From CEX to DEX: The Shifting Landscape of Crypto Exchanges

@jryan

Financial and tech journalist based in Singapore. He is passionate about new techn...

Does the rise of decentralized exchanges denote the fall of centralized exchanges? Let us find out.

Anything working against the cryptocurrency industry seems to be working in favor of decentralized exchanges. Namely, the fall of FTX last year, and the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.  

All leading decentralized exchanges remained green for the better part of March. DeFiLlama recorded a remarkable 255.36% surge in DEX trading volume last week. By the way, the volume hit nearly $25 billion on March 11th, and this week closed near $60 billion. 

DEX volume by DeFiLlama

Yes, the cryptocurrency industry is constantly evolving. But there is a lot of speculation concerning the future of centralized exchanges. Especially with the fall of FTX, and the constant rise and rise of decentralized exchanges. Could DEXs take over and leave CEXs in the dust? Or will CEXs continue to dominate the market?

Well, let's take a closer look and understand both sides.

But first, the definitions:

Centralized authorities or individuals control centralized exchanges. This means there is a team managing funds, initiating transactions, and executing trades and a security team to prevent incidents of hacking.

On the other hand, decentralized exchanges have no centralized figure or authority. Developers and business developers deploy the exchange on top of a blockchain network. The blockchain automatically runs transactions, manages user funds and everything runs without a middle party. 

Cryptography and security

You might wonder whether this is enough to give DEX all that popularity. The main benefit of the blockchain network is military-proof cryptographic security and privacy. A decentralized exchange is a trustless engine, just like the backbone of a blockchain. No centralized authority holds private keys. Just in case anything happens to them, the funds don’t disappear as well. 

The case of Quadriga CX is a good example. 30-year-old Gerald Cotten, founder, and CEO of the Canadian exchange died unexpectedly while holding the private keys of nearly $116 million in crypto funds belonging to customers. One customer confessed to having lost over $500,000 following the death of Cotten. 

Such an occurrence would never have taken place had Quadriga been a decentralized exchange. 

A DEX means it when it says crypto users need control over their own assets.  

But does this mean that CEXs are mic drop and their show is over? 

Not necessarily. 

There are a few drawbacks associated with decentralized exchanges. One of them is a less friendly user interface and the need for high liquidity which is a tough feat for less popular altcoins. When liquidity is low, traders might find it extremely slow or painful to transact on the platform. 

Nonetheless, the DEX wants you to understand the benefit of trading crypto without a middle person. Let's be real for a second, no one wants a third party taking a cut of their hard-earned crypto.

Altogether, a decentralized exchange ensures you can trade confidently, securely and safely.  It's like having an invisible guard dog protecting your digital assets, except without the hassle of feeding it.

And let's not forget the global access that DEXs offer. With just an internet connection, anyone from anywhere in the world can trade on a DEX. It's like having a virtual passport to the world of crypto. Who needs a physical passport when you can just use your laptop to explore the world of decentralized trading?

Overall, DEXs are a game-changer in the world of cryptocurrency. They offer a level of security, transparency, and accessibility that centralized exchanges just can't match. So, whether you're a seasoned crypto trader or just starting out, DEXs are definitely worth checking out. Trust me, your digital assets will thank you.

Conclusion: The Future of Trading

Get ready to say goodbye to the old-fashioned centralized exchanges because decentralized Swap DEXs are taking over the crypto world by storm! These exchanges have gained immense popularity since 2020, and with the simplicity of their trading process, they've managed to attract traders from all walks of life.

How do these Swap DEXs work, you ask? It's as easy as pie! All you have to do is connect your wallet to the decentralized application (DApp), pick the coins you want to trade, and before you can even finish your coffee, your tokens will be swapped straight into your wallet. Talk about lightning-fast!

These DEXs have become so popular that they've given birth to similar projects that are popping up faster than mushrooms after a rainstorm. So if you're looking for a quick and easy way to trade crypto without the hassle of centralized exchanges, Swap-style DEXs are the way to go, both now and in the future.

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