KNOWLEDGE BASE

Dark Matter Market is a specialized decentralized commerce platform operating on the Tor network. Established in 2023, it serves as a secure bridge between vendors and buyers, facilitating anonymous transactions via Monero (XMR). The platform is engineered with a focus on operational security (OpSec), featuring a custom-built backend that ensures zero-knowledge data retention and 99.8% network uptime.

Cryptographic verification is mandatory for secure access. Users should always verify the PGP signature of the current .onion address against our official public key (available on the /links endpoint). This process ensures you are connected to the authentic Dark Matter Market infrastructure and not a third-party clone. Our primary entry node is kb3qxip7bvh6rgfre7h7gcxth2bf7ezo5tubp3a5cdef2pboc3bpdtad.onion.

We enforce a strict "No PII" (Personally Identifiable Information) policy. Registration requires only a username, password, and a 6-digit PIN for withdrawals. No email address is required or accepted. Upon registration, a unique mnemonic seed is generated for account recovery. We strongly advise adding a PGP public key immediately to enable 2FA login protection.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) provides end-to-end encryption for communications. The market automatically encrypts shipping data with the vendor's public key upon order submission, ensuring that even in the event of a server compromise, shipping details remain inaccessible to unauthorized parties. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) via PGP is also available to secure login sessions.

While we mandate users to encrypt messages locally before sending (client-side encryption), our Auto-Encrypt feature acts as a failsafe. If a plain-text message containing sensitive patterns is detected, the system attempts to encrypt it using the recipient's PGP key stored on the server. However, for maximum security, always encrypt manually before pasting into the chat box.

Monero is the only cryptocurrency that meets our strict privacy standards. It utilizes Ring Signatures to mix user inputs, RingCT to hide transaction amounts, and Stealth Addresses to decouple sender/receiver identities. This prevents blockchain analysis heuristics from tracking fund movements, providing fungibility and anonymity essential for darknet commerce.

Upon purchase, funds are moved to a secure, time-locked market wallet. The vendor is notified to ship. Funds are only released when the buyer confirms receipt (Finalize) or the auto-finalize timer (14 days physical / 48 hours digital) expires. If issues arise, the buyer can trigger a Dispute, freezing the transaction for moderator intervention.

For high-value transactions, we support Monero Multisignature (Multisig) escrow. This creates a 2-of-3 key arrangement involving the Buyer, Vendor, and Market. Funds can only move when 2 parties sign the transaction. This ensures that no single entity—including the market administration—can unilaterally control the funds, creating a trustless environment.

Vendor applications undergo a rigorous four-tier verification process. Applicants must demonstrate established reputation on other recognized markets (Recon/Dread verification), pass a security assessment, and post a vendor bond (2.00 XMR). New accounts are subject to listing limits and extended escrow times until sufficient positive feedback is accrued.

Our dispute resolution utilizes a hybrid AI-human workflow. An automated system analyzes transaction metrics, delivery times, and chat logs to generate a preliminary assessment. A human moderator then reviews the case for final adjudication. This structure reduces bias and ensures rapid resolution for both parties.

Dark Matter Market strictly prohibits: Weapons/Explosives/CBRN materials, CP/CSAM, Fentanyl and related analogues, poisons, human trafficking services, and terrorism-related propaganda. Any vendor attempting to list these items will face an immediate, irrevocable ban and forfeiture of their vendor bond.

Tor network latency can occasionally cause timeouts. If the main entry node is unresponsive, please attempt to connect via one of our verified mirrors listed on the Links page. All mirrors are synchronized with the central database in real-time. If issues persist, try generating a New Tor Circuit.

Registered users should utilize the internal Support Ticket system located on the user dashboard. For account recovery issues where login is impossible, please refer to the Contact page for our official Jabber/XMPP handle. Do not transmit private keys or passwords over support channels.