How Do Cryptocurrency Marketplaces Work?

Cryptocurrency Marketplaces are platforms that allow users to exchange their cryptocurrencies freely with each other.

There are various websites through which buying and selling of cryptocurrencies take place. There are usually many buyers and sellers interacting with one another for crypto trading on cryptocurrency marketplaces.

With the increase in the mainstream adoption of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, more cryptocurrency marketplaces are expected to be launched.

The marketplaces operate on various mechanisms which are similar to that of e-commerce and online retail stores like Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, and others.

Advantages of Cryptocurrency Marketplaces

Easy interface: The interface of cryptocurrency marketplaces is usually easy to use thereby allowing users to navigate and complete transactions.
Customer base and liquidity: Cryptocurrency marketplaces usually have high liquidity to ensure that orders from buyers and sellers are completed on time.
Wide range of assets: The Marketplaces provide a wide range of cryptocurrencies that users can buy and sell.

How do cryptocurrency marketplaces operate?

Cryptocurrency Marketplaces operate on various mechanisms to facilitate buying and selling among users. Some of the mechanisms include:

Peer to Peer Trading: Peer-to-Peer Trading, commonly called P2P is a trading mechanism with two parties trading with one another without any external interference. The Marketplaces usually have software for matching sellers with buyers automatically for P2P trades. Peer-to-peer marketplaces allow individuals to buy and sell crypto from their accounts to the account of others without having to go through a third party. Users also enjoy faster and cheaper transactions using P2P. Users pay zero or low transaction fees on P2P marketplaces due to the low overhead cost. Additionally, users can trade anonymously using P2P thereby securing their details from data breaches which are usually common to centralized platforms. A common example of a P2P trading platform is WhalesHeaven.

Bids on auctions: Some marketplaces allow users to buy/sell assets by placing and participating in bids. Users participate in auctions by selecting the auction they want to bid on and the wallet balance of the users’ addresses will be used for the auction. Cryptocurrency Marketplaces usually suggest the amount users participating in an auction should bid to emerge as the highest bidder. Once a bid is placed, there is usually a 5-10 minutes interval for further bids before the highest bidder is declared as the winner of the auction.
Buyout on auctions: Unlike participating in bids, the instant buyout option allows users to buy the auction outrightly instead of placing bids. A temporary buyout option disappears once a regular bid above the reserve price for the cryptocurrency is made, while a permanent option remains available until it is exercised or the auction ends. Buyout options are widely used in online auctions on trading marketplaces because they are commonly exercised by buyers.