U.S. law enforcement has launched another major operation targeting illicit data trading platforms on the dark web, seizing 145 domains and a number of cryptocurrency assets linked to the BidenCash marketplace. The move highlights escalating efforts by authorities to combat the abuse of encryption and blockchain technologies.
BidenCash, a dark web platform active since 2022, served as a centralized hub for cybercriminals to trade stolen credit card information, login credentials, and unauthorized access to servers.
In just two years, the platform attracted over 117,000 users and facilitated more than 15 million suspicious transactions, generating over $17 million in illicit profits.
According to official reports, BidenCash employed aggressive “marketing tactics,” such as regularly releasing large batches of stolen data for free to attract new users and encourage ongoing transactions.
Data shows that between October 2022 and February 2023 alone, the platform leaked 3.3 million records containing full credit card details, including card numbers, CVVs, security codes, cardholder names, and contact information.
Many of the seized domains were previously used for promoting or accessing the dark web platform. With court authorization, the U.S. government has taken control of these domains and redirected them to law enforcement-operated servers to prevent further illegal activity. The associated cryptocurrency assets have been placed under judicial review pending further action.
SOCRadar noted that BidenCash had faced multiple DDoS attacks, but managed to regain credibility within the hacker community through its tactic of releasing stolen data for free. This also underscores the intense competition and rapid technological evolution among dark web marketplaces.
This enforcement action is considered a key part of global efforts to combat cybercrime. Just last month, the multinational “Operation RapTor” led to the arrest of 270 individuals and the seizure of over $200 million in illegal assets, including large amounts of cryptocurrency, cash, and digital infrastructure used for criminal activity.
U.S. law enforcement agencies emphasized that as digital asset technologies continue to evolve, so do criminal methods. They vowed to enhance international cooperation and improve oversight and tracking of encrypted assets to curb illegal economic activity in anonymous online spaces.