Why Leading CEXs Build with the Cosmos SDK
A growing number of top centralized exchanges like OKX, BNB Chain, and Crypto.com’s Cronos are leveraging the Cosmos SDK, as a leading modular and multichain blockchain development framework, to build their Layer 1 blockchains.
The Role of Centralized Exchanges in Cryptocurrency Adoption
Centralized exchanges like Crypto.com, Binance, and OKX play a pivotal role in end-user adoption. They bridge traditional finance and digital assets, providing liquidity, trading tools, fiat on- and off-ramps, and often serve as the first entry point for new users.
Cosmos SDK has long been recognized for its customizability. Developers use it to build custom, application-specific blockchains with built-in interoperability. It is no surprise that these prominent exchanges have turned to Cosmos for their customized use cases.
OKTC
OKT Chain is OKX’s native chain. It is built using the Cosmos SDK and is EVM-compatible and IBC-compatible. OKX supports over 100 fiat currencies, payment rails like Visa and Apple Pay, as well as localized platforms that act as crucial fiat‑on‑ramps and regulatory hubs in their respective countries. Committed to empowering the Web3 ecosystem by providing essential infrastructure and resources for builders to thrive, OKTC is scalable, secure, interoperable and entirely open-source.
BNB Chain
Originally called Binance Smart Chain, BNB Chain leverages a hybrid model. While its BNB Beacon Chain utilizes Tendermint and the Cosmos SDK for governance and validator management, its BNB Smart Chain (BSC) supports full EVM compatibility, enabling developers to deploy Solidity-based dApps with ease. This dual architecture gives Binance massive flexibility.
Cronos
The EVM chain developed by Crypto.com is also built on the Cosmos SDK. It provides seamless access to both the Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems, combining fast finality with low fees, making it ideal for DeFi and payments. Powered by Ethermint, Cronos is a fully EVM-compatible chain offering seamless Solidity porting, wallet integration, low fees and fast finality, thereby appealing to both developers and cost-conscious users.
User Metrics and Market Reach
Together, these top exchanges serve hundreds of millions of users globally:
- OKX / OKT Chain: Over 50 million users globally and operating in more than 180 countries. Its native ecosystem now supports both centralized exchange functionality and on-chain applications through its Cosmos-based chains.
- Binance / BNB Chain: With over 280 million users, Binance remains the dominant force in global crypto trading. BNB Chain averages over 1.5 million daily active addresses.
- Crypto.com / Cronos: Serving 80+ million users, Cronos reached over 1.3 million deployed smart contracts in early 2025, with more than $500 million in TVL.
Using EVM for a Strategic Advantage
By using the Cosmos SDK, exchanges gain fine-tuned control over their blockchain’s performance, something that’s crucial for customizing governance, fees, and tokenomics. Meanwhile, EVM compatibility ensures they don’t alienate the vast Ethereum developer base.
This hybrid approach allows exchanges to:
- Enable faster, cheaper transactions without sacrificing security.
- Launch custom modules tailored to exchange needs.
- Tap into Ethereum liquidity and developer tooling, while preserving Cosmos-native interoperability.
IBC usage continues to grow, with over 120+ active chains transferring assets across the Cosmos ecosystem, driven in part by the inclusion of exchange-backed chains like OKT and Cronos.
Exchanges are no longer just trading platforms; they have become full-stack infrastructure providers. By building with the Cosmos SDK and integrating EVM compatibility, CEXs like OKX, Binance, and Crypto.com are future-proofing their ecosystems.
This dual-pronged approach is unlocking new user experiences, driving innovation, and accelerating multichain adoption for the next wave of crypto users.
