What is CEX (Centralized Exchange)?
Also known as: centralized exchange
A custodial exchange like Binance or Coinbase where a company matches orders and holds user funds.
A centralized exchange is operated by a company that holds custody of user funds and runs an order book to match buyers and sellers. CEX listings are a major liquidity and legitimacy milestone for any token because they expose it to a large, less-technical audience.
Getting a memecoin listed on a CEX is far harder than a DEX: exchanges vet projects, charge listing fees, and require volume, community size, and legal clarity. Many memecoins never list on a major CEX.
CEX vs DEX is a core trade-off: CEXs offer convenience and depth; DEXs offer permissionless access and self-custody.
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