Dark Markets

Here's what the data tells us about crypto use in dark web markets. (Lorenzo Cafaro/Pixabay, modified by CoinDesk)
Criminal Crypto Use Is Growing, but That’s Just Half the Story
Data suggests that while authorities are getting better at sniffing out dark web markets, dark web markets are getting better at not getting sniffed out.
Here's what the data tells us about crypto use in dark web markets. (Lorenzo Cafaro/Pixabay, modified by CoinDesk)

hacker
Largest Dark Web Market Taken Offline as Alleged Operator Arrested in Germany
The DarkMarket site was thought to be the world's largest illegal online marketplace.
hacker

crime
Darknet's Largest Marketplace Still Offline; Fears of Exit Scam Rise
Empire Market, the darknet's most popular marketplace by site traffic, was suddenly taken offline on Aug. 22.
crime

Cocaine powder image via U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency/Wikimedia Commons
Russia's Largest Darknet Market Is Hawking an ICO to Fund Global Expansion
Here’s one token sale that’s almost certainly illegal, and not just under securities laws.
Cocaine powder image via U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency/Wikimedia Commons

pills drugs
Drug Dealers Who Used Crypto Sentenced to Prison
Five drug dealers who used cryptocurrencies to launder their funds were sentenced to varying jail terms on Monday.
pills drugs

gavel and bitcoin
$430K in Confiscated Crypto to Be Sold Off by Irish Auction House
Cryptocurrencies seized by Belgian law enforcement from online drug dealers are set to be sold off by an Ireland-based auction house.
gavel and bitcoin

lamborghini, car
US Government Seizes Lambo and Crypto Millions from Dead Dark Web Kingpin
The U.S. Department of Justice has won the right to confiscate money and items Alexandre Cazes enjoyed from his dark web e-commerce empire's riches.
lamborghini, car

Spider web, dark web
Bitcoin Has a New Top Dark Market
A new study by a blockchain analytics firm has identified the most popular dark web markets.
Spider web, dark web

Marijuana
'Sin' Activities No Longer Drive Bitcoin Economy, Researchers Find
A soon-to-be-released study has found evidence that bitcoin’s market is now a venue for "legitimate" commerce.
Marijuana

darkleaks
Meet Darkleaks, a Bitcoin-Powered Black Market for Secrets
Darkleaks will let users sell leaked data in an anonymous, trustless environment powered by bitcoin's blockchain.
darkleaks