Introduction

Gone are the days when prospective consumers relied solely on local dealers to procure drugs and other illicit goods and services. The advent of digital encryption and Internet connectivity has facilitated the rise of cryptomarkets. Similar in function to Amazon or eBay, cryptomarkets are illicit online marketplaces hosted on the dark web that facilitate the exchange of illegal goods and services. Much like licit online markets, cryptomarkets allow those who wish to purchase illicit goods and services to do so from the comfort of their own homes, placing their order with a vendor and receiving the product through the postal service. Whether it be marijuana, cocaine, bladed implements or hitmen, these platforms are replete with a variety of illicit wares. Cryptomarkets represent a unique context: They facilitate traditional criminal dynamics and introduce new challenges for law enforcement. Moreover, these platforms present a novel opportunity for researchers to test the accuracy of key theoretical precepts applied to terrestrial markets.