Darknets and dark markets have propelled the growth of cybercrime by offering a platform for the sale and exchange of malicious tools and services. Cybercriminals use these platforms to traffic in stolen data, execute targeted ransomware attacks, and collaborate on advanced hacking techniques. Nation-state actors, too, leverage darknets for espionage and cyber warfare, capitalizing on the obscurity and untraceability they provide. Abacus Market is one of the newer darknet marketplaces that quickly filled the gap left by AlphaBay’s takedown. It hosts over 40,000 listings and offers everything from illicit goods and substances to hacking tools. With an estimated market value of around $15 million, it has grown into a massive hub for cybercriminal activity.

What are the main types of goods and services available on darknet markets?

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Deep and the Dark web are the hidden part of the internet. If the operating system detects any non-anonymous connection, it blocks it, thus ensuring maximum online protection. Changing the Tor browser settings can further boost your security levels on the dark web shops.

Search engines

Notably, the number of buyers and sellers significantly drops after the operation Bayonet in the last quarter of 2017, which shut down AlphaBay and Hansa markets, causing a major shock in the ecosystem34. However, the number of buyers rapidly recovers, which does not happen to sellers. Darknet marketplaces are commercial websites accessed by an encrypted browser which operate on the dark web, functioning primarily as black markets for illegal activity or substances. The fact they were being advertised so publicly in Moscow was slightly bizarre.

Emergence and structure of decentralised trade networks around dark web marketplaces

Defined as illegal, unregulated commercial websites, these dark markets constantly adapt to law enforcement pressures, evolving in complexity and sophistication. In March 2015, the marketplace fell victim to an exit scam, with its administrators absconding with approximately $12 million in bitcoins. Unlike many other platforms, Evolution allowed for the wholesale trading of stolen credit card information, further diversifying the types of illicit goods available.

• It offers impressive features, including PGP-signed addresses, payment via Monera, sticky and featured listings, and auto shops.
• Despite the instability of the underground ecosystem, it continues to appear in Department of Justice filings involving payment-card fraud.
• The goods on sale range from stolen credit card data and forged documents to illegal drugs, weapons, malware as a service, and hacking tools.
• This technology initially had noble intentions, aiming to protect activists, whistleblowers, and individuals in repressive regimes.
• The site aims to direct users to the actual Torzon Market, presumably a darknet marketplace.
• If you’ve ever experienced an uptick in phishing attacks and spam after a data leak or breach, it may be because your personal information has been posted to the dark web.
• The average cost of credit card information varies from $10 (in countries such as the U.S., Canada, and Australia) to $240 each (with a card balance).

Search

Features such as advanced search filters, customer reviews, and escrow services have further enhanced the reliability and trustworthiness of these platforms. Mega Darknet Market is the dominant drug supply source for drug vendors on other darknet sites, holding a 63.4% share of that market. When looking at darknet drug markets serving Russia-based customers, Kraken Market captured 30.9% of market share, with Blacksprut and Mega Darknet markets closely following.

What Risks Are Associated With Dark Web Marketplaces?

This increases the accessibility and sophistication of cyber threats, with far-reaching consequences for businesses. To secure against these risks, organizations invest in robust cybersecurity strategies, conduct regular security assessments, and educate employees to recognize and mitigate threats. To prevent users from DDoS attacks, it provides personal marketplace domains to high-volume buyers and sellers. 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. This marketplace accepts payments via Monero but also supports the Escrow system. Dark web marketplaces are mostly hubs for illicit goods and activities, posing serious risks to users and the wider community.

Hacking services

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.

Drughub Market

Commonly traded substances include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, with a noticeable increase in the availability of synthetic drugs marketed as legal alternatives to controlled substances. The persistent demand for these illegal drugs underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in curbing the illicit drug trade on the dark web. These platforms offer a wide variety of drug listings, often organized by categories such as stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. User reviews and ratings are commonly featured, allowing buyers to assess the quality and reliability of the drugs being offered. Torzon Market, which emerged in September 2022, has introduced a unique vendor feedback system that imports feedback from other markets with PGP proof, enhancing trust and transparency.

Multiseller network

Like other marketplaces, it also requires registration for new users and accepts payments in Monero. Its look, design, options, and interface are exactly the exact copy of its competitor, but everything else, including buyers, vendors, and servers, is different. At its launch, the platform accepted payments through Litecoin, but now it has incorporated support for other payment methods like Monero and Bitcoin. The platform also cares about its users and uses PGP encryption and two-factor authentication to secure their data and communication. Dark web marketplaces are online markets that exist on hidden networks and cannot be accessed through regular browsers.

Fraud and hacking services

The market is known for its extensive product listings and reputation system that helps buyers evaluate the reliability of vendors. It allows vendors to sell without registration, which provides an added layer of anonymity, making it one of the more flexible and user-friendly markets on the dark web. Given the explosive growth of these markets, organizations must prioritize proactive threat monitoring. Axis Intelligence provides dark web surveillance solutions that help businesses identify leaked credentials, fraud attempts, and malware risks before they escalate. A Canadian market established in 2021, WTN offers over 9,000 products, including narcotics, fake goods, and digital services.

Recent operations have resulted in significant successes, such as the dismantling of Hydra Market by German authorities, who seized servers and $24.6 million in Bitcoin. Similarly, the takedown of Kingdom Market in late 2023 led to the arrest of its administrator and involved over 42,000 product listings. Silk Road, which emerged in 2011, combined TOR and bitcoin to become the first known darknet market. The market was eventually seized in 2013, and the founder, Ross Ulbricht, was sentenced to two life sentences plus 40 years without the possibility of parole.

Security Upgrades

To answer this question, we consider the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the evolution of stable U2U pairs. Previous studies reported that COVID-19 had a strong impact on DWMs due to delays and damage to the shipping infrastructure caused by border closures37,38. We start by investigating the number of new stable U2U pairs and their trading volume during the COVID-19 period.

• As we move forward, technological advancements and regulatory measures will continue to shape the future of darknet markets.
• This places the market squarely within verified financial-crime supply chains.
• These platforms offer a wide variety of drug listings, often organized by categories such as stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens.
• UAPS, shown in the chart above, is one such example of a payment processor that many fraud shops, including the OFAC-designated Genesis Market, used in 2023.
• The implementation of Ring Confidential Transactions further conceals transaction amounts, making Monero a favored choice for those seeking privacy on the dark web.
• You can find drugs, weapons, stolen data, and counterfeit documents on these marketplaces.
• To support open access to our website and sustain editorial operations, certain commercial or partner references may appear on our site.
• Despite numerous challenges, dark web marketplaces have shown remarkable resilience.

Dark markets are online platforms on the darknet where illegal goods and services are traded. You can find drugs, weapons, stolen data, and counterfeit documents on these marketplaces. They operate similarly to regular e-commerce sites but use cryptocurrencies for transactions. Most dark markets have user review systems and vendor ratings to establish trust. Law enforcement regularly shuts down these markets, but new ones continuously emerge.

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ProPublica is an investigative news site owned by an independent nonprofit that exposes abuses of power and corruption. It hosts an onion site so people in countries with restricted press freedom can access its journalism, which covers everything from hacktivism to government repression. To access them, copy and paste the hyperlinks provided into the Tor browser. On the dark web, traffic is routed through multiple server nodes that don’t log activity, obscuring the user’s origin and enabling anonymous communication.

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2a, where the overall ecosystem volume quickly recovers after market closures. This is an outcome of the ecosystem’s resilience, largely supported by the migration of users15. Correspondingly, the multihoming activity is a mechanism that contributes to the ecosystem’s resilience. Because they are already active in more than one market, the migration cost for the multihomers is usually smaller compared to that for non-multihomer users, especially for sellers, that need to rebuilt their reputation23.

New payment processing services

Darknet markets were one of two categories of crypto crime that saw revenues rise in 2023. In total, darknet markets and fraud shops received $1.7 billion last year, a rebound from 2022 — the year that saw the sizable Hydra Marketplace close. The ensuing war for darknet market dominance that began in 2022 continued into 2023, but no other market has since matched Hydra’s financial success. Torzon market made its debut in September 2022, and ever since, it has been on an upward trajectory. In fact, it now features more than 11,600 illegal items, which include hacking tools, hard drugs, and all types of cybercrime services. The market started in 2021 in Canada and features both international and Canadian users.

• These platforms, accessible through darknet websites and onion links, provide users with secure and anonymous transactions, primarily facilitated by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
• This data enables account takeover attacks across email, social media, and corporate tools.
• Both Agartha and Cartel earned enough revenue within the 35-week period we tracked them to be characterized as midsize companies, earning $91.6 million and $32.3 million, respectively.
• Features such as advanced search filters, customer reviews, and escrow services have further enhanced the reliability and trustworthiness of these platforms.
• Dark markets provide a one-stop-shop for cybercriminals, offering a wide range of services such as hacking tools, stolen data, ransomware, and Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks for hire.
• The variety of products and services available on darknet platforms has grown exponentially, addressing a broad spectrum of consumer demands.
• DWMs are also communication platforms, where users can meet and chat with other users either directly—using Whatsapp, phone, or email—or through specialised forums.
• Journalists and activists use it to communicate securely in oppressive regimes.

The emergence of darknet markets has revolutionized the digital economy, introducing a paradigm where privacy and security are paramount. These platforms have established themselves as vital hubs for individuals seeking to conduct transactions with absolute discretion. Utilizing cutting-edge encryption and decentralized infrastructures, darknet markets have cultivated an ecosystem that prioritizes secure trade and user autonomy. It offers impressive features, including PGP-signed addresses, payment via Monera, sticky and featured listings, and auto shops. In 2017, the website went offline following a law enforcement action taken by the American, Canadian, and Thai authorities, but since August 2021, it’s been operational again. Another key factor driving the growth of darknet markets is the diversification of products and services.

Dark web marketplaces have been a significant outlet for illicit trade, serving millions of users worldwide for over a decade. First, we propose an algorithm that categorizes users either as buyers or sellers, and show that a large fraction of the trading volume is concentrated in a small group of elite market participants. We find that the dominance of markets is reflected in trading properties of buyers and sellers. Then, we investigate both market star-graphs and user-to-user networks, and highlight the importance of a new class of users, namely ‘multihomers’, who operate on multiple marketplaces concurrently.

The dark web is home to numerous marketplaces, each carving out its niche in the illicit economy. In 2025, several popular dark web marketplaces have risen to prominence, attracting users with their diverse offerings and robust security measures. From Abacus Market to WeTheNorth, these platforms represent the cutting edge of dark web marketplaces. The stolen data supply chain begins with producers—hackers who exploit vulnerable systems and steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, bank account information, and Social Security numbers.

Its presence on the dark web also supports intelligence gathering and helps track cybercriminal activity. Unfortunately, many dark web websites are devoted to the illegal trade of leaked personal information. If you’ve ever experienced an uptick in phishing attacks and spam after a data leak or breach, it may be because your personal information has been posted to the dark web. The surge stems from weak local enforcement, widespread use of streamlined crypto payments, and a digital space valuing privacy. These factors allow vendors to avoid typical oversight while operating covertly online. Policing involves targeting specific activities of the private web deemed illegal or subject to internet censorship.

You can legally browse darknet sites for legitimate purposes like research or privacy protection. However, engaging in illegal activities on the darknet is against the law and can result in serious criminal charges. If you access illegal content or participate in criminal transactions, you face legal consequences. darknet marketplaces 2026 The legality depends on your activities and your country’s specific laws regarding darknet use. In this system, cryptocurrency is held by a trusted third party until the buyer receives the product or service as described. Once the buyer confirms satisfaction, the funds are released to the seller.

Finally, our coverage of DWMs, albeit extensive, may lack information on other trading forums where users could have met. These distributions are explored for each of the 40 DWMs under consideration in Figure S5 and S6, respectively. 2c which shows that since 2011 U2U transactions have consistently involved greater monthly volume than the volume sent to all DWMs. This underlines the economic importance of U2U transactions in the Bitcoin ecosystem relative to DWMs. Essential advice for navigating darknet marketplaces safely and effectively in 2025.

Even long-running marketplaces can shut down suddenly due to scams or law-enforcement action. Participation in dark web marketplaces can lead to serious criminal charges, even if involvement seems limited. Law enforcement investigations often span years and rely on digital traces collected over time.

Businesses operating in such regions may need to adapt to the technical challenges and risks posed by using darknets for legitimate purposes. This early detection allows organizations to identify and respond to threats quickly, reducing the chances of unauthorized access, financial loss, or damage to brand reputation. In 2022, for example, BidenCash was linked to the breach of over 1.2 million credit card records. One of the distinguishing features of Fresh Tools Market is its focus on providing up-to-date, freshly obtained tools and credentials.

The finding that multisellers and, in specific cases, multibuyers play a central role in connecting the ecosystem, thus contributing to its resilience, may illuminate how to better target future law enforcement operations. In general, by understanding the operation of key players within the DWM ecosystem, our work highlights how appropriate strategies can be designed to counteract the online trade of illicit goods more effectively. The development of darknet markets has revolutionized the digital economy, providing users with unparalleled levels of privacy and security in their online transactions. These platforms have emerged as essential hubs for those prioritizing secure and anonymous commerce, utilizing cutting-edge cryptographic methods and decentralized infrastructures to safeguard user data.

Brian’s Club has been around since 2014 and remains one of the most well-known credit card shops on the dark web. It sells stolen card data — dumps, CVVs, even wholesale batches — and lets users bid on fresh leaks. Despite multiple takedown efforts by law enforcement and security researchers, Brian’s Club has resurfaced repeatedly and continues to add new stolen credit card data. Another key aspect of this evolution is the rise of darknet market lists, which serve as directories for users to identify reliable platforms. These lists are regularly updated to reflect the latest trends, ensuring that traders can access the most secure and innovative markets. The emphasis on transparency and community feedback has further solidified the reputation of these platforms.

For instance, stolen data can result in unauthorized payments, the draining of accounts, or even registered loans. (a) Schematic representation of an ego network surrounding a dark web marketplace (“DWM”, in red). User-to-user (U2U) pairs are represented by arrows (direction indicates the flow of Bitcoin) and by their respective users. Convert and track crypto rates for darknet marketplace transactions—stay ahead of the game. The first ever DNM — called Silk Road — was started in 2011 by U.S. citizen Ross Ulbricht. While it included some innocuous listings such as health supplements, the majority of vendors and most of the sales were related to illicit drugs.

The report did, however, present some more positive figures, including a year-over-year decline in revenue from crypto-based scams. Although scams remain one of the biggest drivers of crypto-based crime, with $4.6 billion in revenue for 2023, the figure was down from the previous year’s $5.9 billion. While DeFi adoption among darknet vendors is growing, it has not replaced centralized exchanges as the primary laundering method. However, the trend is clear—illicit actors are expanding their strategies, forcing enforcement agencies to evolve their tracking methods to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated laundering techniques. 7, we show the largest component of the S2S network one year before the operation Bayonet and one year after.