DEX is your financial freedom, but not without ambushes.

DEX ( decentralized exchange ) is like a cryptocurrency marketplace where you trade directly with another person, without any bank or company holding your money. The entire process is through smart contracts on the blockchain.

How does it work in simple terms?

Liquidity pools instead of a traditional exchange — other users throw their cryptocurrencies into a “reservoir,” and you trade through them. They charge a fee for each transaction. You connect your wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet) — and that's it, your funds are always with you.

Pros that really matter:

✓ Full control — money is always in your wallet, no one can “freeze” it. ✓ Without KYC — trade anonymously, without registration ✓ Will not be closed — decentralized, this is a headache for governments and companies. ✓ Works everywhere — only a wallet and internet are needed

Disadvantages that annoy:

✗ Low liquidity — on new DEX you cannot sell without slippage. ✗ It's complicated — you need to understand gas, smart contracts, not for complete beginners ✗ High fees — on Ethereum gas can be quite expensive ✗ Bugs — if there is a bug in the contract, your money is in danger

Top DEX to start:

• Uniswap — the king of Ethereum, the largest liquidity, ERC-20 tokens
• PancakeSwap — BSC is cheaper and faster
• Curve & SushiSwap — for those who are already in the know

Brief:

DEX - it's great if you want to control your funds and avoid KYC. But start with small amounts to avoid wasting gas. If you're intimidated by the technicality - a centralized exchange is more comfortable for you right now.