Darknet Markets Made More Money Than Ever in 2020

World Market is another largest dark web shops that deals with various goods and services. Its impressive anti-DDoS protection feature and easy-to-use interface make this marketplace stand out among the others. Its builders created it from the ground up to offer a “cleaner” and more organized shopping experience than most. Operating more like a legit e-commerce platform (surprisingly), the market operates a 14-day escrow system, but it lets you opt for Finalize Early (FE) if you trust a vendor. Moreover, the layers of encryption and the bounce of your data from node to node effectively mask your IP address, enabling online anonymity. It allows access to the .onion sites on the dark web that you won’t find using a regular browser.

How are law enforcement agencies combating darknet markets?

These assets are often used as initial entry points for ransomware operations. Brian’s Club is one of the longest-running carding sites referenced in U.S. criminal cases. Despite the instability of the underground ecosystem, it continues to appear in Department of Justice filings involving payment-card fraud. Marketplaces are hosted on hidden services that conceal server locations and user identities. Let’s get this straight — not everything on the dark web is illegal or harmful.

Tweak Tor browser settings

ASAP is a tech nerd’s playground—accepting BTC, LTC, ZCash, and Monero, it’s got options for days. Their DeadDrop system’s a standout—vendors stash your goods IRL, no mailing hassles—and wallet-less payments mean no one’s bolting with your cash, a relief after I got burned once by a shady escrow dodge. Listings aren’t public, but it’s steady—think drugs (weed, pills, some synthetics), a few digital extras like cracked accounts. They’ve got 2FA and encryption that’s tighter than a drum, which I’ve tested against crash-prone sites and found solid. Word’s out they’re going decentralized in 2025—less downtime, more trust, right in line with where things are headed.

Bridging the Divide: Actionable Strategies to Secure Your SaaS Environments

Darknet markets are online platforms for the anonymous buying and selling of illegal goods and services. Operating in the hidden parts of the internet, these markets largely rely on cryptocurrencies. In this article, you’ll discover the key players in 2025, how they operate, their histories, and the risks involved.

The speed and anonymity of digital exchanges hinder identification, complicating efforts to dismantle illicit networks.
Each marketplace is a star-graph where the central node is the marketplace, and the leaf nodes, i.e., the first-neighbors, are the marketplace users.
These vendors provided the key ingredients for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid trafficked into the U.S. primarily by groups like the Sinaloa Cartel.
Renowned for its extensive inventory of financial data and sophisticated operating methods, Brian’s Club is a key player in the underground economy of financial cybercrime.
All of this has made it one of the most reliable markets still active in 2025.
2022 and early 2023 saw the seizure of many major darknet markets by law enforcement.

What Happened to The Silk Road?

Predictive threat intelligence can help you stay ahead of emerging threats by forecasting what’s yet to come.
Archetyp Market functioned as a Tor-based hidden service, accessible only through specialized darknet browsers that utilize onion routing protocols to anonymize user traffic and location data.
As the Dark Web market evolves, its operators adopt strategies and priorities similar to those of traditional marketing and retail businesses.
They often wear clothes with shop logos and publish price lists and post links.
BidenCash’s notoriety and unique approach to marketing have solidified its place in the dark web market ecosystem.
Silk Road, which emerged in 2011, combined TOR and bitcoin to become the first known darknet market.

While tactics like these may have helped boost revenue for both markets, again, they have yet to match Hydra’s sizable financial success. “Markets have sort of varying levels of sensitivity to fentanyl-related sales,” he said. “Some claim they don’t do it, then don’t police vendors; some claim they don’t do it, but then they do. Some will be selling precursor products but not finished products.” Unlike the surface web (the normal, open internet we use every day), you can’t search for .onion sit… 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.

Market operations

Decentralized messaging apps let vendors switch platforms easily and maintain privacy. These services provide secure channels, reducing reliance on older networks and lowering exposure to law enforcement tactics. Even after the takedown of Hydra Market in April 2022, no other major Russian-language darknet markets have been dismantled, allowing them to continue driving illicit crypto drug activity. It is a hub for financial cybercrime and offers a wide range of illicit services and stolen data that cater to sophisticated cybercriminals. In this system, cryptocurrency is held by a trusted third party until the buyer receives the product or service as described.

How to gain safe access to the Dark Web marketplaces

Some dark web listings claim to offer services like hacking-for-hire or even hitmen. Many listings involve stolen personal information, including credit card data, Social Security details, and full identity profiles. The results of that investigation were published in a report called Technical analysis of the Genesis Market. Though Genesis Market domains and servers were seized and antivirus programs have been updated, cybercriminals have already rebuilt illicit services like these. Mega Darknet Market is the dominant drug supply source for drug vendors on other darknet sites, holding a 63.4% share of that market.

Platform Control

From 2012 to 2016, the largest component of S2S network continuously grows in number of nodes and connections, as shown in Fig. Then, during 2017 and 2018, it shows the structural change due to operation Bayonet, when it shrinks. However, unlike the multiseller network, the S2S network recovers during 2019 and 2020, but slower than the multibuyer network recovery. Therefore, the S2S network appears to be more resilient than the multiseller network but less than the multibuyer network. The same pattern is observed in the whole S2S network (see Supplementary Information Section S5). Some, such as Julia Finess, have become popular and also made a name for themselves on TikTok.

Further market diversification occurred in 2015, as did further developments around escrow and decentralization.
Incognito Market runs 20,000+ listings and $2.8 million monthly trades with BTC and XMR, holding a 5% market stake.
It’s recommended not to use new alternative links, as they could just be planned exit scams.
One such sophisticated darknet market, Hydra, offered all that and more,” Chainalysis explained.
Dark markets are online platforms on the darknet where illegal goods and services are traded.
We found several thousand vendors selling tens of thousands of stolen data products on 30 darknet markets.
And over the last 9 months, using a mix of publicity stunts and crippling cyber attacks on each other, OMG, Kraken and around 10 other darknet markets have been engaged in a tit-for-tat turf war for Hydra’s throne.

Increase in Data Breaches via Contractors

For 2025, they’re teasing AI-powered search—could make digging through listings a breeze, which I’m hyped for since their catalog’s already hefty. The site’s unique—loads fast, looks sharp, and vendors get treated right, keeping turnover low. I’ve used it; shipping’s discreet—plain packages or DeadDrops—and uptime’s been flawless, rivaling Abacus. It’s not as community-driven as Bohemia, but the polish makes up for it—feels like a pro operation, not a fly-by-night deal.

The Significance of This Data

This is an estimated reading time to let you know how long it will take you to read all the content on this particular PrivacyRadar.com page. However, it has a sneak peek, easy guide steps, and/or a quick list providing quick in-page navigations and easily-found answers if desired. Chainalysis also noted that some markets are openly advertising their wares in Russia, with giant 3D billboards (Kraken Market) and QR codes on subway trains (Mega Darknet Market). Fill out the form to speak with our team about investigative professional services. That prevents small dealers from participating in the market and a natural tendency towards fewer but larger dealers on those markets,” Fiedler told Decrypt.

While there are legitimate products and services in the darknet markets, often, these markets deal with illicit goods and services like drugs, fake documents, and hacking services. Their presence can make you wonder why darknet markets and not just the regular online stores. Tor2door Market manages 25,000+ listings and $4.5 million monthly trades via BTC and XMR, with a 7% share. Its 13,000+ users and 1,100+ vendors prioritize speed and escrow security in darknet trading.

Daily Debrief Newsletter

The sad reality is the fact that law enforcement agencies can’t track and prosecute perpetrators or even take down such content given the anonymous nature of the dark web. As much as authorities work hard to shut down various sites, it shows what the dark web is capable of doing if left unchecked. The internet is a wide landscape that comprises the surface part – the internet that we all know and the hidden portion.

They take BTC and Monero, and the site’s got a sharp, modern look—vendor profiles are loaded with ratings and reviews, easy to skim. What’s dope is their forums—real talk, not just noise—building trust like Telegram’s side hustle vibe. For 2025, they’re hyping a peer-to-peer escrow twist—could cut out middlemen and shake up how deals flow, which I’m stoked to see play out. It’s not as massive as Abacus, but quality’s on point—vendors deliver, and the community’s buzzing on Dread about it. I’ve poked around; it’s not overwhelming, just a tight selection that works—think curated over chaotic.

While law enforcement regularly shuts down illegal marketplaces, the underlying infrastructure remains functional. New darknet sites and markets continuously emerge to replace those that get shut down. The technology behind the darknet is actively maintained and continues to evolve. Darknets and dark markets have fueled the growth of cybercrime, provided a marketplace for cyber threats, and expanded the attack surface for malicious actors.

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. The legality depends on your activities and your country’s specific laws regarding darknet use. Personal and financial data are commonly sold on dark markets, facilitating identity theft and fraudulent activities. The significance here lies in the potential damage to individuals and businesses.

Size of listings

Therefore, although larger in number, U2U-only sellers typically make the smallest income. This suggests that sellers with more diverse sources of income, such as multisellers and market-U2U sellers, are able to produce a higher income. Additionally, we observe that, except for U2U-only sellers, the median income of the other types of sellers drops after the major shock caused by operation Bayonet (see Supplementary Information Section S4). 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). The number of sellers in each category and multisellers as a function of time is shown in Fig.

Edges are multihomers, i.e., traders that are simultaneously active in both markets (sellers in the multiseller network, and buyers in the multibuyer network).
Founded in early 2023, shortly after major law enforcement operations shut down several competing platforms, Abacus quickly filled the void by prioritizing reliability, advanced security, and user anonymity.
If you’re into a darknet market that feels cutting-edge and keeps your coins safe, ASAP Darknet Market’s a gem—just don’t expect a massive catalog yet; it’s more about precision than sprawl.
Christian Jordan Howell is assistant professor in cybercrime, University of South Florida, and David Maimon is professor of criminal justice and criminology, Georgia State University.

TorZon Market is a large, general‑purpose dark‑web marketplace that’s frequently cited in 2024–2025 roundups. It operates on Tor and, by 2025, is commonly reported as hosting tens of thousands of active listings. To make seller reputations more portable, TorZon supports imported, PGP‑signed reviews, and it accepts both Bitcoin and Monero. The platform also advertises user‑engagement features such as a raffle and paid account upgrades for expanded functionality. An intuitive, user-friendly interface is crucial, especially given the complex nature of dark-web interactions.

Buyers browse listings, place orders, and pay with cryptocurrency — typically Bitcoin or Monero — to obscure transaction trails.
The nature of the dark web (anonymity and privacy) opens opportunities for drug dealers to reach a wide customer base across the globe without getting caught.
One, casual drug buyers are shifting away from the darknet to make their purchases, while larger buyers are simply buying more per purchase.
According to Chainalysis’ 2025 Crypto Crime Report, darknet market (DNM) vendors are adapting their money laundering tactics.
An award-winning cybercrime threat intelligence firm, KELA’s mission is to provide 100% real, actionable intelligence on threats emerging from the cybercrime underground, to support the prevention of digital crimes.
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.
It operates on Tor and, by 2025, is commonly reported as hosting tens of thousands of active listings.

However, the number of buyers rapidly recovers, which does not happen to sellers. And over the last 9 months, using a mix of publicity stunts and crippling cyber attacks on each other, OMG, Kraken and around 10 other darknet markets have been engaged in a tit-for-tat turf war for Hydra’s throne. This shift will likely drive forum operators to introduce features like automated darknet markets escrow services and enhanced anonymity to attract users. The dark web hosts a wide range of sites — from whistleblower tools and secure email platforms to underground forums, black markets, and dark web mirrors of legitimate news outlets. Facebook’s onion mirror allows people to access it in countries that block the platform, allowing people to connect across digital borders.

Tor remains the most prevalent method due to its ease of use and robust anonymity features, but the popularity of I2P is steadily growing due to its increased resistance to surveillance and censorship. It’s another dark net marketplace that grabbed a lot of attention was the Hydra market. It accepted payments through Bitcoin and the Escrow system and ensured that users’ identities remain anonymous during their purchases. Cypher marketplace has been on the list of the best dark web shops for a while and deals with the business of a variety of products and services. The shop accepts payment through Bitcoin and Monero, while some vendors accept the coins.

The number of multisellers steeply decreases after operation Bayonet but they still sustain high incomes. Nevertheless, by analysing the income of each multiseller, we observe that the median income still reflects their high income, as shown in Fig. Individually, they are able to yield significant high incomes compared to other types of sellers.

Its presence significantly escalates the likelihood of a darknet market attracting law enforcement attention, he said, because fighting the drug is a priority for international law enforcement. Jardine emphasized that illicit cryptocurrency transactions represent only a minor share of total crypto activity. The most recent example is the shutdown of the oldest marketplace Hydra Market in 2022 which took a combined effort of the FBI and the German authorities. Perhaps, the figures can tell you what your personal information is worth when it lands on the dark web. The cost can be exorbitant, but for victims, it’s always higher and devastating.

Companies must implement strong data security measures, employ encryption, and monitor for data breaches to protect customer and employee information. Darknet marketplaces emerged around 2011, with Silk Road setting the standard for how these platforms operate. Built on Tor, these sites mask IP addresses by routing traffic through encrypted relays, ensuring anonymity for both buyers and sellers. Bitcoin was initially used to process payments, offering pseudonymity rather than full anonymity. Learn how darknet markets function and the challenges they present to cybersecurity, shedding light on the hidden side of the internet. H25.io is a premium directory in the Tor network, offering access to a diverse and meticulously curated list of onion sites.

You can even use a secure email provider or a burner email address whenever you visit the dark web. Further market diversification occurred in 2015, as did further developments around escrow and decentralization. Changes in site availability, communication channels, or technical setup are closely monitored.

For operations security he suggests avoiding storing conversation logs, varying writing styles, avoiding mobile phone-based tracking and leaking false personal details to further obfuscate one’s identity. Each takedown affects the wider ecosystem by spreading distrust across other marketplaces. As a result, platforms fragment, rebrand, or disappear faster after major enforcement actions.

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. 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. 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.