No, they are not, although some of the best cryptocurrency brokers are top-rated exchanges, at the same time, too. The terms "broker" and "exchange" can often be used interchangeably, however, traditionally, these two types of platforms do differ. Exchanges are usually more-approachable and simpler to use, and allow you to trade in a traditional order book manner - brokers, on the other hand, house far more advanced and complicated trading tools and features.