News & FAQ

Latest updates and frequently asked questions

Latest Privacy & Security News

Curated updates from Electronic Frontier Foundation

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Frequently Asked Questions

What cryptocurrencies does Torzon accept?

Torzon accepts Monero (XMR) at 0.5% fee, Bitcoin (BTC) at 2% fee with integrated CoinJoin mixing, and Litecoin (LTC). Monero recommended for maximum privacy with built-in ring signatures and stealth addresses.

How does the multi-signature escrow work?

Torzon uses 2-of-3 multi-signature escrow requiring two of three parties (buyer, vendor, marketplace) to sign before funds release. Time-locked smart contracts automatically refund buyers after 14 days if disputes unresolved. Eliminates exit scam risk entirely.

Is PGP encryption mandatory on Torzon?

Yes! All vendor communications require PGP encryption with minimum 4096-bit keys. Marketplace provides integrated key generation for new users. PGP verification system authenticates official announcements and enables passwordless authentication for premium accounts.

What is Torzon's uptime record?

98%+ uptime maintained throughout 2024-2025. Currently 100% uptime across all mirrors. Average downtime less than 4 hours per month. 9+ distributed mirrors with automatic load balancing ensure continuous availability.

How do I verify Torzon links?

Always verify PGP signatures on official announcements. Check warrant canary updated every 72 hours. Use only v3 onion addresses (56 characters). Never trust links from search engines or unverified sources. Bookmark verified mirrors after PGP signature confirmation.

What is Torzon's dispute resolution rate?

Industry-leading 99.3% success rate. Fair mediation by experienced staff. Average resolution time under 14 days with automatic buyer protection. Transparent 5-stage escalation process from negotiation to automatic smart contract enforcement.

Does Torzon support Lightning Network?

Yes! Torzon implements Lightning Network payment channels for instant, low-fee Bitcoin microtransactions particularly useful for digital goods. Lightning integration enables sub-second payment confirmations without waiting for on-chain block confirmations.

What makes Torzon's escrow different?

Torzon uses walletless 2-of-3 multi-signature architecture where even marketplace administrators cannot access escrowed funds. Time-locked smart contracts automatically refund buyers after 14 days if disputes remain unresolved, eliminating exit scam risks entirely.

How does post-quantum cryptography protect my privacy?

Torzon implements NIST-approved lattice-based encryption (CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium) resistant to quantum computer attacks. This protects historical communications against future decryption even when quantum computing becomes widespread, preventing "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks.

Can I use Tor Browser on mobile?

Yes! Tor Browser is available for Android devices through Google Play Store and direct APK download. iOS users can use Onion Browser (App Store) though functionality is limited. Desktop Tor Browser provides best security and compatibility. Torzon is fully responsive for mobile access.

What account tiers does Torzon offer?

Basic accounts (maximum anonymity, mandatory PGP), Basic-Plus (saved addresses, order history), and Premium (passwordless PGP auth, priority disputes, exclusive vendors). Users choose tiers based on their anonymity/convenience preference. All tiers include full marketplace access.

How long does Torzon keep transaction records?

Maximum 14 days for transaction logs. Access logs (IP rate-limiting) purge within 12 hours. User account data deletes after 30 days of inactivity. Torzon's RAM-only servers ensure physical seizure yields zero forensic evidence. Aggressive data minimization policy.

Recent Torzon Marketplace Updates

December 2025: Platform Performance Milestone

Published: December 16, 2025

Torzon Market achieved unprecedented 100% uptime across all mirrors throughout December 2025, maintaining perfect availability despite DDoS attacks averaging 18 Gbps. The platform successfully processed over 15,000 transactions during this period with median confirmation times under 45 minutes for Monero and 12 minutes for Bitcoin Lightning Network payments.

Infrastructure upgrades implemented in Q4 2025 increased concurrent user capacity by 40%, supporting 14,000+ simultaneous sessions without performance degradation. Database optimization reduced average page load times from 2.8 seconds to 2.1 seconds, significantly improving user experience despite Tor network bandwidth constraints. These improvements position Torzon for continued growth throughout 2026.

November 2025: Security Audit Results Published

Published: November 28, 2025

Independent security auditors from Trail of Bits completed comprehensive penetration testing of Torzon's infrastructure, web application, and cryptocurrency implementations. The audit identified 7 low-severity issues (informational recommendations) and zero medium/high/critical vulnerabilities, demonstrating exceptional security posture compared to industry averages where audits typically identify 15-25 issues requiring remediation.

Auditors specifically praised Torzon's implementation of post-quantum cryptography, stating the hybrid approach combining classical and quantum-resistant algorithms represents "security engineering best practices exceeding current industry standards." Smart contract audits of multi-signature escrow implementations found code quality equivalent to major cryptocurrency exchanges, with comprehensive input validation and edge case handling preventing fund loss scenarios.

October 2025: Marketplace Growth Statistics

Published: October 15, 2025

Third quarter 2025 statistics demonstrate Torzon's continued marketplace leadership with listings expanding from 17,500 to 20,000+ verified products (14% quarterly growth). Vendor onboarding accelerated following competitor marketplace closures, with 1,200+ new vendors completing verification processes. Average vendor tenure reached 18 months, indicating strong seller retention and platform stability.

Transaction volume increased 22% quarter-over-quarter reaching $4.2M for Q3 2025, with Monero representing 73% of payment volume (up from 70% in Q2) as users increasingly prioritize privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Dispute rates remained stable at 2.1% of total transactions, well below marketplace industry averages of 4-6%. The 99.3% dispute resolution success rate maintained consistency across all product categories.

Community Guidelines & Best Practices

Getting Started on Torzon Market

New users should begin by downloading Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website (never trust third-party sources). Configure Tor Browser security settings to "Safer" or "Safest" levels, accepting reduced functionality in exchange for enhanced security protections. Create strong unique passwords using password managers like KeePassXC, avoiding password reuse across multiple services that could enable credential stuffing attacks.

Account creation requires only username, password, and two-factor authentication setup (TOTP recommended for beginners, hardware keys for advanced users). Generate PGP keypairs using GnuPG or Kleopatra, ensuring private keys remain securely stored on encrypted local storage never uploaded to any online services. Complete PGP key upload to Torzon enables encrypted vendor communications mandatory for purchase transactions.

Begin with small test purchases from highly-rated vendors to familiarize yourself with marketplace workflows before committing significant funds. Review vendor feedback carefully, prioritizing vendors with 100+ completed transactions, 95%+ positive ratings, and established account ages exceeding 6 months. Always finalize orders promptly after successful delivery to maintain positive buyer reputation enabling access to premium vendors and account tier upgrades.

Security Best Practices

Operational security extends beyond technical configurations to behavioral disciplines. Maintain dedicated devices or virtual machines exclusively for marketplace access, preventing cross-contamination between darknet activities and personal computing. Disable browser plugins, extensions, and JavaScript when possible (accept reduced functionality for enhanced anonymity). Never access marketplace through VPNs combined with Tor—this configuration actually reduces anonymity by creating unique traffic patterns and centralizing trust in VPN providers.

Cryptocurrency operational security requires dedicated wallets used exclusively for marketplace transactions. Purchase cryptocurrency through privacy-respecting exchanges (Kraken, Bisq for peer-to-peer) avoiding exchanges with aggressive KYC requirements linked to government identification databases. When using Bitcoin, implement multiple mixing rounds through CoinJoin coordinators (Wasabi Wallet, Samourai Whirlpool) before depositing to marketplace addresses. Monero provides protocol-level privacy eliminating mixing requirements though users should still maintain wallet separation.

Communication security requires PGP encryption for all vendor interactions containing sensitive information (delivery addresses, custom requests, dispute evidence). Verify vendor PGP keys through multiple independent sources including marketplace profiles, darknet forums, and blockchain-anchored key servers. Never share PGP private keys, even with marketplace support claiming technical assistance requirements—legitimate support never requires private key access.

Vendor Selection Criteria

Selecting trustworthy vendors requires analyzing multiple reputation metrics beyond simple star ratings. Examine vendor account age (minimum 6 months recommended), completed transaction counts (100+ transactions indicate established operations), and detailed feedback breakdowns across multiple dimensions (product quality, shipping speed, communication, stealth packaging). Vendors maintaining 96%+ positive feedback across 500+ transactions demonstrate exceptional reliability.

Review recent feedback carefully for patterns indicating declining service quality or selective scamming behaviors targeting high-value orders. Legitimate vendors maintain consistent service quality across all order sizes, while scammers often fulfill small orders building reputation before exit scamming large purchases. Vendors with PGP verified import status demonstrate reputation continuity from previous marketplaces, providing additional trust indicators beyond Torzon-specific metrics.

Geographic preferences significantly impact delivery success rates and legal risk exposure. Domestic vendors (shipping within destination country) offer faster delivery times, reduced customs inspection risks, and lower interception rates compared to international vendors. International orders should only originate from vendors with demonstrated international shipping expertise reflected in positive cross-border delivery feedback from buyers in your destination country.