Navigating the ‘Trader’s Dilemma’: Choosing Between Custodial and Non-Custodial Exchanges

Dextr
3 min readMay 15, 2023

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Introduction:
As cryptocurrency trading gains popularity, inexperienced traders often find themselves faced with a challenging decision: choosing between custodial and non-custodial exchanges. Each type offers unique advantages and drawbacks, making the decision process complex. In this blog post, we will delve into the root causes of the challenges faced by both custodial and non-custodial exchanges, helping traders understand the key factors to consider when selecting an exchange.

The Custodial Exchange Conundrum:
Custodial exchanges provide a user-friendly experience and offer features like account recovery. However, they come with their own set of risks. Centralized in nature, custodial exchanges can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, misuse of funds, and market manipulation. Instances such as the FTX collapse have resulted in significant losses for users. Trust becomes a critical factor when considering a custodial exchange, as the custody of funds lies in the hands of a third party.

The Complexities of Non-Custodial Exchanges:
Non-custodial exchanges, on the other hand, offer self-custody and transparency, allowing users complete control over their funds. However, they often come with a steeper learning curve and a poor user experience. Navigating the decentralized finance (DeFi) space can be challenging for those without technical knowledge. Moreover, non-custodial exchanges are susceptible to front-running attacks, sandwich attacks, and issues related to asset recoverability. Building trust with these exchanges can also be a concern.

Root Causes of the Trader’s Dilemma:
To better understand the challenges faced by exchanges, let’s categorize the root causes into three main areas: custody, trade settlement, and governance.

Custody:
The custody of funds is a crucial consideration. With custodial exchanges, misappropriation and misuse of funds can occur, as seen in past incidents. Self-custody brings its own challenges, such as the risk of lost or stolen private keys and the lack of on-chain will executions, potentially resulting in permanent loss of funds.

Trade Settlement:
Trade settlement is a vital function of any exchange. Custodial exchanges can face trust issues, as some have been found manipulating trading volume, casting doubt on the reliability of off-chain order books. Non-custodial exchanges using automated market maker (AMM) models have their own challenges, including vulnerability to front-running attacks and timestamp manipulations. Additionally, bridges connecting non-custodial exchanges on different chains can be highly vulnerable to breaches, leading to significant losses.

Governance:
Custodial exchanges typically lack community participation in decision-making processes, which can limit the evolution of the exchange. Non-custodial exchanges, on the other hand, often embrace decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) structures that allow community members to participate and vote on proposals. However, DAOs have their own vulnerabilities, such as subversion, plutocratic governance, and governance attacks, as voting rights are often tied to coin staking.

The way forward….
A one-stop solution that addresses the challenges faced by crypto exchanges is necessary for the sustainable growth of the industry. Piecemeal solutions that address only one or two of the challenges, such as security or user experience, are not sufficient. Instead, a comprehensive solution is needed that considers all aspects of the exchange ecosystem, including governance, compliance, and risk mitigation. This approach will protect user interests and promote the long-term success of the crypto industry.

The current challenges and market conditions suggest the necessity for a hybrid approach to crypto-exchanges that is sustainable, future-proof, and combines the benefits of both custodial and non-custodial setups to facilitate:

a) Seamless user experience;
b) Asset or investment safety;
c) Social recovery;
d) Democratic governance; and
e) Mitigation of illicit transactions and compliance risks

In the forthcoming chapters of this series, we will introduce a new-gen hybrid technology for exchanging digital assets called “Dextr”

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Dextr
Dextr

Written by Dextr

The world’s first Actively Validated Market Maker (AVMM) featuring built-in MEV Insurance. https://linktr.ee/dextr_exchange

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