Before engaging with any trading or DeFi interface, consider a risk checklist that covers regulation, security, markets, and operations.

• Regulatory: requirements vary by jurisdiction (e.g., evolving EU MiCA rules). Understand what, if any, licenses a service claims and how that affects your protections.
• Security: look for audits, responsible disclosure programs, and clear wallet‑permission prompts. Be cautious with unlimited token approvals.
• Market: expect volatility; size positions accordingly; use limit orders when possible; validate price sources.
• Operational: confirm RPC redundancy, uptime history, and the presence of a status page. Favor tools that fail safely and communicate clearly.

Personal safeguards such as hardware wallets, unique per‑site approvals, and segregated “hot” vs “cold” funds materially reduce risk over time.