In early August 2021, DeSnake resurfaced on Dread, the popular Reddit-like discussion forum on the darknet administrated and moderated by users, Hugbunter and Paris. Dread staff “vouched” for DeSnake to skeptical darknet users with DeSnake signing documents using their historical PGP key. Prior to AlphaBay, Alexander Cazes had a reputable history on the darknet – specifically in the carding community. A senior member from the carding community Ranklez claimed he had evidence to suggest Cazes wasn’t alpha02. Ranklez and alpha02 had a history in the carding community as Ranklez sold alpha02 fullz for conducting identity theft. There were also at least half a dozen moderators that helped administer the market and its discussion forum, moderated disputes between buyers and vendors, and promoted the market on Reddit (prior to the shutdown of the DNM subreddit).
AlphaBay, one of the largest marketplaces on the dark web, had a significantly high level of user engagement before its shutdown in 2017. Users flocked to this platform for a vast array of illicit goods and services, ranging from drugs to hacking tools. This massive influx of users was not just a fleeting moment; it demonstrated a sustained engagement that was carefully fostered through a combination of user-friendly navigation and a robust reputation system. Launched after the takedown of AlphaBay in 2021, Abacus Market has rapidly risen to prominence. It features over 40,000 listings including narcotics, counterfeit items, hacking tools, and stolen data. The marketplace is well-known for its bug bounty programs and robust security mechanisms, including mandatory 2FA.
How Did You Access It?
Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of California filed a civil forfeiture complaint against Mr. Cazes and his wife. 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. It is one of the most active and up to date markets and always provides new and updated malware and data.
No Fraud Related Content
Established in 2022, WizardShop is one of the biggest data stores on the dark web, focusing mainly on carding and financial data. SecureDrop is an open-source whistleblower submission system news organizations can install to safely and anonymously receive documents and tips from sources. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. These and many more pave the way for this world class marketplace to reach the top once again. “This is a warning you will want to heed,” the user, who goes by luckyduckquack, posted. “They are waiting to gather as many refugees from AB & Hansa as they can and then drop the hammer.”
That has them questioning Dream Market, a dark web marketplace that’s been in business since 2013 and benefitted from the shutdown of rivals. According to another complaint affidavit filed in the Middle District of Florida against Jeremy Achey, an investigation into a fentanyl overdose death in Orange County, Florida, on February 27, revealed that the lethal substance was purchased on AlphaBay from Achey. For those interested in following or sharing relevant links on Reddit, engaging regularly and respectfully with other community members can lead to more meaningful interactions.
Users engaging with such platforms often encounter risks related to data breaches, identity theft, and surveillance. Employing anonymity tools like Tor can significantly enhance user privacy by masking IP addresses and encrypting online traffic, making it more difficult for malicious actors or third parties to track online activities. This level of security is vital for individuals seeking to discuss or access content related to alphabay link reddit without revealing their true identities or locations. AlphaBay accessed through the TOR network, had over 40,000 vendors at its peak, and over 250,000 listings of drugs and other chemicals, as well as over 100,000 listings for stolen identities, credit cards, counterfeit goods, malwares, and firearms, among others. Estimates suggest this marketplace facilitated trades worth USD 1 billion in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Similarly, at the time of the takedown, Hansa was the third largest dark web marketplace, the perfect honeypot for global law enforcement teams to lure in cyber criminals and strike back.
Buyers, Sellers And Cops On The Hunt For AlphaBay’s Successor
Launched in December 2014, it quickly gained prominence due to its user-friendly interface and extensive inventory ranging from drugs to counterfeit currencies. Within the context of the dark web, AlphaBay positioned itself as a vital player, creating an environment where anonymity and privacy were prioritized, allowing users to navigate the realms of illegal transactions with minimal risk of exposure. 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. When seeking alternatives to Alphabay, especially through Reddit communities, users often turn to trusted platforms that offer verified access and community-driven advice.
The Top 7 Dark Web Marketplaces In 2025
Cazes also possessed millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, which has been seized by the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 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. In 2024, the platform grew significantly in popularity, partly because of its strategic acquisition of users from a number of recently shut-down marketplaces, such as AlphaBay and Incognito Market, which had recently closed their doors. This new version will allow markets and vendor shops from all around the world to join and form the future.
The Biggest Dark Web Takedown Yet Sends Black Markets Reeling
Those low numbers likely stem from DeSnake’s insistence on accepting only Monero, from skeptical dark web users waiting to see if the new AlphaBay is legitimate, and from a barrage of distributed denial-of-service attacks that have knocked the site offline since its launch. But DeSnake argues that dark web markets typically gain an influx of new users only when another popular market shuts down or is busted by law enforcement; neither has happened since AlphaBay came back. Each time, Christin points out, the dark web’s overall business took a temporary dive, but came roaring back more quickly after those setbacks and continued to grow as a whole. AlphaBay, for example, had more than 20 times as many product listings as the original Silk Road. (Some research has found that even bad news about the dark web markets only attracts more users to them.) And AlphaBay’s buyers and customers will eventually find a new home. AlphaBay’s takedown “may give people pause. But will it scare people away? I doubt it.”
Community Highlights
But the anonymous market for addictive drugs and other contraband isn’t slackening, says Christin, and so neither will the dark web’s brisk business. Other displaced users went to Dream Market, an older, less reliable site than Hansa, but one with a larger drug catalog. Dream Market seemed to be down for much of Thursday, though, likely struggling with the same influx of customers as Hansa. Some dark web users found that their old logins on the Dream Market weren’t working.
- However, accessing these discussions can itself be problematic, as some links are obscured or temporarily unavailable.
- In 2017, a coordinated effort, codenamed “Operation Bayonet” by the Dutch National Police, Europol, and the FBI, shut down the two dark web markets which together traded over 350,000 illicit commodities, ranging from opioids, ransomwares and money laundering.
- “AlphaBay name was put in bad light after the raids. I am here to make amends to that.”
- The operational framework of AlphaBay was sophisticated, employing various tactics to evade law enforcement and maintain its marketplace.
- The landscape of the deep web remains ever-evolving, yet the shadow of AlphaBay lingers on as a testament to its profound impact on online commerce.
The Best Parts Of The Anonymous Internet!
According to publicly available information on AlphaBay prior to its takedown, one AlphaBay staff member claimed that it serviced over 200,000 users and 40,000 vendors. Comparatively, the Silk Road dark web marketplace, which was seized by law enforcement in November 2013, had reportedly approximately 14,000 listings for illicit goods and services at the time of seizure and was the largest dark web marketplace at the time. Understanding the interactions between Alphabay and Reddit offers valuable insights into how online communities and dark web marketplaces communicate and share information. The relationship between Alphabay, a notorious marketplace, and Reddit, a popular social platform, highlights the dynamic ways users discuss, promote, and sometimes attempt to regulate such platforms.
Users Flocking To New Markets
“I’m distrustful of DeSnake, and I think across the communities there’s a general distrust.” DeSnake has discussed that decentralization project since his earliest posts to the AlphaBay forums, and he acknowledges that it’s still years away. But he sees it as a way to both make AlphaBay invulnerable to future law enforcement takedowns and to pay back the dark web’s users for the millions they lost when the original AlphaBay server was seized.
Community Discussions About Alphabay On Reddit
One common approach is to participate in dedicated communities where members share experiences, tips, and updates about alternative marketplaces. These communities typically provide insights into marketplace security, reliability, and the latest features, helping users make informed decisions. For those interested in exploring options similar to Alphabay, Reddit can be an excellent starting point for connecting with experienced members who can offer verified access and recommend trustworthy platforms. Trusted links and verified sources within Reddit communities are essential for ensuring safety and security. Many users emphasize the importance of conducting thorough research before engaging with any marketplace.
Members often share verified sources and updates about secure and reputable marketplaces that operate within the legal boundaries. When searching for a reliable platform, it’s beneficial to engage with these communities, as they provide guidance based on recent experiences and collective knowledge. Moreover, the subreddit discussions occasionally touch on niche or less-known markets that offer specialized goods or features tailored to specific needs. While some users reference the Alphabay link Reddit threads to direct followers to discussions or to share their own insights, the emphasis remains on reliable user experiences and the importance of security practices when engaging with alternative markets. Community discussions about Alphabay on Reddit highlight the diverse perspectives of users, from those who engaged with the platform to others who analyze its downfall or security. These discussions often include tips for safer browsing, updates about marketplace closures, and debates regarding the ethical implications of such platforms.
Users on the dark web will need to find a new marketplace after AlphaBay was shut down. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia identified an AlphaBay staffer living in the United States. Some users claim that mr_white and his team from WHM are to blame for last week’s DDoS while others speculate that HugBunter himself could be mr_white. Unfortunately, DeSnake’s contributions written in a mixture of English and Russian backfired and senior members of XSS berated them for their lack of operational security and inability to properly understand the dynamics of the Russian language. Interestingly, AlphaBay’s former moderator “Disc0” also chimed in, but using a lowercase “d” this time.
