Article

Exchange

August 22, 2026 · Aditya Gupta

Crypto & Blockchain

A cryptocurrency exchange is a platform for buying, selling, and trading crypto. Types: centralized exchanges (CEXs — Coinbase, Binance, Kraken) — easier for beginners, fiat on/off-ramps, custody risk; decentralized exchanges (DEXs — Uniswap, PancakeSwap) — non-custodial, no KYC for some, but more complex. CEX failures (Mt. Gox, FTX, Celsius) have lost billions of customer funds — 'not your keys, not your coins.' Major exchanges offer spot trading, futures, lending, staking, and increasingly traditional finance integrations (ETFs, IRA accounts). Fees: 0.1-1.5% per trade, varying by volume and order type. Always withdraw long-term holdings to self-custody.

Investing

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