They may be more familiar with brokerage platforms, which operate similarly to cryptocurrency exchanges. Using their portals, they may create multiple order types to buy, sell, and speculate on cryptocurrencies with other users. Cryptocurrency exchanges are either centralized, in which case they are governed by a single corporate authority, such as a brokerage firm that ensures the security of trades, or they can be decentralized, in which case they are governed by a number of corporate authorities. Decentralized exchanges, like cryptocurrency blockchains themselves, often give verification powers to those willing to join a network and authenticate trades, a practice known as decentralization. As well as increasing accountability and transparency, this may ensure that the exchange can continue to operate if the company operating it is unable to do so.