Silk Road (online marketplace)

The Silk Road was an online marketplace operational from 2011 to 2013, built on the Tor network to ensure user anonymity. It facilitated the anonymous sale of various goods, primarily illegal drugs, using Bitcoin for transactions. Users could browse listings, communicate with sellers, and complete purchases without revealing their identities, making it a hub for black market activity. Law enforcement eventually shut it down, leading to criminal charges against its founder. The Silk Road highlighted issues related to online anonymity, digital currencies, and illegal trade, influencing discussions on internet regulation and cybersecurity.