Based on our observations from analysis on dark web data using Lunar, we’ve identified the top 7 marketplaces on the dark web in 2025. We developed Lunar to monitor the deep and dark web, including dark web marketplace sites. While some of these markets were shuttered by law enforcement agencies – some took the easy way out with exit scams. Here are some of the now-defunct dark web markets that were notorious for cybercrime.
Vice City Tightens Vendor Policies
In 2017, the website went offline following a law enforcement action taken by the American, Canadian, and Thai authorities, but since August 2021, it’s been operational again. Darknet or dark web marketplaces are a hidden part of the internet that surface web users can’t access; they can only be accessed with special anonymity software called Tor. Many people (mostly criminals) use these sites to perform illegal transactions such as selling banned goods and services. Abacus Market stands out with over 35,000 listings across drugs, digital goods, and fraud tools, commanding an 8% share of the darknet drug trade. It processes $5M monthly via BTC and XMR, serving 15,000+ active users and 1,200+ vendors. Abacus Market shines with 35,000+ listings and a monthly volume of $5M, commanding an 8% share of the darknet drug trade.
ASAP Market Security
These markets rely on encryption, escrow systems, and vendor ratings to function in a trustless environment. When one goes down, two more emerge with new ideas, better technology, and greater difficulty to track. It’s an ever-evolving ecosystem—constantly shifting, reinventing itself, and adapting.
Abacus Market Security
Use the filters below to sort by market name, seller rating, or currency support, and jump into each market’s details to see what earned it a spot in our 2025 lineup. It was announced shortly thereafter that an international law enforcement operation brought AlphaBay down. Relationships on these platforms are primarily based on trust between the seller (the platform) and the buyer (the cybercriminal conducting the attack). On Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains, governance tokens may be staked within network validator nodes to secure the platform’s security and operational efficiency in exchange for regular staking rewards.
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Its sleek design and encrypted communication channels provide a sense of security, allowing buyers and sellers to engage in illicit transactions without fear of detection. Security professionals, however, remain vigilant, well aware of the risks and dangers that lurk behind the veil of anonymity. Dive into the world of the dark web as security professionals share their concerns about the top 5 dark web marketplaces.
Vice City shines with its simple interface and 94% escrow success, ideal for new traders with 9,000+ users. Its 80% drug focus and 4.6/5 vendor score offer a safe entry, though Abacus suits variety seekers with more experience. Our top 10 markets—processing $50M+ monthly—reflect these shifts, with platforms like ASAP pioneering stablecoins, Incognito enforcing 2FA, and Drughub dominating pharma trades. These trends, sourced from platform data, user feedback, and darknet analytics, signal a maturing ecosystem where privacy, efficiency, and specialization are paramount.
One of the central76 discussion forums was Reddit’s /r/DarkNetMarkets/,777879 which has been the subject of legal investigation, as well as the Tor-based discussion forum, The Hub. Updated February 27, 2025
Considerations When Accessing Darknet Markets
Here’s a look at the top 10 dark web markets currently dominating this underground space. It locks your messages so only the right person can read them—super handy when you’re dealing with sensitive stuff on the dark web. Markets like Incognito even nudge you to use it for extra peace of mind. Cryptomarkets now also operate via messaging apps — harder to index, monitor, or shut down. Exodus Marketplace emerged in early 2024 as a successor to Genesis Market, focusing on malware-harvested device logs.
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- Security experts are alarmed by its growing popularity and the potential risks it poses to both users and the online community.
- Ulbricht faced several serious charges, including distributing illegal drugs, running a criminal enterprise, hacking, trafficking fake IDs, and money laundering.
- The anonymity and privacy provided by these platforms attract various users, from those seeking digital goods to vendors looking to expand their reach.
- While technically not an onion site, we’re including Sci-Hub (sci-hub.se) as an interesting example of a site you can access via Tor.
Don’t concentrate funds—split trades across markets like Abacus and Vice City to mitigate risk. This particular marketplace surfaced in the middle of 2017 and had remained active ever since. However, it’s worth noting the website does not contain multisim like other marketplaces do and don’t force vendor PGP, but there is 2FA to help you stay protected while buying online. When you think about the Dark Web, perhaps one of the first things to come to mind are the online markets you’ll find there. These darknet market websites and platforms used to regularly make the news and media for being shut down or put back up, and were basically home to everything you could imagine; illegal or otherwise.
In 2013, the FBI shut down the Silk Road, but it was later relaunched in 2014 with the new name of Silk Road 2.0, but the German authorities shut it down in the same year. Other than the Silk Road 2.0, similar marketplaces also emerged, but they all went down sooner or later. You can find featured listings on the homepage and browse the products of your choice. There’s also a search bar that you can use to search for any particular product or vendor. World Market is another largest dark web shops that deals with various goods and services.
What Exactly Is Sold On These Marketplaces?
I also included instructions on how to access the dark web, and outlined how to stay safe when browsing dark web links (the dark web is also home to many scams and malicious sites). The market is only A complete shutdown is expected in the beginning of january. As we step into 2024, the landscape of darknet markets continues to shift and evolve. The anonymity and privacy provided by these platforms attract various users, from those seeking digital goods to vendors looking to expand their reach. The following sections will explore some of the best darknet markets 2024 that have gained attention for their functionality and user safety. ASAP drives 25,000+ listings and $4M monthly across BTC, XMR, LTC, and USDT, holding a 7% share.
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The victims, who are common users, businesses, and even banks, who end up paying the price. Ulbricht faced several serious charges, including distributing illegal drugs, running a criminal enterprise, hacking, trafficking fake IDs, and money laundering. In the end, he was sentenced to life in prison for running one of the largest and most scandalous dark web cases in history. You can even find things such as BIN checkers and PayPal cookie converters. Another reason the Russian Market is so popular is that it’s pretty inexpensive compared to other dark web marketplaces.
