.

The most important thing is to ensure that you never click on links that you’re not sure of their source. Also, it should be common knowledge not to share personal information online. Latest updates from the darknet trading world as of February 2025—key shifts and developments. Over the years, dozens of large DNMs have been established and eventually shut down by law enforcement, including AlphaBay, Dream Market, Wall Street, and, most recently, Hydra. DNMs are located on the “darknet,” which is unreachable on standard internet browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari because the darknet is unindexed. There are certain sites on the darknet (and on clearnet) which attempt to manually track and publish sites on the darknet, but common browsers do not link directly to darknet.

TRM’s risk management platform includes solutions for transaction monitoring and wallet screening, entity risk scoring – including VASP due diligence – and source and destination of funds tracing. These tools enable a rapidly growing cohort of organizations around the world to safely embrace cryptocurrency-related transactions, products, and partnerships. Law enforcement actively monitors these transactions, and users face the possibility of arrest and prosecution. To protect their identities, users often employ PGP encryption for secure communication, adding an extra layer of security to their interactions on these platforms. Law enforcement agencies around the world have been intensifying their efforts to crack down on darknet markets.

Abacus Market appeared on the scene in 2021 and quickly became one of the heavyweights among English-speaking markets on the dark web. The categories are well organized, ranging from drugs and fraud to digital products, guides, and malware.What really sets it apart is its focus on security and usability. It supports PGP encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), alerts against fake sites (antiphishing), and a verification system for sellers. Its interface is easy to navigate, and it has a reliable escrow system, as well as allowing payments with Bitcoin and Monero. All of this has made it one of the most reliable markets still active in 2025.

Just like Alpha Bay, Drugs and Chemicals is one of the most popular product categories in the Empire Market. Dark.fail tweeted on Friday that Empire was targeted with a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack. In a DDoS attack, the server is bombarded with artificial traffic, which makes it difficult for the server to process web requests, and it ultimately goes down.