# Centralised

> Run or controlled by a single party. The opposite of decentralised.

Canonical URL: https://fudfomo.co/glossary/centralised
Source: What The Block! Dictionary v1.0 (last updated 2026-04-25), browsable at https://wtb.fudfomo.co.

## Definition

A centralised crypto service is one where a single company holds the funds, runs the software, and makes the rules. Most exchanges, custodians, and stablecoin issuers fall into this group.

Centralisation can mean better support, faster updates, and clear legal accountability. The trade-off is that you depend on that one party to stay solvent, honest, and online.

## Related terms

- [Decentralised](https://fudfomo.co/glossary/decentralised): Spread across many independent participants, with no single point of control.
- [CEX](https://fudfomo.co/glossary/cex): A centralised exchange. A regulated platform where you buy and sell crypto using an account.
- [Custody](https://fudfomo.co/glossary/custody): Who holds your crypto and the keys to it. Self-custody means you do, custodial means a company does.
- [KYC](https://fudfomo.co/glossary/kyc): Know Your Customer. The identity checks an exchange runs before letting you trade.

## See the full catalogue

What The Block! covers more than 2,000 plain-English crypto terms, delivered as embeddable hover-state tooltips for crypto exchanges. https://wtb.fudfomo.co