Flashpoint told BankInfoSecurity that 190 new darknet markets emerged in 2022, underscoring the resilience of cybercrime ecosystems despite repeated law enforcement disruptions.

Why are darknet markets still growing despite police takedowns?

Darknet markets continue to grow because demand from ransomware groups, fraudsters, and malware developers rapidly fuels replacement platforms after takedowns. Flashpoint observed a recurring cycle in which shutdowns are followed by new markets, copycats, and scams targeting displaced users.

What types of cybercrime activity dominate darknet marketplaces?

Flashpoint reports that darknet markets primarily support ransomware affiliate recruitment, stolen data sales, malware distribution, phishing kits, and vulnerability exploits. These marketplaces function as core infrastructure for the broader cybercrime economy, enabling fraud, extortion, and initial access brokerage.

How does Flashpoint analyze darknet market resilience?

Flashpoint tracks darknet ecosystems through long-term intelligence collection, forum monitoring, and market lifecycle analysis, identifying how actors adapt after disruptions. These findings are detailed in the State of Cyber Threat Intelligence 2023, which examines why takedowns alone fail to dismantle illicit economies.