Types of Crypto Exchanges
There are three main types of cryptocurrency exchanges: Peer-to-Peer (P2P), Decentralized Exchange (DEX) and Centralized Exchange (CEX).
Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
P2P exchanges are peer-to-peer, meaning that buyers and sellers trade directly with each other. P2P exchanges usually have no centralized authority and instead use an escrow system to hold funds until both parties have fulfilled their side of the deal. They often allow users to trade directly with fiat currency, but some also support cryptocurrency trading. Some popular P2P exchanges are Paxful and LocalBitcoins.
Decentralized Exchanges
A DEX is decentralized, meaning it not subject to the same regulations as centralized exchanges. Using smart contracts to facilitate trades, DEXes usually only allow cryptocurrency trading. Some do have fiat on-ramps, so you can buy with dollars, euros or pounds but these are always provided by a regulated third party. Popular DEXes include Uniswap, Sushi and Balancer.
Centralized Exchanges
A CEX centralized by nature, meaning it is regulated by a financial authority and requires KYC/AML compliance. CEXes usually support fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-crypto trading pairs. While privacy is sacrified, they often have very deep order books and advanced tooling, making them a choice for many market participants. Popular exchanges include Binance, FTX and Kraken. Centralized exchanges also come with some risk. You do not fully control your funds. At any time your funds could be frozen. Proceed with caution.
As a side note, you may also want to check out one of our sponsors, SideShift.ai. The no-sign-up crypto exchange is for slightly more advanced users. SideShift is centralized in the sense that you do give up custody of your assets, but only very briefly which limits third-party risk substantially. You set up the trade, send your coins to the assigned wallet and then receive them at the address you input. Your coins will be swapped in seconds.
Which exchange is for you?
Which type of exchange you use will depend on your needs and preferences. P2P exchanges are great for privacy-conscious users who value decentralization, while CEXes are a good choice for users who value convenience and security. DEXes fall somewhere in between, offering a mix of decentralization and convenience.
P2P exchanges are the riskiest type of exchange, as there is sometimes no centralized authority to protect against fraud and limited dispute resolution. P2P exchanges are also the least convenient type of exchange, as buyers and sellers must find each other and coordinate trades themselves.
DEXes are less risky than P2P exchanges, as they often use smart contracts to protect against fraud and facilitate dispute resolution. However, DEXes are still less regulated than CEXes, and may be less convenient for users who are not comfortable with using cryptocurrency wallets. They also have the steepest learning curve.
CEXes are the most risk-averse type of exchange, as they are subject to financial regulations and require KYC/AML compliance. CEXes are also the most convenient, as they allow users to buy and sell cryptocurrency directly with fiat currency. However, CEXes may not be the best choice for privacy-conscious users, as they require users to submit personal information.
