A major darknet marketplace called Abacus, which handled about 70% of Bitcoin transactions in Western underground markets this year, has suddenly disappeared. Experts suspect it might be an "exit scam"—where operators shut down and run off with users' funds—leaving buyers and sellers high and dry.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another shady website closing up shop. Abacus was a big player in the darknet economy, so its sudden vanishing act shakes trust in these illicit markets. It’s also a reminder of the risks lurking in unregulated crypto spaces—where one day you’re trading, and the next, your money’s gone without a trace.

A retired DEA agent warns that a mix of investor FOMO (fear of missing out) and weak regulations is creating a golden age for crypto criminals. Even sloppy scammers can walk away with big paydays because the system’s full of loopholes and eager, sometimes naive, money chasing the next big thing.

Editor’s Note: Crypto’s wild west days aren’t over—they’re getting worse. This isn’t just about hackers or dark web deals; it’s about how the hype and lack of oversight let scams flourish. If you’re dabbling in crypto, this is a reminder to be extra skeptical. And for regulators? It’s another push to tighten the rules before more people get burned.