The slow down in crypto market activities
According to CoinMarketCap, the total spot trade volume in Q2 2023 dropped by 36% compared to the previous quarter. Binance remains dominant in the market with a trading volume of 59.99%. However, despite the drop, the top 5 exchanges continue to hold 85% of the market activity.
The state of the DEX market
Uniswap dominates the decentralized exchange (DEX) market with a 57.5% market share. The top 3 DEXs — Uniswap, Pancake, and Curve — account for 82% of the total market in H1 2023. Centralized exchanges are currently preferred over decentralized ones, possibly due to regulatory developments and lower gas fees.
Trends in decentralized trading volume
Ethereum (ETH) traditionally held the majority of decentralized trading volume. However, in Q2, BNB showed rapid acceleration to catch up. This indicates a shift in the market dynamics.
Trouble in major exchanges
Gemini filed a lawsuit against Digital Currency Group (DCG), accusing them of fraud. Coinbase and Binance are also facing legal battles with the SEC for alleged violations. The tension between these companies has been growing, and the legal actions came as a surprise to the crypto community.
Hot Take:
The crypto market is experiencing a slowdown in activity, as shown by the drop in spot trade volume. However, dominant players like Binance continue to hold a significant portion of the market. The rise of DEXs like Uniswap suggests a growing preference for decentralized exchanges. Additionally, the legal troubles faced by major exchanges raise concerns about the regulatory landscape in the crypto industry.