Blockchain could be considered already an old technology, at least in the digital realm. Consequently, we already have several dozen well-established crypto exchanges on the market. Some names are familiar even to people outside of crypto, like Binance, Coinbase, and Crypto.com.

However, traditional crypto exchanges have lots of limitations. Most are highly centralised (CEX), making them the same as banks, just for the digital currency market. Moreover, they come with added costs and fees, which seem small when viewed individually but easily add up over time.

The DeFi market aims to change this. It promotes decentralised finance technologies that strive to replace the need for third parties and centralised institutions like CEXs. Consequently, it lowers fees and advances the use of P2P transactions.

The technology is still on the outskirts of the global financial market, but we are already seeing it within decentralised exchanges (DEXs), Play-to-Earn (P2E) games, and cryptocurrency gambling sites. It benefits crypto gambling, leading to fewer restrictions and more security.

Defining DeFi Trading

DeFi, or decentralised finance, is an emerging tech in the financial realm tied to cryptocurrencies and distributed ledgers. It allows a wide range of financial services with the help of blockchain and other decentralised technologies.

DeFi is an umbrella term that describes all financial technologies that are effectively non-centralised networks and don’t rely on third parties to facilitate transactions.

In most cases, DeFi consists of smart contracts that power various transactional protocols and decentralised applications (dApps). Naturally, this is a simplified explanation because every DeFi platform aims to offer something unique, even though most are built on Ethereum.

Consequently, DeFi trading aims to allow the trading of cryptocurrencies and other assets in a non-centralised manner without relying on third parties like centralised exchanges.

This is primarily done with the help of decentralised exchanges (DEXs) like dYdX, Uniswap, DODO, and Kine Protocol. DEXs are very similar to centralised crypto exchanges (CEXs), with the main difference being that they are non-custodial and peer-to-peer. In other words, trading is done directly between investors without a third party (an exchange) completing the trade.

This leads to DEXs being less regulated than CEXs and more open to everyone. Naturally, this ushers fewer costs, low third-party fees, flawless transactions, and a more significant risk of fraud.

DEXs are the better option for individuals that require high privacy standards, as they also allow you to be the sole owner of your funds. However, as this Investopedia article explains, they are not for the masses as they are still quite complex for most people, just like DeFi in general.

Advantages of DeFi Trading

Let’s take a quick look at the main advantages of DeFi trading so you can see if it’s a better option than traditional crypto trading.

Accessibility and inclusivity

DeFi, as we’ve stated, doesn’t have restrictions. You can use it as long as you know what you’re doing. There are no restrictions in terms of age or location.

Moreover, you’re rarely required to use personal data. For instance, when creating a CEX account, you must provide many information and documents to verify your identity and age. On the other hand, a DEX typically requires only an email or just a private crypto wallet.

Transparency and security

Being decentralised, the main point of DeFi trading is transparency and security. Transactions are visible on the blockchain, while the peer-to-peer network ensures security.

Naturally, this doesn’t mean you’re safe from scams, which is vital to remember. You can always learn more about these things on our blog.

Elimination of intermediaries and associated costs

DeFi trading must be enabled by a specific platform, but the decentralised network performs the rest, so there’s no third party to worry about.

Moreover, this means no taker and maker fees, commission fees, deposit and withdrawal fees, or other hidden costs.

Programmability and intelligent contract automation

Another benefit of DeFi trading is that it’s programmable. Smart contracts can be created in various ways, thus enabling new financial instruments and assets. Moreover, smart contracts can be automated to make trading less time-consuming.

DeFi’s Challenges and Risks

DeFi is not perfect; it has several downsides and problems you must consider before getting started, as this CoinTelegraph explains. Let’s briefly cover these risks and challenges.

Smart contract vulnerabilities and security risks

Smart contracts are the backbone of crypto transactions and, thus DeFi trading. Despite being foolproof, this security goes beyond what’s within the code.

Semantic and logical mistakes in code can lead to vulnerabilities and security risks that might be exploited through cyberattacks like reentrancy, flash loan attacks, and oracle manipulation.

Regulatory concerns and legal challenges

This technology aims to challenge traditional finances, so most governments are wary of it. This is why DeFi is largely unregulated worldwide and often called the Wild West of crypto.

Lack of user-friendly interfaces and adoption barriers

DeFi is beneficial in many ways, but you must learn how to operate its platforms and services.

Due to its distributed network nature and reliance on peer-to-peer, the interfaces are rarely user-friendly, and adopting them comes with steep learning curves.

What Does the Future Hold for DeFi Trading?

Decentralised finance is a new concept that covers a wide range of technologies, services, and platforms. It aims to challenge traditional finance, but through good cooperation, this challenge can move towards integration.

Many banks and financial institutions are already exploring the market, trying to find ways to use DeFi to their advantage.

Currently, it’s completely unregulated and riddled with infrastructural problems and security vulnerabilities, albeit on a case-by-case basis.

Naturally, this doesn’t mean that the future is bleak. This technology still has a long way to go, and it’s filled with advantages that need to be expanded upon. Just as crypto is here to stay, so is DeFi.

DEXs and DeFi trading are already a part of the daily routine for many, and once we find ways to scale this market and solve the issues that plague it, it’s bound to spread like wildfire.