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TRADING_SETUP.md

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Live Trading Setup

⚠️ This system trades with real money. You can lose money. Only proceed if you understand the risks.

Quick Setup

1. Create Exchange API Keys

Recommended exchanges:

  • Kraken (US-friendly, reliable)
  • Coinbase Pro (US-based)
  • Binance (high liquidity, restricted in some US states)

API Permissions:

  • ✅ Read account balance
  • ✅ Place orders
  • ✅ Cancel orders
  • ❌ Withdraw funds (keep disabled)

2. Configure Environment

# Copy example config
cp .env.example .env

# Edit .env
KRAKEN_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
KRAKEN_API_SECRET=your_secret_here

# Safety settings (start small!)
TRADING_MODE=paper
MAX_POSITION_SIZE=50
MIN_PROFIT_THRESHOLD=1.0

3. Test in Paper Mode

python run_clean.py
# Choose option 1 (Paper Trading)

Verify the system finds opportunities and simulates trades correctly.

4. Switch to Live Trading

# Edit .env
TRADING_MODE=live

# Run
python run_clean.py
# Choose option 2 (Live Trading)
# Confirm with 'YES' when prompted

Safety Limits

Conservative (Recommended):

MAX_POSITION_SIZE=50      # $50 per trade
MIN_PROFIT_THRESHOLD=1.0  # 1% minimum profit

Aggressive (Advanced):

MAX_POSITION_SIZE=500     # $500 per trade
MIN_PROFIT_THRESHOLD=0.3  # 0.3% minimum profit

Monitoring

The system displays:

  • Real-time trade execution
  • Actual profit/loss per cycle
  • Current account balance
  • Win rate and performance metrics

Example output:

💰 STARTING CYCLE: USD -> EUR -> BTC -> USD
✅ COMPLETED: USD -> EUR -> BTC -> USD
💰 REAL BALANCE UPDATE:
   📊 Before: $10,000.00 → After: $10,012.50
   💵 Real Profit/Loss: $+12.50

Troubleshooting

"API key invalid"

  • Verify API key and secret in .env
  • Ensure trading permissions are enabled

"Insufficient funds"

  • Check exchange account balance
  • Lower MAX_POSITION_SIZE

"No profitable opportunities"

  • Normal - system waits for good opportunities
  • Lower MIN_PROFIT_THRESHOLD slightly if too restrictive

Security Best Practices

  1. Never share API keys
  2. Keep .env file private (in .gitignore)
  3. Use minimal API permissions (no withdrawals)
  4. Start with small position sizes
  5. Monitor trades closely initially

Getting Started Checklist

  • Create exchange account and verify identity
  • Generate API keys (trading only, no withdrawals)
  • Copy .env.example to .env
  • Add API credentials to .env
  • Set TRADING_MODE=paper
  • Set small MAX_POSITION_SIZE=50
  • Test with paper trading
  • When satisfied, switch to TRADING_MODE=live
  • Start with real money (small amounts!)

Remember: Only invest what you can afford to lose.