Last Updated: April 2025
Since the emergence of the first darknet market (DNM) in 2011, the underground online trade of illicit goods and services has evolved dramatically. Operating on the dark web, these platforms leverage anonymity tools like the Tor network and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR) to facilitate transactions.
The darknet market era began with Silk Road, which introduced a new model for anonymous online trade using Bitcoin. Its rapid rise drew worldwide attention until the FBI shut it down in October 2013, arresting founder Ross Ulbricht in a landmark operation.
After Silk Road's fall, Agora emerged as a major player, operating until it shut down voluntarily in 2015 due to security concerns.
Evolution gained traction in 2014 but vanished in 2015 when operators disappeared with users' funds in a notorious exit scam.
Dream Market launched late in 2013 and became one of the longest-running DNMs, operating until its voluntary closure in 2019.
AlphaBay rose to prominence as the largest DNM before a multinational law enforcement effort seized it in 2017.
Shortly after AlphaBay's takedown, Hansa Market was also seized in a coordinated sting, disrupting the DNM ecosystem.
Empire Market, inspired by AlphaBay's design, thrived with 2,700 vendors until it exit scammed in 2020, taking $750 vendor bonds with it.
Cannazon, supporting BTC and XMR, operated with a $500 vendor bond until retiring in 2021, allowing user withdrawals.
DarkMarket, built on the Eckmar script, grew to 800 vendors before German authorities seized it in 2021.
Cannahome, a BTC and XMR market with multisig escrow, ran with no vendor fee until its retirement in 2022.
Torrez Market, supporting multiple cryptocurrencies and multisig with 1,411 vendors, retired gracefully in 2021 with a $200 bond.
Dark0de Reborn charged steep $1,000-$2,500 vendor bonds but exit scammed in 2022, leaving BTC and XMR users empty-handed.
Cartel Market, with 180 vendors and a $99 bond, ceased operations in 2022 after an exit scam.
Kingdom Market, supporting BTC, LTC, and XMR with 900 vendors, fell to a law enforcement seizure in late 2023.
Nemesis Market, hosting 660 vendors, was shut down by authorities in early 2024.
Bohemia Market, using BTC and XMR, vanished in 2024 for unknown reasons, possibly busted.
Retro Market, an XMR-only platform with 148 vendors and a $250 bond, has an unclear fate since its 2021 launch.
Alien Market, supporting BTC, ETH, Tether, and XMR with 175 vendors, shut down after a hack in 2022.
Both markets, accepting BTC, XMR, and Tether, disappeared in 2023 for unknown reasons.
SuperMarket launched late in 2023 and merged with DrugHub within six months, reflecting rapid consolidation.
Calypso Market, an XMR-only platform with a $250 bond and 6% fee, has an unknown status as of 2024.
The DNM landscape has seen a shift from Bitcoin to privacy-focused coins like Monero. Vendor bonds range widely, from $60 (Holy Grail Market) to $2,500 (Dark0de Reborn), reflecting varied entry barriers. Closures stem from seizures, exit scams, hacks, retirements, or mergers, underscoring the instability of this ecosystem.
The history of darknet markets reveals a persistent cycle of innovation and disruption. From Silk Road's pioneering role to the modern era's rapid turnover, DNMs demonstrate resilience amid constant threats from law enforcement and internal fraud. As technology and tactics evolve, the future of these markets remains unpredictable, yet their influence on illicit digital trade endures.