Monero’s Price Soars 10%: Is the Shadow Market the New Gold Mine?

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Ah, what a delightful day it was! The XMR price, like a mischievous cat, leaped nearly 10% on Tuesday, all thanks to a new report from the illustrious TRM Labs. It seems Monero is not just surviving but thriving in the treacherous waters of privacy-focused markets, despite being shunned by major exchanges like an unwanted relative at Thanksgiving.

This scholarly work sheds light on the increasingly daring use of Monero in the shadowy realms of darknet marketplaces. Yes, dear reader, while the world watches in horror, Monero users are indulging in their secretive escapades with glee, as the report reveals subtle, almost ghostly behaviors within the network that may influence one’s assumptions about real-world privacy.

Monero’s Shadow Market Growth and Network Insights Fuel XMR Price Surge

As I pen these words, XMR trades at a respectable $335.66, a hearty increase of nearly 10% over the last 24 hours. It seems the spirits of cryptocurrency are smiling down upon us!

According to the wise sages at TRM Labs, Monero’s transaction activity has remained as stable as a well-fed cat in 2024-2025, consistently surpassing the meager levels of pre-2022. What a revelation!

This trend persists despite the valiant attempts of leading platforms such as Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, and Huobi, who have decided that access to XMR is akin to allowing a raccoon into a fine dining establishment-simply scandalous due to regulatory and traceability concerns.

“Despite the delistings and the heavy hand of enforcement, XMR activity waltzes along above pre-2022 levels,” TRM Labs noted, probably while sipping tea and chuckling.

According to the firm’s enlightening research:

  • 48% of new darknet markets in 2025 are now XMR-only. How charming!
  • Most ransomware payments still occur in Bitcoin-because, darling, liquidity matters more than a fancy hat.
  • 14-15% of Monero peers engage in non-standard network behavior. A little quirkiness never hurt anyone!

While Monero’s cryptography stands tall like a sturdy oak tree, the dynamics of the network can play interesting tricks on our real-world privacy assumptions. Quite the conundrum!

The report emphasizes that Monero’s resilience stems not from casual retail trading, but rather from a devoted user base seeking privacy-preserving transactions-even when faced with obstacles, fewer on-ramps, and dwindling liquidity. How noble!

The transaction volumes in 2024 and 2025 have soared higher than the most ambitious soufflé, far surpassing the early days of 2020-2021. Clearly, demand is steady, not just a whimsical whim of speculative traders.

This stability is particularly impressive, given that 73 exchanges have decided to turn their backs on Monero in 2025 alone. Such drama!

Thus, liquidity for XMR is growing increasingly concentrated on offshore or less compliant venues-much like a secret society gathering in a hidden corner of the city, explaining why most ransomware payments linger in the comforting arms of Bitcoin.

While intrepid actors request Monero for its privacy features, Bitcoin remains the easier companion to acquire, transport, and convert on a grand scale. Ah, the irony!

Monero Adoption on the Rise Among Darknet Markets

Meanwhile, the report graciously acknowledges that Monero’s adoption in darknet markets continues to swell like a balloon at a child’s birthday party.

TRM Labs data reveals that 48% of newly minted darknet marketplaces in 2025 now support XMR exclusively-a sharp rise compared to previous years. Goodness gracious!

This trend is particularly pronounced in Western-facing markets, a direct response to the enhanced tracing capabilities of Bitcoin and those pesky US dollar-backed stablecoins. How astute!

It aligns perfectly with a recent BeInCrypto report that noted the increasing use of XMR for illicit endeavors. A match made in dubious heaven!

Network-Layer Insights With Privacy in Practice

Beyond market capers, TRM Labs conducted a most intriguing study of Monero’s peer-to-peer (P2P) network. In their analysis, they discovered that 14-15% of reachable Monero peers displayed non-standard behaviors such as:

  • Irregular message timing-a touch dramatic, don’t you think?
  • Handshakes that could rival the awkwardness of first dates, and
  • Infrastructure concentration that would make even the keenest sociologist raise an eyebrow.

While these anomalies do not point to protocol failures or malicious deeds, they do reveal how network-layer dynamics can subtly sway theoretical anonymity models, even as Monero’s on-chain cryptography remains as robust as a bear in hibernation.

Indeed, Monero occupies a unique niche within the crypto ecosystem. While transparent networks and stablecoins grow increasingly traceable and regulated, Monero continues to allure those seeking to preserve their privacy amid the swirling chaos.

TRM Labs’ findings illuminate both the strengths and nuances of Monero’s privacy design, demonstrating how real-world usage patterns and network behavior can influence the practical efficacy of anonymity protections. What a fascinating twist in this tale of digital shadows!

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2026-02-17 11:56