Drug cryptomarket futures: Structure, function and evolution in response to law enforcement actions

Developments in encryption technology have facilitated new forms of digital drug trading. In this chapter, we provide an overview of cryptomarkets and the technologies that underpin them. Our examination of the history of cryptomarket development shows they have evolved in response to enforcement operations and threats from within the community, yet policy responses, whilst increasingly varied and sophisticated, remain in line with prohibition and suppression. Our evaluation of the transformative potential of cryptomarkets on the global drugs trade suggests it is limited to specific drugs, countries and forms of violence, and its impact will be greater in countries where drug consumption is highest rather than producer countries like Colombia or Afghanistan. Whilst the literature is emergent, we argue that it demands better scrutiny from law enforcement and policy makers in designing appropriate responses to the online drugs trade to avoid unintentionally increasing harms both for drug takers and the public.