Germany seizes €23 million-worth bitcoins, shuts down ‘Hydra’ market
German police have shut down Hydra, the world’s largest illegal dark web marketplace, and seized 543 bitcoins with a total value of around €23 million.
On Tuesday, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office, the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), announced the takedown of Hydra, the world’s largest dark web marketplace.
“The Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor’s Office – Central Office for Combating Cybercrime ( ZIT ) – and the Federal Criminal Police Office ( BKA ) today, Tuesday, secured the server infrastructure in Germany of the world’s largest illegal Darknet marketplace ‘Hydra Market’ and thus closed it,” the BKA said in a press release. “Bitcoins amounting to currently the equivalent of approximately €23 million were seized, which are attributed to the marketplace.”
The police said the crackdown on the marketplace followed extensive investigations conducted by the BKA and the ZIT since August 2021.
It also added that U.S. authorities had been involved in the investigation, though the agencies were unnamed.
The Russian-language Darknet platform was launched via the Tor network in 2015, focusing on trading in illegal narcotics and serving as a platform for data, forged documents and other illicit digital services.
The police noted that 17 million customers and over 19,000 seller accounts were documented on the marketplace.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Rights
Gov Yusuf directs security to fish out killers of social media influencer
Governor Abba Yusuf has condemned the killing of social media influencer Ibrahim Khalil, aka Danshagamu and directed security forces to fish out the killers.
Africa
Uganda approves $9 million tax waiver to assist struggling tea industry
The Ugandan parliament has agreed to waive $9.26 million in tax arrears owed by tea factories to ease the financial burden on the country’s tea industry.
Agriculture
Agro-commodities company redeems ₦25 billion commercial paper, restores investor confidence
The firm announced the redemption of its ₦25.1 billion Series 1 Commercial Paper issued under its ₦200 billion Commercial Paper Programme.
States
Two Kano residents arrested for stabbing neighbour to death
The police command in Kano has arrested two suspects for stabbing Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu to death in Quarters, Kumbotso council area.
Health
Local production of dual-active-ingredient mosquito nets begins in Nigeria
Health minister Muhammad Ali Pate said the local production of PermaNet® Dual mosquito nets showed the Nigerian government’s commitment to the health sector.
Anti-Corruption
Mahama inaugurates fiscal council to drive transparency, economic discipline in Ghana
Mr Mahama on Tuesday inaugurated a five-member Independent Fiscal Council to provide credible, objective, and non-partisan oversight of Ghana’s fiscal policy.
