In the crypto economy, decentralized exchanges have been nothing less than revolutionary. In case you are not familiar with DEXs or decentralized exchanges, it is time to get familiar with the topic. The insight can help you thrive in crypto and proactively engage in crypto trading platforms. However, before learning about the main benefits of decentralized exchanges, you need to first understand what these exchanges are.
DEXs are peer-to-peer marketplaces that rely on smart contracts within blockchain networks. It serves as the place where the traders of cryptocurrency get to engage in different kinds of transactions. Furthermore, they get to enjoy a seamless and smooth experience. Within a short span of time, DEXs have become immensely popular in the online crypto community.
This is due to the fact that DEXs remove the need for any authoritative party to authorize or oversee transactions. As the name suggests, there is complete decentralization, which ensures that there is an equal distribution of power. Unlike centralized exchanges, where authoritative bodies like banks play a key role, DEX does not rely on such intermediaries.
If you intend to dive into the crypto realm, you need to familiarize yourself with the chief benefits of decentralized exchanges.
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Benefits of Decentralized Exchanges
Do you have the question in your mind –What are the advantages of decentralized exchanges? If yes, you will get the answer shortly. DEXs have a host of benefits that make them far superior in comparison to centralized exchanges. Some of the chief benefits include:
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Having custody of assets
One of the fundamental benefits of decentralized exchanges is that users have custody of their assets. In other words, you do not have to transfer your assets to any third party. Hence, the level of risk from malicious actors such as cybercriminals is low. You do not have to have sleepless nights thinking that the entity possessing your assets may get hacked.
By using DEXs, your assets can remain completely safe and secure. In technology-driven times, it is natural to feel vulnerable in the crypto domain. However, you can rest assured of safety while completing a transaction on DEXs. Issues such as hacking, theft, fraud, etc., will not be able to affect you in the crypto domain. The DEXs will ensure that you have the power over your own assets. If you want to ensure that your assets remain safe while transacting in the crypto economy, DEXs is the ideal platform to conduct transactions.
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Prevention of market manipulations
A common concern for most individuals who are involved in trading activities revolves around market manipulations. However, in the case of DEXs, you do not have to worry about the manipulation of the market setting. This is because users get ample protection from elements such as wash trading or fake trading.
DEX encompasses diverse anti-manipulation features that make it a safe trading platform. The commit-reveal systems of DEX are vital properties that offer protection to users against manipulations. Similarly, the decentralized nature of the exchanges ensures that no one party has majority control while engaging in transactions. The peer-to-peer platform enables users to trade directly with one another in a seamless manner. Certainly, it is one of the chief advantages of decentralized exchanges.
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High resistance to hacking
In the current era, a major concern in the minds of most online users revolves around hacking. The threats from online hackers, cybercriminals and other malicious entities may cause many sleepless nights. However, the threat from such malicious elements is low in the crypto realm.
Decentralized exchanges are not run by a single entity. Instead, the foundation of DEXs is made of a network of computers. This network of computers enables DEXs to remain functional and run efficiently. This feature makes these exchanges highly resistant to threats from cybercriminals. If you engage in trading activities in the crypto domain, you need not worry about hacking or other security risks. The opportunity for hackers and online criminals to target you.
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High efficiency
Blockchain technology is the decentralized exchange’s core pillar. Due to this, the benefits of blockchain can be seen in DEX as well. One of the main reasons for the decentralized exchange advantages is that it is a highly efficient and effective alternative to the traditional approach. Moreover, it is highly transparent, as the records of all transactions exist on the blockchain. Transparency ensures that all trade activities and transactions are verifiable. Hence, it offers an additional layer of security to users.
DEXs are a revolutionary invention that perfectly suits the crypto realm. The core features and advantages of the exchange make it ideal for users who engage in trading activities. The high level of security, transparency, and efficiency, coupled with stability, makes it a popular exchange medium that is used today. It is instrumental to become familiar with the core benefits of decentralized exchanges so that you can derive optimum value by transacting on them in the crypto setting.
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How do DEX platforms work?
It is important to bear in mind that DEX is starkly different from centralized exchange platforms. Unlike the centralized platforms that adopt a conventional approach, DEX leverages innovation. In fact, innovation lies at the very forefront of these exchanges and makes them efficient, robust, and well-functional. Technology serves as the catalyst in DEX and supports the delivery of services to users. Thanks to digital technology, services like liquidity pools and services relating to smart contracts are accessible to users.
DEXs offer liquidity to users and traders. If you are a trader, you can take advantage of available pools of paired assets for swapping one token in exchange for another. Liquidity pools are smart contracts that traders can use to move in and out of specific tokens. The exchanges fundamentally use smart contracts to automate the trading process.
In case a trader wishes to trade a cryptocurrency for another, the process is quite simple. They simply need to send their specific assets to a smart contract. The smart contract will be responsible for matching buy as well as sell orders. Hence, the execution of the sale can take place automatically without relying on human intervention.
The advantages relating to decentralized exchanges give it an upper hand in comparison to traditional exchanges. DEXs are well-suited to meet the needs of users who like trading in the modern age.
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Future of Decentralized Exchanges
The future of DEX seems to be extremely bright in contemporary times. The rising popularity of these platforms gives a glimpse into their bright and promising future. The core features of DEX have enabled the exchange to grow exponentially within a short span of time. As the adoption of blockchain technology gradually gains momentum, it can further enhance the acceptance of DEXs.
Today, DEX acts as a perfect alternative to centralized exchanges. DEX platforms ensure that there is an ample degree of adaptability and flexibility for users and that their needs are met. The traders who exist in the crypto landscape get to enjoy liberty while engaging in transactions.
The core benefits of decentralized exchanges may subsequently lead to the mainstream adoption of these exchanges among crypto traders. The rise in the awareness of DEX, coupled with its simple use, may contribute to its rising acceptance and adoption. Hence, in the future, DEX may soon pose a threat to traditional and centralized exchanges.
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Downside of Decentralized Exchanges
It is true that DEXs give rise to a host of benefits and advantages to crypto community members. However, you need to be aware of certain downsides relating to these exchanges. Only by gaining a comprehensive insight into decentralized exchange can you derive optimum value from them. Some of the main disadvantages of DEXs are:
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Need of a certain degree of knowledge
In order to utilize DEX, you need to be able to use cryptocurrency wallets. This is because these exchanges are accessible through these wallets. Hence, you need to possess basic knowledge about trading in the crypto domain.
Moreover, you must have an understanding of the security aspects so that you can ensure the safety of your funds. Although it is true that there is ample safety in blockchain, you need to keep in mind certain safety elements so that you can act in a responsible manner. Without having an insight into blockchain and DEX, it might get overwhelming to engage in trading activities.
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Vulnerabilities relating to smart contracts
Smart contracts are indispensable components that exist in the blockchain domain. While trading on DEX platforms, you must be aware of vulnerabilities arising from smart contracts. Although the level of security is high, the possibility of some form of threat always exists in the virtual world. Hence, a certain degree of uncertainty exists that may arise due to bugs or security gaps. Similarly, any kind of error may also give rise to security concerns for users who engage in crypto trading. Thus, it is important for you to prepare yourself while diving into the crypto trading domain. As new kinds of exploits come into existence, you need to adopt a practical outlook. Therefore, you cannot ignore the probability of security concerns while reading via DEXs.
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Lower level of liquidity
It may come as a surprise, but DEXs have lower liquidity in comparison to exchanges that follow the centralization concept. Yes, you heard it right! The reason for lower liquidity is the existence of broader bid-ask spreads. Moreover, longer waiting time also comes into play and contributes to a lower degree of liquidity in DEXs.
This weakness of DEXs may act as a bottleneck for users. Due to liquidity concerns, users may find purchasing or selling assets at the intended price daunting. Hence, it is a vital disadvantage that you must remember while trading on these platforms.
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Inefficiency in terms of transaction time
Another disadvantage of DEX revolves around the slow transaction time. Although one may expect that the efficiency is high in relation to transaction time, that is not always the case in the practical setting. There is a chance of slow transaction time due to the high degree of reliance on blockchain networks. It may take considerable time to carry out the validation process.
Similarly, settling trades may consume a substantial amount of time. Hence, such activities that take place within the blockchain network may make the transactions time-consuming for users. When it comes to trading, time is a critical factor that traders must take into consideration. If you have an interest in crypto trading, it is necessary to know that transaction time is a major area of concern.
Although decentralized exchanges have a number of disadvantages, they fail to overshadow the benefits of the exchange platform. However, if you are passionate about crypto trading, you need to familiarize yourself with its benefits as well as drawbacks. A comprehensive insight into DEXs can help you understand the true capabilities of the exchange platform. Furthermore, you can make use of your understanding to leverage the technology to its fullest.
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Final Words
In the crypto universe, the emergence of DEXs is one of the most valuable inventions. These platforms have brought about a revolutionary change in trading activities and transactions. Crypto users have the opportunity to optimally leverage the exchange platform to engage in the transactions of their choice. A diverse range of benefits relating to decentralized exchanges are enjoying custody of assets, prevention of market manipulations, high resistance to hacking, and high efficiency.
Unquestionably, the future of DEXs is bright as it offers a plethora of benefits to users. If you are keen on trading in the crypto landscape, you can take advantage of DEX platforms. These platforms offer superior value in comparison to conventional platforms that center around centralization.
However, a number of downsides relating to decentralized exchanges exist that you need to be aware of. The guide sheds light on some of the disadvantages of DEX, such as the need for certain knowledge, vulnerabilities of smart contracts, lower liquidity, and transaction time inefficiency. You need to know about the benefits and drawbacks of DEXs to be well-equipped as a crypto trader in the blockchain setting.
*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!
