Retro crypto exchange: What it is, why it matters, and which ones to avoid
When people talk about a Retro crypto exchange, an outdated or abandoned cryptocurrency trading platform that still appears online with little to no activity or security. Also known as legacy crypto exchange, it often survives only because its domain hasn’t expired—not because it’s still trusted or functional. These aren’t just old websites. They’re digital ghosts—platforms that once promised fast trades, low fees, or unique features, but now sit broken, unmaintained, or worse, rigged for scams.
Most decentralized exchange, a peer-to-peer crypto trading platform that doesn’t hold users’ funds today run on modern chains like Ethereum, Solana, or Mantle. They have audits, liquidity pools, and active teams. But a Retro crypto exchange? It’s the opposite. Think AUX Exchange or MoraSwap—platforms with zero trading volume, no team info, and no security. They don’t just lack updates—they lack legitimacy. Some even copy names from real platforms to trick users into sending crypto to wallets that disappear overnight.
These platforms often show up in search results because their domains are still indexed, or because scam sites reuse their branding. You might see a crypto trading platform, a service where users buy, sell, or swap digital assets that looks professional—until you check its GitHub, Twitter, or contract addresses. No commits in two years? No verified social accounts? A whitepaper written in broken English? That’s not nostalgia. That’s a warning sign.
And it’s not just about safety. A DeFi exchange, a blockchain-based platform for trading crypto without a middleman, often using smart contracts that’s been abandoned means your funds could be stuck forever. No customer support. No recovery options. No updates to fix bugs or patch exploits. Even if you get your trade through, you won’t be able to withdraw later. And if the platform ever gets hacked—which it will—you’ll have zero recourse.
What you’ll find in this collection isn’t a list of the best retro exchanges. It’s a list of the ones you should run from. Posts here break down exactly why platforms like AUX Exchange, MoraSwap, and ThetaSwap aren’t just outdated—they’re dangerous. Others reveal how fake exchanges like ThetaSwap don’t even exist, but still trick people into clicking links. You’ll learn how to spot a dead exchange by its trading volume, its team silence, and its lack of audits. You’ll see how some of these platforms are barely more than domain squatters with a fake UI.
This isn’t about history. It’s about survival. If you’re trading crypto, you need to know which exchanges are alive—and which are just tombstones with a login page. The next time you see a platform with a name you vaguely remember, ask yourself: Is this still running… or just pretending to?
