DarkMarket
| Launched | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Closed | January 2021 |
| Founder(s) | Unknown administrators |
| Network | Tor hidden service (.onion) |
| Currency | Bitcoin (Monero later) |
| Est. revenue | About 140 million euros in Bitcoin seized |
| Peak size | About 500,000 users |
DarkMarket was, at the time of its seizure in January 2021, the largest darknet market in the world — with half a million users and more than a hundred million euros in cryptocurrency moved through it.
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History
DarkMarket grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when online demand for controlled substances and digital goods surged. It became the default destination after Empire's exit scam.
Operation
The seizure was a German-led operation coordinated by Europol, with authorities from Australia, Denmark, Moldova, Ukraine, the UK and the United States participating. Investigators seized servers and more than 140 million euros in Bitcoin.
Downfall
Announced in January 2021, the takedown was among the largest in darknet history at the time. The market's operator was later charged, and the operation was widely credited with disrupting a dominant venue.
Legacy
DarkMarket's takedown was the first major international seizure of the post-Empire era and showed that coordinated operations remained effective against centralized markets, pushing the ecosystem toward smaller venues and Monero.