Monero（XMR）已代替比特幣（BTC）作為黑網交易之王

比特幣（BTC）曾經是黑暗網絡上非法交易的國王。早在2016年，它佔所有加密貨幣活動的驚人的97％

Bitcoin (BTC) was once the king of illicit transactions on the Dark Web. Back in 2016, it accounted for a staggering 97% of all cryptocurrency activity tied to illegal dealings, according to TRM Labs. But, fast forward to 2022, and that number dropped sharply to 19%. TRM Labs predicts that by 2024, Bitcoin’s share will shrink further to only 12%.

比特幣（BTC）曾經是黑暗網絡上非法交易的國王。據TRM Labs稱，早在2016年，它佔與非法交易有關的所有加密貨幣活動的驚人。但是，快進到2022年，這個數字急劇下降至19％。 TRM Labs預測，到2024年，比特幣的份額將進一步縮小到僅12％。

So, what happened? Simply put, the limitations of Bitcoin - particularly its public blockchain transparency - have pushed illicit markets toward more private alternatives.

那麼，發生了什麼事？簡而言之，比特幣的局限性 - 尤其是其公共區塊鏈透明度 - 將非法市場推向了更多私人選擇。

One key driver of this shift is the development of privacy-based cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR), Zcash, and Dash. Unlike Bitcoin, these coins are designed to provide almost total anonymity, making it practically impossible to trace transactions.

這種轉變的一個關鍵動力是開發基於隱私的加密貨幣（例如Monero（XMR），Zcash和Dash）。與比特幣不同，這些硬幣旨在提供幾乎完全匿名的匿名性，使得幾乎無法追踪交易。

White House Market, a major player on the Dark Web, recognized this early. In 2020, they stopped accepting Bitcoin altogether and went Monero-only.

白宮市場是黑暗網絡上的主要參與者，他很早就意識到這一點。在2020年，他們不再完全接受比特幣，而只接受了僅限的比特幣。

Their reasoning was clear: “The Bitcoin workaround was supposed to be there just to help with the transition to XMR… therefore, we are now Monero only, just as planned.”

他們的推理很明確：“比特幣的解決方法本來應該在那裡，只是為了幫助過渡到XMR……因此，我們現在只按計劃進行的，就像計劃的那樣。”

Research from ScienceDirect also supports this shift, suggesting that privacy coins are closely tied to Dark Web activity.

ScienceDirect的研究也支持這一轉變，這表明隱私硬幣與黑暗的網絡活動緊密相關。

Stablecoins and Tron Taking Over

Stablecoins和Tron接管

Interestingly, it’s not just privacy coins that are taking the lead. TRM Labs reports that Tron (TRX) holds the top position in illicit activity with 58%.

有趣的是，不僅是隱私硬幣引起了領先。 TRM Labs報告說，TRON（TRX）在非法活動中佔58％。

Another report from Chainalysis reveals that stablecoins now account for 63% of the total illegal volume of transactions. Even large illicit marketplaces are using stablecoins for smoother and faster transactions.

鏈分析的另一份報告表明，穩定幣現在佔非法交易總數的63％。即使是大型非法市場也在使用Stablecoins進行更順暢和更快的交易。

For instance, Elliptic researchers uncovered $11 billion in illicit trades using USDT on Cambodia’s Huione Guarantee marketplace in July 2024. Both privacy coins and stablecoins are becoming the go-to tools for anonymous and efficient transactions on the Dark Web.

例如，橢圓研究人員於2024年7月在柬埔寨的Huione擔保市場上發現了110億美元的非法交易。隱私硬幣和Stablecoins都成為黑暗網絡上匿名和高效交易的首選工具。

Law Enforcement Challenges

執法挑戰

The openness of Bitcoin has always had a double-edged nature. On the one hand, it made the currency less attractive to criminals; on the other hand, it made it possible for the authorities to trace and shut down illegal trade.

比特幣的開放性始終具有雙層性質。一方面，這使得貨幣對罪犯的吸引力降低了；另一方面，當局有可能追踪和關閉非法貿易。

Thanks to Chainalysis and Elliptic software, the authorities have been capable of successfully disassembling such high-profile platforms as Silk Road in 2013, AlphaBay in 2017, Hydra in 2022, and Incognito Market in 2024.

多虧了鏈分析和橢圓軟件，當局能夠成功拆除2013年絲綢之路，2017年的Alphabay，2022年的Alphabay和2024年Incognito Market等備受矚目的平台。

But with privacy coins, the game has changed, tracking transactions through Monero or Zcash is a major hurdle.

但是，隨著隱私硬幣的變化，遊戲已經改變，通過Monero或Zcash跟踪交易是一個重大障礙。

Even though Japanese law enforcement recently made their first arrest linked to Monero transaction analysis, the complexity of these privacy-focused coins poses a serious challenge worldwide.

儘管日本執法部門最近與Monero交易分析有關，但這些以隱私為重點的硬幣的複雜性在全球範圍內構成了嚴重的挑戰。

The Balancing Act Between Privacy and Security

隱私與安全之間的平衡行為

This shift from Bitcoin to stablecoins and privacy coins is a two-edged sword. While the diminished role of Bitcoin in criminality might make it more acceptable as a legitimate financial instrument, and more investors will be drawn to it, stablecoins and privacy coins make it more challenging for law enforcers to trace illegal transactions.

從比特幣到穩定硬幣和隱私硬幣的轉變是一把兩刃劍。儘管比特幣在犯罪性中的作用減少可能使其成為合法的金融工具，並且將吸引更多的投資者，但穩定的股份和隱私硬幣使律師事務所的追踪非法交易更具挑戰性。

Certain countries have even prohibited privacy coins, while stablecoins have been scrutinized. The challenge is to strike the right balance between technological advancement and regulation so that privacy is possible without undermining security.

某些國家甚至禁止隱私硬幣，而穩定的國家則經過審查。挑戰是在技術進步和法規之間取得適當的平衡，以便在不破壞安全性的情況下進行隱私。