Lead · Exchange Reviews
The most fundamental difference between CEX and DEX is one line: is your key in the exchange's hands or your own — every other risk grows from that.
Chloe Brennan
·
June 03, 2026
There are mainly two venues for trading crypto: centralized exchanges (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX). Their most fundamental difference comes down to one line — who actually holds your assets. Grasp this and you can pick the right tool for your needs and risk tolerance.
## What a CEX is
A centralized exchange is run by a company; you register an account, deposit money, and the...