Frequently Asked Questions

You need the Tor Browser, available from torproject.org. Set the security level to Safest (click the shield icon → Safest). Then navigate to one of the verified .onion links on our access page. Never access using regular browsers, VPNs alone, or unverified links.

All traffic routes through multiple Tor relays for anonymity. This multi-hop encryption architecture naturally increases latency compared to clearnet browsing. Typical load times are 3-15 seconds per page. This is normal and expected — do not attempt to access via faster non-Tor methods as this compromises your anonymity.

Try the other .onion mirror addresses from our enter page. Three independent mirrors run simultaneously. If all three appear unreachable, wait 30-60 minutes — brief outages are normal on the Tor network. Check this site for any announcements. Never use unverified alternative links.

Optionally, yes. A VPN before Tor (VPN → Tor) hides Tor usage from your ISP and adds an additional IP layer. Use a reputable, no-log VPN paid anonymously with Monero. A VPN does not replace Tor — it is an additional layer. Never use VPN instead of Tor. Read our full OPSEC guide for more details.

Navigate to the marketplace via a verified .onion link. Click "Register." Choose a username that has never been used on any clearnet platform. Set a strong unique password (20+ characters, random). Generate a PGP keypair and upload your public key. Enable 2FA if available. Never reuse credentials from any other platform.

Nexus Market accepts Monero (XMR), Bitcoin (BTC), and Litecoin (LTC). Monero is strongly recommended — it provides mandatory privacy at the protocol level (ring signatures, stealth addresses, RingCT). Bitcoin and Litecoin are transparent blockchains where transactions can be traced. See our full crypto guide.

Every Bitcoin transaction is permanently public on the blockchain. Blockchain analytics firms routinely trace BTC flows and link them to real identities via exchange KYC data. Monero's ring signatures make sender identification practically impossible; stealth addresses hide the recipient; RingCT hides amounts. Privacy is mandatory on XMR — there are no optional privacy modes that could be missed.

Typically 3-10 confirmations depending on the cryptocurrency. XMR: 10 confirmations (approx. 20 minutes). BTC: 3-6 confirmations (approx. 30-60 minutes). LTC: 6 confirmations (approx. 15 minutes). Do not close your browser during this process. Contact support if funds don't appear after 30+ confirmations.

P2P platforms are the best option: LocalMonero.co and Haveno allow trades with cash or various payment methods without mandatory identity verification. Bisq supports Bitcoin-to-XMR swaps, and UnstoppableSwap.net offers BTC/XMR atomic swaps. See our full XMR guide for detailed instructions.

Based on publicly available information, Nexus Market charges a commission on completed transactions (typically 2-4% depending on vendor level and category). Dispute resolution may incur additional fees in cases where mediation is required. Exact fee schedules are published within the marketplace itself — check the official fee schedule after logging in.

In a 2-of-3 multi-sig arrangement, three parties hold keys to the escrow wallet: buyer, vendor, and the marketplace. At least two of the three keys must agree to release funds. In normal transactions, buyer and vendor agree and both sign the release. If there's a dispute, admin signs with either buyer or vendor to resolve based on the evidence — no single party can unilaterally steal the funds.

FE means releasing escrow before confirming delivery. It significantly increases buyer risk since the vendor receives payment before you confirm the order. FE is disabled for most vendors by default and is only available for high-trust Level 3+ vendors. Avoid FE unless transacting with vendors who have extensive, verified feedback histories.

If an order goes wrong and direct resolution with the vendor fails, open a dispute through the marketplace's dispute portal. Provide evidence: photos of what arrived (if applicable), screenshot timestamps, communications. Disputes are reviewed by trained admin mediators who make binding decisions based on submitted evidence. Dispute windows close after a specified period post-delivery — open promptly.

Delivery times vary dramatically by vendor location, destination country, and shipping method. Domestic orders typically arrive in 1-7 business days. International orders: 1-4 weeks depending on route. Vendors list expected shipping timeframes in their listings. Factor in customs transit times for international orders.

Yes — PGP is mandatory for login and for encrypting shipping addresses. You must generate a PGP keypair and upload your public key during registration. All shipping addresses submitted to vendors must be encrypted with the vendor's PGP public key. Never send a real-world address in plaintext — this creates a permanent deanonymisation record on the server.

Compare the full .onion URL against the verified address from our enter page, character by character. Verify the marketplace's PGP signature on all official announcements. Use bookmarks from verified sources — never search for .onion addresses using search engines or social media. Read our full anti-phishing guide.

For maximum security: Tails OS (tails.boum.org) — a live OS that routes all traffic through Tor and leaves no traces. For intermediate users: Whonix (whonix.org) provides a two-VM setup. At minimum: Tor Browser at Safest level on a clean, malware-free system. Avoid Windows if possible; Linux is preferable. See our OPSEC guide for detailed setup instructions.

Password recovery typically requires your PGP private key to verify identity. If you lose both your password and PGP private key, account recovery is impossible — there is no central authority to reset credentials. This is by design: no backdoor means no way for adversaries (including law enforcement) to access your account. Back up your PGP private key and passphrase securely and offline.

Register an account, then apply for vendor status. This requires paying a vendor bond (amount depends on product category). The bond acts as a security deposit demonstrating commitment — it is forfeited if vendor rules are violated. After bond payment, vendors undergo a brief verification process before listings are approved.

Five trust levels (1-5) are assigned based on transaction volume, feedback scores, account tenure, and dispute history. Higher levels unlock privileges including higher withdrawal limits, FE eligibility, and featured placement. Trust levels cannot be purchased — they are earned through performance.

No. Reviews are cryptographically linked to completed transactions and cannot be deleted by vendors. This protects buyers by maintaining a complete, honest feedback record. Vendors can post responses to reviews, but the original review remains permanently visible.