# Overview

Decentralized exchanges are decentralized financial (DeFi) platforms where cryptocurrency is traded through peer-to-peer transactions in exchange for other cryptocurrencies for an equivalent value.

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There are a number of DeFi applications built on the Hedera blockchain that offer different services and features like lending and trading crypto, staking NFTs and Hedera native tokens.

These service providers are not governed by a centralized authority — as opposed to a centralized exchange — and therefore require no personal information to set up an account as it works purely through connecting one’s hot wallet.

In many ways, this makes decentralized exchanges safer and mitigates the risk of market manipulation and being hacked as there is no transfer of assets to a third party like with a centralized exchange.

### Key Takeaways For Creators and Collectors

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Complete decentralization is not possible for the time being as it’s still necessary to use centralized exchanges to fund a wallet in exchange for fiat currency initially. Still, creators and collectors can benefit from these platforms by being able to:

* **Trade cryptocurrency with cryptocurrency** to receive the equivalent value thereof and diversify your portfolio
* **Stake tokens with DEXes to provide liquidity** and get more rewards
* **Incredibly high interest staking to make more cryptocurrency** from your portfolio as opposed to simply “hodling” it long-term in your wallet (holding on for dear life)

\* high-interest Defi products are risky, DYOR before investing

*‍Want to learn more about decentralized exchanges?*&#x20;

Check out our comparison of leading Hedera DEXes.


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