Protocol Documentation

CRITICAL OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE // SECURITY STANDARDS // TRANSACTION PROTOCOLS

01 // Platform Architecture

Dark Matter Market is a decentralized commerce hub built specifically for the Tor network. Unlike traditional e-commerce, we prioritize anonymity, cryptographic security, and censorship resistance. Our infrastructure uses advanced load balancing across multiple hidden service nodes to ensure 99.9% uptime and resistance to DDoS attacks.

Access is strictly restricted to the Tor network. Standard browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) leak data and cannot resolve .onion addresses. Follow these protocols:

  • Download Tor Browser from the official Project site.
  • Set Security Level to "Safest" (Disables JavaScript).
  • Never modify the browser window size.
  • Use only mirrors signed by our PGP key found on the Links page.

Registration is free and requires no personal information—only a username and password. We do not store IP addresses or browser fingerprints. For maximum security, we strongly recommend adding a PGP Public Key to your profile immediately upon registration. This enables Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and encrypted communication.

02 // Cryptography & OpSec

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is not optional for secure trading. It serves two critical functions:

  1. Authentication: 2FA protects your account even if your password is stolen.
  2. Data Privacy: Shipping addresses must be encrypted with the Vendor's PGP key.

WARNING: Sending unencrypted addresses in cleartext is a violation of OpSec protocols and may result in order cancellation.

Phishing is the primary threat on the darknet. Dark Matter Market cryptographically signs all legitimate mirrors. You should verify the signed message found on the login page against our official PGP key (available on our About page). If the signature does not match, you are on a phishing site. Leave immediately.

Your safety depends on your habits. Adhere to these rules:

  • Use Tails OS booted from a USB drive.
  • Keep your PGP private key offline or in a persistent encrypted volume.
  • Never reuse usernames from other markets or clearweb sites.
  • Avoid discussing market activity on clearweb platforms (Discord, Reddit).

03 // Financial Protocols

We support Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR). We highly recommend Monero for all transactions. Unlike Bitcoin, which has a transparent public ledger traceable by chain analysis firms, Monero uses Ring Signatures and Stealth Addresses to completely obfuscate the sender, receiver, and transaction amount.

Dark Matter Market employs a strict Escrow system:

  1. Buyer places order -> Funds move to Escrow Wallet.
  2. Vendor ships order -> Funds remain locked.
  3. Buyer receives goods -> Buyer clicks "Finalize".
  4. Funds released to Vendor.

If you do not finalize within the auto-finalize timer (usually 14 days), funds release automatically. Always finalize promptly upon receipt to support your vendors.

Deposits are free (excluding network miner fees). Withdrawals incur a small fixed fee to cover high-priority network processing. The market commission is deducted from the vendor's earnings (3-5%), meaning buyers pay exactly the listed price plus shipping. We utilize a coin-mixer for all outgoing BTC withdrawals to break transaction links.

04 // Order Management

Navigate to a listing and click "Buy Now". You will be presented with a text box for shipping information. You must encrypt your address block using the vendor's PGP key before pasting it into this box. Select your payment method (Wallet Balance or Direct Pay) and confirm. The order status will change to "Processing".

If an order does not arrive or is defective, do not finalize. Instead, click "Dispute". This freezes the escrow and summons a moderator. You will need to provide proof (though for physical goods, tracking is often not used). Vendors with high dispute rates are banned. If the vendor is unresponsive, funds are fully refunded to the buyer.

We maintain a high barrier to entry for vendors. Sellers must pay a significant vendor bond (refundable upon retirement) or prove established reputation from other recognized markets via PGP signed messages. This "Bond or Reputation" system filters out scammers and ensures a professional marketplace environment.

05 // Troubleshooting

The Tor network is subject to congestion and DDoS attacks. If the main link is unresponsive, do not panic. Consult the Mirrors Page for alternative access points. We maintain rotating mirrors to mitigate downtime. If a deposit is not showing up during high congestion, allow 24 hours for the mempool to clear before contacting support.

Support is available 24/7 via the ticketing system in your User Dashboard. For account recovery or issues preventing login, use the form on the Contact page. Please describe your issue clearly and include relevant Transaction IDs (TXIDs) or Order IDs. Do not spam tickets; this delays response times for everyone.