#CEXvsDEX101 CEX vs DEX 101
Centralized Exchanges (CEX) and Decentralized Exchanges (DEX) both serve as platforms to trade cryptocurrencies, but they operate differently. CEXs like Binance or Coinbase offer high liquidity, fast transactions, and customer support, but require users to trust a central authority. DEXs like Uniswap or PancakeSwap, on the other hand, allow peer-to-peer trading without intermediaries, offering more privacy and control of funds—but often with lower liquidity and slower speeds. Understanding the trade-offs between ease of use and self-custody is essential for crypto traders.