Centralized exchanges are shifting from trading venues to regulated finance platforms. IPO fundraising, app innovation, and stricter oversight reveal a structural change in how institutions and consumers access markets. At the same time, perpetual DEXs surged past $2.6 trillion in trades in 2025, showing how decentralized rivals are gaining traction with custody-free leverage and speed.
This transition matters because it determines whether CEXs become systemic finance hubs—subject to bank-like standards and investor capital flows—or risk losing ground to decentralized rivals.
IPO Momentum Signals a Shift in Exchange Models
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Kraken secured $500 million to speed its IPO and strengthen links with traditional finance. Meanwhile, Gemini capped proceeds at $425 million after heavy demand.
Revolut is considering a $75 billion dual London–New York listing, which would mark the first debut on both the FTSE100 and the NYSE at once.
Background Context
Revolut, valued at $75 billion with 65 million users, including 12 million in the UK, has raised $3.77 billion to expand into crypto, brokerage, and banking. In addition, a UK rule change allows large firms to join the FTSE100 within five days of listing, boosting index demand.
Shift Markets reported that exchanges are maturing into multi-service hubs. Moreover, Animoca Brands argued these moves show CEX becoming gateways for payments, identity, and tokenized assets.
Exchanges Transform Into Super-Apps for Global Users
Kaiko found liquidity concentrated in the top five venues, while challengers expand regionally with new services.
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Coin Metrics reported that CEXs still dominate volumes even as on-chain settlement grows, suggesting complementary roles. Consequently, Bitwise observed that institutions prefer regulated exchanges for custody and risk management.
Behind the Scenes
Coinbase launched Base App, merging trading, payments, and social feeds. In Asia, LINE NEXT and Kaia introduced Unify to embed stablecoin payments. These moves show CEX chasing super-app models that reach daily finance users, not only traders.
Exchanges at Crossroads: Regulation, Risk, Reputation
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The CME highlighted rising institutional demand for derivatives, favoring exchanges that integrate spot, futures, and tokenized assets.
PwC outlined converging rules on custody, capital, and disclosures, and warned CEX may be deemed systemically important, facing bank-like oversight. This would raise costs but also reinforce credibility.
Risks & Challenges
Cross-border fragmentation, high compliance spending, and competition from decentralized exchanges remain strong headwinds. However, diversification into payments, tokenization, and identity may support revenues.
Sponsored SponsoredMoreover, analysts caution that legal recognition of on-chain settlement and harmonized custody rules will decide which models scale. In addition, DEX market share keeps rising, reminding investors that regulatory delays could speed up user migration away from CEX.
Expert Opinions
“Exchanges can no longer be just trading venues. They must act as bridges between centralized and decentralized worlds,” said Gracy Chen, Bitget CEO, in Animoca’s research.
“[Data] shows how exchanges are evolving from liquidity hubs into cultural and financial gateways,” stated Ming Ruan, Head of Research at Animoca Brands.
“CEX are at an inflection point; those that adapt will resemble full-service financial institutions,” said an analyst at Kaiko.
From IPOs to super-apps and tighter rules, CEXs are redefining their role in global finance. Investors could see IPOs and listings channel new capital. Regulators may soon require exchanges to meet bank-level standards.
Even as DEX adoption grows, users still rely on CEX as the main gateway. The sector’s future depends on combining innovation with oversight while providing simple, secure access to both crypto and traditional markets.
