Russian Darknet Markets, Ransomware Groups Thrive Despite Sanctions, Report

Russian marketplaces on the dark web have continued to operate despite Western sanctions and efforts to shut them down, according to a report accessing the illicit blockchain space amid the world’s “first crypto war.” Ransomware actors and high-risk crypto exchanges have also remained active. Underground Russian Crypto Platforms Adapting to Disruptions Caused by Ukraine War … Read more

4 Years After the 2017 Law Enforcement Takedown, Alphabay Is Once Again the King of Darknet Markets

Following the demise of the largest darknet marketplace (DNM) in mid-July 2017, the underground market Alphabay returned in August 2021, and during the last year, Alphabay has managed to once again regain its position as the world’s top DNM. Furthermore, Alphabay relentlessly conducted business amid a domino effect of DNMs folding last year and throughout … Read more

Deep Web Confusion: Ostensible Alphabay Admin ‘Desnake’ Claims the Darknet Market Has Returned

In mid-July 2017, the largest darknet marketplace (DNM) Alphabay went dark and patrons didn’t know if the administrators were busted by law enforcement or if it was an exit scam. Not too long after the site went dark, law enforcement disclosed that an organized police task force, from various jurisdictions, infiltrated Alphabay alongside the DNM … Read more

World’s Largest Monero Accepting Darknet Market Reveals Retirement Plan — White House Admins Say DNM ‘Reached Its Goal’

One of the largest darknet markets (DNM), White House, announced the market is retiring as the DNM’s administrators say the team has reached its goal. After revealing the retirement plan, White House admins explained that user registration and orders have been disabled. Darknet Market White House Plans to Close Its Doors Soon, User Registration and … Read more

Darknet Update: Hydra Reigns, Monero Acceptance Climbs, Russian State Collusion Questioned

At the end of 2020, darknet markets (DNM) set new records as marketplaces like White House and the Russian-language DNM Hydra led the pack. A report published on May 25, shows Hydra saw a 624% year-over-year growth rate in three years, and researchers estimate roughly 75% of illicit DNM transactions stem from the Russian marketplace. … Read more

Televend’s Complex System of Telegram Drug Bots Swell as German Police Seize 9 Telegram Drug Channels

During the last few months following the departure of the infamous Empire darknet market (DNM), a great number of DNM users have been flocking to alternative vendors. More recently, a new bot service on Telegram called Televend has been attracting tens of thousands of users and the service has grown colossal since it was first … Read more

A System of Robot Drug Dealers on Telegram Allows People to Buy Illegal Products for Bitcoin

There’s a new avenue darknet market (DNM) customers have found that allows them to purchase illegal wares 24 hours a day via a robot drug dealer hosted on Telegram. The platform dubbed ‘Televend,’ is an automated software program that peddles illicit narcotics for people paying with bitcoin and during the last few months, the complex … Read more

While Darknet Users Search for New Markets, Global Law Enforcement Reveals Mass Arrests

During the last month since the fall of Empire Market, darknet market (DNM) patrons have been migrating to alternative markets. Meanwhile, global law enforcement recently arrested 179 individuals tied to DNMs and seized over $6.5 million in cryptocurrency and cash proceeds. It hasn’t been a good month for DNM users after the fall of Empire … Read more

Ciphertrace Allegedly Builds Monero-Tracing Tools, XMR Proponents Disagree

The blockchain surveillance firm Ciphertrace claims to have created the “world’s first” monero tracing tools for law enforcement. According to the company announcement, Ciphertrace developed forensic tools for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to track illicit monero transactions. Despite the firm’s claims, there is zero evidence provided that prove the company … Read more

Lockdown Life & Darknets: BTC Still the DNM King, Cashaa’s Stolen Coins Sent to Hydra, Cannabis Sales Surge

During the last six months, the Covid-19 outbreak has caused a lot of disarray in the world and one thing is for sure, the use of darknet markets has surged. While the citizens of the globe have been locked down, cannabis sales have skyrocketed and the dollar value of bitcoin transactions done privately has remained … Read more