Key facts
- Gawker writer Adrian Chen published the first mainstream exposé of Silk Road 15 years ago today.
- The exposé led to Silk Road's membership jumping from approximately 1,000 users to over 10,000 almost overnight.
The Silk Road was an infamous online marketplace primarily used for selling illegal drugs. Its exposure in mainstream media marked a significant moment in the early history of dark web marketplaces and highlighted the growing use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for illicit transactions.