Centralized Exchanges are platforms where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. These exchanges act as intermediaries, meaning they manage and control the exchange process between users and hold the assets for them. Popular CEXs include Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. While they offer a user-friendly experience, they require trust in the platform to secure your assets.
Think of CEXs as digital banks for cryptocurrency, where the platform manages your assets and facilitates transactions on your behalf.
- Ease of Use: CEXs offer user-friendly platforms that make buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies accessible to everyone.
- Security: While you trust the exchange to secure your assets, CEXs often implement advanced security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) and insurance to protect user funds.
- Liquidity: Centralized exchanges have high trading volumes, making it easy to buy and sell crypto at competitive prices.

Picture this…
You are going to a stock exchange to buy and sell shares, but instead of doing it yourself, you use a broker to manage the transactions for you. The broker holds your shares and ensures everything runs smoothly. Centralized exchanges work similarly—they act as brokers for your cryptocurrency trades, taking care of the technical side of things.
CEX is where you trade crypto, but the platform holds and manages your funds for you.
How Centralized Exchanges (CEX) Work:
- Users create accounts on CEX platforms and deposit funds (fiat or crypto).
- The platform matches buyers and sellers to facilitate transactions at market prices.
- CEXs hold custody of user funds, making transactions quick and easy but requiring trust in the platform’s security.
Why Centralized Exchanges (CEX) Are Important:
- They provide an easy entry point into the world of cryptocurrency for beginners.
- They enable users to access a wide range of crypto assets and trading pairs.
- They help ensure liquidity in the crypto market, making buying and selling faster.
what did we miss? Feel free to add a suggestion below!