As the Kraken exchange has already been offline for more than two days, questions about the vulnerability of exchanges once again pop up in my mind.
Exchanges are great, because they are an easy way to move cryptocurrencies around without having to open multiple wallets and have huge lists of passwords.
Though this event once again made me realise how vulnerable the exchanges are.
If one day the exchange decides to go offline, close or discontinue service, your money is simply gone.
Decentralised money and centralised exchanges. A huge paradox. Let me explain:
Cryptocurrencies are great because the allow to have safe transactions without a third party (such as a bank).
Exchanges are exactly the third party that we already had (such as banks).
Only without the security that you won't lose your money that banks provide.
Worse-worse you'd say. Though it is right now the least worst solution.
Are there solutions?
Lately we have seen some developments in the Lightning network that allow cross chain swaps between currencies.
So for example if I want to send some Litecoin and transfer it to the bitcoin blockchain, i'd have to agree with someone on a price, and then the swap can take place.
In the future this could possibly provide better solutions for exchanging currencies without being dependent on exchanges.
Also some of the plans of Cardano (ADA) consist of easy cross chain swaps. The keep cryptocurrencies useable this is certainly that would be important in the development.
There are also some peer-to-peer exchanges such as Bisq. Although these offer less options that the centralised exchanges to.
Simple the best solution to it all would be to have a peer-to-peer exchange where you are still in charge of your of own money. So let's see what will emerge in the future.
For now happy trading :)