Social media and gaming platforms are increasingly being used to recruit inexperienced hackers, further expanding these gangs’ reach. For example, Europol has warned the criminals will use coded messages and ‘gamification tactics’ to encourage minors to commit crimes. State-sponsored threat actors are cybercriminal groups supported or directly managed by government agencies on the darkweb market. They often carry out attacks that align with their country’s political, economic, or military goals. We can only hope that the current largest and oldest markets will retire with honor.
Abacus Market: Overview And Key Features
By Elliptic’s accounting in a January report, the market and its rebrand had facilitated more than $24 billion in total transactions, which would make it by far the largest single black market operation in the internet’s history. All forms of currency are accepted, most notably Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies like Monero and Litecoin, and the website boasts an impressive uptime compared with other darknet marketplaces and websites. Cybercrime enablement represents flows from ransomware, stolen funds, malware, or fraud shops to darknet markets.
How Do I Verify Onion Links?
Launched in September 2022, Torzon Market operates on the Tor network and features over 11,600 illegal products, including drugs and hacking tools. Torzon offers a premium account option for additional benefits and is valued at approximately $15 million, accepting payments in Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR). Others are looking for stolen data, hacking services, or even banned books and political content. This can be stopped if law enforcement agencies can break any link, particularly dark web marketplaces, in the chain.
Personal Information
- The dark web is designed in such a manner that it hides the identities and locations of its visitors.
- Of the surveyed countries, Germany (65%), India (58%), and the United States (55%) had the smallest share of people unfamiliar with the Dark Web.
- Businesses may use these services to sabotage their competitors, while individuals may seek revenge or simply want access to private information about someone.
- For instance, we see single vendor shop revenue spike beginning around March, around the same time traditional darknet market revenue began to fall.
Beginning in September 2021, Abacus Market has established itself as one of the leading dark web marketplaces. After AlphaBay closed, Abacus Market took its place as the world’s largest underground darknet marketplaces. Abacus Market quickly rose to prominence by attracting former AlphaBay users and providing a comprehensive platform for a wide range of illicit activities. Abacus Market shines with 35,000+ listings and a monthly volume of $5M, commanding an 8% share of the darknet drug trade. Launched in 2022, it has quickly risen thanks to its encryption standards and user-friendly interface, serving 15,000+ users and 1,200+ vendors. A comprehensive resource on leading darknet markets of 2025, featuring 10+ top platforms, over 250,000 listings, and $50M+ in monthly volume.
China-based Vendors And Novel Synthetic Opioids
One of the many creepy Dark Web facts is that marketplaces don’t just sell forged and stolen documents and credentials — they also sell malicious software hackers can use to infect their targets. As of 2023’s first quarter, top-quality malware sold for $4,500 per 1,000 installations. High-quality malware with a slightly lower success rate went for $1,500–$1,600 (depending on the target region), and medium-quality malware with a 70% success rate sold for up to $700. Monitoring active marketplaces offers early access to malware kits, credential dumps, and fraud tools.
Marketplaces that maintain strict moderation policies—banning excessively harmful or exploitative products—also gain popularity among more ethically minded users. Ideal marketplaces support anonymous browsing through networks like Tor and I2P, utilize privacy-focused cryptocurrencies such as Monero, and implement measures to prevent tracking and transaction tracing. Platforms that provide clear guidelines for maintaining operational security (OpSec) and offer built-in tools for data obfuscation are especially favored. Users must look for platforms employing robust encryption protocols, secure escrow services, and advanced anti-phishing measures. Additional layers, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), encrypted PGP messaging, and built-in wallet security, significantly enhance protection against theft and hacking.
The recovery pattern is fairly consistent until the Hydra Marketplace closure, after which no dominant darknet market emerged. Darknet markets were one of two categories of crypto crime that saw revenues rise in 2023. In total, darknet markets and fraud shops received $1.7 billion last year, a rebound from 2022 — the year that saw the sizable Hydra Marketplace close. The ensuing war for darknet market dominance that began in 2022 continued into 2023, but no other market has since matched Hydra’s financial success. In late June 2025, Abacus users reported withdrawal issues and decreasing trust in the platform.
Other Government Sites
In 2025, it powers 2.5M+ daily users, with Germany leading in usage (followed by the U.S.). Today’s markets reflect a decade of evolution, balancing user demand with operational security against an ever-present cat-and-mouse game with authorities. Safety can be enhanced by using strong anonymity tools, interacting with reputable vendors, and refraining from sharing personal information.
Abacus Market
BidenCash’s rapid rise and free “preview” dumps make it a hotspot for those seeking fresh financial data, though it also faces constant scrutiny from cybersecurity professionals. MGM GRAND Market is a newer entrant distinguished by its focus on luxury-branded counterfeit items and high-stakes financial fraud. While it also lists drugs, stolen data, and hacking tools, it markets itself as a higher-tier destination where vendors pay premium fees to list items. The site integrates advanced encryption and strict vendor screening, aiming to minimize scams and uphold its upscale reputation. With more than 40,000 listings and an estimated valuation of around USD 15 million, it features a broad array of illicit products, from narcotics and cybercrime tools to forged documents.
Called Huione Guarantee, it provides scammers with personal data and tools to perpetrate their frauds. “With transactions totaling at least $24 billion, it is the largest illicit online marketplace to have ever operated,” cryptocurrency tracker Elliptic wrote in a report today. Elliptic rival Chainalysis had previously said Huione Guarantee had processed as much as $49 billion.
The market is also known for its listings related to financial fraud, such as phishing tools and stolen credit card information. H25.io is a premium directory in the Tor network, offering access to a diverse and meticulously curated list of onion sites. Our mission is to simplify navigation in the complex and evolving world of the darknet. Here, you’ll find links to various resources, including educational archives, private forums, anonymous services, and more. It has built a reputation for being a reliable source of stolen credit card data and PII.
At Least 500,000 Users Regularly Visit Dark Web Marketplaces
And by focusing so heavily on these hidden platforms, authorities are neglecting the growing digital harms in the spaces we all use. With these stolen credentials, the suspects purchased ghost gun parts and tools from a variety of legitimate websites, which they used to build ghost guns with a 3D printer, and sell for cash. A Manhattan district attorney successfully used this evidence to bring charges against one of the suspects.
By supplying stolen data, these dark web links fuel many online scams and identity theft operations, playing a critical role in the darker aspects of the internet. Immediately change your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and notify your bank or credit card provider if the leaked information includes your financial data. From there, these products are then passed on to distributors, which are the dark web marketplaces in this context. On these marketplaces, they’re listed, sold, and promoted just like items on any e-commerce site.
