Hydra was a Russian language
dark web
The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on ''darknets'': overlay networks that use the Internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Through the dark web, private computer networks can communi ...
marketplace that facilitated trafficking of illegal drugs as well as financial services including
cryptocurrency tumbling for
money laundering
Money laundering is the process of concealing the origin of money, obtained from illicit activities such as drug trafficking, corruption, embezzlement or gambling, by converting it into a legitimate source. It is a crime in many jurisdictions ...
and exchange services between cryptocurrency and Russian rubles, also sale of documents.
On April 5, 2022, American and German federal government law enforcement agencies announced the seizure of the website's Germany-based servers and cryptocurrency assets. Before its closure, it had been the longest-running dark web marketplace.
The United States Department of Justice has indicted one Russian man for his role in running the servers for the website.
Group of admins/managers running Hydra market were not discovered or arrested.
At the time of server takedown it had 17 million registered customers.
Financial services
Unique among dark net marketplaces, Hydra provided various criminal financial services.
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References
External links
BKA announcment of shutdownU.S. Treasury sanction press releaseHydra Market New Website
{{Tor hidden services
Defunct Tor hidden services
Defunct darknet markets