‘Darknet’ sellers tout face masks for bitcoin, researchers say

A mannequin wearing a protective face is pictured as a vendor sells masks during the coronavirus outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand. Sites indexing sellers from the United States to Europe and Russia have appeared as demand for protective equipment soars during the pandemic, research shared with Reuters by blockchain analysis firm Elliptic showed. — Reuters

LONDON: “Darknet” trading platforms where contraband from drugs to stolen credit cards usually change hands are offering face masks and other coronavirus-related gear in return for Bitcoin, researchers said on March 6.

Sites indexing sellers from the United States to Europe and Russia have appeared as demand for protective equipment soars during the pandemic, research shared with Reuters by blockchain analysis firm Elliptic showed.