This article was originally published on Medium on January 22nd, 2024.
9 Darknet Markets That Left “Gracefully”
Some Darknet marketplaces don’t get seized by various law enforcement agencies or by exit scamming it’s users. Although these are the two most likely causes.. there is, however, a peaceful way of leaving while allowing 99% of users to remain happy. While this happens rarely, it does happen.
I will go into how much the marketplaces ended up making, the dates they were in service, what was sold on the market, and the names of the known marketplace admins.
Let’s take a look at 9 of the biggest marketplaces that left on a “high note”.
- ASAP - Once known by the name ASEAN market and later named ASAP. Announced in March 2020 and closed in July 2023. At one point ASAP was the largest Darknet market with over 123,000 listings ranging from drugs, carding resources, stolen credentials, hacking and more. Known market admins: Aseanmarket, LeChacal, AStrike, Kreed. ASAP gave users a couple weeks of warning to remove all crypto into private wallets before shutting down for good. ASAP made away with millions of dollars while trying to leave as gracefully as possible.
2. CannaHome - Inspired by CGMC, CannaHome’s goal was to provide a safe space for lovers of Cannabis and Shrooms to shop and build a community. CannaHome was arguably one of the largest Marijuana and Mushroom markets at the time. The market was announced in September 2019 and shut down in April 2022. Known marketplace admins: CannaHome. When CannaHome shut down for good, it is said they made away with $15 million.
3. Cannazon - Announced in March 2018 and retired in November 2021, Cannazon focused on Cannabis products only. Cannazon also strictly forbid any buyers and/or vendors from the US. It is estimated that the admins made off with $20 million. Known marketplace admin: Cannazon
4. Dream Market - Dream Market first launched in November 2013 and shut down in April of 2019. The market at the time, was the longest standing Darknet marketplace. At one point Dream Market reportedly had 57,000 listings ranging from Drugs, counterfeit goods, and stolen data. Known admins of the market: Gal Vallerius who was arrested in August 2017 after a border search of his laptop confirmed his identity as online drug dealer OxyMonster. Gal Vallerius was sentenced to 20 years in prison. SpeedStepper was also a known admin, but has never been caught. It is said he has made away with $50+ million. Waterchain, a moderator on Dread’s Dream Market, provided the following statements.
5. JokersStash/Joker’s Stash - JokerStash or Joker’s Stash was one of the largest darknet markets for stolen payment card data. Joker’s Stash was best known for leaking credit card data on more than 30 million Americans from the Wawa chain store data breach. It started in October 2014 and closed it’s doors in February 2021. Known admin, Joker, is said to have made more than $1-$2.1 Billion (yes Billion) in Bitcoin.
6. Tor Market - Tor Market became active in March 2018, before shutting it’s doors completely in April 2023. It made off with an estimated $5 million. The market predominantly sold drugs, digital goods, fraudulent goods, and carding. Known admin names were: TorMarketSupport.
7. ToRReZ - ToRReZ marketplace was established in April 2020 and closed it’s doors in December of 2021. It is said that the admins made off with $10 million. ToRReZ gave it’s users many different things to buy from; Tutorials, Malware, Carded Items, Fraud, Drugs and Counterfeit items. Known marketplace admin was: mrblonde, ToRReZ Market Team.
8. UniCC - UniCC was the largest carding marketplace at the time the site was up. It reportedly generated more than $358 million in revenue. UniCC launched in 2013 and shut down in January of 2022. While the UniCC admin shut it’s doors in a “respectful” way, Andrey Novak, was later arrested by law enforcement in Russia. Andrey Novak was believed to be founder of the Infraud Organization and going by the names: UniCC, Faaxxx, Faxtrod.
9. Versus Market (Kinda/Sorta) - Versus was active from August 2019 until May of 2022. Versus is the only one on this list that had to leave due to a hacker leaking a security flaw. But there is more to Versus then just a leaked security flaw. In March 2020 Versus became exposed to IP leaks. They also suffered from a Bitcoin theft from wallets on the platform in July 2020. Needless to say Versus had good reason to leave while they had a chance. It is said that the marketplace admins made off with $10 million. The admins/mods went by the following on Versus: VersusMarket, JamesJoyce, WilliamGibson, Edgar_Allan_Poe, AldousHuxley, Tolkien, and VersusMarket_PR
I hope you enjoyed the article! If you feel I missed a Darknet market that “gracefully” left peacefully. Please leave a comment and I will add to the article.
DISLCAIMER NOTE: Using a Darknet marketplace is at your own risk. Some of these risks include the Market admin Exit scamming, Market seizure by law enforcement, losing money to a vendor that is scamming, and so many more possibilities.
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