#CEXvsDEX101

Choosing between a Centralized Exchange (CEX) and a Decentralized Exchange (DEX) often comes down to your priorities—convenience vs control. CEXs like Binance or Coinbase offer high liquidity, fast trade execution, and user-friendly interfaces, which is why they’re great for beginners or when you need to move quickly. But they also require you to give up custody of your funds, which introduces counterparty risk—if the platform gets hacked or goes down, your assets could be at risk. DEXs, on the other hand, let you trade directly from your wallet, giving you full control and often greater privacy. The trade-off? They can be slower, less intuitive, and occasionally have lower liquidity for certain tokens.

⚖️ Personally, I use CEXs for quick trades and fiat on/off ramps, but when it comes to holding more control or trading low-cap tokens, I turn to DEXs. For anyone using a DEX for the first time, my advice is: double-check everything. Slippage settings, token contracts, and wallet connections all matter—there’s no support team to call if you make a mistake. Start small, get comfortable with the process, and always be wary of fake tokens and phishing links. The learning curve is worth it for the autonomy it gives you over your assets.