Did the Abrupt Disappearance of Bitcoin Darknet Behemoth Abacus Indicate a Large-Scale Exit Scam?

Abacus Market, the biggest Bitcoin-powered Western Darknet Market (DNM), has suddenly vanished, leading to speculation of a massive exit scam. Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs confirmed that Abacus Market went offline in July 2025 without any prior notice. During its four years of operation, Abacus processed nearly $100 million in Bitcoin transactions. However, users started to express concerns about delayed withdrawals in late June, a common warning sign of an imminent exit scam.

Despite reassurances from the marketplace’s administrator, deposits dropped dramatically. While it's possible that law enforcement covertly seized Abacus, it is believed the shutdown was more likely an intentional exit by its operators. Meanwhile, Russian-language darknet markets have thrived, capturing over 97% of global darknet drug revenues by 2024.