Hi, I'm doing some research on darknet markets, and I was hoping the community here might be able to help out. For some background, I deliver training on substance use to health and social care professionals, and also do some public speaking on the case for legal reform. I last looked into the markets after the operation onymous busts, and at the time, despite the obvious setbacks there was a lot of optimism for the markets to increase in strength, learning from past mistakes. I've been lurking the threads for a couple of weeks as I am developing some new talks, and it seems to me that once again with the Agora setback there is a lot of uncertainty around. I often talk up the darknet model as having lots of positives from a users perspective, given the increased personal safety and quality control element that discussions and feedback bring. With what has been going on lately, here are my questions:
1 - do people feel that the markets will be able to survive and grow, given the recent setbacks?
2 - has the increased awareness of darknet markets following the publicity surrounding onymous and the Ulbricht trial been a positive or negative influence?
3 - I see a lot more work going into OPSEC than there was a couple of years ago - coins are being tumbled multiple times for example. Do you think that if the steps that need to be taken become too challenging, the markets will shrink and new users will be deterred?
4 - A very general question, where do you see the markets in 5 years time?
Thanks for taking the time to read - I would be interested in the views of long time buyers/vendors as well as those who are new to it. While ultimately I would like to see a world where buying drugs in this way is no longer necessary, from a harm reduction perspective at the current moment, anything that makes doing business and using substances safer for those that choose to is a positive in my book.
The markets will always continue growing. There is no stopping the train now. CHOO CHOO