Ah, Bitcoin. The OG of cryptocurrencies, the rebel without a cause, the digital gold that promised to liberate us from the clutches of centralized financial systems. When Satoshi Nakamoto unleashed Bitcoin in 2009, it was all about privacy, decentralization, and sticking it to The Man. Fast forward to today, and Bitcoin has become the poster child for transparency, with its blockchain acting like a public diary that even your nosy neighbor wouldn’t dare to read.

But let’s be real—Bitcoin’s fall from grace in the world of ahem "alternative" markets is nothing short of dramatic. In 2016, Bitcoin dominated 97% of illegal cryptocurrency activities.

By 2022, that number had plummeted to a measly 19%. And in 2025? Bitcoin is expected to account for just 12% of illicit transactions. So, what happened? Enter privacy coins—the new kings of the dark web and the go-to choice for those who value their anonymity as much as their OnlyFans Netflix passwords.

Privacy coins like Monero, Zcash, and Dash have stepped up to the plate, offering advanced cryptographic techniques that make tracking transactions as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s transparency has become its Achilles’ heel, with law enforcement agencies using blockchain analytics tools to bust dark web marketplaces left and right. From the Silk Road to Hydra, Bitcoin’s public ledger has been the smoking gun in countless investigations.

So, if you’re curious about which privacy coins are leading the charge in this new era of crypto anonymity, buckle up. Here’s a rundown of the top privacy coins making waves in 2024, complete with real-world examples of how they’re being used (for better or worse).

Top 5 Privacy Coins in 2025

1. Monero (XMR)

Price: ~$210 Market Cap: ~$3.9 billion Popular Wallets: Monero GUI Wallet, Cake Wallet, MyMonero

Monero is the undisputed heavyweight champion of privacy coins. Using ring signatures, stealth addresses, and confidential transactions, Monero ensures that every transaction is completely untraceable. It’s like the James Bond of cryptocurrencies—smooth, sophisticated, and impossible to pin down.

In 2020, the White House Market, one of the largest dark web marketplaces, announced it would no longer accept Bitcoin and would operate exclusively with Monero. Their reasoning? “Bitcoin’s transparency is a liability.” That year Monero also faced scrutiny from regulators worldwide: the IRS offered a $625,000 bounty to anyone who could crack Monero’s privacy features (spoiler: no one has claimed it yet).

However, Monero’s popularity on the dark web has only grown since then, with research showing a strong correlation between Monero transactions and dark web activity. Still Monero is the preferred currency on the marketplaces like White House Market and Incognito Market. It’s also used by activists in oppressive regimes to receive donations without fear of government surveillance.

2. Zcash (ZEC)

Price: ~$31 Market Cap: ~$500 million Popular Wallets: ZecWallet, Coinomi, Exodus

Zcash takes a different approach to privacy, offering users the option to shield their transactions using zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs). This technology allows users to prove they have the right to spend a coin without revealing any other information. Think of it as a magician’s trick—you know it’s real, but you can’t see how it’s done.

In 2023, Zcash was used by activists in authoritarian regimes to receive donations without fear of government surveillance. Its selective transparency feature also makes it a favorite among privacy-conscious businesses that need to comply with regulations while protecting sensitive data.

Zcash also has been used by NGOs to send funds to conflict zones without attracting unwanted attention. In 2023, it was reported that Zcash was being used to facilitate private remittances in Latin America. Nevertheless, the token has faced criticism for its “optional privacy” feature, which some argue undermines its purpose. Still it remains popular among businesses that need to balance privacy with regulatory compliance.

Dash (DASH)

Price: ~$23 Market Cap: ~$284 million Popular Wallets: Dash Core Wallet, Exodus, Guarda

Dash, originally known as Darkcoin, offers optional privacy through its PrivateSend feature. While not as inherently private as Monero or Zcash, Dash’s mixing mechanism makes it a solid choice for users looking to obscure their transaction history.

Dash has gained traction in countries with unstable economies, like Venezuela, where citizens use it to protect their savings from hyperinflation and government overreach. In 2022, Dash partnered with a Venezuelan payment platform to enable private, low-cost remittances for migrant workers.

Despite that, Dash has faced criticism for its association with dark web marketplaces, though its developers argue that it’s primarily used for legitimate purposes.

4. Verge (XVG)

Price: ~$0.005 Market Cap: ~$81 million Popular Wallets: Verge Paper Wallet, Coinomi, Exodus

Verge uses a combination of Tor and I2P networks to hide users’ IP addresses, making it nearly impossible to trace transactions back to their source. It’s like sending a letter through a maze of secret tunnels—no one knows where it came from or where it’s going.

The coin gained notoriety in 2018 when it was adopted by Pornhub as a payment option for adult content. While the partnership has since ended, Verge remains a popular choice for users seeking privacy in their online transactions.

Verge has faced criticism for its lack of inherent privacy features, relying instead on external networks like Tor. However, it remains popular among users seeking low-cost, private transactions.

5. Pirate Chain (ARRR)

Price: ~$0.13 Market Cap: ~$25 million Popular Wallets: Pirate Wallet Lite, Treasure Chest Wallet

Pirate Chain takes privacy to the next level by combining zk-SNARKs with delayed proof-of-work (dPoW) to ensure complete anonymity. It’s the crypto equivalent of a pirate ship—sailing the high seas of the blockchain with no trace of its whereabouts.

Pirate Chain has become a favorite among privacy enthusiasts and has been used in peer-to-peer transactions where anonymity is paramount. In 2023, it was reported that Pirate Chain was being used by underground communities to facilitate private, cross-border payments.

The platform has faced scrutiny for its association with dark web marketplaces, though its developers argue that it’s primarily used by privacy enthusiasts.

Final Thoughts

While Bitcoin may have lost its edge in the world of illicit activities, privacy coins have stepped up to fill the void. Whether you’re a privacy advocate, a dark web dweller, or just someone who values their financial anonymity, these coins offer a level of security that Bitcoin simply can’t match.

But let’s not forget—privacy coins aren’t just for the shadowy corners of the internet. They’re also being used by activists, businesses, and everyday people who want to protect their financial privacy in an increasingly surveilled world. So, whether you’re rooting for Monero’s untraceability or Zcash’s selective transparency, one thing’s for sure: the era of privacy coins is here to stay.