Centralized exchanges (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX) solve the same problem — trading crypto — in fundamentally different ways.
Centralized Exchanges – A company holds your funds and matches trades on your behalf. Easier to use, usually faster, with customer support and fiat on/off ramps — but you're trusting that company with custody of your assets.
Decentralized Exchanges – Trades happen directly between wallets via smart contracts, with no company holding your funds. You keep full custody and control, but you're also fully responsible for your own security, and liquidity/speed can vary.
"Not your keys, not your coins" is the common phrase around this — CEXs are convenient, but ultimately you're trusting a third party with custody.
Do you lean more CEX, DEX, or a mix depending on what you're doing?
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