The current state of decentralized exchanges? (colored coins, counterparty, etc)

[rebel24]

I am a huge proponent of freedom and progress, and I think thats going on right now, but I'm not that deep into understanding whats going on right now so if you are and do understand it please do share!


Some questions:
Are there any decentralized exchanges currently up and running? The thread I pasted below on reddit showed that coloredcoins is launching and that got my interest, but there, a lot of people are talking about a currency called "Counterparty" and apparently they have an exchange up, I am wondering is that exchange up and running?

Can I buy assets on that exchange? (like securities of silver, or wheat, or bitcoin options etc?)


Also, who are the players that are closest to making this happen? Like which coins / communities?




Here is the: reddit.com/r/bitcoin thread: http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/25alg9/colored_coins_are_finally_happening/ )

[justusranvier]

I see no evidence that any of the projects you mentioned even have a useful definition of what "decentralized exchange" means, much less a plan for creating one.

Most of the time, when someone uses the word "decentralized" it means they don't actually know what they are trying to achieve.

[BitCoinDream]

Decentralized Exchange is an inherently vague word as long as FIAT is exchanges against coins.