Market Architectures

Structure

Market architectures define the organizational and technological structure through which financial instruments are traded and settled. In the context of cryptocurrency and derivatives, these architectures range from centralized exchanges (CEXs) with traditional order books to decentralized exchanges (DEXs) utilizing automated market makers (AMMs) or hybrid models. The choice of architecture profoundly impacts liquidity, price discovery, transaction costs, and regulatory oversight. Understanding these structures is crucial for market participants. This forms the fundamental framework of trading.