US Navy Investigators Bust Bitcoin Drug Ring at Naval Academy

Despite recent claims that bitcoin is becoming less popular for illicit dealings on the dark web, investigations show that it is still the payment method of choice for many. The most recent example comes from the US Navy, where a few entrepreneurial cadets reportedly used bitcoin to buy drugs which they distributed to their classmates … Read more

Ross Ulbricht Denied Post-Conviction Relief Extension

The man convicted of creating the Silk Road marketplace, Ross Ulbricht, has lost yet another appeal to extend his “post-conviction relief.” Judge Katherine Forrest, the judge who sentenced Ulbricht to a double life sentence in 2015, denied the legal team’s attempt to renew the case even if additional circumstantial evidence is found in the future. … Read more

Darknet Criminals Will Drop Bitcoin in Favor of Litecoin and Dash, Study Says

Bitcoin has been associated with criminal activity for as long as people can remember. That is quite worrisome for many reasons. Even though Bitcoin lacks privacy and anonymity, criminals still flock to this payment option because of its global appeal. According to a new study, however, that situation may come to change very soon. In … Read more

Deep Web Roundup: Dream Adds Monero and Bitcoin Tumbler “Chip Mixer” Launches

The darknet has been quiet of late, which is the way it’s meant to be. No news means no mega busts, honeypots, or mass market shutdowns. Even when it’s out of the spotlight though, the deep web is quietly making news, whether trialling the latest privacy coins or the newest coin mixers that promise to … Read more

Dream Market Puts Finishing Touches on Monero Integration

Darknet marketplaces are making some big changes behind the scenes. With some of the major trading hubs having been shut down by law enforcement agencies last year, there is a growing need for privacy and anonymity. This also means payment solutions such as Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are no longer sufficient. Dream Market, currently the top … Read more

New Research: Laundering of Illicit Funds Less than 1% of Bitcoin Transactions

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center of Sanctions and Illicit Finance in conjunction with blockchain analytics company, Elliptic, has published a study seeking to track the circulations of illicit funds within the bitcoin economy from 2013 to 2016. The research concludes that the share of funds of illicit origin comprises less than one percent … Read more

US Sheriffs Welcome $1.7 Million Windfall After Students Plead Guilty to Stealing 5,400 BTC

Two Jacksonville students are facing up to two decades behind bars after pleading guilty to stealing $4 million worth of bitcoin. The pair hacked darknet site Sheep Marketplace in 2013 and made off with 5,400 BTC. Under forfeiture laws, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office will share in a $1.7 million windfall. Also read: US Marshals Plan to … Read more

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Privacy Coins

With over 50 privacy coins on the market, purveyors of anonymous transactions are spoilt for choice. This smorgasbord of privacy-centric coins can be a little overwhelming though. To help you pick the best of the bunch, here’s our rundown of the main contenders. Also read: Meet ‘Cash Shuffle’, the Privacy-Centric Protocol for Bitcoin Cash How Privacy … Read more

5 Exciting Monero Developments to Look Forward to in 2018

A lot of top cryptocurrencies will roll out some major features in the coming weeks and months. In the case of Monero, a lot of exciting developments are on the horizon for 2018. Although there is no official timeline for some of these developments, certain features and integrations have been in development for several months. … Read more