How Big is the Darknet Market?

The darknet market is a term used to describe online marketplaces that operate on the dark web. These marketplaces are not indexed by search engines and can only be accessed using special software, such as the Tor browser. The darknet market is often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen data.

To gain membership on this forum, you were required to target a site and send the site’s credentials to the administrators of GroundZero. This technique is similar to mafia trust tests and will slowly edge researchers out as they become more widely adopted by marketplaces and forums on the Darknet. Today, there is an estimated 2 million daily users on the Tor network alone. This popularity is largely due to the amount of funding and academic review that the network has received over the years.

Security Assessment

Likely a response to increase law enforcement activities, it is even harder to get access to dark web hacker forums. Dark web forum admins have always been wary of newcomers and visitors, routinely screening for law enforcement (often ineffectively). In light of recent busts, however, dark web operators have increased their vigilance and are scrutinizing applicants more thoroughly. These days, you often have to pass stringent verification and vetting processes to join a forum. Admins may require references from other members or verification tokens from other trusted forums. Some forums and dark web marketplaces now require a substantial cryptocurrency down payment to even get access to their services.

The Size of the Darknet Market

Revolution Market

It is difficult to determine the exact size of the darknet market, as it is constantly changing and evolving. However, there are a few factors that can give us an idea of its scale.

Number of Listings

Darknet Market Revenue Plummeted To $13 Billion In 2022

One way to measure the size of the darknet market is by looking at the number of listings on its various marketplaces. According to a report by Recorded Future, as of October 2021, there were over 50,000 listings on the top five darknet markets. These listings included drugs, stolen data, fraudulent documents, and other illicit goods and services.

Number of Users

• After the Biker DLC, players can now purchase buildings for illegal drugs and counterfeit products manufacture, and distribute them through a darknet website called “The Open Road” where law enforcement cannot be notified of the player’s trade.
• While most products seem to originate from the USA, most counterfeits are from China, including Hong Kong.
• Xennt, who had a lifelong fascination with underground fortresses, lived in the bunker.
• Rise in adoption cloud-based dark web intelligence, due to low cost and easier maintenance is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities in the upcoming years.

“With Hydra and the evolution of money-laundering services as a feature of the darknet market ecosystem, a number of new financial motivations come into play,” Jardine says. Dark marketplaces operate similarly to other online marketplaces, such as eBay, Gumtree or Craigslist, on which vendors advertise their products and prices. Customers request shipment through the website and vendors are usually responsible for delivery. Typically, transactions flow from buyers to the dark marketplace which then sends the money to sellers after buyers confirm the receipt of the goods. Dark marketplaces are also supported by search engines and news websites such as Grams, DeepDotWeb and darknetlive which aggregate information on all active dark marketplaces25.

Big Blue Market

Another way to measure the size of the darknet market is by looking at the number of users who access it. According to a report by Flashpoint, as of 2019, there were an estimated 2.5 million unique users accessing darknet marketplaces each month. However, it is important to note that this number may have changed significantly since then.

Some of these sites have turned to influencers to boost their publicity campaigns. Earlier this month a Kraken employee told Russian news website Lenta.ru that the market had a dedicated PR department. But amid the scramble for power and wealth, experts have told VICE World News that the huge profits being generated by these platforms are being fuelled by money from gangs involved in increasingly sinister crimes. The landing page for the marketplace lists the daily exchange rates for Bitcoin and offers the site in both English and Russian.

Total Sales

A third way to measure the size of the darknet market is by looking at the total sales volume. According to a report by Chainalysis, in 2020, darknet markets generated approximately $1.7 billion in cryptocurrency revenue. This is a significant increase from the $790 million generated in 2019.

Conclusion

While it is difficult to determine the exact size of the darknet market, there are several factors that can give us an idea of its scale. These include the number of listings, the number of users, and the total sales volume. Despite efforts to shut down darknet marketplaces, they continue to thrive, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and law enforcement efforts to combat illegal activities on the dark web.