Internet Computer exchange: What it is, how it works, and where to trade IC
When you hear Internet Computer, a blockchain network designed to run apps and websites directly on the internet, without relying on cloud servers. Also known as ICP, it’s not just another crypto project—it’s an attempt to rebuild the web from the ground up using blockchain instead of Amazon or Google. Unlike Ethereum or Solana, which still need third-party hosting for apps, Internet Computer lets smart contracts run at web speed with no extra infrastructure. That’s why some traders look for an Internet Computer exchange—not just to buy ICP, but to access apps built directly on it, like decentralized social networks, AI services, and even full websites hosted on-chain.
But here’s the catch: most big exchanges don’t list ICP as a trading pair for other tokens. You won’t find it on Coinbase or Binance as a stablecoin pair. Instead, you’ll need to use a decentralized exchange, a platform where users trade crypto directly from their wallets without a middleman. Also known as DEX, it’s where real Internet Computer activity happens—on networks like DEXALOT, SushiSwap on Internet Computer, or native ICP-based DEXs like ICPswap. These platforms let you swap ICP for BTC, ETH, or USDT, but they’re not as simple as clicking a button on a centralized app. You need to understand wallet connections, gas fees in cycles (not tokens), and how to bridge assets from Ethereum or Bitcoin into the Internet Computer ecosystem. That’s why most guides on this topic aren’t about price charts—they’re about setup, security, and avoiding fake token scams pretending to be ICP.
What you’ll find below isn’t a list of the top 10 exchanges for ICP. It’s a collection of real-world reviews, warnings, and deep dives into what actually works. Some posts expose fake ICP airdrops. Others break down why certain DEXs have zero volume despite flashy websites. One even shows how a popular "Internet Computer exchange" turned out to be a ghost platform with no users and no audits. These aren’t theoretical concerns—they’re the kind of mistakes that cost people real money. Whether you’re trying to trade ICP, use a dApp on the network, or just avoid getting scammed, the posts here cut through the hype and show you what’s real, what’s dead, and what’s a trap.
ICDex is a technically advanced decentralized exchange built on the Internet Computer blockchain, but with only $94 in daily volume and minimal liquidity, it's impractical for most traders. Learn why it's a niche experiment, not a viable crypto platform.