Archetyp Market
The Archetyp Market was a major darknet marketplace for primarily drug sales, which began operations in May 2020. The platform was one of the longest-running and most secure drug markets on the dark web.
Archetyp required all transactions to be conducted using Monero (XMR), a privacy-focused cryptocurrency designed to obscure transaction details. The site also featured multiple layers of security, including PGP encryption, multisignature escrow, two-factor authentication, and protection against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Archetyp had between 300,000 to over 600,000 users, and handled trading volumes thought to exceed €250 million. The market was a major hub for the sale of potent drugs, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Archetyp Market Fall
Archetyp was not just a transactional platform; it fostered a sense of community through built-in forums, a vendor review system, and even a games section where users could engage in market-related betting. Vendors were carefully vetted, with security deposits and probationary periods imposed to maintain high standards.
However, despite these measures, the market was not without its flaws as many users voiced concerns over phishing risks, loss of funds due to wallet vulnerabilities, and persistent fears of an eventual exit scam.
Speaking on the significance of the bust, Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, deputy executive director of operations at Europol said “With this takedown, law enforcement has taken out one of the dark web’s longest-running drug markets, cutting off a major supply line for some of the world’s most dangerous substances.
“By dismantling its infrastructure and arresting its key players, we are sending a clear message: there is no safe haven for those who profit from harm,” He concluded.