Darknet vendors are increasingly adopting a specific privacy coin, according to TRM Labs., 2026/02/13 16:58:51

Darknet platforms are increasingly adopting the anonymous cryptocurrency Monero, as reported by analysts from blockchain security firm TRM Labs.

Nearly 48% of illicit marketplaces operated exclusively with this private token last year, a trend attributed to the success of law enforcement in tracking Bitcoin and stablecoin transactions, the experts explained.

“The trend of rising Monero usage is particularly pronounced on illegal platforms targeting criminal communities in European countries and the United States,” stated the specialists from TRM Labs.

This increase occurred despite a widespread delisting of the coin on centralized exchanges. Following the removal of Monero trading pairs by the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, along with several other platforms, trading volumes shifted to decentralized exchanges with less stringent listing requirements.

Clients of illegal platforms are willing to accept higher barriers, fewer entry methods, and reduced liquidity in exchange for operations on decentralized exchanges, according to TRM Labs analysts. They noted that the vast majority of payments for illegal goods and services are still predominantly made in Bitcoin, which may indicate a tension between privacy and ease of use.

Currently, the primary challenge for the crypto industry is to ensure privacy for law-abiding customers while simultaneously preventing criminals from utilizing anonymous tokens like Monero for laundering stolen funds, security experts conclude.

Previously surveyed by Bloomberg, experts indicated that perpetrators most frequently opt for Bitcoin, Monero, and the stablecoin USDT for transactions and money laundering. The choice of cryptocurrency is influenced by liquidity, anonymity levels, and transaction costs.