Many “trusted” sellers use fake reviews or steal reputations from shutdown markets. Dark web markets have exploded in scale and reach in 2025, becoming the most dangerous hubs for trading drugs, stolen data, and hacking tools. These anonymous marketplaces—operating mainly on the Tor network—are now a primary threat vector for businesses and cybersecurity professionals. In 2024, Abacus accounted for 70% of Western darknet platforms accepting Bitcoin. TRM specialists suggested that, amid increased attention from law enforcement agencies, operators may have conducted an exit scam—disappearing with users’ funds. Unlike other darknet markets, Abacus Market darknet offers a forum for community interaction, advanced search tools, and multiple Abacus Market mirrors to ensure uninterrupted access.
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It’s built on Tor, runs on Bitcoin and Monero, and locks down every move with encryption that’d make a spy jealous. This isn’t a rushed job—Abacus is crafted for people who know what they want and how to stay sharp. At publishing time there is no indication that Abacus has been taken down by law enforcement but this scenario is not to be ruled out yet. Despite Vito’s assurances, daily transaction activity on the site dropped.
Never trust forum-posted URLs without independent verification—always cross-check with trusted Abacus darknet repositories. Exit scams occur when markets suddenly disappear with user funds; watch for warning signs like withdrawal delays with Abacus darknet or admin silence. Abacus Market, once the dominant darknet marketplace operating in the Western world, has gone offline under suspicious circumstances, leading to widespread speculation of a coordinated exit scam. 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. The platform, which accepted Bitcoin and Monero, had grown rapidly over the past three years and was reportedly handling millions of dollars in daily cryptocurrency transactions before its abrupt shutdown. According to blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs, Abacus’ web infrastructure—including its clearnet mirrors—became inaccessible in early July.
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It sells stolen card data — dumps, CVVs, even wholesale batches — and lets users bid on fresh leaks. Despite multiple takedown efforts by law enforcement and security researchers, Brian’s Club has resurfaced repeatedly and continues to add new stolen credit card data. In 2025, darknet marketplaces primarily accept Monero (XMR) and Bitcoin (BTC).
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As platforms vanish or are taken down, vendors and buyers are shifting towards encrypted communication channels and smaller, low-effort marketplaces to continue operations. Abacus Market, once the leading darknet marketplace catering to Western crypto users, has abruptly gone offline, sparking widespread fears of a calculated exit scam. It is one of the most notorious credit card shops on the dark web. It has built a reputation for being a reliable source of stolen credit card data and PII. Renowned for its extensive inventory of financial data and sophisticated operating methods, Brian’s Club is a key player in the underground economy of financial cybercrime.
- Abacus Market launched in September 2021 as Alphabet Market, before rebranding in November 2021.
- Despite those explanations, confidence in the platform rapidly declined.
- Freshtools is a unique marketplace in that it does not only provide the stolen data, but it allows criminals to purchase MaaS which can cause further damage to the victims.
- Here are some of the now-defunct dark web markets that were notorious for cybercrime.
Abacus Market Goes Offline After Suspected Exit Scam
- Secure, anonymous transactions with the most trusted darknet marketplace since 2021.
- Abacus Market is one of the newer darknet marketplaces that quickly filled the gap left by AlphaBay’s takedown.
- 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.
- Stealth login, anti-phishing phrases, and mirror verification protect users from scams.
- Articles cover topics like cold wallet practices and phishing recognition.
Receive announcements about new features, security alerts, and mirror updates. 24/7 assistance available through Dread Forum ensures quick resolution of issues. Auto-deleting logs, PGP-verified logins, and encrypted communications protect user anonymity. Browse categories, read reviews, and use escrow for all purchases.
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. Darknet marketplaces may look like regular online stores, but using or even browsing them comes with serious risks.
Forum Expansion
Still, darknet community members and users close to the Abacus team largely believe the collapse points to an exit scam, not a police seizure. Launched in 2021 as Alphabet Market before rebranding to Abacus later that year, the platform gained popularity by targeting Australian users and supporting transactions in both Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR). Following the takedown of Incognito Market in 2024 and the voluntary closure of ASAP Market in 2023, Abacus quickly captured over 70% of the Western darknet market share. TRM estimates the platform processed between $300 million and $400 million in total sales during its operation. Abacus’s disappearance follows similar exits by markets like Monopoly Market, and underscores the precarious nature of trust in anonymous online drug bazaars. The best way to protect yourself from the dangers of darknet markets is to simply avoid them altogether.
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The situation escalated after the platform allegedly came under a sustained DDoS attack, reportedly launched by the Breaking Bad forum team—a rival darknet community. While the administration claims the attack is the reason for recent disruptions, many users remain skeptical, fearing the marketplace could be preparing to shut down and steal their funds. Signs of instability began to surface in late June 2025 as users reported difficulties withdrawing funds from their accounts. However, skepticism quickly mounted as transaction activity and deposits plummeted.
Daily deposits dropped from over $230,000 across approximately 1,400 transactions in June to just $13,000 by early July. Soon afterward, access to the market’s main site, clearnet mirrors, and cryptocurrency wallets was suspended entirely. WeTheNorth is a Canadian market established in 2021 that also serves international users. It offers counterfeit documents, financial fraud tools, hacking and malware services.
The platform’s activity has increased significantly over the past year, indicating its growing influence and market share in the underground economy. Due to its extensive inventory and reputation for reliability, Brian’s Club has maintained a significant presence on the dark web. Quality and validity of the data it provides justify its higher cost over other marketplaces.
When a marketplace is shut down, vendors can typically migrate to other platforms. But when a vendor is arrested, their activity is disrupted across every DNM they operate on. As a result, law enforcement has adopted an intelligence-led enforcement strategy incorporating DNM takedowns into longer-term investigations rather than treating them as end goals. 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. It is a hub for financial cybercrime and offers a wide range of illicit services and stolen data that cater to sophisticated cybercriminals. Valued at approximately $15 million, Abacus Market is one of the most lucrative platforms in the dark web ecosystem.
This signals a growing preference among darknet operators for obfuscation and anti-surveillance tools. Cryptocurrency-enabled drug sales also grew by over 19% from 2023 to 2024, reaching nearly USD 2.4 billion in volume. Brian’s Club has been around since 2014 and remains one of the most well-known credit card shops on the dark web.
Whether you’re in the USA, Europe, or beyond, this Abacus URL darknet market caters to a global audience with localized currency options and a user-friendly design. TRM Labs estimates that the market facilitated nearly $100 million in Bitcoin transactions alone. Factoring in Monero, researchers suggest that total sales could have been closer to at least $300 million. The market even experienced its best month in June, with brokered sales peaking at $6.3 million, indicating robust activity just before its demise. Its growth was particularly pronounced as rival platforms fell victim to law enforcement actions, allowing Abacus to consolidate its market share. By last year, it commanded a dominant 70% of the Western darknet market landscape.
