Buying or selling cryptocurrencies usually starts with exchanges or, in other words, digital marketplaces where most crypto trading happens. For example, Binance, a leading centralized exchange (CEX), handles over $24.27 billion in daily volumes. Similarly, UniSwap is the world’s largest decentralized exchange (DEX) with over $7.25 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL). While centralized exchanges now hold market dominance, decentralized exchanges are providing strong competition with rising volumes. And, although both CEXs and DEXs facilitate crypto-transactions, they differ greatly in terms of security, cost, and transparency. In fact, both CEXs and DEXs have their own set of advantages that make them unique, as discussed in this article. Centralized Exchanges CEXs often go against the spirit of blockchain technology, but th+ey also offer a few major advantages, including the following: Liquidity Centralized exchanges keep enough assets on hand to allow quick deposits and withdrawals. Thus, anyone wanting to exchange, say, their BTC for USD, is able to do so instantly on a CEX. Liquidity is in fact a CEX’s trump card, which is why they invest a lot into supplying consumers with high-speed transactions with minimal slippage. Blockfinex, for example, offers a highly secure and robust exchange with deep liquidity for more than 500 crypto assets. Regulation Most CEXs seek operating permissions in several countries, demonstra...
