The checklist
Attributes
An attribute is a checkable fact. Each one moves a grade by a fixed, published number of points. Pick one to see every service that has it.
Count in a service’s favour
No registration
148 servicesUsable without creating an account.
Privacy +6 · Safety 0
Account-number login
14 servicesAccounts are a random number or key. No email, no username.
Privacy +5 · Safety 0
No email needed
116 servicesAn email address is not required.
Privacy +3 · Safety 0
No phone needed
116 servicesA phone number is never required.
Privacy +1 · Safety 0
Tor onion service
57 servicesPublishes an official .onion address.
Privacy +4 · Safety 0
I2P address
6 servicesPublishes an official I2P address.
Privacy +1 · Safety 0
Works without JavaScript
16 servicesCore functions work with scripts disabled.
Privacy +1 · Safety 0
Accepts Monero
164 servicesMonero is accepted or traded directly.
Privacy +4 · Safety 0
Accepts Lightning
48 servicesBitcoin Lightning payments are accepted.
Privacy +1 · Safety 0
Accepts cash
25 servicesCash by mail or in person is accepted.
Privacy +4 · Safety 0
Open source
71 servicesThe code that matters is public and can be inspected.
Privacy +2 · Safety +8
Non-custodial
47 servicesThe operator never controls user funds.
Privacy +3 · Safety +12
Self-hostable
14 servicesCan be run on your own server.
Privacy +3 · Safety +3
Independent audit
4 servicesA third party has audited the code or the no-logs claim, and the report is public.
Privacy +2 · Safety +8
No-logs policy
44 servicesStates that connection or transaction logs are not kept.
Privacy +2 · Safety 0
5+ years operating
83 servicesHas operated continuously for five years or more.
Privacy 0 · Safety +10
Legal entity disclosed
100 servicesThe operating company and its jurisdiction are published.
Privacy 0 · Safety +5
Own liquidity
9 servicesTrades from its own reserves, not an upstream exchange.
Privacy +1 · Safety +6
Multisig or hold-invoice escrow
5 servicesTrades are protected by escrow the operator cannot spend alone.
Privacy 0 · Safety +6
Refund without ID
33 servicesTerms commit to refunding a stopped order without identity documents.
Privacy +2 · Safety +6
Worth knowing before you use a service
Anonymous operator
114 servicesNobody is publicly accountable for the service.
Privacy 0 · Safety -4
Requires email
106 servicesAn email address is required to use the service.
Privacy -4 · Safety 0
Requires phone number
7 servicesA phone number is required to use the service.
Privacy -10 · Safety 0
Custodial
28 servicesThe operator holds user funds, so it can freeze them.
Privacy -3 · Safety -5
Closed source
121 servicesCode is not public.
Privacy -2 · Safety -3
Third-party liquidity
73 servicesOrders are passed to upstream exchanges that apply their own screening.
Privacy -3 · Safety -6
AML screening
87 servicesTerms mention blockchain analytics or risk scoring of deposits.
Privacy -7 · Safety -3
May request ID
103 servicesTerms reserve the right to demand identity documents.
Privacy -7 · Safety -4