Ethereum News Today: Decentralized Trading Crosses $1 Trillion Threshold as Perpetuals Surge

Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) achieved a historic milestone in August, processing over $1.1 trillion in combined spot and perpetual contract trading volumes. This marked the first time monthly DEX activity has surpassed the $1 trillion threshold, signaling a growing shift in on-chain trading dynamics and indicating the maturation of decentralized trading infrastructure.

According to DefiLlama data, spot DEX volumes in August totaled $506.3 billion, narrowly missing the all-time high of $507.8 billion set in January by only $1.5 billion. The spot trading segment saw an 18.4% increase compared to the previous month, reflecting sustained on-chain trading activity. Meanwhile, perpetual contract volumes surged to $648.6 billion, representing a 31.3% increase from July and establishing a new absolute high for the derivative category. Perpetual contracts accounted for 56.4% of total DEX volume during the month, underscoring the growing traction of derivative trading on decentralized platforms.

Ethereum reclaimed its position as the leading blockchain for spot trading volume in August, processing $140.4 billion in on-chain activity. This marked the first time since March that Ethereum outperformed Solana and BNB Chain in spot trading. Solana followed closely with nearly $120 billion in volume, while BNB Chain secured third place with $60 billion in spot trading. Uniswap remained the dominant spot DEX protocol, accounting for 28.2% of total volumes with $143 billion in processed trades. PancakeSwap and Hyperliquid followed in second and third place, respectively, with $56.6 billion and $21.7 billion in spot volume.

The perpetuals segment was characterized by a highly concentrated market, with Hyperliquid capturing 62.5% of the total volume. The platform processed $405.8 billion in perpetual contract trades, reinforcing its leadership in the decentralized derivatives space. Ethereum-based perpetual protocols generated $72.5 billion in volume, securing second place, while BNB Chain platforms contributed $55.1 billion. EdgeX and Orderly also demonstrated strong performance, with $43.6 billion and $23.7 billion in trading volume, respectively.

The rise in spot volume contributed to a higher DEX-to-CEX trading ratio, which increased by 0.7% to 17.2% in August. This ratio has consistently remained above 10% throughout 2025, highlighting the ongoing adoption of on-chain trading infrastructure. Improved user experience and enhanced functionality across major DEX platforms have likely contributed to this trend. The $1.1 trillion monthly volume achievement positions decentralized exchanges as a permanent fixture in the cryptocurrency trading ecosystem, with perpetual contracts gaining attention comparable to that of their centralized counterparts.

Amid this growth in DEX activity, Best Wallet Token ($BEST) has emerged as a promising token in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. As a next-generation Web3 wallet token, $BEST offers reduced transaction costs, high staking rewards, and governance rights. These features align with the broader shift toward decentralized infrastructure and user-centric financial tools. The token’s presale has already raised over $14.4 million, with staking APYs reaching as high as 95% during the fundraising phase. Token holders also gain exclusive access to the Best Wallet launchpad and reduced fees on the DEX platform.

The significant increase in DEX volume highlights the increasing relevance of wallet tokens like $BEST, which directly benefit from the growth in on-chain trading. As traders and investors continue to favor decentralized platforms for their transparency, security, and lower fees, tokens that offer enhanced utility and user incentives are likely to see increased demand. Best Wallet Token’s integration into a user-friendly and feature-rich ecosystem further strengthens its potential for adoption in the evolving DeFi landscape.

The record-breaking month for DEXs underscores the broader trend of decentralization in cryptocurrency trading. As more users seek alternatives to traditional centralized exchanges, the infrastructure supporting on-chain trading continues to expand, offering enhanced privacy, control, and efficiency. This evolution is likely to accelerate with further improvements in user experience and the introduction of new utility-driven tokens like $BEST, which provide direct value to users in the form of reduced fees, staking rewards, and governance participation.

Source: [1] Decentralized exchanges record $1.1 trillion in trading ... (https://cryptoslate.com/decentralized-exchanges-record-1-1-trillion-in-trading-volume-as-perpetuals-drive-historic-trading-month/)