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DEX vs CEX: Which Is Better for Trading in 2026?

A CEX (centralized exchange) like Coinbase or Binance holds your funds and matches orders on a private server. A DEX (decentralized exchange) like Uniswap or Jupiter runs on smart contracts, you trade directly from your wallet without depositing funds anywhere. CEXs offer faster execution, deeper orderbooks, and fiat on-ramps. DEXs offer self-custody, transparency, censorship resistance, and increasingly competitive pricing. In 2026, the gap is narrowing: DEXs on Layer 2 networks are approaching

Kamila Lipska

on Feb 27, 2026