By The Data Nerd, Founder & Compliance Engineer ·
OFAC Sanctioned: Hydra Market
SANCTIONED · Designated: 2021-12-06 · Type: Darknet marketplace · Jurisdiction: Russia-linked
Hydra Market was designated by OFAC in December 2021 as the world's largest darknet market, processing $5.2 billion in crypto transactions between 2016 and 2021 for illicit goods including narcotics.
What this designation means
All transactions with Hydra Market wallets are prohibited. The marketplace was seized by German authorities in April 2022.
Screen this name via API (free, no API key)
curl "https://sanctionsai.dev/sanctions?name=Hydra+Market"Free tier: 5 checks/day by IP. Real OFAC SDN data, refreshed daily.
Compliance obligations
- Block all transactions: US persons and AI agents operating on their behalf must not transact with Hydra Market.
- Report blocked property: Within 10 business days, file reports with OFAC for any blocked transactions.
- Recordkeeping: Retain all screening records and transaction evidence for 5 years.
- Voluntary Self-Disclosure: If a violation occurred, file a VSD within 30 days for ~50% penalty mitigation.
Penalties for non-compliance
Civil penalties start at $356,571 per violation or twice the transaction value, whichever is greater. Criminal penalties for willful violations can reach $20 million and 30 years imprisonment. Each transaction with Hydra Market is a separate violation under OFAC strict liability.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hydra Market still sanctioned?
Yes. Hydra Market was designated by OFAC on 2021-12-06 and remains on the SDN list as of 2026-07-18. SDN designations are rarely lifted without a specific OFAC delisting action.
How do I check if a counterparty is sanctioned?
Use the sanctionsai.dev API: send a GET request with a name, wallet, or country parameter. The API checks against the full OFAC SDN list in under 100ms.
What is the penalty for transacting with a sanctioned entity?
OFAC civil penalties start at $356,571 per violation or twice the transaction value. Criminal penalties can reach $20 million and 30 years imprisonment.
How often should I screen counterparties?
Before every transaction. OFAC list updates are frequent, and an entity not flagged yesterday may be flagged today.