24-7-2025 -French law enforcement has arrested the primary administrator behind XSS, one of the largest criminal marketplaces on the dark web specializing in cryptocurrency theft tools, according to a report published by BlockBeats.

The operation, coordinated by French authorities with assistance from Europol, targeted a suspect who allegedly operated the platform for nearly two decades. During this period, investigators estimate the individual generated approximately 7 million euros through various cybercriminal activities. XSS served as a major distribution hub for “Stealer” malware tools specifically designed to compromise cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges.

The marketplace had become a critical infrastructure point for cybercriminals targeting the digital asset ecosystem. Stealer tools distributed through XSS enabled attackers to harvest login credentials, private keys, and other sensitive data from victims’ devices, facilitating widespread cryptocurrency theft operations across multiple jurisdictions.

This arrest represents a significant disruption to dark web cryptocurrency crime networks that have cost the industry billions in losses. The platform’s takedown removes a key resource that criminal groups relied on to acquire sophisticated theft tools and coordinate attacks against crypto users and institutions.