How to Start a Cryptocurrency Exchange: A Complete Guide

# Blockchain
07.03.2025
10 min
183
Max Privalov
Max Privalov
Product Manager and Senior BDM at Peiko

Daily trading volumes reaching billions that shows the popularity of crypto exchanges and their business potential for owners. But the problem is high competition on the market, security threats, and regulatory demands. You know, a single vulnerability can lead to catastrophic losses, while strong execution can position your exchange as a leader, generating impressive daily revenue. 

This brief will take you through every stage of starting a crypto exchange. We’ll start with market research. Then, we’ll dive into the technical infrastructure. You will discover how to pick the best technology stack, implement a secure trading engine, and how to make the platform scalable. From there, we’ll break down legal and regulatory considerations, including licensing requirements in major jurisdictions and compliances. 

Are you an entrepreneur? A blockchain startup or an institutional investor? This article will provide the insights you require to build crypto exchange that is robust, compliant, and scalable.

Let’s begin our research!

Market research and planning

It takes a strategic approach to create cryptocurrency exchange. You need a solid business plan, deep market research, and a distinct value offer to be successful. Every vital stage will be covered below, from identifying your competitive edge to comprehending your audience.

Identify your target audience 

Starting a crypto exchange that attracts and keeps traders requires an understanding of your user base. There are various user groups in the Bitcoin trading market, and each has specific requirements:

  • Retail traders: This group consists of individual investors seeking a user-friendly trading platform with competitive costs, a wide range of cryptocurrencies, and support for fiat on-ramps. Platforms that provide sophisticated charting tools, staking opportunities, and reward systems attract a lot of retail traders. 
  • Institutional investors: Algorithmic trading, hedge funds, family offices, market makers, and prop trading firms require a solid stack. Specifically, it means strong application programming interface (API) access, low-latency order execution, and deep liquidity. Institutions prioritize security protocols, and counterparty risk management. In contrast to retail traders, they frequently look for enterprise grade reporting tools and specialized trading solutions.

Because market preferences and legal regimes differ, geographic targeting also deserves attention. For instance, Asia dominates derivatives trading, whereas the European market strongly emphasizes compliance (MiCA laws). Or, concerns about inflation have led to a significant demand for fiat-crypto on-ramps in Latin America. As you see, an exchange can maximize its products and compliance strategy by recognizing such subtleties.

Analyze the competitive landscape 

There are only a few giant corporations that control most of the cryptocurrency exchange business. However, to start your own crypto exchange, you can find a niche by examining the advantages and disadvantages of their competitors. Create market gaps and opportunities by knowing where your competitors succeed and fail.

Crypto trading platforms
  1. Binance: Largest by trading volume. It provides many trading pairs, good liquidity, and premium features like margin trading and futures. Its regulatory status is unclear in most territories, though. It is difficult to do business and limits access by users in some areas.
  2. Coinbase: By emphasizing security, transparency, and fiat on-ramps, compliant exchange Coinbase leads the US market. In contrast to Binance, it has fewer pro trader products and charges much more fees than exchanges.
  3. Kraken: With its advanced futures and margin, Kraken is appealing to institutional traders and is well known for its robust security features. It is restricted in its use by retail traders due to its less consumer-friendly interface than Binance and Coinbase.

Market trends also have an impact on the competitive landscape. The majority of centralized exchanges (CEXs) have been forced to add decentralized finance (DeFi) features, including staking and liquidity pools. Additionally, regulatory actions taken against specific platforms have made room for regionally compliant exchanges to draw in users looking for stability.

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We’ll make you one!

Define your unique selling proposition (USPs) 

What will make your exchange stand out? With a market already flooded with well-established exchanges, you must determine how to differentiate yourself in order to start a cryptocurrency exchange that will thrive. A running exchange must incentivize traders to change or join it.

One specialization in a single trading specialization is one. Through ultra-low latency trading, colocation, and best liquidity aggregation, for instance, some exchanges target high-frequency traders and institutions. Others aim at retail adoption through the provision of compelling interfaces, gamified trade experiences, and education.

Positioning by regulations is another differentiation strategy. Due to regulatory uncertainties, most exchanges must curtail services or leave profitable markets. That means that establishing trust is mostly a matter of jurisdictional licensing, conformity with legislation, and secure banking relationships.

Choose your business model 

The structure of your exchange defines liquidity, security, compliance, and user experience. Your choice will dictate your exchange’s operational complexity, revenue model, and regulatory exposure.

Centralized exchange (CEX)

  • Requires sole control of user funds, creating security and compliance requirements.
  • Offers high liquidity, fast transactions, and fiat on or off ramps for easy user access.
  • Examples include Binance, Coinbase, Kraken—top exchanges in regulated, high-volume trading.

Decentralized exchange (DEX)

  • DEXs eliminate intermediaries, relying on smart contracts for trade execution.
  • Users retain full control over assets, reducing counterparty risk but requiring self-management.
  • Examples: Uniswap, SushiSwap, Curve Finance—top platforms for trustless trading.

Hybrid exchange

  • Combines CEX liquidity with DEX security, offering a balanced trading experience.
  • Provides decentralized custody while maintaining an order book structure for efficiency.
  • Examples include Injective Protocol and DeversiFi—pioneering future exchange models.

Create a detailed business plan 

A crypto exchange is a risky venture that requires adequate planning. Even successful ones can collapse as a result of unsustainable business models, regulatory challenges, or liquidity problems if they lack a solid business plan. Successful exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and Coinbase created financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational models.

Here’s what you should do to start a crypto exchange successfully:

What to include in a business plan

Make financial projections

The financial viability of a crypto exchange depends on alternative sources of income apart from trading fees. As much as listing and withdrawal charges are a supplementary source of earnings, an optimal maker/taker fee mechanism drives liquidity. Leading exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase generate billions of dollars a year by diversifying revenues through NFT marketplaces, lending, futures trading, and staking services.

Expenses are steep, however—custom-built exchange systems may run more than $1 million. Sizable reserves are required for liquidity provision. Continued investment in legal, audit, and risk management staff is required to ensure regulatory compliance. These expense and revenue factors are balanced in a sustainable financial plan, which also ensures long-term scalability.

Create marketing strategy

A forceful institutional and retail marketing push is needed to establish a competitive exchange.

Retail adoption is dependent on influencer collaborations, referral programs, and SEO-driven organic traffic. Institutionals deals with market makers and liquidity providers, on the other hand, guarantee deep order books.

To lure in traders, top platforms invest in multi channel marketing that includes VIP incentives, bonus deposits, and commission free trading activities. Coinbase maintains regulatory trust to onboard mainstream customers. Binance utilizes community centered marketing and international influencer networks to expand quickly. Maintaining growth involves an informed strategy for user acquisition, participation, and holding.

Develop operational plan

An exchange’s capacity to manage user pressures, regulatory volatilities, and market volatilities is measured by its operational efficiency. Legal stability is ensured through jurisdiction-based compliance processes and licensing frameworks, which constitute the backbone of a stable foundation.

Main exchanges provide 24/7 multilingual customer support with AI chatbots and VIP customer support, but customer care has to grow with demand. Risk management cannot be compromised. Thus, to avoid fraud and litigation, anti-money laundering/know-your-customer (AML/KYC) procedures, transaction monitoring, and periodic security audits are mandatory. Even the top exchanges run the risk of hitting legal issues, liquidity issues, or security loopholes without these pillars.

Technical infrastructure

Now, let’s discuss the technological foundation. Beyond a slick user interface, a trading platform that processes millions of transactions per day needs a bit more. We mean a solid infrastructure, fault tolerant systems, and unwavering security. Here are the main technical elements that drive the most popular exchanges.

Choosing the right technology stack

A strong, scalable, high-performance technology stack guarantees smooth trade execution, security, and compliance. 

Programming languages

They play a crucial role in designing Bitcoin exchanges. Because of the low memory and performance control necessary for order matching and execution, C++ and Rust are preferred. With the flexibility and large library, Python and Node.js are used for backend APIs. Solidity is the de facto standard for Ethereum-based decentralized exchanges on smart contract based platforms. 

Databases

Managing user accounts, trade histories, transaction logs, and databases is the foundation of a cryptocurrency exchange architecture. MongoDB provides agility for managing unstructured data, and PostgreSQL and MySQL are frequently utilized for structured relational data. 

Reducing latency in the processing of trades, high-frequency trading (HFT) platforms frequently incorporate Redis or Apache Kafka for real data streaming and caching. Exchanges today use distributed database systems like CockroachDB to ensure data scalability and consistency between global servers and avoid bottlenecks.

Cloud services

Owing to their security features, scalability, and compliance certifications, AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure dominate the cloud services space.  For full control of their security ecosystem, several cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly those operating in highly regulated geographies, go for self-hosted infrastructure. Load balancing and autoscaling capabilities like Kubernetes and Docker can be useful to cope with unexpected surges in traffic—a certainty in volatile cryptocurrency markets.

Look for a CEX development partner?
Look no further!

White-label solutions vs. custom development

Choosing to buy a white-label solution or create cryptocurrency exchange on a fully custom base is a critical choice in starting a crypto exchange. White-label systems have pre-built trading engines, liquidity integration, and security procedures. Since that, they provide a quicker and less expensive path to start cryptocurrency exchange. White-label systems, however, restrict customization and tend to need extra work to create special features.

But with custom development, you get complete control over the architecture. It enables you to include risk management features, scalability, and specific processes in trading. The infrastructure for building a crypto exchange like Binance and Kraken was optimized over the years to process millions of transactions per second. But the actual development can easily run from $500,000. Moreover, it needs a team of very experienced blockchain engineers.

Implementing a robust matching engine for order processing

The most significant component of a cryptocurrency exchange architecture, which is tasked with the effective order execution of buy and sell orders, is a matching engine. In order to ensure price integrity as well as depth of liquidity, it must process the market, limit, and stop orders.

Low-latency engines used in leading exchanges are written in Rust or C++. They handle hundreds of millions of transactions per second. Asynchronous processing and cache memory (e.g., Redis) can further enhance order book management by diminishing latency and frictionless execution of trades.

Setting up secure wallets and cold storage for cryptocurrency assets

To start your own crypto exchange, security on your wallet takes precedence. Immediate withdrawals are handy with hot wallets but expose your wallet to the hackers, while cold storage or off-line wallets protect against hackers using computers. 

Exchanges utilise primarily a multi-tier wallet configuration:

  • 98% of funds put into multi-signature cold wallets for security.
  • 2% kept in hot wallets for liquidity.
  • Hardware security modules (HSMs) enforce withdrawal limits and prevent unauthorized access.

Ensuring platform scalability and reliability

To create a cryptocurrency exchange that could maintain the needs of anywhere within the world, one requires a platform strong enough to offer institutional-level infrastructure, high-frequency trade, and access through APIs. This is secured through database sharding, microservices architecture, and load balance through HAProxy or Nginx.

To prevent downtime during periods of high trading volume, leading exchanges employ edge computing and worldwide content delivery networks (CDNs) to lower latency for clients across various areas.

Security considerations

  • DDoS mitigation: Use Cloudflare, AWS Shield, and rate-limiting techniques.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Enforce mandatory 2FA for logins and withdrawals.
  • End-to-end encryption: Secure data with TLS 1.3 and AES-256 encryption.
  • AML and KYC: Automated compliance checks via Chainalysis or CipherTrace.
  • Penetration testing: Conduct routine security audits and ethical hacking simulations.

Integrate the latest security features, scalable infrastructure, and a solid matching engine. This way, your exchange will be able to compete with industry giants, being extremely compliant and performant.

Payment processing and banking integrations

Smooth fiat on ramps and off ramps are a critical component of any cryptocurrency exchange. They fuel user adoption, liquidity flow, and regulatory compliance. A solid banking integration plan ensures traders can transfer funds from traditional financial systems to the digital asset space without disruption.

Integrate with fiat currency payment gateways for deposits and withdrawals

To enable fiat deposits and withdrawals, your crypto exchange architecture needs to be complemented with licensed payment processors with multi currency capability and real settlement.

Options like Simplex, MoonPay, and Banxa provide crypto-fiat rails with risk management capabilities, chargeback protection, and fraud detection features. 

High-frequency exchanges usually employ direct API integrations with banks and processors to minimize deposit latency, decrease processing fees, and enhance user experience. Furthermore, substituting stablecoins (USDC, USDT, EURS) as an alternative on-ramp can reduce the reliance on legacy banking infrastructure without affecting liquidity.

Establish partnerships with banks and financial institutions

Establishing direct banking relationships is necessary for providing scalable fiat liquidity, fund management, and compliance monitoring. Such crypto banks as Silvergate, Signature Bank, and SEBA Bank provide business accounts, clearance of the tools, and digital asset custody services for crypto exchanges. 

But, with the wave of derisking in conventional finance, obtaining a banking counterparty involves being highly compliant with AML/KYC rules, having a clean compliance history, and high levels of transaction visibility. Exchanges mitigate this risk by registering an electronic money institution (EMI) license. Or, collaborating with regulated payment institutions (PSPs) in key jurisdictions.

Offer multiple payment options

An expertly designed payment infrastructure enhances user convenience and offers frictionless crypto conversion. Various payment options suit different trader tastes and local banking realities. Below are the most critical payment options a crypto exchange should offer: 

Multiple payment options

1. Credit/debit cards:

  • Instant fiat deposits with crypto purchases.
  • Supported by major providers: Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express.
  • Higher fees (1-3% per transaction), but boosts user adoption.
  • Chargeback risks require fraud detection and risk management solutions.

2. Bank transfers (Wire transfers & instant payments):

  • SEPA (EU), SWIFT (Global), Fedwire (US), ACH (US) for direct fiat funding.
  • Lower fees compared to card transactions, suitable for large deposits.
  • Settlement time varies: SEPA (1-2 days), SWIFT (1-5 days), ACH (same-day or next-day).
  • Requires strict KYC/AML compliance for high-value transactions.

3. Digital wallets & alternative payment methods:

  • PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, Neteller enable quick deposits.
  • Enhanced accessibility, particularly in regions with high mobile payment adoption.
  • Transactions are processed instantly or within minutes.
  • Ideal for retail users and cross border transactions.

4. Regional and emerging market payment solutions:

  • PIX (Brazil), UPI (India), M-Pesa (Africa), Alipay & WeChat Pay (China).
  • Expand user base in high-growth crypto adoption markets.
  • Often integrated via local banking partners or third party payment processors.
  • Requires regional regulatory compliance and licensing.

Manage transaction fees and processing times

Reducing transaction fees and settlement periods has a direct impact on the exchange’s profitability and user experience. Payment processors levy 1-3% per transaction for card payments, while SEPA/SWIFT bank transfers incur fixed fees with longer settlement periods (1-5 business days). 

To remain competitive, leading exchanges use dynamic fee models, offering zero fee trading promotions, tiered transaction fees based on trading volume, and cashback rewards for highly frequent traders. Also, with Lightning Network, Faster Payments, and settlement protocols, withdrawal times can be dramatically shortened, raising possible transactions’ volume.

Want to know what’s a reliable CEX provider?
Contact us and learn!

Legal and regulatory considerations

Opening a cryptocurrency exchange requires operating within a complex legal landscape. Legal obligations vary across jurisdictions, and failure to comply can result in heavy fines or shutdowns. A robust legal environment ensures operational stability, user trust, and long-term scalability. 

The most critical legal verifications required to start a cryptocurrency exchange are listed below:

  • Licensing and registration Procure necessary licenses (MTL in the U.S., VASP in the EU, etc.).
  • KYC/AML compliance Implement strict identity verification to prevent fraud.
  • Data protection Comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or local data laws for user privacy.
  • Tax and reporting Register with tax authorities and maintain transparent reporting.
  • Custody rules Ensure safekeeping of fiat and crypto assets.
  • Cross border compliance FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and international regulation compliance.
  • Smart contract audits (for DEX) Conduct security audits of blockchain transactions.
  • Regulatory updates Keep up to date and comply with legal updates on an ongoing basis.

Remember that legal compliance is not an isolated action but a constant necessity that evolves with market and regulatory updates. Keep up with updates so as not to catch hefty fines or even forced shutdowns.

Peiko is your partner to start cryptocurrency exchange

We pride ourselves on being among the top blockchain software development firms, designing specialized cryptocurrency trading platforms. Peiko is a forerunner in developing secure, scalable, and high-throughput financial infrastructures that enable firms to create reliable and appealing trading platforms.

We specialize in the entire development, from UI/UX optimizations, architecture design, security integration, and compliance. To learn more about our specialization, check our portfolio. We will work with you to set and build what you specifically want.

For instance, Quan2um is a highly secure cryptocurrency exchange. In accordance with European laws, the exchange accommodates multiple digital assets and a robust referral and bonus program. Plus, we added investment opportunities in its native BTCA coin for passive income generation. Peiko’s role in the project was that of a full cycle web developer implementing market liquidity solutions and secure storage. All via advanced wallet management.

Quan2um exchange

Solution delivered

  • Real time market watch using a focused socket server for the latest price feeds.
  • Management of market liquidity using liquidity bots and strategic parsing of prices from Binance, Kraken, and KuCoin.
  • Cold, encrypted, safe crypto storage  with transaction handling from hot wallets.
  • Module for BTCA master node investments and staking for creating passive revenue.
  • Support of various orders from high-performing matching engine to enable trading.
  • Multi tiered commission and referral scheme for user acquisition and retention.

Why Peiko?

To create centralized exchange like Quan2um or even specialized blockchain expertise, Peiko possesses the skill to make your vision come true. We provide solutions to demonstrate your company’s distinctiveness, whether through smart contracts, stablecoin architecture, or smooth Stripe crypto connections.

If you want to launch your crypto exchange faster in just a few weeks, you can choose our white-label crypto exchange solution. In contrast to the development from scratch, it is a more cost-effective and quick way to start the crypto exchange. 

Conclusion

What is important to start your own crypto exchange? You should begin by creating a solid value proposition and understanding your target market.

Another factor of success is scalable and secure infrastructure in addition to conducting market research.  The reliability of your platform will also depend on the appropriate technology stack. If you want to create centralized crypto exchange that can boast driving revenue and high user retention, we will help you to choose the best technologies. Furthermore, don’t forget to put in place a high-performance matching engine. Compliance with international regulations is vital, too. 

What else? Security. The exchange and its customers should be shielded from online threats and legal concerns with multi-tier wallet systems, strict AML/KYC protocols, and frequent penetration testing.

A competitive cryptocurrency exchange that draws traders and maintains growth can be yours. To sum up, use strategic planning, the latest technology, and a robust compliance structure. And we can help you with all of it.  Contact us to build crypto exchange that generates revenue for you!  

FAQ

How much does it cost to start a crypto exchange?

To start cryptocurrency exchange, the price for a typical white-label exchange is in the range of $50k to $100k. Customized platforms can cost more than $500,000.

What is the difference between a DEX and a CEX?

A decentralized exchange, or DEX, has no middlemen. Smart contracts allow users to trade directly without them. Instead, a centralized crypto exchange (or CEX) provides customer support and quicker transactions. CEXs are all about efficiency and liquidity, while DEXs are all about privacy.

How to create a cryptocurrency exchange?

To create cryptocurrency exchange, it is vital to obtain licenses and funding. Implement liquidity, AML, and KYC solutions. Apply cold storage for security. Create a scalable crypto exchange architecture. Integrate payment processors to provide fiat on/off ramps.

How do I get a crypto exchange license?

Pick a jurisdiction based on compliance needs. We can help you create risk assessment frameworks, AML/KYC protocols, and legal papers. We will also assist you with complying with capital requirements, submitting applications via financial regulators, and preparing for thorough audits before approval.

Can anyone start a crypto exchange?

Technically, yes, anybody can build crypto exchange. But, it is not so easy with security threats, liquidity issues, and regulatory constraints. A successful exchange requires huge liquidity, a reliable tech infrastructure, and a regularly compliant business.

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Understanding White-Label Crypto Exchanges: A Beginner’s Guide

# Blockchain
06.03.2025
9 min
147
Dima Lebed
Dima Lebed
Co-founder & CTO at Peiko

Сreating a new exchange from scratch can be quite challenging and time-consuming. White label crypto exchange software provides an effective solution, enabling businesses to introduce their own platform within a matter of weeks without needing to develop it in-depth or invest much capital. 

The pre-developed software enables businesses to rebrand and tailor the platform to meet their needs, offering a faster, more affordable entry into the market. The main advantages of such out-of-the-box solutions include decreased setup time and cost reduction for launching your own crypto exchange.

What is a white label cryptocurrency exchange?

A white-label crypto exchange is a pre-built platform that enables businesses to quickly deploy their own cryptocurrency exchange with minimal development effort. These solutions come with essential features such as trading engines, order matching, and wallet integration. All these features can be branded and customized to meet a business’s requirements and branding.

Why is it worth using a white label solution for crypto exchange development? Building a crypto exchange from the ground up with basic features would typically take 8-12 months, and more advanced platforms could take 16 months or longer. 

However, with a white-label offering by Peiko, businesses can have an operational, pre-made platform online in 3-6 weeks.

use white label centralized exchange made by Peiko

Also, the cost difference between launching a crypto exchange from scratch and using an out-of-the-box solution is significant. If the first variant may cost more than $500,000 depending on features, the second option will cost you just around $90,000.

In general, the most significant benefits of a white label centralized exchange are the development speed and cost advantages. 

Architecture of white-label crypto exchanges 

Let’s consider the essential features of white label software. 

1. Core infrastructure

The core infrastructure includes the fundamental components that ensure the seamless, safe, and efficient operation of a crypto exchange platform.

  • Trading engine Processes order matching and trade execution in real time.
  • Wallet system Manages hot and cold wallets to securely hold digital assets.
  • Liquidity integration Aggregates liquidity from multiple sources to offer stable price and volume.
  • Security A white label cryptocurrency exchange features robust encryption, multi-signature wallets, and frequent security audits.

2. Customization options

White-label crypto exchanges come with a set of customizable features that allow businesses to tailor the platform according to their brand and user needs.

  • UI/UX (user interface/user experience) Fully customizable user interface to accommodate a company’s branding and user experience.
  • Trading features Triggers like margin trading, advanced charting, and staking can be added.
  • Payment gateway Features a broad range of fiat-to-crypto payment methods.
  • API access For third-party services like trading robots or analytics portals to connect to.

3. Compliance and regulatory tools

White-label platforms should be pre-equipped with the regulatory tools like SumSub needed for adhering to legal stipulations and for combating financial crimes.

  • KYC/AML Combined tools for identity verification (know your customer) and anti-money laundering compliance.
  • Transaction monitoring Tracks and alerts suspicious activity to meet regulatory requirements.
  • Audit trails Keeps detailed records for transparency and auditing.

4. Platform management

These tools allow businesses that choose to buy white-label solutions to manage the operational aspect of their crypto exchange efficiently.

  • Admin dashboard Single point of management interface for managing platform operations and administering user accounts.
  • Risk management Monitors trading activity and adjusts limits based on market conditions.
  • Analytics Real-time analytics into platform performance and user activity.

Below, you can see an example of white label centralized crypto exchange software architecture. 

white label centralized exchange architecture

How does a white label exchange work? 

Let’s take a step-by-step look at what happens from the beginning when you purchase such a white label solution.

Initial consultation and personalization

After purchasing the white-label solution, firms collaborate with the provider. It is important to define branding, user interface preferences, as well as individual functionality needs. The platform is next customized to meet these preferences.

Platform deployment

Once the customization process is complete, the exchange platform is hosted on a secure server or cloud infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and uptime. The company is given access to the admin dashboard so that they can run and manage the exchange effectively.

Liquidity and payment gateway integration

The white label exchange platform is linked to liquidity providers, ensuring adequate trading volume and stable prices. Fiat-to-crypto payment gateways are also set up, allowing users to receive and send funds without any complications.

Compliance configuration

KYC and AML procedures are implemented to validate user identities and ensure regulatory compliance. Transaction monitoring software is also integrated to flag suspicious activities and keep the platform in a manner consistent with the law.

Day-to-day operations

The provider handles back-end operations like maintenance of the platform, software, and ongoing security monitoring, while the company focuses on customer acquisition, marketing, and support.

Ongoing support and maintenance

The white-label provider offers round-the-clock technical support to address any operational challenges. Regular software updates, security patches, and optimizations are implemented to keep the platform secure and running smoothly.

Want to launch your crypto exchange fast?
Turn to Peiko company.

Key features to look for in a white label provider 

The following-listed features and considerations are essential while evaluating providers for your platform:

main features of white label exchange platform

Customization flexibility

Ensure that the platform offers comprehensive UI/UX customization features to suit your branding. This includes design flexibility in color schemes, logos, and page layouts.

You should be able to selectively add or remove sophisticated trading features (like margin trading, staking, and futures) on a good provider. 

Scalability and performance

The platform has to be built on a scalable infrastructure. This includes using cloud-based solutions, decentralized storage, and load-balancing to optimize availability and fault tolerance.

Except this, traders demand performance. There needs to be an efficient low-latency trading engine to facilitate smooth and speedy order matching. 

Security measures

There should be multi-signature crypto wallets and cold storage solutions such that user funds remain safe from online attacks and hacking. The platform needs to have end-to-end encryption, particularly for personal as well as financial data. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is also essential.

Compliance and regulatory features

A white-label solution needs to have built-in KYC and AML tools so your exchange is in regulatory compliance with global requirements. Monitoring of transactions in real-time is required for the detection and flagging of suspicious transactions. 

Liquidity and market access

The platform must facilitate liquidity aggregation from various sources so that the platform will have a deep market and stable prices. This avoids slippage and seamless trading conditions.

The platform must facilitate simple mechanisms for deposit and withdrawal of fiat and cryptocurrencies.

API and integration capabilities

The platform should have robust API capability to connect with third-party services such as trading bots, market analytics, and liquidity providers. APIs should be well-documented and support RESTful architecture and WebSockets for real-time data integration.

Who uses white label exchange solutions? 

White-label cryptocurrency exchanges are adopted by a broad range of firms looking to offer cryptocurrency trading services in a cost-efficient and effective way. 

businesses that use white label exchange solutions

Startups and new market entrants

New companies and entrepreneurs who wish to enter the cryptocurrency space typically use white-label exchanges to avoid the astronomical costs and lengthy timelines of building a platform from the ground up. 

Example: CoinSwitch – A new startup cryptocurrency exchange that initially utilized a white-label solution to roll out its platform in a hurry. By doing so, it was able to focus on building its user base and establishing its brand before needing to invest in its own infrastructure.

Traditional financial institutions

These institutions, including banks, hedge funds, and investment firms, turn to white-label exchanges to include cryptocurrency trading in their service platforms. 

Example: Revolut – A well-known fintech company that utilized a white-label platform to add cryptocurrency trading functionality to its existing financial offerings. This allowed Revolut to roll out crypto trading swiftly and in regulatory compliance without building its own platform from scratch.

Existing cryptocurrency exchanges

Established crypto exchanges that want to expand, improve features, or implement a fresh look and feel to their platform can leverage white-label solutions.

Example: The large U.S.-based exchange, Gemini, is leveraging white-label solutions to power its Gemini Custody institution service. It enables other businesses to create branded cryptocurrency custody products on top of Gemini’s safe infrastructure without developing their own solution from the ground up.

Niche market providers

Companies operating in niche markets such as game platforms, tokenized asset providers, or DeFi protocols usually prefer white-label exchanges in order to serve their targeted user base.

Example: The Sandbox – A decentralized game universe that empowers players to create, own, and trade in-game assets. By implementing a white-label exchange, The Sandbox enabled its users to enjoy blockchain powered trading.

Need a reliable crypto exchange?
Our team has solution.

Go to the market fast with our white-label crypto exchange software 

Have your own professional white label centralized exchange up and running in three weeks with our white-label solution. Instead of spending several months or years building an exchange from the ground up, you can have a fully branded, custom-built platform up and running in a short period of time. 

What does our white label cryptocurrency exchange offer?

  • Advanced trading Close integration with TradingView for real-time market data and analysis.
  • Optimized performance Microservices architecture for fast execution and scalability.
  • Liquidity & bots High liquidity and trading bot integration, with no commission fees for users.
  • Robust security Integrated with Fireblocks for custody, 2FA for extra security, and advanced encryption for data protection.
  • Fully customizable Very flexible admin panel for easy user administration and real-time order matching functionality.

Additional advantages:

  • Rapid and cost-effective platform deployment.
  • Versatile architecture to accommodate increasing traffic from users.
  • 24/7 real-time technical assistance and timely updates.
  • Host-agnostic and supported on leading cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
white label crypto exchange made by Peiko

Conclusion

With the crypto market on fire, it’s the perfect time to get started on your crypto project, like a crypto exchange. With the white-label solution, you can have your exchange up and running immediately, start earning revenue sooner, and beat your competitors.

If you need a robust, customizable, and reliable crypto exchange solution, Peiko’s white-label offering is the ideal choice. Reach out to Peiko today to elevate your crypto business to the next level!

FAQ

What is a white label in crypto?

A white-label in crypto refers to an entirely developed-out cryptocurrency exchange platform that can be rebranded and customized by firms to suit their own specific needs.

How much does a white label exchange cost?

White-label crypto exchange prices differ, although the typical cost is much lower than building from scratch and is around $90,000.

What is white label digital wallet?

A white-label digital wallet is a ready-to-use cryptocurrency wallet solution that can be rebranded and personalized by companies to offer their users secure storage and management of digital assets.

How do I start a white-label crypto exchange?

To start, you would partner with a reliable white label exchange platform provider, for example, Peiko, who could allow you to white-label and launch your project in a matter of weeks.

What is white-label crypto?

White-label crypto is an exchange platform that is developed by a provider but can be white-labeled and branded by a company to resell crypto services to its customers.

    CONTENT

Featured articles

White Label Crypto Exchange Cost: What You Need to Know

# Blockchain
06.03.2025
10 min
134
Max Privalov
Max Privalov
Product Manager and Senior BDM at Peiko

Imagine you’re an ambitious startup which desperately wants to create its crypto exchange. At the same time, you don’t want to invest a great budget or time to develop a custom (proprietary) crypto exchange from the ground up. Crypto exchange development cost may reach millions of dollars in investment due to a skilled development team, compliance solutions, and liquidity providers.

White label cryptocurrency exchange is a quick, affordable option. It enables businesses to get to market fast without sacrificing quality or security. In this article, we’ll touch on the true white label crypto exchange cost. You’ll learn about covering software licensing, customization, security, compliance, hosting, and ongoing maintenance. We’ll also explore different pricing models, and hidden costs.

Whether you’re a startup or an established fintech company, budgeting for a white label CEX (cryptocurrency exchange) is crucial to getting a profitable, informed solution. Let’s break it down.

Understanding white label crypto exchanges

A white label crypto exchange is a ready-to-trade platform that firms can resell and customize as their own. Instead of building an exchange from scratch, firms can implement a prebuilt platform, significantly reducing the time to market and cryptocurrency exchange software price.

Who is a white label exchange suitable for?

  • Startups & entrepreneurs – A whitelabel exchange software allows them to enter the crypto market quickly and affordably, avoiding the complexities of development from scratch.
  • Traditional financial institutions – Banks and fintech firms can seamlessly expand into digital assets, integrating crypto trading and custody solutions into their existing services.
  • Brokerage & trading firms – By incorporating crypto trading, these businesses enhance their offerings, attract a broader client base, and stay competitive.
  • Crypto projects & DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) – Community organizations benefit from customizable exchanges that align with their governance models, token utility, and decentralization goals.
  • Market makers & liquidity providers – Optimizing liquidity management becomes easier with tailored platforms designed to enhance trading volume, reduce slippage, and ensure market efficiency.
  • Large enterprises – Corporations looking to integrate crypto services leverage a white label exchange to capture new revenue streams, maintaining compliance with financial regulations.
  • Hedge funds & investment firms – Institutional investors gain access to secure and highly scalable trading environments with advanced risk management tools and deep liquidity pools.
  • Gaming & metaverse platforms – Digital ecosystems can drive engagement and monetization by enabling seamless in-game transactions, NFT (non-fungible tokens) trading, and tokenized economies.
  • Payment service providers – Companies facilitating cryptocurrency exchange can tap into the growing demand for crypto fiat conversions and cross-border transactions with minimal friction.
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Benefits of a white label solution

Why choose a white label exchange? A crypto exchange white label software development eliminates many challenges inherent to launching a crypto exchange, which requires significant time. Here are more reasons why this approach is gaining traction.

Rapid deployment

Deploy your exchange in weeks, not invest years in development and compliance. Readily configured security modules and trading engines make deep coding unnecessary. So, you can focus on business growth and implement more custom features.

Cost optimization 

Reduce millions of dollars spent on software development, security infrastructure, and legal compliance by leveraging an already built solution. Considering the cost to start a crypto exchange with white labeling, you don’t need to employ a big inner team. But you still have a futuristic exchange with regular maintenance and updates.

Regulatory readiness 

Many providers include KYC/AML (Know Your Customer/Anti-Money Laundering) tools, ensuring smoother compliance with evolving crypto regulations. These tools are regularly updated to meet international standards, reducing legal risks and operational delays.

Seamless scalability 

With a purchased code and an obtained license, you can continue further development. This option is not available with all providers, but at Peiko, we understand the need and desire to continue development, which is why we offer this possibility. With a modular framework, you can add any functionalities.

Proven security framework 

Benefit from established security protocols, including encryption, cold storage, and fraud detection. Regular security audits and penetration testing help protect against cyber threats and ensure platform integrity.

Custom branding & flexibility 

Tailor the UX (user experience), trading pairs, and features to align with your business model and audience needs. Advanced customization options let you modify UI (user interface) elements, trading fees, and liquidity sources to match your strategy.

Key features typically included

Though white label cryptocurrency exchange has a prebuilt software, check on the presence of essential features listed below, or add some in case of need.

Key features typically included

Firstly, a solid trading session is based on liquidity. Without adequate buy and sell orders, wide spreads and price fluctuations lie in wait for the trader. An optimally constructed system mixes multiple sources of liquidity to achieve tighter spreads, more even order execution and a smooth trading session.

Secondly, security is not so much about compliance as about trust. Robust frameworks employ cold storage to lock up assets, multi signature approval for withdrawals, and greater encryption for user information. Fraud protection systems actively monitor trading activity to prevent unauthorized access and malfeasance.

Thirdly, market dynamics shift very quickly, and an exchange must adapt. A planned infrastructure facilitates the ease of bringing in new digital assets, whether they are cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, or tokenized assets. Such flexibility keeps the platform alive and thriving with industry dynamics.

Next, traders require speed, convenience, and insight. The best interface balances intuitive ease with advanced capabilities, including customizable dashboards, live analysis, and automated trading. Configured correctly, it maximizes usage and resonates with both new and experienced traders.

Then, regulations are evolving, and legal compliance may be difficult. A compliance framework is designed with automated identity verification, transaction monitoring, and reporting tools to support compliance with KYC/AML regulations. This ensures smooth operations while minimizing regulatory risks.

And lastly, exchanges don’t exist in a vacuum – there needs to be outside integration with third party services. Strong API support provides greater automation , more functionality and enables companies to customize the platform.

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Core cost factors

Below is an analysis of the underlying while label cryptocurrency exchange development cost drivers, each affecting total investment and scalability. What affects the white label crypto exchange cost?

Core cost factors

Software licensing and setup fees

Licensing fees vary widely. Some providers offer an upfront cost to start a crypto exchange, while others offer a subscription. Basic setups would start at around $10,000, but custom versions can escalate to more than $100,000.

Customization and branding

Generic platforms won’t be special in a competitive market. Branding, UI/UX optimization, and feature tuning are expensive. Personalized crypto exchange white label software development ranges from $5,000 to $30,000. It depends on design updates, complexity levels, and feature expansion.

Security and compliance

Secure exchanges necessitate multi level security, from cold storage and distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection to transaction watching. Regulatory requirements can again add overhead, with permits in top regulatory jurisdictions running at half a million or more per year. 

Integration and API costs

A crypto exchange is not an isolated product—it must integrate seamlessly with payment gateways, liquidity providers, analytics tools, and third party applications. Custom API building or additional third-party integration can add $5,000 to $20,000 to the price.

Hosting and infrastructure

Companies typically need global distribution of servers to keep latency low for traders in different regions. The hosting cost is quite diverse. It’s based on server capacity, redundancy, and security features, it normally varies between $5,000 to $50,000 per month.

Ongoing maintenance and support

Maintaining a centralized crypto exchange development is an ongoing financial commitment. Software updates, bug fixes, server scaling, and 24/7 technical support all contribute to operational costs. Monthly maintenance costs can vary from $10,000 to $100,000. 

Pricing details: models, hidden costs, and budget planning

Improper model choice or hidden costs can quietly erode margins if not budgeted for. A planned budget must consider upfront development and ongoing operational needs. What follows is a summary of standard pricing models and key hidden costs.

Models

  • One time license fee – A hefty upfront payment of typically between $50,000 and $500,000 grants perpetual use of the platform. This is a good choice for businesses that desire entire operations control with no recurring costs but require a heavy capital investment.
  • Subscription model – Periodic fees, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 monthly, cover software usage, hosting, and support. This offers fixed charges and lower initial risk but is costly over the long term.
  • Revenue sharing model – Vendors are paid a percentage of trading commissions or volume, typically 10% to 30%. Vendor success depends on platform growth but squeezes profit margins as trading volume expands.
  • Hybrid models – Certain vendors merge fixed costs with revenue-sharing. It offers reduced front-end costs but with a percentage of subsequent revenues. This choice smooths out financial risk and ensures ongoing vendor support.

Hidden costs and considerations

Hidden costs and considerations

Marketing and user acquisition are necessary. But be ready for them being costly. Paid advertisement, influencer partnerships, and search engine optimization are necessary for competing. Discount fee onboarding bonuses are added expenses. Market reach will require capital requirements white label CEX between $50,000 and $500,000 a month in advertising alone.

Regulatory compliance is an important cost. Attorneys, legal fees, and U.S. or EU compliance to establish cost between $100,000 and $500,000, and over $200,000 per year. Ignorance of compliance can lead to fines, lawsuit, or firm closure.

Technological malfunctions can be cataclysmic. System breakdowns, liquidity crises, or computer virus intrusions demand immediate rectification. Large volumes require large scalability expenditures. Security breaches can result in multimillion dollar losses and necessitate a contingency reserve of 10-20% of operating costs.

Potential drawbacks of white label solutions 

It’s worth noting some of the pitfalls that businesses can face with some while label solutions providers. At Peiko, we build our products to overcome these challenges directly, so our clients don’t have to suffer from these disadvantages.

1. Reliance on provider stability

Most providers use a subscription model, so your exchange’s success depends on their ongoing activities. When the provider is faced with issues or goes out of business, your platform is at risk.

  • How Peiko solves this: We offer a purchased code and licensing solution, giving you full ownership and control of your exchange. Even if you decide to continue development independently, your platform is safe and sound.

2. Limited customization

Others can offer outdated or too generic solutions that fail to meet modern market demands. These platforms are not very flexible and, therefore, can’t be customized according to your business needs.

  • How Peiko overcomes this: Our white-label offerings are built on a modular platform, so they have space for epic customization. From UI/UX creation to high-level trading functionalities, we ensure that your platform is tailored to your brand and user base.

3. Inadequate ongoing development and support

Most services give you the same product and then leave you alone without resources or knowledge to help it grow or support it. This holds things back and makes your platform prone to technical loopholes.

  • How Peiko does it: We provide ongoing support and development services to ensure that your exchange develops with your business. Whether it’s adding new features, enhancing performance, or ensuring compliance, we are here to assist you in growing every step of the way.
Seek a bespoke CEX solution?
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Peiko is here for any of your white-label CEX development needs

We are proud to be one of the best software development companies specializing in blockchain technology, developing bespoke cryptocurrency exchange platforms. Peiko specializes in high-performing, secure, and scalable financial systems that allow organizations to launch innovative trading platforms. 

Our expertise lies in full development, including architecture design and security integration, compliance, and UI/UX optimizations. See our portfolio to grasp our capabilities further. Collaborating with you, we’ll clarify what exactly you want and develop it. 

For instance, Bitsten is a cryptocurrency exchange designed for seamless digital asset trading. Built as a white-label solution, it allows businesses to quickly launch their own branded exchange with essential trading features, deep liquidity, and strong security protocols. The platform supports real time price updates, automated liquidity management, and multi-layered security measures to ensure safe transactions.

Bitsten CEX

Solution delivered

  • Real-time trading and market updates Enabled through a low-latency socket server that ensures instant price feeds and trade execution.
  • Advanced liquidity management Integrated with leading liquidity providers like Huobi and B2C2, ensuring stable markets and minimal slippage.
  • Secure crypto storage Utilizing a multi tier cold and hot wallet system with encryption and secure transaction handling.
  • Integrated KYC and compliance Seamless user verification powered by SumSub for regulatory adherence.
  • Customizable white label framework Allowing businesses to personalize branding while leveraging a ready exchange infrastructure.
  • Multi tier referral and commission structure Designed to enhance user acquisition and retention through rewards and incentives.

Why Peiko?

With deep expertise in crypto exchange development, Peiko offers scalable, secure, and smoothly performing trading platforms like Bitsten. Whether smart contracts and stablecoin structuring or seamless Stripe crypto connections, we offer solutions to show your business uniqueness.

Conclusion

A white label crypto exchange is an opportunity to launch to market without going back to scratch. However, success doesn’t just depend upon having the tech. It depends on how well it gets used. Getting the right strategy, liquidity handling, and compliance tools can mean between a winning and a struggling exchange. Choosing the perfect provider defines how you implement, innovate, and replicate your platform.

The lower white label cryptocurrency exchange cost compared to custom built crypto exchange development cost doesn’t mean that white label CEX is less effective than a fully custom built exchange. In fact, with the right strategy, a white label platform can outperform many from scratch solutions. It reduces development time and costs and allows founders to focus on expansion.

The cryptocurrency space is evolving rapidly, and only those who will be innovative and adaptive in the process will endure. Choose Peiko for the desirable fast, cost effective, and scalable crypto exchange solution. Want a lasting crypto exchange? Contact us today!

FAQ

How much does a white-label exchange cost?

A white-label crypto exchange cost usually ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 based on features, security, compliance, and bespoke work.

How much does a crypto exchange cost?

When built from scratch, crypto exchange development cost ranges from $500,000 to $5M+, consisting of development, security, legal compliance, liquidity, and infrastructure.

How to start a white-label crypto exchange?

Choose a reliable provider as Peiko, become compliant with regulations, introduce liquidity, customize UI/UX, implement strong security, and go live with a successful marketing strategy.

What is white-label crypto?

A white-label crypto solution allows companies to launch their own branded exchange on pre-existing infrastructure or just in more affordable way than a regular exchange.

Do you need a license for a crypto exchange?

Yes, compliance is required. Licensing is based on service—spot trading, derivatives, or fiat integration, and affects much the cryptocurrency exchange development cost.

    CONTENT

Crypto Exchange Liquidity Providers: What You Need to Know

# Blockchain
06.03.2025
12 min
153
Max Privalov
Max Privalov
Product Manager and Senior BDM at Peiko

Liquidity is a factor that affects the stability of prices in the cryptocurrency market. This term refers to how easy it is to exchange a coin for cash or another digital asset. A liquidity provider (LP) maintains liquidity on a cryptocurrency exchange. They facilitate the smooth execution of trades by offering a continuous flow of buy and sell orders. In this way, they help reduce the impact of large trades on cryptocurrency prices.

Who exactly are liquidity providers, and what do you need to know about them? We will figure it out in this article.

What is liquidity, and why does it matter?

Liquidity means how effective the trade conclusion between operating buyers and sellers is in the crypto exchange. 

High liquidity guarantees that trades may be executed swiftly with minimal impact on asset prices. Low liquidity means that it takes more time for trades to be executed. So, the price movements are more volatile.

the importance of liquidity in crypto exchanges

Cryptocurrency market liquidity depends on several factors:

  • Market depth. The number of open bids and asks at diverse price levels in the order book.
  • Volume. The aggregate value of an asset traded within a specified time.
  • Bid-ask spread. The difference between the best bid price (the price at which buyers will pay) and the best ask price (the price at which sellers are offering).

The benefits of high liquidity 

Liquidity is at the heart of the functioning of any type of financial market, including the world of cryptocurrencies.

the pros of high crypto liquidity

Price stability

Prices of assets in liquid markets tend to be more stable because large orders will have smaller impacts on the asset price. Conversely, illiquid markets have large price swings even if only one big order is executed.

Correct pricing

With greater liquidity, the bid-ask spread is narrower, making easy buying or selling at fair prices possible. Active participation in the market by different market participants is a guarantee that the price of an asset reflects its best fair value using supply and demand.

Fast trades execution

Adequate liquidity ensures that trades are executed instantly, and traders can close or open positions at will with no fear of precipitous price variations. This is particularly vital for institutional traders or high-frequency trading models, where precision and timing are extremely important.

Broader set of assets

There is more liquidity available in markets that have a diverse selection of assets to trade. These are the kinds of markets institutional investors and liquidity providers like, which form a greater number of tokens and pairs, thereby creating diversity opportunities within the ecosystem.

Greater trading volume

Higher liquidity tends to result in greater trading volume, which is beneficial to the entire market. With more activity, prices are more accurately discovered, and the market is more stable.

Confidence of investors

Liquid markets lead to the confidence of participants since more stable and reliable market conditions prevail. Higher liquidity also renders manipulation of the markets less likely, thus creating still more confidence amongst investors and traders.

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Examples of liquidity issues

Liquidity problems can have a great impact on market performance and the overall trading experience. 

Increased bid-ask spread

When there are fewer sell-and-buy orders within the market, the bid-ask spread tends to increase. 

For example, a trader might see a bid of $200 and an ask of $220, where there is an immediate loss if one buys at the ask price and cannot sell at the bid price. This is especially prevalent in low-cap altcoin markets or newly minted tokens.

Filling order challenges

It is difficult to fill large orders in illiquid markets. A person who has a large amount of cryptocurrency to sell may be unable to find enough buyers at the planned price, and therefore, the price will drop sharply. Buyers may not be able to find sellers and will be forced to wait for their buy orders to be filled or pay a premium price to buy their desired quantity of cryptocurrency.

Price slippage

Slippage is a condition where the price of an asset fluctuates between when an order to trade has been placed and when it is actually being executed. This can be more likely to happen more frequently in thin markets, especially for large trades. 

For example, if a trader is willing to buy an enormous quantity of Bitcoin at $25,000, but because of the quick price movement, it reaches $25,500 when the order is placed, then the trader will lose slippage and be in a poorer situation.

More volatility

Markets that are not so liquid carry more exposure to dramatic price fluctuation. It can dramatically alter the price of an asset for one big buying or selling order. 

Suppose that one of the whales, or significant owners of crypto, unexpectedly sells off a significant portion. The price will sharply go down, initiating a sell cascade, which will increase volatility in the market.

Susceptibility to market manipulation

Reduced liquidity increases the susceptibility to market manipulation. “Pump and dump” is more readily achieved in low-liquidity markets, where few traders can artificially inflate the price of an asset, sell out after having “pumped up” the price, and leave other unsuspecting traders with huge losses when the artificially inflated price crashes.

Who are crypto exchange liquidity providers?

Now, we come to the liquidity provider definition. These providers are the entities and individuals who place buy and sell orders on a trading platform’s order book or contribute digital assets to crypto liquidity pools. 

High liquidity guarantees that trades may be executed swiftly with minimal impact on asset prices. Low liquidity means that it takes more time for trades to be executed. So, the price movements are more volatile.

Types of liquidity providers

LPs’ types depend on the type of crypto exchange. 

Centralized exchanges operate with an order book system. This means users place buy and sell orders at specific prices. The exchange matches these orders when a vendor and purchaser agree on the price. Liquidity on CEXs is represented by the orders listed on the order book, and trades happen when there is a match.

On decentralized exchanges (DEXs), crypto liquidity pools are used. They are applied instead of order books. Users put their assets into these pools, and trades are executed via smart contracts. The prices are determined by an algorithm based on the ratio of digital assets in the pool. Liquidity providers earn a portion of the transaction fees generated by the conducted trades in the pool.

Centralized liquidity providers

These providers, also called CLPs, are also named institutional liquidity provider. They are typically large exchanges that possess the order books and conduct trades. Some of such exchanges examples are Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. With sophisticated algorithms, these exchanges match the balance between buy and sell orders. Thus, the exchanges offer liquidity by providing trading services for retail and institutional participants.

How do they work?

  • CLPs maintain order books on their platforms, where liquidity is sourced from market makers, institutional traders, and retail users.
  • They earn fees from transaction costs, market-making services, and spreads.

Decentralized liquidity providers

Decentralized liquidity providers (DLPs) operate on decentralized networks, such as decentralized exchanges and smart contract-supported liquidity pools. SushiSwap and Uniswap are examples, whereby individual users add liquidity.

How do they work?

  • Individual users (DLPs) contribute to liquidity pools on DEXs, which use algorithms (like automated market makers) to facilitate trades without order books.
  • Trades on DEXs are conducted peer-to-contract (not peer-to-peer like on CEXs).
  • Liquidity providers earn money from the trades executed within the liquidity pool for example, when the Arbitrum (ARB) token drop took place, liquidity providers earned commissions from sales on the Uniswap exchange by investing their assets there.

OTC (over-the-counter) liquidity providers

Over-the-counter liquidity providers (Cumberland, Digital Galaxy) facilitate large, off-exchange trades. These providers, typically institutional traders or brokers, help carry out high-volume trades without disrupting the public order books.

How do they work?

  • Trades are conducted directly between buyers and sellers. OTC providers ensure smooth execution and favorable pricing.
  • OTC deals are usually arranged privately, offering tailored services to institutional clients or high-net-worth individuals.

Crypto-native liquidity providers

Crypto-native liquidity providers like B2C2 are institutions that are present in decentralized, blockchain-based environments, having a tendency to support decentralized exchanges, OTC services, or liquidity pools.

How do they work?

  • They typically operate market-making or join liquidity pools on decentralized exchanges, ensuring there is adequate liquidity for traders to execute neat trades.
  • Most crypto-native liquidity providers employ algorithmic trading practices or smart contracts to automatically tweak buying and selling orders, keeping liquidity of its own and reducing slippage, even in the extremely volatile crypto markets.

How liquidity providers operate on CEXs

Liquidity providers crypto entities ensure market efficiency by entering buy and sell orders and hedging risks related to their positions. 

Placing orders

LPs place orders on an exchange order book, frequently in the form of limit orders ready to buy or sell at set prices. Orders are entered strategically on a number of price levels along the prevailing market price. By keeping these orders, LPs provide a constant pool of liquidity for other market players. Market makers, for example, maintain active sell and buy orders, scaling them up and down as they wish in an effort to be competitive.

Risk management

LPs are also faced with market volatility, where they are exposed to price fluctuation in the securities they hold. To hedge risk, liquidity providers can use methods such as:

  • Delta-hedging: LPs can neutralize the impact of price adjustments on their portfolios by using the application of derivatives like options or futures.
  • Arbitrage: LPs are able to engage in arbitrage by exploiting differences in prices on exchanges or assets to harvest profits without exposing themselves to large directional risk.
  • Dynamic adjustments: Liquidity providers continuously make adjustments to their orders according to changes in market conditions, such as volatility or a change in trading volume, to restore equilibrium and minimize exposure to spikes in prices.
  • Incentives for liquidity: LPs are rewarded with governance tokens, transaction fees, or some other form of incentives to provide liquidity in pools in decentralized platforms. This encourages users to supply liquidity, especially in volatile or low-volume markets. LPs get rewarded based on their share of the pool and are entitled to a portion of the trading fees the platform makes.
  • Automated trading: Many liquidity providers, especially institutional ones, employ automated trading algorithms that place and adjust orders in perpetuity. The algorithms are designed to respond to current market conditions and optimize order placement for profitability and risk mitigation. High-frequency trading (HFT) strategies are employed to reap small price variations in various market scenarios to make sure liquidity in crypto remains consistent.

There are some differences between how liquidity providers work on DEX and CEX. DEX LPs provide liquidity by adding tokens to liquidity pools instead of order books. While CEX LPs may rely on high-frequency trading and algorithms, DEX LPs depend on automated systems that adjust token reserves to reduce impermanent loss and optimize returns.

How liquidity providers benefit the crypto ecosystem

Let’s talk about the huge contribution liquidity providers make to the liquidity provider cryptocurrency market and how their efforts build trading volume as well as the overall environment.

how crypto liquidity providers benefit the crypto ecosystem

Increased market efficiency

Market efficiency is increased by the cryptocurrency liquidity provider through narrower bid-ask spreads and prompter trade execution. Their availability in the market at all times enables faster trade and stable prices, maximizing overall market performance.

Price discovery

LPs facilitate effective price discovery through liquidity provision at multiple price points. Their active participation guarantees that the true market value of assets is reflected, and trades can be made at reasonable prices in accordance with real-time supply and demand.

Less volatility

The best liquidity provider crypto guarantees the absorption of large orders, hence preventing price changes suddenly. Its market-stabilizing role at the time of large transactions eliminates sudden price shocks, creating more stable market conditions.

Higher trading volume

Having enough liquidity, LPs encourage increased trading volumes. The market becomes more likely to attract traders whenever there is liquidity since it assures easier execution of trades with lower slippage, and this leads to an active market condition.

Provided support for new projects

LPs are essential for the success of new tokens by providing front-running liquidity. Through their involvement, active trading is enabled for new ventures, making them more liquid and constructing initial investor confidence in the upstart assets. 

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Challenges faced by liquidity providers

Of course, liquidity providers are critical to the cryptocurrency market, yet their involvement comes with risks. The following are the main challenges LPs face, along with how to mitigate them.

Market volatility risk

LPs are at risk of price volatility, which may result in massive losses during downturns in the market.

A crypto liquidity provider can diversify their portfolios across different assets and liquidity pools. Some platforms also provide tools such as “impermanent loss protection” or insurance to safeguard against sudden price dips.

Regulatory uncertainty

The constant change in regulatory environments can put LPs at a disadvantage trying to stay compliant and optimize assets.

LPs can remain abreast of regulatory changes and remain compliant with local laws. Selecting platforms that have robust legal systems and clear regulatory compliance guidelines also serves to reduce this risk.

Competition and costs

LPs usually experience high levels of competition, which can decrease profits, particularly when transaction costs and operational expenses increase.

LPs can optimize the provision of liquidity in crypto through automated infrastructure and algorithms that respond to fluctuating market circumstances. Entering niche markets of lesser competition or fee-lower platforms can maximize profitability as well.

Flash crashes and manipulation

Manipulative strategies or flash crashes might initiate sudden price fluctuations, incurring LP losses.

To protect against this, LPs can place stop-loss orders or use automated means for quick unwinding of positions in periods of high market volatility. Membership in known platforms with stricter anti-manipulation controls can also reduce exposure to such risks.

Smart contract risk (in DeFi)

Smart contracts in DeFi platforms can be vulnerable to exploits or bugs, and this can result in a loss of funds.

LPs can avoid smart contract risks by leveraging trusted, thoroughly audited platforms. Additionally, partnering with platforms offering insurance or using smart contract monitoring tools can provide an added layer of protection.

The role of technology in liquidity provision

Technologies significantly enhance liquidity provision by streamlining operations and efficiency for the crypto exchange liquidity provider.

Automated trading systems

LPs can execute trades effectively using algorithms and bots, which run liquidity in real time. The systems maximize the placement of orders and minimize risk, responding quickly to market conditions.

APIs and connectivity

Reputable exchange APIs (Binance API, Kraken API) ensure smooth integration with trading platforms, enabling LPs to trade and manage positions smoothly. Smooth connectivity is of the utmost importance for successful competitive pricing and responding to market volatility.

Data analytics

LPs employ data analytics to analyze market trends, volumes, and order book depths to make educated decisions and optimize profitability and risk management techniques.

DeFi and automated market makers 

AMMs and DeFi protocols enable the automation of liquidity provision using smart contracts to align asset prices with supply and demand, allowing LPs to earn fees without traditional order books. This technology enables more decentralized and efficient provision of liquidity.

Choosing a crypto exchange with good liquidity

How to assess an exchange’s liquidity? Pay attention to the following indicators:

Trading volume

A high trading volume usually means more active participants. The more participants – the better liquidity and more stable prices. Platforms like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko display trading volume by exchange, helping you identify which platforms have the most activity for your chosen assets.

trading volume on popular crypto exchanges like Binance

Order book depth

A well-developed order book, with multiple buy and vendor orders at various price levels, indicates a liquid market. 

Observe the live order book on an exchange to see if there are sufficient buy and sell orders across various prices.

Bid-ask spread

A smaller difference between the bid (buy) and ask (sell) prices reflects high liquidity, ensuring you can trade near your intended price. Tight bid-ask spreads indicate liquidity and a more predictable trading experience. High-volume pairs (such as BTC/USD) tend to offer better liquidity than obscure pairs with fewer participants.

trading pairs on popular cryptocurrency exchanges

Exchange reputation

Long-established exchanges like Binance usually provide more stable liquidity thanks to a larger user base and consistent trading volume.

Future trends in crypto liquidity

Technology become more advanced, regulation has evolved, and digital asset markets become more sustainable. The following trends are important for the future of liquidity provision.

Development of DeFi and AMMs

DeFi protocols and AMMs are changing the offering of liquidity by eliminating intermediaries. Users will be able to engage with liquidity pools directly through smart contracts, leading to a more decentralized and efficient system. With these protocols growing, liquidity will become more scalable and efficient.

Example: Uniswap V3 introduced concentrated liquidity, which allows providers to choose particular ranges of prices, maximizing returns and capital efficiency.

Cross-chain liquidity solutions

Perhaps, the largest problem in crypto markets is liquidity fragmentation between blockchains. Cross-chain technologies, such as bridges and omnichannel protocols, are designed to allow for seamless, frictionless transfer of liquidity between blockchains, increasing price discovery and reducing inefficiencies.

Example: ThorChain is among the top crypto liquidity providers list. This protocol allows decentralized liquidity pools to move across multiple blockchains, with users having the ability to swap assets without intermediaries.

Regulatory clarity

As regulatory landscapes for crypto change, liquidity providers adapt to new requirements. Greater transparency in regulations will attract institutional investors, raising liquidity and offering more stable market conditions by providing more predictable operating landscapes.

Example: Liquidity providing crypto exchanges like Binance and Kraken have adapted to stricter regulations, staying compliant and establishing market confidence across various jurisdictions.

AI and machine learning in liquidity management

These technologies are increasingly assuming the task of optimizing liquidity provision. They enable predictive market analysis, dynamic risk management, and real-time portfolio adjustments. Liquidity providers for cryptocurrency exchange can respond quickly to market movements and adjust risks accordingly.

Example: GSR Markets uses AI to enhance its liquidity strategies, making real-time adjustments as market conditions evolve.

Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in liquidity provision

DAOs are now entering the offering of liquidity, allowing community-sourced liquidity pools and collective determination of yield optimization. This shift to decentralized management of liquidity brings more transparency and inclusivity to the process.

Example: MakerDAO has its liquidity pools and collateral reserves, securing the stability of its DAI stablecoin via decentralized decision-making.

Tokenization of real-world assets 

RWAs such as property and equities are providing new ways to liquidity. Through being in the state of blockchain-locked conventional assets, tokenized assets can then seamlessly be traded, and access can be provided to more investment alternatives.

Example: Platforms like Synthetix and RealT are advancing the frontier with tokenized physical assets to be traded on the decentralized level. 

Peiko is your reliable partner for developing crypto projects 

Peiko is your trusted partner in developing next-generation crypto solutions, such as custom crypto exchanges. Working since 2017, our experts have the expertise to deliver secure, scalable, and efficient systems supporting both decentralized and centralized ecosystems. 

Regardless of whether you need the development of smart contracts, management of liquidity, or tokenomics, or any liquidity provider crypto exchange, we offer complete sets of services to construct and maintain a highly effective exchange. 

Let’s consider one of our best projects – Bitsten. It is a white-label crypto exchange platform with customization we recently created.

one of top crypto projects developed by Peiko 
alt: white-label solution for crypto exchanges made by Peiko

Bitsten is a white-label product aimed to facilitate the rapid deployment of blockchain projects, and its primary field of focus is cryptocurrency exchange services. 

Key results the client obtained

  • Scalable trading platform Built on the Node.js microservice architecture, Bitsten has the ability to process up to 10,000 transactions every second to ensure optimal performance and scalability.
  • Instant trading Real-time price refresh and execution of orders, instant trading experiences seamless and responsive trading.
  • Better liquidity management It is accompanied by automated robots and top-notch liquidity suppliers such as Huobi and B2C2 to stabilize and reduce slippage.
  • Comprehensive security The platform leverages KYC (know-you-customer) through DDoS protection, SumSub, and secure cryptocurrency storage to protect both user funds and information.
  • Integrated solutions Third-party services such as Fireblocks for asset management, TradingView for charting, and SendGrid for notifications supplement platform capabilities and educate users.
  • Flexible and Scalable solution Bitsten is a flexible white-label solution that is easily scalable and customizable to fit various blockchain projects as well as future business growth.
white-label solution for crypto exchanges created by Peiko

Now, the platform is a robust foundation for blockchain projects, delivering scalability and effectiveness to meet both domestic and global markets’ needs.

Want to create a crypto exchange platform from scratch or launch quickly? If you have a short time, choose Peiko’s own white-label crypto exchange solution and go to the market in a few weeks!

Conclusion 

Crypto exchange liquidity provider ensures the stability and functionality of virtual asset markets. Whether in a centralized or decentralized market, liquidity is paramount to facilitating efficient trading, price consistency, and minimizing slippage.

Contact us to create an effective and resilient liquidity solution or crypto exchange tailored to meet your unique requirements.

FAQ

Who provides liquidity to crypto exchanges?

Various sources, including liquidity providers (LPs), market makers, institutional investors, and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

What is a crypto liquidity provider?

A crypto liquidity provider is responsible for supplying assets to exchanges so that there are enough buy and sell orders to facilitate efficient trade execution at competitive prices.

What are crypto liquidity services?

Crypto liquidity services ensure that there are sufficient assets available on an exchange to enable efficient trading by maintaining a balance of sell and buy orders, making the market more efficient.

Who is the biggest liquidity provider?

The biggest projects among the crypto liquidity providers list are financial institutions such as Cumberland and Jump Trading, and market-making firms on centralized and decentralized exchanges.

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