This article was updated on July 17, 2025 with updated information
The ever-changing nature of dark web marketplaces makes it vital to stay on top of the main sites worth monitoring. High-profile markets sometimes close overnight, and new markets can surge in popularity quickly.
We’ve put together the top five dark web marketplaces worth monitoring for potential threats in 2025.
Why Dark Web Marketplaces Are Especially Important to Monitor Now
How does the dark web marketplace work?
Dark web marketplaces sell new and expert hackers various tools, data, credentials, ransomware, and malware. Payment is usually made via cryptocurrency to protect identities. While you may need technical skills and the Tor browser to access these marketplaces, some are available on the clear web.
What is the current state of dark web marketplaces?
Recent trends show a large downturn in estimated revenue generated by dark web marketplaces. Research conducted by blockchain analysis company Chainalysis noted a decline in revenue from $3.1 billion in 2021 to just over $2 billion in 2024.
Years-long international law enforcement operations have taken down many dark web marketplaces. The biggest hit was the shutdown of the popular Russian-language Hydra Market in 2022. The market was huge and generated up to $1 billion in revenue.
Since Hydra Market closed, several other dark web marketplaces have tried to take its place as the top dark web market. Law enforcement continues to work to shut down these cybercrime communities. They saw success with the closure of Genesis Market in 2023 and BidenCash in 2025.
However it’s worth noting that even if law enforcement takes down the infrastructure of a market, it may pop up elsewhere. For example, Genesis Market was officially taken down, but the website was operational again a few weeks later. But, even if law enforcement arrests the administrators of dark web markets or takes down the infrastructure, if the code to the infrastructure is still available to somebody else, the infrastructure can be put back online on another server with new administration (or remade from scratch with the same branding). With that said, after a successful law enforcement takedown, threat actors lose a lot of trust in that market.
Are dark web marketplaces still relevant?
The emergence of Telegram as a new dark web frontier also partly explains the revenue reductions in traditional dark web marketplaces. Threat actors and aspiring cybercriminals have been flocking to Telegram channels and groups hoping to benefit from anonymous profiles and end-to-end encryption. Telegram supplements the activities on dark web markets, and the dark web remains a popular choice for anonymously trading in illicit goods, malware, and stolen data. Darknet markets still made $2 billion in 2024 even with increased law enforcement pressure. As long as the dark web exists, marketplaces will continue to emerge and flourish.
Five Dark Web Marketplaces to Monitor
Many dark web marketplaces focus on the trade of illegal and prescription drugs along with counterfeit and pirated goods/services.
But other dark web marketplaces only offer services that could help threat actors get into an organization’s network. Threat actors can find malware, ransomware, stolen credentials, hacking tools, and other services for sale.
Here are the top five dark web marketplaces worth keeping an eye on.
1. Abacus Market
Abacus Market is an English-language hub for various illegal activities. It offers a variety of illicit products and services ranging from drugs to phishing kits. In terms of cybercrime, there are thousands of listings for stolen data, hacking tools, and financial scam tools. The overall value is estimated at $15 million.
Abacus Market offers a vendor verification system, and buyers can leave reviews about sellers. It’s supposed to help establish credibility within the shady world of cybercrime. The platform also uses 2FA, phishing warnings, and bug bounty programs to establish security around its services.
2. Exploit
Exploit is a dark web forum, but it handles many transactions between bad actors. Initial access brokers (IABs) sell information about organizations’ environments through an auction system. There is a thriving underground economy around:
- Stolen personal data
- Ransomware
- Botnets
- Phishing kits
The Russian-language forum connects bad actors with other collaborators. They often connect to conduct large-scale operations. It’s an exclusive group that is linked to schemes like targeting critical infrastructure in NATO member states.
Read more about the stealer malware ecosystem in our report, The Stealer Malware Ecosystem: A Detailed Analysis of How Infected Devices are Sold and Exploited on the Dark and Clear Web.
3. BriansClub
BriansClub focuses on credit card fraud and personal identity information. It’s one of the largest dark web marketplaces, but you can also find it on the clear web. Besides comprehensive credit card information, the platform also sells data like Social Security numbers and birth dates.
In 2019, law enforcement came down on BriansClub. Investigators discovered that the platform made over $126 million. Despite the legal interference, BriansClub still exists and continues to market credit card data and other sensitive information.
4. Russian Market
Russian Market has high volumes of stolen information available. Registration is easy and the site is accessible via both the dark web and clear web. Newly registered users need to deposit at least $50 worth of cryptocurrency to view listings.
Despite the name, this is actually an English-language marketplace. Hackers can buy dumps of stolen credit cards, stolen credentials, access to specific remote desktop protocol clients/servers, and stolen cookies. Prices range from as little as $10 to $500 or more for some data.
5. Exodus Marketplace
Exodus is a relatively new dark web marketplace that launched in 2024. Despite the invite-only status, Exodus had a rapid rise and is now one of the top markets on the dark web. Exodus specializes in stealer logs. The logs can contain sensitive information like login credentials, personal information, and financial data.
Exodus harvests stealer logs by using infostealer malware. It claims that it has over 7,000 bots and a bot can cost between $3-10. The low costs make it attractive to bad actors which can encourage further cybercrime.
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