Introduction
A cryptocurrency exchange is an online market that offers a wide range of services to invest in digital/virtual assets.
Traders buy, hold, and sell coins with user-friendly platforms having a secure trading environment that is best to trade with.
We’ll be analysing what a cryptocurrency exchange is and how they work to offer the best possible services. So, to find out more, let’s drive in and understand the concept of cryptocurrency exchange.
What is Cryptocurrency Exchange?
A cryptocurrency exchange is a corporate platform where traders buy and sell cryptocurrency. These exchanges allow traders to invest in cryptos, with currency market prices reflected on their websites.
In addition, traders can convert their digital currency into currency on any exchange and have cash. There are exchanges in the market that traders can invest in, and no exchange is best for all the traders.
Binance, Gemini, Kraken, and upcoming are some of the popular names in the cryptocurrency market.
These digital markets provide a platform for cryptocurrency traders to buy and sell cryptos. One can simply buy cryptos online through banks or investing companies.
But before that, traders have to decide on their digital currency; it could be bitcoin, litecoin, ethereum, or any other cryptocurrency. Traders then create their trading accounts on crypto trading platforms for the exchange of the currency for digital assets.
How does Cryptocurrency Exchange Work?
When a trader opens a trading account with a cryptocurrency exchange, they are entitled to buy and sell the cryptocurrencies. In addition, traders can invest in the market on the basis of the services provided by the exchange.
One can purchase crypto using fiat currency like the US dollar, or they can trade crypto for another crypto.
While selecting a cryptocurrency exchange, traders should keep in mind that cryptocurrency exchanges provide many virtual currencies to trade (although it varies for every exchange).
Traders have many options; they can convert their cryptocurrency into cash for further trades, have a fiat currency, get crypto for another crypto or have the cash. However, the services vary with the exchanges.
Trading on Cryptocurrency Exchange
The initial step of trading with any cryptocurrency exchange is to open a trading account. Traders can easily register with the service provider with their name, email address, contact details, and password.
After which, they are required to provide the required information to get verified by the exchange to trade. Once done with the process, they can fund their exchange accounts which are also referred to as wallets.
The cryptocurrency exchange works in a similar way as a broker. They have cryptocurrencies, services for trading, customer support, fees, spreads, and other advanced features to make trade smooth.
Traders can then view the price of different cryptocurrencies online using the trading platform. The prices of cryptos are determined by the market factors and not by the exchanges.
Exchanges reflect the up-to-the-minute pricing, but the prices of different exchanges may have slight differences due to the decentralisation of the cryptocurrencies.
The account funding gives traders the right to place their orders with the exchange. They can buy any crypto they want, and it gets added to the order book of the particular trader with buy and sell orders.
Traders can select the cryptocurrency exchange as per their requirements; however, they should analyse the fees and costs that they charge for the services provided.
There are many old and new cryptocurrency exchanges that are working with the best functions. Old crypto exchanges are established with many cryptos, such as Binance. New ones have a modern methodology, advanced tools, several cryptocurrencies, and a handful of features, for example, soon to be released.
Traders can pick the one that suits their requirements and trading style to have the desired market profits and successful trading.
How to select a Cryptocurrency Exchange?
Traders have to go for the right cryptocurrency exchange to make a maximum of the market potential. This is necessary as the exchange could support the trader with the best services and functions that would make it trouble-free for traders to analyse the market, know the opportunities and predict the price movements.
Below are the points that traders can consider to choose the best and most suitable cryptocurrency exchange:
1. Checking the regulations
Accessibility is the basic point traders can look out for, as there are some countries that have regulations and bans imposed on their citizens for trading at cryptocurrency exchanges.
Therefore, the location of the trader is important for the buy and sell of cryptocurrencies online through exchanges.
For example, China does not allow citizens to trade through any crypto exchange. Whereas India has its set regulations for trading cryptos. Similarly, many countries have their guidelines for trading virtual currencies.
Traders have to be aware of these to trade in the market and have proper accessibility. Exchanges, through their policies, provide the limitations that could help traders know whether they can trade or not.
2. Assets Provided
There are fewer cryptocurrency exchanges that offer several crypto assets to trade in the market. Popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc., should be available with the broker for trading.
Even new altcoins should also be offered in exchange for wider market trade and smooth trading. Traders can select the cryptocurrency that they find is appropriate for their trade as the risks of the altcoins are high.
Hence, it is mostly advised to go with established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
3. Policies and Security of Exchange
Cryptocurrency is a decentralised market and is not backed by any central authority. The cryptocurrencies are not protected the way investments in banks are; therefore, traders need to check the security features of the exchange.
The exchange has various policies, authorities, and methods to protect its clients. For example, some use two- factor authentication, while others go for insurance policies or segregation of funds and digital technology to secure the trades.
There are wallets with private keys to protect the funds of traders and make a secure trading environment.
4. Costs and Fees Charged
Fees are an essential part of cryptocurrency exchange that traders can consider. There are many exchanges that have high fees but offer great services and assets to trade. It is generally noticed that many exchanges go with a low fees structure but have hidden charges.
This makes the trade more complicated for the traders. Thus, an exchange with a clear fee structure and no extra charges should be selected.
Exchange fees may be fixed prices and often a percentage of the trade. Even there are exchanges that have fluctuating fees based on the price volatility of the instrument.
The method of charging a fee is based on per transaction and thus can differ with the position held, buyer or seller. In addition, the currency traded is also a factor that comes under the fees charged.
Traders can go through all these details and then select the cryptocurrency exchange.
