Asset Exchange

Definition ∞ An asset exchange is a platform facilitating the trading of various financial instruments. In digital asset markets, these platforms allow users to buy, sell, or swap cryptocurrencies and other tokenized assets. Exchanges can operate in a centralized manner, holding user funds, or in a decentralized fashion, enabling peer-to-peer transactions directly on a blockchain. They provide liquidity and price discovery mechanisms essential for market functionality.
Context ∞ Asset exchanges currently navigate a complex global regulatory landscape, with varying compliance requirements across jurisdictions. A key debate surrounds the balance between user protection, anti-money laundering measures, and the decentralized ethos of some platforms. Future developments include the increasing adoption of hybrid exchange models and enhanced interoperability between different asset classes.