US Seizes BidenCash Dark Web Market
US Authorities Shut Down BidenCash Dark Web Marketplace
In a significant blow to cybercrime, US authorities seized 145 domains and an undisclosed amount of cryptocurrency linked to BidenCash, a dark web marketplace notorious for trafficking stolen credit card data and personal information. The operation, announced June 5th by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, targeted the platform's infrastructure and financial flows.
Scale of the BidenCash Operation
Launched in March 2022, BidenCash amassed over 117,000 users and facilitated the sale of more than 15 million stolen payment card numbers and other personally identifiable information (PII). US officials estimate the platform generated over $17 million in revenue. The marketplace also sold compromised login credentials and, between October 2022 and February 2023, released 3.3 million stolen credit card records for free to attract new users.
All seized domains now redirect to a law enforcement-controlled server. A screenshot from the FBI shows a typical redirected domain.
Cryptocurrency Seizure and Investigation
The US government secured court authorization to seize cryptocurrency assets connected to BidenCash, though the exact amount remains undisclosed. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the US Secret Service’s Frankfurt Resident Office, the agency’s Cyber Investigative Section, and the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office. This action is part of a larger US initiative to combat crypto-enabled criminal networks operating on the dark web.
Larger Trend of Dark Web Market Crackdowns
The BidenCash takedown follows other significant enforcement actions. Operation RapTor in May dismantled multiple dark web drug trafficking platforms, resulting in 270 arrests across 10 countries and the seizure of $200 million in assets, including substantial cryptocurrency. In March, US authorities sanctioned the operator of the defunct Nemesis darknet marketplace, targeting 44 Bitcoin and 5 Monero addresses that received over $850,000.
The Growing Threat of Darknet Marketplaces
According to TRM Labs’ 2025 Crypto Crime Report, darknet marketplaces generated over $1.7 billion in revenue in 2024. Russian-language markets continue to dominate, driven by a perceived low risk of enforcement action from Russian authorities.
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