About DarkNet Index
DarkNet Index is an independent editorial resource that documents the technical architecture, security practices, and operational patterns of darknet marketplaces. It is not affiliated with, operated by, or endorsed by any marketplace, vendor, or illegal enterprise.
Editorial Methodology
Every claim published on this site is sourced from one or more of the following categories:
- Protocol documentation: Official specifications published by the Monero Project (getmonero.org), the Tor Project (torproject.org), and related open-source cryptographic projects.
- Public records: Court filings, Department of Justice press releases, and law enforcement announcements related to darknet marketplace investigations between 2013 and 2026.
- Direct observation: Technical characteristics of publicly accessible Tor hidden services, including uptime monitoring, page load measurements, and protocol analysis conducted through standard Tor Browser.
- Academic research: Peer-reviewed publications on cryptocurrency privacy, Tor network security, and darknet market economics from journals and conferences including IEEE, USENIX, and ACM.
Verification Process
Onion addresses published on this site are verified through PGP signature verification against the market operator's published public key. Addresses are re-verified on a regular schedule. If a signature fails verification, the address is immediately removed.
Uptime percentages cited on this site are derived from third-party .onion monitoring services that perform hourly availability checks from multiple Tor exit nodes. Page load times are measured using Tor Browser with the "Safest" security setting on standard residential internet connections.
What This Site Is Not
This site is not a marketplace. It does not host listings, process transactions, hold funds, or facilitate communication between buyers and vendors. It does not employ staff, maintain customer support, or operate any infrastructure beyond this static informational website.
This site does not provide legal advice, financial guidance, or encouragement to participate in any activity. Readers are solely responsible for their own actions and should consult appropriate legal counsel in their jurisdiction.
Content Standards
All content is written with the goal of accuracy, neutrality, and technical precision. Subjective claims are avoided. Where estimates or approximations are used, the methodology and limitations are disclosed. Statistics are attributed to their source and dated.
This site does not accept paid placements, sponsored content, or advertising. No affiliate relationships exist with any marketplace, vendor, or cryptocurrency exchange.
Last updated: .