US Seizes 145 Domains Linked to BidenCash Dark Web Marketplace

US law enforcement has taken a significant step in combating cybercrime by seizing 145 domains and an unspecified quantity of cryptocurrency linked to BidenCash, a notorious dark web marketplace. The operation, unveiled on June 5 by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, was carried out in collaboration with the US Secret Service and FBI. The seized domains now divert to law enforcement-controlled servers, effectively shutting down the marketplace's operations.

BidenCash, launched in March 2022, quickly became a hub for cybercrime activity with over 117,000 users. It facilitated the sale of over 15 million payment card numbers and personally identifiable information that were stolen. As a promotional effort from October 2022 to February 2023, the site gave away 3.3 million stolen card records for free—an aggressive marketing tactic aimed at attracting new customers. Authorities estimate the marketplace generated more than $17 million in illicit revenue.

Along with the domain seizures, US officials obtained court permission to seize cryptocurrency assets linked to the operations of BidenCash. The amount of cryptocurrency seized was not disclosed. The operation was led by the Frankfurt Resident Office of the US Secret Service, its Cyber Investigative Section, and the Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI. Officials stated that the operation is part of a sustained effort to dismantle crypto-enabled criminal networks across the dark web.

The BidenCash shutdown follows Operation RapTor, a massive dark web crackdown in May that brought down various drug trafficking websites. That effort led to 270 arrests in 10 countries and the seizure of around $200 million in assets, much of it in cryptocurrency. Earlier in March, US officials sanctioned Nemesis darknet marketplace operators, another closed-down darknet market. The assets sanctioned were 44 Bitcoin and five Monero addresses that had collectively received over $850,000 between 2022 and 2024.

The takedown of BidenCash reflects the ongoing challenge for global agencies combating cybercrime and the increasing role of cryptocurrency in illicit online economies. The operation underscores the importance of international cooperation and the use of advanced investigative techniques to disrupt and dismantle these criminal networks. The seizure of domains and cryptocurrency assets sends a clear message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished, and that law enforcement agencies are committed to protecting the public from the threats posed by dark web marketplaces.