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Buying cryptocurrencies

Why you need crypto?

Transactions in dark web are made in cryptocurrencies to protect your ass against law enforcements. The most widely used crypto is Bitcoin. This is a digital currency that eliminates the need for central authorities such as banks or governments. Instead, Bitcoin uses blockchain technology to support peer-to-peer transactions between users. This makes Bitcoin safe to pay for goods in dark web.

Transactions are stored in public ledger called blockchain but bitcoins owners stay anonymous. No one knows that you own Bitcoin addresses unless you reveal your identity to the exchange. Also, no one knows whom you sent crypto because in dark web markets an unique payment address is generated for every transaction and every payment address is used only once.

There are many ways to buy bitcoins. You don't have to buy the whole bitcoin for $88,889 because it's dividible to 8 decimal points. The smallest value is 0.00000001 btc (1 satoshi) and you can buy any reasonable amount, e.g. 0.005625 BTC for $500.

Creating wallet

You need a wallet to buy bitcoins in ATM, at brick-and-mortar exchange or directly from some seller.

You may skip this section if you buy bitcoins at online exchange like Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.

For desktop computers we recommend Electrum. It's an open source wallet available for Windows, Linux, Mac OS and Android, easy to use for beginners. You don't need to download the whole blockchain to your hard disk as it's in official wallet Bitcoin Core.

Beginners guide to Electrum Bitcoin wallet (clearnet)

For Android devices we recommend Samourai Wallet. It's an open source Bitcoin wallet focused on privacy and security. It routes all traffic over Tor and includes tools that help you anonymize your coins before sending to darknet market or to exchange.

How to set up Samourai Wallet (clearnet)

For Apple devices and to support multiple cryptocurrencies on any device we recommend Coinomi. This is a multi-blockchain wallet that supports Bitcoin and many other networks including Ethereum, Litecoin and Monero. It has built-in exchanges that let you swap coins, e.g. replace Bitcoins with Monero. Coinomi is available for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS.

Download Coinomi (clearnet)

Where to buy bitcoins

Bitcoin ATM (anonymous)

This is the easiest way to buy bitcoins for cash. Use clearnet search engine to find a Bitcoin ATM in your town. Some ATM providers may require KYC (Know Your Customer) to comply AML (Anti-Money Laundering) laws in your country. For example in EU you must scan your ID for transactions above €1000 but some countries may have more strict AML regulations.

Buying bitcoins in ATM usually involves:

  1. install mobile wallet, e.g. Coinomi
  2. go to the ATM and follow instructions
  3. enter amount in your local currency, e.g. 500 USD
  4. scan QR code of your Bitcoin address from phone's screen
  5. insert cash to the machine
  6. wait for network confirmation to receive bitcoins

Brick-And-Mortar Exchange

This is also easy way to buy bitcoins for cash. Use clearnet search engine to find a brick-and-mortar crypto exchange in your town. Some crypto exchanges may require KYC (Know Your Customer) to comply AML (Anti-Money Laundering) laws in your country. For example in European Union for transactions above €1000 they must store personal data like ID number, full name, address and bank statement but some countries may have more strict AML regulations.

If they ask about the reason for buying bitcoins, you are a crypto trader and you buy bitcoins for investments. Never disclose you're going to spend bitcoins in darknet! For very large amounts, if obliged by law, they may ask you for SOF (Source Of Funds) and check your crypto market knowledge so first learn about investing in crypto and how blockchain works.

Buying bitcoins in physical exchange involves:

  1. install mobile wallet (exchange may require their own app)
  2. go to the exchange (don't mask yourself)
  3. give cash and receive bitcoins

Peer-To-Peer Exchange

At P2P exchanges you trade crypto directly with another person. Choose only verified sellers with good reputation. After LocalBitcoin has closed, there are many other exchanges that do not require KYC. Look up the following site to find a safe exchange:

kycnot.me - list of anonymous crypto exchanges (clearnet)

Binance, Coinbase, Kraken

These exchanges require KYC (Know Your Customer) that involves scanning your ID and taking a selfie. This is the easiest and most secure way to buy bitcoins online with credit card or wire transfer but harms your privacy. They have very strict AML algorithms so before you spend bitcoins in darknet, it's highly recommended to withdraw funds to a local wallet like Electrum, Samourai, Coinomi. For US users we recommend Coinbase. For EU users both Binance and Coinbase are relevant.

Do not use Tor on these exchanges. Otherwise they will flag or ban your account!

Other Online Exchanges

There are many other online exchanges where you can buy bitcoins with credit card. Most do not require KYC. Do your own research. Note that by paying with credit card or wire transfer you leave trace so this way also harms your privacy. Many online exchanges are fake and you will not receive bitcoins. There are techniques to anonymize your coins and remove the trace. You will learn them later.

How To Spend Bitcoins

You bought some stuff in darknet market. Now they ask you to pay for your order.

You must send equal amount of bitcoins to randomly generated Bitcoin address displayed on checkout page. It's recommended to copy and paste address instead of typing it by hand to avoid typo. If you use mobile wallet, just open the app and scan QR code.

The higher fee you set, the faster your transaction will be confirmed by miners. Do not lower fee suggested by your wallet because your transaction may stuck in mempool forever. Sometimes Bitcoin network is overloaded and fees are very high.

It's recommended to leave default fee. You may check fees on the following site:

Mempool explorer (onion)

From Desktop Computer

On desktop computer copy Bitcoin address and equal price that you see on screen.

For example in Electrum you must:

  1. Open Electrum
  2. Go to tab "Send"
  3. Copy destination address to field "Pay to"
  4. Copy equal amount of bitcoins to field "Amount"
  5. Leave field "Description" empty (it's stored only in your wallet)
  6. Click "Pay..." and enter password to wallet
  7. Wait for network confirmation

From Mobile Device

On mobile device open wallet app and scan QR code with rear camera.

For example in Coinomi you must:

  1. Open Coinomi
  2. Select "Bitcoin"
  3. Go to tab "Send"
  4. Tap QR icon and allow access to camera
  5. Scan QR code visible on checkout page
  6. If address and price are valid, tap "Confirm"
  7. Type your password or scan fingerprint
  8. Wait for network confirmation

If you browse Tor on mobile device:

  1. Open Coinomi
  2. Select "Bitcoin"
  3. Go to tab "Send"
  4. Copy and paste address and amount
  5. If address and price are valid, tap "Confirm"
  6. Type your password or scan fingerprint
  7. Wait for network confirmation

From Exchange

It's possible to pay directly from exchange but not recommended. Find "withdraw" feature and send specified amount to destination address. We strongly advice to withdraw all bitcoins to a local wallet software like Electrum, Samourai, Coinomi and anonymize coins before spending them in darknet.

Alternative Cryptocurrencies

Some darknet markets accept also other cryptocurrencies. The most widely used altcoins are:

  1. Monero - provides the highest privacy
  2. Dash - another high privacy coin
  3. Litecoin - lower fees and faster transactions
  4. Ethereum - smart contracts and decentralized apps

Where to buy Monero?

Monero is difficult to buy due to its privacy features. It uses stealth addresses to anonymize source of transaction. This means when you send someone money, they can't tell it came from you (unless you tell them). Amounts are also hidden in public blockchain. People observing the Monero network can't see the value of funds that are being anonymously transferred. There are multiple ways to buy Monero and we'll discuss them below.

If you already have bitcoins, you may swap it to moneros. Some wallets like Coinomi have this feature built-in. Avoid swapping large amounts of money. Some anonymous exchanges may freeze your funds and ask you for KYC to comply local laws.

Look up the following site to find anonymous crypto exchanges that will never ask you for KYC.

kycnot.me - list of anonymous crypto exchanges (clearnet)

The second way is to buy Monero directly from seller at P2P exchanges like Bisq and Localmonero.

Bisq - open source desktop P2P exchange (clearnet)

Localmonero - P2P crypto trading platform (onion)

Monero wallets

For desktop computers we recommend the official Monero GUI Wallet. It's available for Windows, Linux and Mac.

For Android devices we recommend open source wallet Monerujo

For Apple devices use Cake Wallet, MyMonero or any multi-blockchain wallet like Coinomi.

Note that on privacy-oriented Linux distributions like Tails or Whonix you will find Monero GUI or Feather already installed.