How to start copy trading: a practical step-by-step guide for beginners

Before you begin

You’ve read about what copy trading is, why it works for busy professionals like doctors and lawyers, and you understand our investment philosophy. Now it’s time for the practical part: how do you actually get started?

The process is simpler than most people expect. It comes down to three steps: open an account on a cryptocurrency exchange, transfer funds into it, and choose a trader to follow. Let’s walk through each one in detail.

Step 1: open an account on a crypto exchange

The first thing you need is an account on a cryptocurrency exchange that supports copy trading. The two platforms we recommend are Bybit and Bitget — both have robust, exchange-native copy trading features with verified trader performance data.

Here’s what the sign-up process looks like:

Go to the exchange’s website or download their mobile app. Click “Sign Up” and enter your email address. You’ll receive a verification code — enter it, and your basic account is created. That part takes about two minutes.

Next comes identity verification, known as KYC (Know Your Customer). This is a standard regulatory requirement across all reputable exchanges. You’ll need to provide a government-issued ID (passport or driver’s license) and, in some cases, a selfie for facial verification. Bybit requires at least Individual KYC Level 1 before you can start copy trading. Bitget has a similar requirement.

KYC verification typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on the platform and your region. Once approved, your account is ready to fund.

Practical tip: Use your real, everyday email address — you’ll receive trade notifications and security alerts through it. Also, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) immediately after creating your account. This adds a crucial layer of security to protect your funds.

Step 2: fund your account

With your account verified, the next step is depositing funds. Both Bybit and Bitget offer several ways to do this:

Credit or debit card. The fastest option. Most exchanges accept Visa and Mastercard for instant purchases. You buy USDT (a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar) directly with your card. There’s usually a small processing fee (around 1–2%).

Bank transfer. Lower fees than card payments, but it can take 1–3 business days to process depending on your bank and country.

P2P (peer-to-peer). Both platforms have P2P marketplaces where you buy crypto directly from other users using local payment methods — bank transfer, Pix, PayPal, or other options depending on your region. This is often the best option for users in countries where direct card purchases aren’t available.

Crypto transfer. If you already hold crypto on another platform or wallet, you can transfer it directly. Just make sure you’re sending to the correct network (e.g., USDT on the TRC-20 or ERC-20 network).

How much should you deposit? Bybit’s minimum for copy trading is 100 USDT (roughly $100). Bitget has similar minimums depending on the trader you choose. Our recommendation: start with an amount you’re genuinely comfortable losing entirely. This isn’t pessimism — it’s smart risk management. You can always add more once you’re confident in the process.

Practical tip: Buy USDT specifically. It’s the standard currency for copy trading on both platforms. Think of USDT as your “trading account balance” — it maintains a stable $1 value while you decide how to allocate it.

Step 3: choose a trader to follow

This is the most important decision you’ll make, so take your time with it.

Both Bybit and Bitget have dedicated copy trading sections where you can browse through hundreds of available traders. Each trader has a public profile showing their verified performance data. Here’s what to look for:

ROI (Return on Investment). This is the trader’s overall profitability. Look at both the total ROI and the 30-day and 90-day figures. A trader with consistent returns over 90 days is generally more reliable than one with a spectacular but short track record.

Win rate. The percentage of trades that were profitable. A high win rate (above 60%) is encouraging, but don’t rely on this alone — a trader can have a high win rate with small wins and occasional large losses.

Maximum drawdown. This is the largest peak-to-trough decline in the trader’s account. It tells you the worst-case scenario they’ve experienced. A trader with 80% ROI but 50% max drawdown took enormous risks to get there. Look for traders whose drawdowns are proportionally modest relative to their returns.

Stability index. Bybit assigns a stability score from 0 to 5 to each trader. Higher is better. This measures how consistent the trader’s returns have been over time.

AUM (Assets Under Management). This shows how much capital other followers have entrusted to this trader. High AUM generally indicates trust from the community, but don’t use this as your sole criterion — popular isn’t always best.

Trading style. Some traders focus exclusively on BTC and ETH, while others trade a wide range of altcoins. Some use high leverage, others are conservative. Review their recent trade history to understand their approach and make sure it aligns with your risk tolerance.

Profit sharing ratio. Traders earn a percentage of the profits they generate for followers — typically between 5% and 15%. Bitget uses a High Water Mark model, meaning traders only earn profit share when your account reaches new highs. This aligns their incentives with yours.

Practical tip: Don’t put all your capital behind a single trader. Spreading your allocation across 2–4 traders with different strategies gives you diversification — the same way you wouldn’t put all your money in a single stock.

Step 4: configure your settings and start

Once you’ve selected a trader, click “Copy” on their profile. Before the copying begins, you’ll be asked to configure a few important settings:

Investment amount. How much of your deposited funds do you want to allocate to this specific trader? Remember, you can split your balance across multiple traders.

Copy stop-loss (CSL). This is your safety net. If your losses with a particular trader reach a certain percentage, the system will automatically close all copied positions and unfollow the trader. On Bybit, the default CSL is 0% — meaning it’s off by default. We strongly recommend setting this to a level you’re comfortable with, such as 20–30%.

Take profit and stop loss per trade. Some platforms let you set additional limits on individual trades, giving you an extra layer of control beyond what the trader sets.

Once your settings are confirmed, agree to the terms and click “Copy Now.” From this point on, every new trade the master trader opens will be automatically mirrored in your account, proportional to your allocation.

Important: only trades opened after you start following will be copied. You won’t inherit the trader’s existing open positions.

Step 5: monitor, learn, and adjust

Copy trading is hands-off, but it’s not set-and-forget. Check your copy trading dashboard periodically — once a day or a few times a week is plenty.

Pay attention to how each trader is performing. Are their results consistent with what their profile showed? Is the drawdown within the range you expected? Are they taking trades that align with the strategy you signed up for?

Over time, you’ll develop a sense for what works and what doesn’t. You might decide to increase your allocation to a high-performing trader, reduce exposure to an underperforming one, or add new traders to your portfolio. You always retain full control — you can manually close any trade, unfollow any trader, or withdraw your funds at any time.

You’re closer than you think

The entire setup process — from creating your account to placing your first copy trade — can be completed in a single afternoon. The hardest part isn’t the technical steps. It’s taking that first action.

You don’t need to become a trader. You don’t need to understand every indicator or chart pattern. You just need to pick a reputable platform, fund it with an amount you’re comfortable with, and choose traders whose approach and risk management align with your goals.

The infrastructure exists. The tools are transparent. The professionals are already trading. All that’s missing is you.