A study based on a combination of listing scrapes and feedback to estimate sales volume by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University captured some of the best data. Examples include the sale of high-quality products with low risk for contamination (including lacing and cutting), vendor-tested products, sharing of trip reports, and online discussion of harm reduction practices. The vendor feedback system provides accountability for risks of mixing and side effects and protection against scammers. According to 2014 studies by Martin Aldridge & Décary-Hétu and a January 2015 report from the Global Drug Policy Observatory, many harm reduction trends have been spotted.
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Accessing them may require .onion links and the Tor browser, but caution is advised due to legality and cybersecurity risks. They use pseudonymous wallets, privacy coins (like Monero), mixers, chain-hopping, and non-KYC platforms to obscure transaction trails. Cybersecurity experts should pay close attention to these trends, as they often indicate emerging threats and profit-generating tactics among the cybercriminal forums. It enhances buyer transparency by importing vendor feedback with PGP proof.
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Online drugs marketplace Abacus Market has either been seized by US authorities or is performing an exit scam on its users following questionable bitcoin (BTC) transfers, according to Darkweb Informer. Abacus Market became the #1 darknet marketplace by transaction volume in early 2023, with over 800 verified vendors and 30,000 daily active users. As darknet marketplaces continue to disappear without warning, whether through exit scams or unannounced law enforcement operations, blockchain intelligence firms, such as TRM, remain a key component to help investigators. Although some darknet operators, particularly of Western darknet marketplaces, have historically attempted rebrands or exit scams following law enforcement action, full-scale rebuilds appear to be becoming less common. Abacus Market, one of the largest remaining darknet drug marketplaces catering to Western users, has suddenly disappeared, triggering widespread speculation of a deliberate exit scam. A number of studies suggest that markets such as Silk Road may have helped users reduce the harm caused by illicit drug use, particularly compared with street-based drug marketplaces.
Market Features
No messages were posted by administrators, and its mirror sites failed to load, leaving buyers and sellers in limbo. Its products range from drugs, counterfeit goods, and fraud tools in exchange BTC and the privacy-focused crypto Monero. Informer and vxdb, another cybercrime news reporter, both claimed it wasn’t a good look, with Informer speculating that it’s a sign of a “possible exit scam in process.” The darkweb news blog first highlighted a BTC transfer on June 30 that was reportedly made as Abacus went down with DDOS issues and the “malfunctioning” of link directory Daunt. Vendors, who rely on timely withdrawals to access their earnings, are particularly worried, with some claiming their funds are now stuck in escrow.
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While not based in Australia, Abacus Market gained strong traction with local darknet users by embracing cultural references, supporting Australian vendors, and featuring a dedicated moderator from the region. Without vendors, darknet marketplaces cannot operate or generate profits, making them a more strategic enforcement target. TRM Labs assesses that the marketplace’s operators have likely conducted an exit scam, shutting down operations and disappearing with users’ funds. This exit scam comes as a big surprise to all darknet market users, especially to those loyal to Abacus, because Abacus was a "user safety" market and It just lost it's biggest competitor so they were expecting a large influx of new and returning users and a lot more money to be made, so it really came as an unfortunate surprise to all. Exit scams occur when the operator of a marketplace decides to vanish with the money they hold in escrow for various transactions between platform users. By 2015, some of the most popular vendors had their own dedicated online shops separate from the large marketplaces.
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Stay one step ahead of dark web dangers — connect with the NordStellar team today to learn how to keep your data safer. This solution scans dark web forums to alert you if your data is being listed, traded, or otherwise exposed. To keep a closer eye on your personal information, you can use services like NordStellar's dark web monitoring. Even browsing these sites can put you at risk of malware infections or attract unwanted attention from law enforcement. In fact, some parts of it actually provide a safe space for privacy and freedom, especially where traditional internet access is limited or censored. With an estimated market value of around $15 million, it has grown into a massive hub for cybercriminal activity.
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In 2024, however, many vendors of reagents and precursors have turned to criminal forums to advertise their product offerings, or have delisted (at least publicly) chemicals related to fentanyl synthesis. While not all are pictured above, in total, we found 16 vendors either selling or sourcing drug material from Abacus and purchasing production supplies from this China-based vendor. One China-based pill press manufacturer which advertises on clearnet business-to-business (B2B) websites has on-chain ties to drug vendors on Abacus Market. Some countries have just one or a few vendors with a loyal customer base and a wider selection of goods.
Russian Market has been operating since 2019 and is one of the favorite destinations for those looking for stolen digital data, rather than physical products. All of this has made it one of the most reliable markets still active in 2025. The categories are well organized, ranging from drugs and fraud to digital products, guides, and malware.What really sets it apart is its focus on security and usability. Abacus Market appeared on the scene in 2021 and quickly became one of the heavyweights among English-speaking markets on the dark web.
Dark web markets are like hidden online stores, except instead of selling clothes or technology, they specialize in illegal products and services. Here are some of the now-defunct dark web markets that were notorious for cybercrime. Apart from the dark web markets that are operating online today, some raided platforms influenced many markets.
After the transaction is complete, the vendor receives a notification, prepares the package, and ships it. As soon as you place an order, the funds are transferred from your built-in wallet to the platform’s escrow account. Therefore, the Abacus market is now integrated with Aegis, a search engine/online encyclopedia of theory and common practices related to drug manufacturing or use. However, if the access to the information about these substances is restricted or requires extensive research, making the right decision becomes challenging and even impossible. When it comes to drugs, people must make a responsible choice.
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Here’s a look at the top 10 dark web markets currently dominating this underground space. However, the administrator of Dread, a darknet forum in contact with Abacus staff, has said they doubt police are behind this disappearance. Still, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a hidden law enforcement operation. TRM Labs stated that the recent rise in new users may have attracted more attention from authorities. TRM Labs noted that these patterns, withdrawal delays, user panic, and plummeting deposits, have been seen before on darknet sites that later vanished with customer money. Despite these claims, deposits to the marketplace began to fall, from around $230,000 a day in June to just $13,000 a day by July.
- Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs reported that both Abacus Market’s dark web and clearnet infrastructure are now inaccessible, a likely exit scam by its operators.
- With the specific environment of the darknet markets in mind, privacy and security are not something you should treat lightly.
- It is considered very secure thanks to strict user validations and transparent payment and vendor review procedures.
- While these outfits are not traditional DNMs, their success highlights how drug vendors are scaling their operations throughout Russian-speaking countries.
In the first arc of the anime series Lupin the 3rd Part V, Lupin III steals digital currency from the "Marco Polo" darknet market. These variations can be attributed to factors like geographic isolation, strict border controls, lenient laws on illegal items, high prices, tight internet control, and the general accessibility of illegal goods. In February 2015, the EMCDDA produced another report citing the increased importance of customer service and reputation management in the marketplace, the reduced risk of violence and increased product purity. Some health professionals such as "DoctorX" provide information, advice and drug-testing services on the darknet.
