Mars Market FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about Mars Market — registration, payments, disputes, vendor bonds and account security.
How do I access Mars Market for the first time?
Follow our complete step-by-step tutorial. In short:
- Download Tor Browser from torproject.org
- Set Security Level to Safest (disables JavaScript)
- Copy the verified onion address from the footer of this page
- Paste into Tor Browser address bar — never click links
- Complete the Anti-Phishing check on the login page
How do I register on Mars Market?
On the Mars Market login page, click Create an account. You only need a username and password — no email, no personal information. Choose a username you have never used elsewhere. Use a password of 20+ characters. Enable 2FA immediately after registration.
Do I need to deposit funds before ordering?
No. Mars Market is walletless — you never pre-deposit funds into a platform wallet. When you place an order, Mars Market generates a unique Monero sub-address specifically for that transaction. You send XMR directly from your wallet to that address at checkout time.
How many Monero confirmations are required?
Mars Market typically requires 10 Monero confirmations before an order is processed. Each Monero block takes approximately 2 minutes, so expect to wait around 20 minutes after sending payment before your order status updates. Do not send multiple transactions to the same address.
Can I use Bitcoin instead of Monero?
No. Mars Market accepts Monero (XMR) only. Bitcoin transactions are permanently and publicly visible on the Bitcoin blockchain — this is incompatible with the privacy requirements of anonymous market transactions. If you have Bitcoin, convert it to Monero first using an atomic swap service.
What happens if my order goes wrong?
Mars Market uses 2-of-3 multisig escrow. If you and the vendor cannot resolve a dispute, you can escalate it to Mars Market moderators. They act as the third key holder. Any two of the three parties (buyer, vendor, platform) must agree to release funds — so neither the vendor nor the platform can steal from you unilaterally. Average dispute resolution time is 48–72 hours.
How do I become a vendor on Mars Market?
Vendor accounts require a bond payment — a refundable deposit that filters out low-effort scam accounts. The amount varies; waivers are available for established vendors migrating from other markets with verified history. After paying the bond, you must upload a PGP public key and enable mandatory 2FA before listing products.
What is the Mars Market canary?
Mars Market publishes a signed canary statement monthly. This is a PGP-signed message stating that the platform has not been compromised, seized or subjected to legal orders requiring silent cooperation. If the canary is not updated or is updated with unusual wording, it may signal that something has changed with the platform's operational status.
Is it safe to use my home internet connection?
Tor Browser encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address from Mars Market. However, your ISP can see that you are using Tor (though not what you are doing). For additional privacy, consider using Tor over a public WiFi connection, or use a bridge in Tor Browser settings to make Tor traffic less detectable.
Still have a question?
The tutorial walks through every step in order, and the wallet guide covers Monero setup and private XMR purchase in detail.