System FAQ & Protocols

This site functions as the authenticated gateway to the BlackOps Market backend. It hosts our cryptographically signed canary messages, official mirror lists, and educational resources. Its primary function is to provide a verified path to our hidden services, preventing users from accessing compromised or fake clones of the marketplace.

.onion domains are cryptographic hashes representing a hidden service on the Tor network. They provide end-to-end encryption and location anonymity for both the server and the client. Unlike the clearnet, these addresses are not resolved by DNS but by the Tor consensus. You require a Tor-enabled browser to access them.

Access requires the latest stable version of the Tor Browser. JavaScript should be set to "Safer" or "Safest" (disabled). We recommend using a clean OS environment (such as Tails or Whonix) for optimal operational security. Do not use VPNs with Tor unless you possess advanced networking knowledge, as this can often degrade anonymity.

We adhere to a strict no-logs policy. We do not record IP addresses, timestamps, or browser fingerprints. Registration requires only a username, password, and PIN. No email is required. All database entries are salted and hashed. We strongly advise users to generate a new PGP key pair specifically for this market identity.

Verification is non-negotiable. Import the BlackOps official public key into your GPG keychain (Kleopatra/GPG4Win). Copy the signed message found on our 'Links' page. Use the 'Decrypt/Verify' function in your PGP software. A valid signature confirms the message originated from our private key and has not been tampered with. Never trust a link without this cryptographic proof.

Passwords can be compromised. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) via PGP ensures that only the holder of the private key can access the account. Upon login, the server presents an encrypted challenge message. You must decrypt this message to reveal a one-time code. This prevents unauthorized access even if your password is stolen.

We employ a "Verify-View" protocol for all financial data. Deposit addresses and withdrawal fields are encrypted with your public key before being displayed in the browser. You must copy the ciphertext and decrypt it locally to view the address. This ensures that the address you see is the one the server actually generated, preventing Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks from swapping addresses in the UI.

BlackOps enforces a strict Monero-only policy. Bitcoin and other transparent chains leave permanent public records of transactions, which is unacceptable for privacy. Monero utilizes Ring Signatures to hide the sender, Stealth Addresses to hide the receiver, and RingCT to hide transaction amounts. This provides true fungibility and financial privacy.

Funds are never sent directly to vendors. Upon purchase, XMR is moved to a holding wallet controlled by the market code. The vendor ships the order. Once the buyer confirms receipt, the funds are released. If the timer expires (Auto-Finalize), funds release automatically. Disputes freeze this timer and summon a moderator.

FE status allows select vendors with impeccable reputations (Level 5+) to bypass escrow holding periods. Funds are released when the order is marked 'Shipped'. This reduces vendor risk but increases buyer risk. We advise new users to stick to standard Escrow listings until they are familiar with specific vendors.

Yes. We support 2-of-3 Multi-Signature transactions. Keys are held by the Buyer, Vendor, and Market. Funds can only move when 2 parties agree. This prevents exit scams and market seizures, as no single entity has total control over the funds. Setup requires advanced configuration of your local Monero wallet.

To list items, vendors must post a bond in XMR. This acts as collateral against scamming. The bond is refundable after a probation period if the vendor ceases operations gracefully. We also accept established vendors from other markets via a waiver application (proof of PGP ownership required).

Disputes must be opened before the auto-finalize timer expires. Once opened, the escrow is locked. The buyer and vendor enter a mediated chat. If no resolution is found within 48 hours, an admin reviews the evidence (shipping logs, descriptions, chat history). Admin decisions are final and binding.

We adhere to a harm-reduction philosophy. Strictly prohibited items include: CP/exploitation material, fentanyl/carfentanil, weapons/explosives, and poisons/threats to life (hitman services). Listing these items results in an immediate, permanent ban and forfeiture of bond. We are a marketplace, not a platform for violence.

Tor network latency or DDoS attacks can cause timeouts. If the main link fails, check the 'Links' page for our rotating mirrors. These are hosted on separate infrastructure nodes. If all links are down, wait 30 minutes for the load balancers to mitigate the attack. Monitor our canary for status updates.

Support is managed through the internal ticketing system on the market dashboard. All tickets are encrypted. If you are locked out of your account, use the 'Recovery' link on the login page, which utilizes your PGP key for identity verification. We do not offer support via email, Reddit, or Telegram.