Russian-language darknet markets still dominate, driving 97% of Bitcoin and TRON drug sales

Russian Darknet Market Dominance: Russian-language darknet platforms have significantly outperformed Western markets in 2024, generating over $1.7 billion in drug sales primarily through Bitcoin and TRON, accounting for more than 97% of the revenue from these cryptocurrencies.

Challenges for Western Markets: In contrast, Western darknet markets faced numerous challenges including exit scams and law enforcement crackdowns, leading to a decline in trust and overall performance, while Russian platforms maintained stability with minimal exits.