Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create an account on Nexus Market?

Account creation on Nexus Market requires several steps to ensure security. First, access the marketplace through one of the official .onion links using Tor Browser. Never attempt registration through clearnet sites or unofficial mirrors. On the homepage, locate the registration button and click to begin.

During registration, you'll choose a username that doesn't reveal your identity. Create a strong password with at least 16 characters including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Write this password down offline—password recovery is impossible due to Nexus's zero-knowledge architecture.

The most important registration step is PGP key setup. Generate a new PGP keypair using GPG or similar software before registration. Upload your public key during account creation. This key encrypts all communications and serves as backup login verification. Never lose your private key—it cannot be recovered.

After completing registration, you'll receive a security phrase. Write this phrase down immediately. The security phrase helps verify you're on the genuine Nexus site during future logins. If the phrase doesn't match what you recorded, you may be on a phishing site.

Do I need special software to access Nexus?

Yes, accessing Nexus Market requires Tor Browser, available free from the official Tor Project website. Download Tor Browser only from torproject.org—never use third-party download sites or torrents. The browser routes your connection through the Tor network, masking your IP address and location.

Standard web browsers cannot access .onion sites. Trying to access Nexus links through Chrome, Firefox, or Safari won't work. Even with VPN or proxy services, you still need Tor Browser specifically designed for .onion domains.

For maximum security, consider using Tails OS, a Linux operating system that routes all traffic through Tor. Tails runs from a USB drive without installation, leaving no traces on your computer. Many experienced darknet users prefer Tails for accessing marketplaces like Nexus.

Is registration free?

Yes, buyer accounts on Nexus Market are completely free with no registration fees or monthly charges. You can browse listings, message vendors, and make purchases without paying marketplace fees beyond small transaction commissions.

Vendor accounts require verification fees and security deposits. New vendors pay a registration fee plus maintain a bond proportional to sales volume. These fees prevent spam vendors and ensure serious sellers join the marketplace. Established vendors from other markets may qualify for reduced bond requirements.

What cryptocurrency does Nexus Market accept?

Nexus Market exclusively accepts Monero (XMR) for all transactions. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies are not supported. This decision prioritizes user privacy since Monero offers superior anonymity compared to transparent blockchain cryptocurrencies.

Monero transactions cannot be traced back to sender or receiver. The blockchain hides amounts, addresses, and transaction history through ring signatures, stealth addresses, and confidential transactions. This makes Monero ideal for darknet platform transactions where privacy is critical.

If you only have Bitcoin, you'll need to exchange it for Monero before making purchases. Several cryptocurrency exchanges support BTC to XMR swaps, though some require identity verification. Anonymous exchange services exist but typically charge higher fees. Research options carefully before exchanging funds.

Purchase Monero through exchanges like Kraken, Binance, or LocalMonero. After purchase, transfer XMR to a personal wallet rather than keeping it on the exchange. Hardware wallets like Ledger support Monero and provide excellent security for cryptocurrency storage.

How does the escrow system work on Nexus?

Nexus Market employs a 2-of-3 multisignature escrow system protecting both buyers and vendors. When you place an order, your Monero payment is locked in a multisig wallet controlled by three keys: yours, the vendor's, and the marketplace's. Funds can only move when two of three parties agree.

After receiving your order, you finalize the transaction by releasing escrow. This requires your signature and the vendor's signature—the marketplace isn't involved in smooth transactions. Funds transfer directly to the vendor's wallet once you confirm satisfaction.

If problems arise, refuse to finalize and open a dispute. Marketplace moderators review evidence from both parties. Their decision, combined with either your signature or the vendor's, releases funds appropriately. This system prevents either party from unilaterally stealing funds.

Escrow auto-finalizes after a set period if you don't manually finalize or dispute. This prevents buyers from holding funds indefinitely. The auto-finalize timer varies by product category—digital goods finalize faster than physical items requiring shipping time.

Are there transaction fees?

Nexus Market charges a small commission on each transaction, typically 3-5% depending on product category and vendor tier. These fees fund marketplace operations, security measures, and support staff. Compared to traditional payment processors charging 3-5% plus fixed fees, Nexus rates remain competitive.

You'll also pay Monero network transaction fees when depositing to or withdrawing from your Nexus wallet. These fees go to Monero miners securing the network, not to Nexus Market. Network fees fluctuate based on blockchain congestion but typically remain under $0.50 per transaction.

Is Nexus Market safe to use?

Nexus Market implements multiple security layers to protect users, but no marketplace is completely risk-free. The platform uses multisignature escrow, mandatory PGP encryption, vendor verification, and distributed infrastructure with DDoS protection. These measures significantly reduce common darknet marketplace risks.

Your personal safety depends largely on your operational security practices. Use Tor Browser exclusively, never share personal information, verify PGP signatures, and never use work or home networks for marketplace access. Many security breaches result from user mistakes rather than marketplace vulnerabilities.

Vendor verification on Nexus reduces but doesn't eliminate scam risk. Even verified vendors can turn malicious or make mistakes. Always start with small test orders when trying new vendors. Read reviews carefully, checking for patterns of complaints or suspicious positive reviews.

The marketplace itself has operated without major security incidents since launch. No data breaches, exit scams, or law enforcement seizures have occurred. However, past performance doesn't guarantee future security—maintain healthy skepticism and never risk more money than you can afford to lose.

How do I verify I'm on the real Nexus Market site?

Phishing sites impersonating Nexus Market pose serious threats. Always verify you're on an official mirror before entering credentials. Check the .onion URL carefully against official links published on this portal. Phishing sites often use similar but slightly different URLs.

After login, verify your security phrase appears correctly. This phrase, set during registration, proves you're on the genuine marketplace. If a different phrase appears or none shows, you're likely on a phishing site. Never enter your credentials if the security phrase is wrong.

PGP-signed mirror lists provide additional verification. The Nexus Market administration signs official mirror lists with their PGP key. Download the signature and public key, then verify the signature matches. This confirms the mirror list hasn't been tampered with.

Bookmark official mirrors in Tor Browser for easy access. Never follow marketplace links from search engines, forums, or social media. These sources frequently contain phishing links. Only trust mirrors from official sources like this portal or PGP-signed announcements.

What information does Nexus collect about users?

Nexus Market follows a minimal data collection policy. The platform stores usernames, password hashes (not actual passwords), PGP public keys, and transaction records necessary for escrow operations. No IP addresses, session logs, or personally identifiable information is retained beyond 24 hours.

All stored data is encrypted at rest on Nexus servers. Database contents use strong encryption ensuring that even if servers were compromised, attackers couldn't read user information. The encryption keys exist only in server memory, never written to disk.

Message content between users is encrypted with PGP before storage. Nexus cannot read these messages—only the sender and recipient with the correct private keys can decrypt message contents. This protects communications even from marketplace administrators.

How do I become a vendor on Nexus Market?

Vendor applications require completing an extensive verification process. First, create a standard buyer account and use the marketplace to understand how it operates. Familiarize yourself with vendor policies, fee structures, and community expectations before applying.

Submit a vendor application through your account settings. The application asks about your product categories, experience on other markets, and business plans. Include references from other marketplaces if available—established vendors receive preferential treatment and reduced bond requirements.

Pay the vendor registration fee and security bond if your application is approved. New vendors typically pay higher bonds that decrease as you build reputation. The bond protects against exit scams—if you scam customers, the bond refunds affected buyers.

After approval, complete vendor training covering marketplace policies, security practices, and best practices for customer service. The training includes guidance on stealth shipping, PGP usage, and handling disputes. Vendors who skip training often face problems later.

How do I choose a reliable vendor?

Vendor selection significantly impacts your marketplace experience. Start by examining vendor ratings and review counts. High ratings with many reviews indicate consistent quality. Be suspicious of perfect ratings with few reviews—these could be manipulated or new accounts.

Read actual reviews, not just ratings. Look for detailed reviews mentioning specific products and experiences. Generic positive reviews like "great seller A+++++" provide little useful information. Negative reviews often reveal important information about potential problems.

Check vendor activity levels. Active vendors who respond quickly to messages and maintain current listings demonstrate commitment. Vendors who disappear for weeks or have outdated listings may be unreliable or planning to exit scam.

Start with small test orders when trying new vendors. Even highly-rated vendors can have issues with specific products or service quality changes over time. Small orders minimize risk while you evaluate vendor reliability firsthand.

What if I have a dispute with a vendor?

First, attempt direct resolution by messaging the vendor. Most problems stem from miscommunication or shipping delays rather than malicious intent. Explain the issue clearly and give vendors reasonable time to respond. Many disputes resolve through direct communication.

If direct communication fails, open a formal dispute through your order page. Provide detailed evidence including message screenshots, product photos, and any other relevant documentation. The more evidence you provide, the better moderators can judge the situation.

Marketplace moderators review disputes within 48-72 hours. They examine evidence from both parties before making decisions. Moderator decisions are final unless new evidence emerges. Repeatedly filing frivolous disputes can result in account restrictions.

If you win a dispute, funds are released to your wallet rather than to the vendor. Partial refunds are possible if moderators determine both parties share responsibility. The vendor's bond may be tapped to cover refunds if their wallet has insufficient funds.

What if I can't access Nexus Market?

Connection issues usually result from Tor network problems or specific mirror downtime. If one mirror doesn't load, try alternative mirrors from the official links page. Nexus operates eight mirrors specifically to ensure availability when individual mirrors face problems.

Verify Tor Browser is working correctly by testing access to other .onion sites. If no .onion sites load, the problem lies with your Tor connection rather than Nexus specifically. Restart Tor Browser or try changing Tor circuits through the browser controls.

DDoS attacks occasionally affect marketplace availability. During attacks, some mirrors may be slow or temporarily offline. Be patient and try different mirrors. The Nexus team quickly migrates traffic to unaffected mirrors during attacks.

If you consistently cannot access any mirrors, your ISP or country may be blocking Tor. Use Tor bridges to circumvent censorship. Bridge configuration instructions are available on the Tor Project website. Bridges hide the fact that you're using Tor from network monitors.

How do I contact Nexus Market support?

Support requests should be submitted through the support ticket system available after login. Navigate to your account settings and select "Support" to open a new ticket. Include detailed information about your issue—vague tickets receive slower responses.

Response times vary based on ticket priority and current support load. Account access issues receive highest priority, typically resolved within 24 hours. General questions may take 2-3 days. Urgent security issues should be marked as high priority.

Never discuss sensitive information in support tickets without PGP encryption. Support staff have PGP keys published on their profiles. Encrypt messages containing account details, transaction information, or anything personally identifying.

Nexus Market has no official presence on social media, Telegram, or other platforms. Anyone claiming to be Nexus support outside the marketplace is scamming you. Only trust support communications through the official marketplace support system.

What if I forgot my password?

Password recovery is impossible on Nexus Market due to zero-knowledge security architecture. The marketplace never stores passwords in recoverable form—only cryptographic hashes exist in the database. This protects user accounts but means lost passwords cannot be reset.

If you still have access to your account's PGP private key and can receive email at your registered address, account recovery may be possible through support. The recovery process takes several days and requires proving ownership through multiple verification methods.

Without PGP key access, account recovery is impossible. This is intentional—if Nexus could reset accounts without PGP verification, attackers could too. Always back up your password, PGP private key, and security phrase in secure offline storage.