According to The Block, NEAR co-founder Illia Polosukhin stated that users no longer need centralized exchanges for “a lot” of crypto activity. He made this observation in reference to the growing availability and functionality of onchain tools. As these tools expand, they provide alternative means for common user actions that were previously handled by centralized platforms.
Polosukhin’s comment reflects a shift in how certain routine cryptocurrency interactions—such as sending, receiving, staking, or accessing wallet features—can now be performed directly through blockchain-native interfaces and decentralized infrastructure. The availability of these onchain solutions reduces reliance on third-party centralized exchanges for many everyday use cases.
The statement does not quantify the extent of reduced demand nor specify which types of activity are included in “a lot” of crypto activity. It also does not mention timelines, adoption rates, or competitive pressures. Polosukhin’s view appears to be based on observed trends in tool development and user behavior within the NEAR ecosystem.
