I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!
So I recently came across a post where people are engaged in a lengthy debate over whether CEX (Centralized Exchange) or DEX (Decentralized Exchange) is better. So I decided to wrote down this. Frankly, I believe it's a matter we shouldn't dwell on too much because both have their advantages and disadvantages.
For CEX:
Security is reliable if you choose the right exchange.
Transaction fees are reasonable.
It's user-friendly for trading.
You're less susceptible to phishing scams, especially when using a secure wallet.
Various earning opportunities are available.
Let's consider two exchanges I'm familiar with as examples:
For Binance: Despite suffering a massive $570 million hack, Binance remains one of the largest exchanges and not just that, they still keep their standards high.
You can find more details in this link:
https://www.investopedia.com/binance-got-hacked-6748215Now, Bitget: While Bitget hasn't experienced a direct exchange hack, although there was an incident that occurred with their wallet due to a link shared in a group that led to users' accounts being compromised, I won't really call this hack per se but a lesson to everyone. We all need to be careful of links sent suspiciously in any group you're in because you don't know what you will be clicking that will lead to total wipe pf your assets both in crypto and off crypto
You can also read about it here:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/ambcrypto.com/bitget-becomes-the-latest-victim-to-a-defi-exploit-as-bitkeep-loses-more-than/amp/I use Bitget more often because I've delved into their security standards and believe they're doing well. However, I still use Binance, as it was the first CEX I encountered on my crypto journey.
Now, let's talk about DEX:
I won't say DEX is bad; it has its merits. Everything is decentralized, as the name suggests. I've used Uniswap and continue to do so. However, it's essential to note that DEX can also undergo KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, as evidenced by this tweet about Uniswap:
https://twitter.com/WhaleChart/status/1713291249560535051?t=lyzx4IAlZNiG9Llt4g-Tqg&s=19Furthermore, DEX can be vulnerable to hacking. Consider Mixin, for example.
What I'm trying to convey is that these debates about CEX vs. DEX should consider that both can coexist and work well if we find the right balance.
Even if I said ok, I want to go offline to be safer. The truth is, Im not sure I can be 100% safe offline either. I was researching offline wallets on Amazon and watching YouTube reviews for recommendations. At some point, I got discouraged because even some offline wallets can be hacked. But that won't stop me from using an offline wallet. Is just picking the best that I know that would be best for me. Just as picking the best exchanges among cex and Dex.
As I've said before, our security largely rests in our own hands. Before an exchange collapses, there are usually rumors. When those rumors start, it's essential to withdraw your funds promptly. Take FTX as an example; Sam Bankman Fried's actions had a significant impact on the exchange. If you've been following his legal case, you'll see that he meticulously planned it out with no remorse, unlike other exchanges that experienced hacks and returned stronger with enhanced security.