The darknet marketplace Joker\u2019s Stash, specialising in the sale of bank card data, has announced its closure. The site generated more than $1 billion in bitcoin for its owner, according to cybersecurity specialists Gemini Advisory.<\/p>\n
Joker\u2019s Stash began operating in 2014 and was regarded as one of the largest darknet marketplaces. As a staunch advocate of bitcoin, the marketplace\u2019s owner repeatedly stated that he stored proceeds in cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n
Activity on the platform has fallen sharply in the last six months. On 16 December 2020, a notice appeared on the marketplace site about the domain being seized by the FBI and Interpol. However, the site soon resumed operations.<\/p>\n
In late October, the marketplace\u2019s data activity was disrupted again. Access to the platform was restored after a week.<\/p>\n
On 15 January, the owner announced on the site that in a month he would close the marketplace and \u201cgo into a well-earned retirement.\u201d Analysts do not rule out that the decision was driven by the recent spike in bitcoin\u2019s price.<\/p>\n
Gemini believes that Joker\u2019s Stash\u2019s exit from the business will not affect the shadow economy of bank card data, as with Silk Road.<\/p>\n
Back in late December, the darknet marketplace White House Market ceased<\/a> support for the first cryptocurrency and began accepting payments only in Monero (XMR).<\/p>\n