I didn't know Alphabay, it was a bitcointalker from the local French forum who mentioned it. Given the fate of Ross Ulbricht (imprisoned then recently released against all odds) and Alexandre Cazes (dead at 26), whose businesses lasted around 2 and a half years each before the final downfall, I wondered why they didn't stop sooner, when they were already very rich.

What motivates these people, who have become criminals, to continue their business when in the end they live in extreme danger?