⚠️ Disclaimer
I'm not against all trading bots. I'm against bots with closed-source algorithms, magical "AI strategies" and signal-based black boxes.
If you don’t understand how the bot trades — don’t be surprised when it burns your balance. ⚠️ Disclaimer Disclaimer I'm not against all trading bots. I'm against bots with closed-source algorithms, magical "AI strategies" and signal-based black boxes. all bots with closed-source algorithms, magical "AI strategies" and signal-based black boxes If you don’t understand how the bot trades — don’t be surprised when it burns your balance. how But if you use bots as tools, based on your own strategy, like manually set DCA levels, TP logic, or trailing setups — that’s fine. The bot is the assistant. You are the strategy. tools your own strategy You are the strategy. So Who Really Profits? Let’s be real. Those who push “AI trading bots” and autopilot strategies don’t profit when you win — they profit when you keep trading. keep trading Here's who's actually making money: 1. The Bot Service The Bot Service Charges monthly subscriptions ($20–$100+)
Takes up to 70% of the commission fees you pay to the exchange
Gets bonuses and kickbacks from exchanges through affiliate deals Charges monthly subscriptions ($20–$100+) subscriptions Takes up to 70% of the commission fees you pay to the exchange 70% of the commission fees Gets bonuses and kickbacks from exchanges through affiliate deals bonuses and kickbacks Their goal is simple: Not your profit — but your volume.
The more you trade, the more they earn. Win or lose? That’s on you. Not your profit — but your volume. profit volume The more you trade, the more they earn. Win or lose? That’s on you. 2. The Exchange The Exchange Earns on every trade, win or lose
Grows active user base via bot partnerships
Loves sideways markets — bots go brrr, you pay fees Earns on every trade, win or lose Grows active user base via bot partnerships Loves sideways markets — bots go brrr, you pay fees 3. Affiliate Influencers Affiliate Influencers Earn up to 40% lifetime commission on trades from their referrals
Review bots in "educational" content that's really just promotion
Push pre-made “strategies” that sound pro but perform like roulette Earn up to 40% lifetime commission on trades from their referrals 40% lifetime commission Review bots in "educational" content that's really just promotion Push pre-made “strategies” that sound pro but perform like roulette 4. You? You? You're the hopeful one. You buy a subscription, trust “Strategy #3 from the community”, and... well, you know how this ends. The Promises vs The Reality What They Promise

What Actually Happens



“AI-powered neural network bot”

Some closed script with random indicators



“Guaranteed passive income”

No guarantee. All risk = yours. All profit = theirs



“Top strategies from pro traders”

Copy-trading with zero transparency or track record



“24/7 automated trading”

Yep — and 24/7 losses during bad market conditions What They Promise

What Actually Happens



“AI-powered neural network bot”

Some closed script with random indicators



“Guaranteed passive income”

No guarantee. All risk = yours. All profit = theirs



“Top strategies from pro traders”

Copy-trading with zero transparency or track record



“24/7 automated trading”

Yep — and 24/7 losses during bad market conditions What They Promise

What Actually Happens What They Promise What They Promise What Actually Happens What Actually Happens “AI-powered neural network bot”

Some closed script with random indicators “AI-powered neural network bot” “AI-powered neural network bot” Some closed script with random indicators Some closed script with random indicators “Guaranteed passive income”

No guarantee. All risk = yours. All profit = theirs “Guaranteed passive income” “Guaranteed passive income” No guarantee. All risk = yours. All profit = theirs No guarantee. All risk = yours. All profit = theirs “Top strategies from pro traders”

Copy-trading with zero transparency or track record “Top strategies from pro traders” “Top strategies from pro traders” Copy-trading with zero transparency or track record Copy-trading with zero transparency or track record “24/7 automated trading”

Yep — and 24/7 losses during bad market conditions “24/7 automated trading” “24/7 automated trading” Yep — and 24/7 losses during bad market conditions Yep — and 24/7 losses during bad market conditions Why I Think This Model Is a Scam Simple question, simple answer If these bots really made consistent profit — why would they sell them to you for $29/month? If these bots really made consistent profit — why would they sell them to you for $29/month? sell them to you for $29/month? They’d Take a cut of your profit
Limit access to avoid overexposure of the strategy
Use it to trade for themselves, not you Take a cut of your profit cut of your profit Limit access to avoid overexposure of the strategy Limit access Use it to trade for themselves, not you trade for themselves But instead, they sell you a subscription, route your API through their affiliate program, and watch you bleed fees. Most Popular Crypto Bot Platforms (That Profit From You, Not For You) Here’s a list of popular services that market their bots as “smart” 3Commas
Pionex
Bitsgap
TradeSanta
Quadency
Shrimpy
CryptoHopper
Zignaly
Coinrule
Mudrex 3Commas 3Commas Pionex Pionex Bitsgap Bitsgap TradeSanta TradeSanta Quadency Quadency Shrimpy Shrimpy CryptoHopper CryptoHopper Zignaly Zignaly Coinrule Coinrule Mudrex Mudrex They all: Sell shiny templates and “pre-made strategies”
Keep their internal logic hidden or vague
Make money from subscriptions and exchange kickbacks Sell shiny templates and “pre-made strategies” Keep their internal logic hidden or vague Make money from subscriptions and exchange kickbacks subscriptions exchange kickbacks Don’t Believe Me? Just Check Trustpilot Yeah, most of these platforms have 4.5+ stars on Trustpilot. But come on — do you really think a platform making millions can’t buy reputation? buy reputation Scroll to the 1-star reviews. That’s where the real stories are. Scroll to the 1-star reviews. That’s where the real stories are. People lost money
Support didn’t help
They were told, “That’s just how markets work” People lost money Support didn’t help They were told, “That’s just how markets work” I believe those reviews — because I’ve been there too. believe those reviews To break up the wall of text, I'll be inserting examples of negative reviews for various services To break up the wall of text, I'll be inserting examples of negative reviews for various services Real Trading Bots DO Exist (Just Not for You) Yes, real trading bots exist — and they work very well. very well They’re used by Market makers
High-frequency trading desks
Quant funds with co-located servers and millisecond execution Market makers High-frequency trading desks Quant funds with co-located servers and millisecond execution co-located servers They arbitrage across 5–10 exchanges at once, optimize latency, and handle massive volume. massive volume Do you think they’re gonna share those bots with you… for $29/month? Do you think they’re gonna share those bots with you… for $29/month? My Background I used to work in many businesses before diving into crypto. And let me tell you: many businesses 30% annual return is a fantastic result — for a real business. 30% annual return is a fantastic result — for a real business. 30% annual return A business where people: Spend time and energy
Pay taxes
Take risk with no guarantee of income Spend time and energy Pay taxes Take risk with no guarantee of income no guarantee of income So when a bot service promises 100%, 200%, 1000%+ annual ROI — sorry, I’m out. 100%, 200%, 1000%+ annual ROI I’m not chasing 100000%.  I just want sustainable returns and low risk. sustainable returns low risk And if I feel like going full degen? I’ll spin some slots or ape into a meme coin on a DEX (just kidding — don’t try this at home.) just kidding — don’t try this at home. How to Spot a Legit Trading Bot (Rare Species Alert) Here’s my personal checklist: The service only charges a % of your profit
No fixed monthly subscription
You know exactly how it works
It promises realistic returns — 20–70% annually
You stay in control of strategy logic The service only charges a % of your profit a % of your profit No fixed monthly subscription You know exactly how it works exactly how it works It promises realistic returns — 20–70% annually realistic returns You stay in control of strategy logic in control No, I’m not promoting anyone — but one day I found a startup doing exactly this: ~20–70% annual returns, you only pay if you profit. ~20–70% annual returns, you only pay if you profit. you only pay if you profit They’re still in early stage, but this is the only model that makes sense to me. only model that makes sense Wanna check it out? DM me on Twitter @Mr_Reaper_crypt. I’ll share the link. Wanna check it out? @Mr_Reaper_crypt Share Your Experience I’m not claiming to be an expert. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned — from both personal failures and community feedback. If you’ve used any of these bots — good or bad — drop a comment. Maybe together we can figure out which tools actually work… and which ones belong in the trash bin of Web3 history. drop a comment “In trading, survival is more important than speed. There are no trophies for going broke fast.” “In trading, survival is more important than speed. There are no trophies for going broke fast.”

This story contains new, firsthand information uncovered by the writer.

The writer is smart, but don't just like, take their word for it. #DoYourOwnResearch before making any investment decisions or decisions regarding your health or security. (Do not regard any of this content as professional investment advice, or health advice)

This story will praise and/or roast a product, company, service, game, or anything else people like to review on the Internet.

That Crypto Trading Bot Isn't Always Making Money For You

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