ShadowX Market FAQ
The questions below are the ones that show up most often in forum threads, Discord DMs, and "is this legit" posts. They are answered in the order they come up, not in order of importance.
Access and links
What is the official ShadowX Market link?
The current onion addresses are listed on the home page. There are two. Both are maintained by the market team. If you see a third "ShadowX" address somewhere, it is either an old address that has been rotated out or a clone.
Is ShadowX Market down right now?
If both addresses on this page fail to load after 60 seconds, the market is likely in maintenance. Try again in 30 minutes. Extended outages (more than a few hours) are rare and usually accompanied by an announcement on the Dread forum.
Do I need Tor Browser or can I use a regular browser?
Tor Browser. The market runs on .onion addresses, which only resolve through the Tor network. A regular browser, even with a VPN, will not load the address. Download Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website.
What if the page loads but shows a blank screen?
Close the tab and try the second address. A blank screen usually means the circuit to that specific hidden service is congested. The other address routes through a different descriptor and often loads fine. If both are blank after a minute, restart Tor Browser to force a new circuit.
Account and payments
Do I need to create an account to browse?
No. The full catalog, vendor feedback, and product details are visible without registration. You only need an account to purchase, message a vendor, or track an order.
What coins does the market accept?
Bitcoin and Monero. No Litecoin, no Ethereum, no stablecoins, no fiat. If you hold a different coin, convert before you visit. The market does not handle conversions for you.
Is there a minimum order?
No. You can order a single item at any price. The market fee applies to the transaction regardless of size.
How do I pay?
At checkout, the market generates an escrow address for your specific order. You send the exact amount shown to that address. For Bitcoin, wait 1 to 3 confirmations (10 to 30 minutes). For Monero, the confirmation is near-instant. Once the payment is confirmed, the vendor is notified and ships.
Shipping and disputes
How long does shipping take?
It depends on the vendor and your location. Domestic shipping in the vendor\'s country: 3 to 7 days. International: 1 to 3 weeks. The vendor\'s listing shows the estimated delivery range. You receive a tracking number once the vendor marks the order as shipped.
What if my package is lost?
Open a dispute through the market\'s interface. The market mediates between you and the vendor. If the tracking shows "delivered" but you did not receive the package, provide evidence (a photo of your mailbox, a statement from building management). Without evidence, the market may rule in the vendor\'s favor.
What if the wrong item arrived?
Open a dispute immediately. If you recorded yourself opening the package, that video is your strongest evidence. Without it, the dispute comes down to your word versus the vendor\'s, and the market\'s default is to side with the vendor if the tracking shows delivery to your address.
Can I cancel an order after I have paid?
Contact the vendor before they mark it as shipped. If it is already shipped, a cancellation becomes a return. The return process and any restocking fee vary by vendor. Check the vendor\'s listing for their return terms before you buy.
Security and OPSEC
Is ShadowX Market safe?
"Safe" is relative. Compared to buying from an unverified vendor with no escrow, it is very safe. Compared to Amazon with a 30-day return policy, it is a different risk class. The main risks are your own OPSEC (reusing emails, typing addresses by hand) and the small probability of a market-level incident. The escrow system protects your money. Your habits protect your identity.
Do I need PGP to use the market?
No. PGP is optional. It adds an encryption layer to your buyer-vendor messages, which matters if the message content is sensitive. For most casual purchases, the built-in messaging is sufficient. Set up PGP if you are a regular user or a vendor.
What is 2FA and do I need it?
Two-factor authentication adds a second verification step (a code from an authenticator app) when you log in. It protects your account if your password is compromised. Set it up on day one. It takes three minutes and is the single best protection against account takeover.
Practical questions
Can I use the market on my phone?
Yes. The interface is responsive and works in a mobile Tor Browser. Some elements are tighter on a small screen, but all functionality is available. Desktop is the more comfortable experience if you have the choice.
Does the market keep a record of my visits?
The market sees your Tor circuit, not your IP address. It knows you visited, what you browsed, and what you bought. It does not know your name, location, or real email (unless you use a real one). The level of record-keeping is the same as any online service. Your OPSEC determines how much that record reveals.
What happens if the market shuts down?
No one knows until it happens. If the market goes into extended maintenance with no announcement, check Dread. If it is a full shutdown, the admin will post a notice explaining what happens to escrow balances and user deposits. In past market shutdowns, the process has been a refund within one to two weeks. The worst case is a short window where you cannot access your balance.