Centralized or Decentralized? Most US Traders Want Both, OKX Study Finds

According to a recent OKX survey, centralized platforms continue to dominate trading activity, with 52% of respondents using these exclusively.

Notably, the research showed that the next phase of crypto growth won’t be fully centralized or fully decentralized. It will be built on infrastructure that combines the strengths of both.

OKX Finds CeDeFi Appeal Surges Among US Crypto Users 

OKX surveyed 1,000 active US traders to assess how market participants approach on-chain trading and what conditions could accelerate broader participation. While over half of respondents used only centralized platforms, the other 48% combined both centralized and decentralized tools.

When presented with a CeDeFi model (centralized exchange + on-chain execution), over 90% expressed positive appeal. Moreover, more than one-third also expect centralized exchanges to be the primary gateway to on-chain markets.

“These findings suggest that users are not looking to move away from centralized platforms. Rather, they expect them to evolve with integrated tools like CeDeFi, bridging centralized and decentralized markets,” OKX wrote.

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The report finds that yield-generating strategies are a “meaningful entry point” into on-chain activity. Over 65% of respondents report using on-chain tools to earn yield on stablecoins at least occasionally, with more than a quarter doing so regularly.

Among the most common approaches:

• Providing liquidity to stablecoin pools ranked first, attracting interest from nearly 40% of respondents. 
• Staking stablecoins on centralized platforms followed at just over 36%. 
• Lending via Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols appealed to nearly one in five users.

“Yield activity demonstrates that users are willing to engage on-chain when opportunities are clear and perceived risk is manageable. It functions as a bridge between centralized infrastructure and decentralized markets,” the report read.

What Crypto Traders Actually Want Automated

Regarding custody and control, 51% of respondents said they want to manage most aspects of trading themselves, with some automation for execution. Another 38% prefer full personal responsibility. 

Just 8% want to delegate execution while retaining strategic decisions, and only 2% are comfortable with minimal involvement. 

Automation is also gaining traction, with users expressing strong openness toward it. Respondents showed the most interest in features such as best-price routing (24%), scam detection (21%), and optimized trade execution timing (16%).

“The data suggests that automation is broadly accepted when it enhances performance, mitigates risk, and simplifies the on-chain experience,” OKX wrote.

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Security and Scam Fears Top the List of On-Chain Barriers

OKX also found that security concerns remain a key barrier to adoption. About 29% of respondents cited scams and security risks as a leading obstacle to on-chain participation. 

Another 22% pointed to unpredictable fees and pricing. Nearly half of users said they expect platforms to actively help prevent scams.

Other points of friction include handling multiple wallets, bridging assets across chains, and dealing with unfamiliar interfaces. Together, these challenges contribute to a broad perception that on-chain trading is operationally demanding, even for seasoned traders.

“Active traders are signaling strong interest in on-chain access, but with safeguards, execution quality, and simplified workflows embedded into the experience. Platforms that combine centralized infrastructure with on-chain execution align closely with current user expectations,” the report added.

Overall, the survey suggests that the next stage of the crypto market will be driven by greater integration rather than fragmentation.