Starting copy trading on Bybit takes less than 15 minutes from account creation to your first active copy. This guide walks you through every step, including what settings to configure, what to watch out for, and which metrics matter most when selecting a trader.
Before You Start: What You Need
- A valid email address or phone number for registration
- Government-issued ID for KYC verification (passport or driver's license)
- USDT to deposit — minimum $100 recommended, though you can start with less
- 5–10 minutes to set up your account and choose your first trader
Good news: You don't need any trading knowledge, technical analysis skills, or prior crypto experience to start copy trading on Bybit. The platform handles everything automatically once you configure it.
6 Steps to Start Copy Trading on Bybit
Create Your Bybit Account
Visit Bybit and click "Sign Up." Register with your email or phone number and create a strong password. You'll receive a verification code — enter it and your account is created.
Next, complete KYC verification (identity verification). Go to Account → Verification → Basic KYC. Upload your ID photo and a selfie. Approval typically takes a few minutes.
Deposit USDT
Navigate to Assets → Deposit. Select USDT and choose your preferred network (TRC-20 is cheapest for transfers, ERC-20 is widely compatible). Copy your deposit address and send USDT from your wallet or another exchange.
For copy trading beginners, $200–500 USDT is a comfortable starting range. It's enough to see meaningful returns without overexposure during your learning phase.
Navigate to Copy Trading
In the Bybit app: tap the menu → "Copy Trading." On desktop: click "Derivatives" → "Copy Trading" from the top navigation. You'll land on the trader leaderboard — a ranked list of all active copy traders on the platform.
Choose Your Trader Carefully
This is the most important decision. Don't just pick the trader with the highest recent ROI — look at the full picture:
- ROI over 90 days or more — Short-term spikes can be lucky. Sustained performance is what matters.
- Win rate 70%+ — Indicates a consistent strategy, not random big wins.
- Max drawdown below 20% — Shows the trader manages risk and doesn't blow up accounts.
- Trade count 20+ — More trades = more statistically significant track record.
- Follower count — A large number of active followers indicates trust, but isn't the only factor.
For a detailed breakdown of how to evaluate traders, see our guide: How to Choose the Best Trader to Copy →
Configure Your Copy Parameters
After clicking "Copy" on a trader's profile, you'll configure these settings:
- Copy amount — How much USDT to allocate to this copy. This is the pool the trades draw from. Start with 20–50% of your total capital if you're new.
- Copy ratio — Fixed ratio (matches your capital size to theirs) or fixed amount per trade. Fixed ratio is simpler for beginners.
- Max loss limit — The most important setting. If your copy account drops by this percentage, copying stops automatically. Set it to 15–25% depending on your risk tolerance.
- Take profit target (optional) — Automatically stop copying after reaching a target ROI.
Activate and Monitor
Click "Confirm" and you're live. Your account will now mirror every trade the trader opens. You can monitor your copy in real time under "My Copy" in the Copy Trading section.
Check in weekly rather than daily. Micro-managing and stopping copies after short losing streaks is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Good traders have losing periods — what matters is the long-term trend.
Recommended Settings for Beginners
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Chasing the highest recent ROI — A 500% return in one week often means extreme risk was taken. Look at drawdown and consistency.
- Allocating 100% of your capital to one trader — Diversify across 2–3 traders if your capital allows ($500+).
- Stopping a copy after 2–3 losing trades — All traders have losing streaks. Evaluate performance over months, not days.
- Setting no loss limit — Always set a max loss. Without it, a single bad week can wipe out most of your allocation.
- Investing more than you can afford to lose — Crypto is volatile. Only use capital that won't affect your financial stability if lost.
Important: Never invest money you can't afford to lose. Copy trading amplifies both gains and losses. Start small, learn how the system works, and scale up gradually once you're comfortable.