Common questions about Vortex marketplace features, security, payments, and operations. Find answers to technical issues, account management, cryptocurrency transactions, and vendor-related inquiries.
important information for new Vortex users
Download Tor Browser from torproject.org. Access Vortex through verified mirrors on the access page. Click "Register" and choose a unique username (not linked to other identities). Create a strong 16+ character password using a password manager. Generate PGP key pair if you plan to become a vendor (mandatory) or want enhanced security as a buyer (recommended). Save your recovery phrase securely offline.
Vortex marketplace accepts six cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC) primary currency, Monero (XMR) for privacy, USDT stablecoin for price stability, Litecoin (LTC) for faster transactions, Ethereum (ETH) for smart contracts, and Zcash (ZEC) for shielded transactions. Each cryptocurrency has separate wallet addresses generated per transaction. Automatic conversion rates update in real-time from multiple exchange sources.
PGP encryption is mandatory for vendors (all communications encrypted), recommended for buyers (enhanced security). Generate keys using GnuPG. Import your public key to Vortex account settings. The marketplace automatically encrypts/decrypts messages using your stored keys. PGP also enables two-factor authentication (server sends encrypted challenge, you decrypt and submit response).
Understanding transaction protection
Multi-signature escrow requires 2-of-3 signatures (buyer, vendor, marketplace) to release funds. When you make a purchase, funds go to escrow address (not vendor's wallet). Vendor ships product and marks order as shipped. You receive product and finalize order (funds released to vendor). Standard 14-day escrow period for disputes. If dispute occurs, arbitrator holds third signature and can release to buyer or vendor based on evidence. No single party controls funds unilaterally.
Before escrow expires (14 days), open a dispute through order page. Upload evidence: encrypted photos showing product issues, message screenshots (automatically encrypted), tracking information if relevant. Both parties submit arguments to arbitrator. Neutral third-party reviews evidence and makes binding decision. Funds released to winning party within 72 hours of decision. Dispute history visible (anonymized) for transparency. Repeated frivolous disputes result in account penalties.
Confirmation times vary by cryptocurrency: Bitcoin 10-60 minutes (1-6 confirmations required), Monero 20-40 minutes (10 confirmations), Ethereum 3-15 minutes (12 confirmations), Litecoin 2.5-25 minutes (6 confirmations), USDT 3-15 minutes (12 confirmations on Ethereum), Zcash 2.5-15 minutes (6 confirmations). Vortex shows pending transactions immediately. Full confirmation required before vendor ships. Network congestion can delay confirmations during high-volume periods.
Protecting your identity and funds
Check complete v3 onion address (56 characters + .onion). Verify PGP signature on welcome message matches official Vortex public key. Cross-reference onion address from multiple independent sources: forums, clearnet mirror lists, trusted community members. Never trust a single source. Look for personal verification phrase (unique to your account, displayed before password entry). Bookmark verified address after confirmation. Be extremely cautious of phishing sites with similar-looking addresses.
Four-level authentication: username/password, optional PGP 2FA, Security PIN for withdrawals, optional email/SMS recovery. Quantum-resistant encryption (lattice-based algorithms, CRYSTALS-Kyber protocol). Multi-signature escrow preventing fund theft. DDoS protection (queue system, CAPTCHA, rate limiting). End-to-end encrypted messaging (PGP mandatory for vendors). No IP logging (hashed addresses only). Account activity monitoring with new device alerts. Regular security audits and penetration testing.
No. Multi-signature escrow architecture prevents unilateral access. Administrators hold only one of three required signatures. Funds require cooperation from buyer and vendor, OR buyer/vendor plus arbitrator in disputes. Cryptographic architecture makes administrative theft mathematically impossible without both buyer and vendor cooperation. This security model protects Vortex users from exit scams while enabling legitimate dispute resolution.
Selling and marketplace operations
Register buyer account first. Navigate to "Become a Vendor" section. Deposit 0.5+ BTC vendor bond (refundable when leaving with good standing). Complete vendor verification: generate PGP key pair (mandatory), provide business details, agree to vendor terms. Create first product listing (requires approval for new vendors). Wait 24-48 hours for administrator approval. After approval, full vendor access granted. New vendor restrictions: escrow-only transactions, limited listing count, daily withdrawal limits.
Rating calculation: Product Quality 40%, Shipping Speed 25%, Communication 15%, Stealth/Packaging 15%, Order Completion 5%. Buyers can review within 30 days of finalization. Vendors progress through tiers: New Vendor (0.5 BTC bond), Trusted (50+ reviews, 4.7+ rating, Finalize Early enabled), Elite (500+ reviews, 4.9+ rating, increased limits), Verified (identity verification, special badge). Reputation history visible to all Vortex users. Fake review detection algorithms monitor suspicious patterns.
Buyer fees: None (free browsing and purchasing). Vendor fees: 0.5+ BTC initial bond, 4-6% commission on finalized sales (tier-dependent), withdrawal fee: 0.0005 BTC / 0.05 XMR / equivalent in other cryptocurrencies. Listing fees: Free for basic listings, premium placement optional (pricing varies). Dispute fees: Losing party pays 10% dispute resolution fee. Vendor bond returned when leaving marketplace in good standing (no disputes, completion rate above 95%).
Technical aspects and troubleshooting
Tor network routing adds latency. Your connection bounces through three relays worldwide before reaching the destination. This is normal and expected. Typical page loads take 3-10 seconds. If loading takes longer than 30 seconds, try clicking "New Circuit" in Tor Browser. This assigns new relays that might have better performance.
During DDoS attacks, the Vortex marketplace activates queue systems. You might see a waiting room with your position number. This protects the platform while maintaining access for patient Vortex users. Wait times during attacks range from 30 seconds to several minutes.
V3 onion addresses are the current standard for Tor hidden services. They use 56 characters (compared to 16 in the old v2 format). The longer address provides stronger cryptographic security. All legitimate marketplace mirrors use v3 addresses ending in .onion.
If you encounter a 16-character onion address claiming to be this marketplace, it's definitely fake. V2 addresses were deprecated in 2021 and no longer function. This makes phishing easier to detect for informed Vortex users.
Yes, but with limitations. Tor Browser exists for Android devices and works reasonably well. iOS Vortex users face more restrictions due to Apple's policies. Onion Browser for iOS provides basic Tor functionality but with reduced security features.
For best security, desktop access remains recommended. Mobile devices carry additional risks: app permissions, location services, cellular network metadata. If you must use mobile, disable all unnecessary permissions and never access over regular mobile data.
First, generate a PGP key pair using software like GnuPG, Kleopatra, or GPG4Win. Your key should be at least 2048 bits (4096 recommended for long-term security). Export the public key as ASCII-armored text.
In marketplace account settings, find the PGP section. Paste your complete public key including the BEGIN and END lines. The system validates the key format before saving. Once imported, you can enable PGP 2FA for enhanced login security.
Without your private key, you cannot decrypt messages or complete PGP 2FA challenges. If 2FA is enabled, account access becomes impossible. This is by design, there's no "reset" option because that would create a security vulnerability.
Prevention is the only solution. Back up private keys to encrypted storage (USB drive, paper backup). Store backups in multiple physical locations. Test key restoration periodically to ensure backups work. Never rely on a single copy.
Common problems and solutions
First, verify you're on the correct onion address. Phishing sites look identical but steal credentials. Check the complete 56-character address against verified sources.
If the address is correct, common issues include: Caps Lock enabled (passwords are case-sensitive), browser caching old session data (try New Identity), or account lockout from failed attempts (wait 30 minutes). With PGP 2FA enabled, ensure you're decrypting the challenge with the correct private key.
Cryptocurrency deposits require network confirmations before appearing in your balance. Check the transaction on a blockchain explorer using your deposit address. If confirmations are incomplete, wait. Bitcoin needs 1-6 confirmations (10-60 minutes). Monero needs 10 confirmations (20-40 minutes).
If confirmations are complete but balance unchanged, contact support with your transaction ID. Ensure you sent to the correct address, many lost deposits result from copy-paste errors or sending to wrong cryptocurrency addresses.
Give vendors reasonable time to respond. Many operate across time zones or check messages periodically. 24-48 hours is standard wait time for non-urgent inquiries.
If no response after 48 hours on an active order, check vendor's profile for vacation notices or activity indicators. If the order approaches escrow expiration without communication, consider opening a dispute to protect your funds. Document all attempted contact in the dispute.
Check multiple indicators. Reviews from verified buyers show actual experiences. Look for detailed reviews, not just "good" or "fast." Review count matters, a 5.0 rating from 3 reviews means less than 4.8 from 500 reviews.
Account age provides context. Vendors active for months with consistent positive feedback demonstrate reliability. Watch for sudden rating drops or complaints about changed behavior. Check if the vendor communicates professionally and promptly before ordering.
Document everything before opening the package fully. Take photos showing the packaging, shipping labels (if any), and contents. Encrypt images using the Vortex marketplace's built-in encryption or PGP before uploading.
Contact the vendor first through encrypted messaging. Many vendors resolve issues directly without disputes. If the vendor is unresponsive or uncooperative, open a dispute before escrow expires. Upload all evidence. Arbitrators review both sides and make binding decisions based on provided documentation.
Managing your marketplace account
Access Account Settings in your profile. Select "Change Password" option. Enter current password for verification, then enter new password twice. Strong passwords use 16+ characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols. Password managers like KeePassXC generate and store complex passwords securely.
After password change, all existing sessions are terminated. You'll need to log in again with the new password. If PGP 2FA is enabled, have your private key ready for the challenge.
Yes, but with conditions. Accounts with pending orders cannot be deleted until orders complete or cancel. Accounts with balance cannot delete until funds are withdrawn. Vendor accounts require a waiting period and final review before deletion.
Account deletion is permanent. All data, transaction history, and reputation are removed. Consider this carefully. If concerned about security, changing credentials and enabling all security features provides protection without losing your account history.
Navigate to Wallet section. Select the cryptocurrency you want to withdraw. Enter your external wallet address carefully, triple-check the address as transactions are irreversible. Enter your Security PIN if configured. Confirm the withdrawal.
Withdrawal processing typically takes 15-60 minutes depending on manual review requirements and network congestion. Large withdrawals may require additional verification. Minimum withdrawal amounts apply to cover network fees.
Learn more about Vortex marketplace features and security architecture. Detailed documentation covers encryption methods, authentication systems, and platform capabilities.
About VortexView current mirrors and verified onion links. Real-time status monitoring shows which mirrors are online with response times and reliability percentages.
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