CEX Vs DEX Dynamics

Architecture

Centralized exchanges (CEXs) represent a traditional, order-book based market structure, functioning as intermediaries managing user funds and order execution, while decentralized exchanges (DEXs) utilize smart contracts to facilitate peer-to-peer trading directly on a blockchain, eliminating custodial risk. This fundamental architectural difference impacts operational resilience, as CEXs present a single point of failure, whereas DEXs exhibit greater robustness through distributed ledger technology. Consequently, the choice between these architectures influences trading costs, speed, and the degree of control users retain over their assets. The underlying infrastructure dictates the scalability and efficiency of each system, with CEXs often achieving higher throughput but at the cost of censorship resistance.