CEX / Centralized Exchange vs Spot Market

Quick comparison to help you distinguish these two crypto terms.

CEX / Centralized Exchange
beginner
market_structure

A centralized exchange is a company-operated cryptocurrency trading platform that holds your funds, manages order matching, and requires identity verification to use.

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Spot Market
beginner
market_structure

The spot market is where cryptocurrencies are bought and sold for immediate delivery at the current market price, with ownership transferring to the buyer right away.

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