Emre Yumlu 
The United States continues its crackdown on illicit marketplaces operating on the dark web. In a recent move, authorities dismantled “BidenCash” — a notorious platform accused of trafficking in stolen credit card data and personal information.
As part of a court-authorized operation announced on June 5 by the Eastern District of Virginia, US officials seized 145 domains and confiscated crypto assets tied to the platform. The targeted infrastructure and financial networks were shut down, and all seized domains now redirect to law enforcement-controlled servers.
A Marketplace That Sold Millions of Stolen Cards
Launched in March 2022, BidenCash rapidly grew to over 117,000 users. Over its lifespan, the marketplace reportedly facilitated the trade of more than 15 million stolen credit card numbers and other forms of sensitive data.
According to US authorities, BidenCash generated approximately $17 million in revenue through these illegal transactions. The site also offered login credentials granting unauthorized access to systems — a major draw for cybercriminals.
In a bold marketing move, the platform leaked 3.3 million credit card records for free between October 2022 and February 2023, aiming to boost visibility and attract new users in underground forums.
Crypto Seized Alongside Digital Infrastructure
Beyond the web domains, US officials also confirmed the seizure of cryptocurrency assets linked to BidenCash’s unlawful activity. However, the exact amount of crypto recovered has not been disclosed.
The international investigation was spearheaded by the US Secret Service’s Frankfurt field office, the Cyber Investigative Section, and the FBI’s Albuquerque division. This effort is part of a larger initiative to disrupt crypto-powered criminal networks operating across borders.
A Pattern of Global Action Against Cybercrime
The BidenCash takedown follows a series of similar operations. In May, the multinational initiative “Operation RapTor” dismantled several darknet drug marketplaces. That coordinated effort resulted in 270 arrests across 10 countries and the seizure of assets worth $200 million, including large volumes of digital currency.
Earlier in March 2024, US authorities sanctioned the operator behind “Nemesis” — a defunct dark web site that facilitated the sale of drugs, fake IDs, and hacking tools. Officials also blacklisted multiple Bitcoin and Monero addresses linked to Nemesis, which had received hundreds of thousands of dollars over its period of activity.
The Dark Web’s Crypto Economy Keeps Growing
According to blockchain analytics firms, darknet markets brought in over $1.7 billion in revenue in 2024, slightly up from the previous year. Russian-speaking platforms continue to dominate the space, in part due to minimal regulatory pressure from local authorities.
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