Frequently
Asked Questions

The Nexus Market URL is a v3 Tor onion address (56 characters ending in .onion). The current verified URLs are listed on our /access page with PGP verification instructions. Always verify the URL against the official PGP-signed announcement before accessing.

You need Tor Browser (available at torproject.org). Set security level to "Safest," copy the verified .onion URL from our access page, and paste it into Tor Browser. Never access darknet markets from a regular browser — they are only accessible via Tor.

Phishing sites that mimic Nexus Market are common and nearly visually identical to the real thing. PGP verification using the official Nexus Market public key is the only reliable way to confirm you have the legitimate URL, not a phishing clone designed to steal your funds and credentials.

Nexus Market operates multiple .onion mirrors simultaneously. If one mirror is unresponsive, try the alternative URLs listed on our access page. Brief unavailability (minutes to hours) is normal. If all mirrors are down for 24+ hours, check the Dread forum for official announcements.

No. .onion addresses are only resolvable within the Tor network. Any website claiming to provide clearnet (regular internet) access to Nexus Market is definitively a phishing site. Do not use such services.

Nexus Market accepts Monero (XMR), Bitcoin (BTC), and Litecoin (LTC). Monero is strongly recommended as the default payment method due to its mandatory privacy features. XMR accounts for approximately 67% of all transactions on the platform.

Bitcoin transactions are permanently recorded on a public blockchain and can be traced by chain analysis firms. Monero uses ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT to make transactions cryptographically untraceable by default — no additional steps required. Using Bitcoin on a darknet market without extensive CoinJoin preparation creates a permanent evidence trail.

After logging in, navigate to your account's deposit section and generate a new deposit address. For Monero, this will be a fresh subaddress each time. Send the exact amount and wait for confirmations (XMR: 10 confirmations, ~20 minutes). Never reuse deposit addresses.

Nexus uses 2-of-3 multi-signature escrow. When you pay for an order, funds are locked in a multisig address requiring 2 of 3 signatures (buyer, vendor, and market) to release. If both parties agree, funds release without market involvement. If there's a dispute, the market's key resolves it. Neither the market alone nor the vendor alone can steal your funds.

FE means releasing escrow before receiving your order, trusting the vendor to deliver. This removes your protection against scams. FE should ONLY be considered with vendors who have 100+ positive transactions and significant trust history. Never FE with new vendors. Many exit scams begin by convincing buyers to FE.

Use a completely unique username not used on any other platform (clearnet or darknet). Generate a random password of 20+ characters. Write credentials on paper and store safely — never in a digital password manager. Set up PGP two-factor authentication immediately after registration.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is an encryption standard that allows you to send messages only readable by the intended recipient. On Nexus Market, you need PGP to: decrypt vendor shipping information (your address), authenticate your identity (2FA login), and verify vendor authenticity. Without PGP, your sensitive communications are exposed.

Download GnuPG from gnupg.org. Generate a keypair: gpg --gen-key. Export your public key: gpg --armor --export your@email > public.asc. Add this public key to your Nexus Market profile. Generate a new key specifically for market use — do not reuse a key associated with your real identity.

Nexus Market does not have a traditional password recovery system (for security reasons — it would require linking your account to an email address). You must keep your credentials stored securely. If you've configured a PGP 2FA backup phrase and kept it safely, some recovery options may exist — check the market's FAQ section after logging in via an alternative method.

All vendors must post a financial bond in XMR before activating their account. The bond amount varies by category and is forfeited for provable scams or rule violations. Vendors are also rated across five criteria after each completed transaction, and their historical dispute rate is publicly visible.

Look for: 200+ completed transactions minimum, consistently high ratings across all five criteria, long account history, recent activity (last transaction within days), a low dispute/resolution rate, vendor-specific stealth instructions, and PGP-signed listings. Be skeptical of vendors with many high ratings but few transactions.

Stealth shipping refers to concealment techniques that disguise the true contents of a package to evade detection during postal transit. Common methods include neutral return addresses, void labels, diversion packaging (disguised as legal goods), and vacuum sealing to prevent odor detection. Vendors specify their stealth methods in their listings.

Wait for the vendor's stated delivery window plus a reasonable additional period (3-5 days for domestic, 7-10 days for international). Then message the vendor with an encrypted message. If unresponsive within 48 hours, open a dispute through the market's resolution system before your escrow window expires. Never extend escrow without delivery confirmation.

No darknet marketplace use is completely risk-free. Risks include: law enforcement investigation, exit scams, product quality/content misrepresentation, and package interdiction. This website provides educational information only. We do not encourage or facilitate any illegal activity. Readers are responsible for compliance with laws in their jurisdiction.

Depending on jurisdiction and activities, consequences can range from civil penalties to federal criminal charges. In the US, drug trafficking via darknet markets has resulted in sentences ranging from probation to life imprisonment. Vendor accounts typically carry much heavier charges than buyer activity. Consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.

Based on public documentation, Nexus Market claims to minimize data retention. However, any marketplace necessarily logs some transaction metadata. Assume all data you provide to any marketplace may eventually be accessed by law enforcement through server seizure or insider cooperation. Never provide real personal information beyond a delivery address for legitimate orders.

A warrant canary is a regularly published signed statement confirming that a service has not received government demands for user data. Nexus Market publishes a monthly signed warrant canary on the Dread forum. When a service receives a National Security Letter or court order, it typically cannot disclose this — but it can "fail" to update the canary, signaling compromise without technically violating a non-disclosure order.