Arkham Exchange has denied recent rumours of a shutdown, confirming instead that the platform is preparing a major shift from a centralized exchange (CEX) to a decentralized exchange (DEX). The move comes as the platform continues to face low trading volumes. CoinGecko has reported its daily activity around $702k, far below its larger competitors.
CEO Miguel Morel emphasized that the platform is not closing. Instead, it is evolving to serve its users in a better way amid the prolonged crypto market downturn. The upcoming transition to a DEX may attract more investors despite its failure to perform well previously.
Is Arkham Exchange Shutting Down?
The social media platforms have been abuzz with rumors and speculations of the possible closure of Arkham Exchange, the crypto trading platform created by Arkham Intelligence. However, CEO Miguel Morel soon dismissed these rumors, asserting that Arkham Exchange is not closing down.
Despite reports of low activity, the platform plans to further establish its services, transitioning from a CEX to a DEX. The CEO asserted that the team is redesigning the platform to operate in a decentralized way. This approach makes a significant shift from its previous centralized model. Morel stated,
“The Arkham Exchange is becoming a fully decentralized exchange rather than a centralised exchange…The future of crypto trading is decentralized, and that’s what we’re building towards.”
Why Arkham Bets on DEX over CEX?
Notably, Arkham’s shift to a decentralized model comes amid surging criticism over centralized exchanges. These criticisms are primarily centred on the way in which CEXs handle token listings and customer needs.
CEO Miguel Morel stated that many centralized platforms have grown “bloated and unresponsive.” These platforms are reportedly acting more like traditional banks than innovative crypto services. He added that Arkham doesn’t want to stick with a model that no longer works well for users. Morel stated,
“Centralized incumbents have become bloated and unresponsive to user needs, becoming worse than the traditional financial systems they pretend to improve on. We don’t want to invest in that.”
The trend toward decentralization is also reflected in the numbers. Data from CoinGecko shows that trading volume on decentralised exchanges (DEX) compared to centralized ones has hit record highs in 2025, more than tripling since 2020. The change shows that users increasingly prefer transparency, control over their assets, and direct custody.
Speculation Rises Amid Crypto Market Downturn
Significantly, these Arkham Exchange shutdown rumors come amid the recent crypto market crash as the platform continues to struggle. Trading volumes have been low, with the platform failing to gain traction compared to other exchanges.
Analysts say that the broader market downturn, along with rising competition and cautious investor sentiment, has made it a challenging situation for smaller exchanges like Arkham Exchange. The timing of the rumors reflects the natural scrutiny platforms face when activity drops and growth stalls.
The crypto market is still in the red zone, with top coins, including Bitcoin, struggling to maintain momentum. The total market cap has plummeted by 1.23% over the past day, reaching $2.33 trillion.
While Bitcoin is trading around the $67k level, with a 25% weekly downturn, Ethereum is hovering below the crucial $2k level, down by 35% in a month. This correction, which started in the October 2025 market crash, has significantly impacted the community’s sentiment, with traders now looking for more stable alternative investment options.
