How to Close a Spot Trade on Bybit in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

Published On: 2025-10-23

Prepared by Jameson Richman and our team of experts with over a decade of experience in cryptocurrency and digital asset analysis. Learn more about us.

Learning how to close a spot trade on Bybit is essential for all crypto traders — whether you’re taking profits, cutting losses, or reallocating capital. This comprehensive 2025 guide explains the practical steps to close a spot trade on Bybit (web and mobile), order types you should use, fee considerations, examples with calculations, tax and recordkeeping notes, and advanced tips to improve execution and reduce slippage.

What is a spot trade and why closing it correctly matters

Spot trading means buying or selling an asset for immediate settlement — you exchange one asset for another (e.g., BTC for USDT) at the current market rate. Closing a spot trade on Bybit simply means selling (or converting) the asset you hold. This sounds straightforward, but execution method, order type, timing, and fees affect your final proceeds. For authoritative background on spot markets, see the Wikipedia entry on the spot market.

Quick overview: Ways to close a spot trade on Bybit

Sell using a Market Order — immediate execution at prevailing market price (best for speed).
Sell using a Limit Order — set a target price; execution only if market reaches that price (best for precision).
Sell using Conditional/Stop Orders (Stop-Limit, Stop-Market) — trigger an order when price reaches a threshold (best for automated exits).
Use Convert or Instant Convert (if available) — swap one crypto directly for another using Bybit’s convert feature.
P2P Selling or Fiat Off-Ramp — convert crypto to fiat using P2P or Bybit’s fiat channels if you need cash out.

Preparing to close: Pre-check checklist

Confirm the asset balance is in your Spot Account (not Margin or Derivatives).
Decide whether you need full or partial exit.
Check the order book depth and bid-ask spread for slippage risk.
Review Bybit’s spot trading fees and recent fee updates — fees affect net proceeds (see related fee guidance).
Have price alerts and an exit plan (take-profit and stop-loss levels) documented.

How to close a spot trade on Bybit — Step-by-step (Web)

Step 1: Log into your Bybit account

Go to the Bybit site and sign in. If you don’t have an account, register via this official referral link.

Step 2: Move asset to Spot Account (if needed)

Ensure the crypto you want to sell is in your Spot Wallet. If it’s in Funding, Derivatives, or Earn products, transfer it to Spot first using “Transfer” inside the Bybit wallet interface.

Step 3: Open the Spot Trading interface

Navigate to the Trade > Spot page. Select the trading pair you want (for example, BTC/USDT). The central trading panel shows the order entry, order book, and chart.

Step 4: Choose the right order type

Decide between Market, Limit, or Conditional orders:

Market Order: Immediate execution. Enter the amount you want to sell (crypto amount or quote currency). Confirm to sell at the current best price. Use when you prioritize speed.
Limit Order: Set a price at which to sell. The order will sit on the order book until matched. Use when you want a specific exit price and can wait.
Conditional (Stop) Order: Place a Stop-Limit or Stop-Market to automatically trigger an order if the price reaches a stop price. Useful for automated stop-loss or take-profit strategies.

Step 5: Execute the trade

Enter the amount and the price (if Limit) or choose Market for immediate exit. Review the estimated amount after fees, then click Sell / Confirm. The trade will execute (or place the order) and your Spot balance will update.

Step 6: Confirm and record

Check the Trade History or Orders tab to confirm execution. Download or screenshot details for your records and tax reporting.

How to close a spot trade on Bybit — Step-by-step (Mobile App)

Step 1: Open the Bybit app and log in

Tap the Wallet icon to confirm the asset is in Spot.

Step 2: Access Spot trading

Tap Trade > Spot. Choose the trading pair (e.g., ETH/USDT).

Step 3: Select order type and execute

Pick Market, Limit, or Conditional, set amount/price, and tap Sell. The mobile flow mirrors web but is optimized for touch. Always double-check the amount and estimated net after fees.

Examples with real numbers

Example A — Market sell (fast exit):

Holding: 0.5 BTC
Market price: 60,000 USDT/BTC
Gross proceeds: 0.5 * 60,000 = 30,000 USDT
Assume taker fee 0.1% (example) = 30 USDT
Net proceeds: 29,970 USDT

Example B — Limit sell (target price):

Holding: 2 ETH
Set Limit price: 3,200 USDT/ETH
If filled fully: Gross proceeds = 6,400 USDT
Maker fee (if applicable) may be lower, say 0.04% = 2.56 USDT
Net proceeds: 6,397.44 USDT

These calculations are simplified; always check Bybit’s current fee schedule. For insights into selling fees for Bitcoin in 2025, see this bitcoin sell fee article.

Partial exits and advanced exiting options

Partial exits allow you to lock some profit while keeping exposure for further upside. Simply enter a sell amount smaller than your full holding (e.g., sell 25% or 50% of your holdings).

Advanced tools:

Conditional Orders (Stop-Limit / Stop-Market) to automate exits and loss control.
Limit orders placed within the order book to act as maker orders and possibly reduce fees.
Convert function to swap crypto pairs quickly without an order book — useful for small or immediate swaps.

Reducing slippage and improving execution

Use limit orders when possible to avoid slippage in thin order books.
Check order book depth: large sells into a shallow book cause price impact.
Break large sells into smaller chunks (iceberg strategy) to reduce market impact.
Use time-of-day and liquidity-aware execution — markets are typically deeper during overlapping major market hours.

Fees, costs, and net proceeds

Fees reduce your net proceeds. Bybit’s spot trading fees vary by maker/taker status, VIP level, and promotions. Always check the latest fee schedule on Bybit directly. For context about trading fees more broadly (including stocks), see this overview about fees for trading stocks.

For bitcoin-specific selling costs and scenarios in 2025, review this bitcoin sell fee article for an updated breakdown of fees, network costs, and exchange-specific charges.

Using APIs and automation to close spot trades

Advanced traders often use Bybit’s API to automate exits. You can programmatically:

Place market or limit sell orders when certain conditions are met.
Automate partial exits and reinvest based on signals.

When using APIs, secure your API keys (restrict withdrawals, set IP whitelists) and test strategies in small sizes first. See Bybit’s developer documentation on the official site for API details.

Converting crypto to fiat (cashing out)

If your goal is to convert crypto proceeds to fiat, your options on Bybit include:

P2P trading (peer-to-peer) — often lower fees and direct bank deposit options.
Fiat gateway/partner services — supported payment rails vary by country.
Withdraw stablecoins to a centralized exchange that supports fiat withdrawals, or use over-the-counter (OTC) desks for large amounts.

Tax and recordkeeping

Closing a spot trade is a taxable event in many jurisdictions (e.g., selling crypto for fiat or other crypto may trigger capital gains). Keep accurate records: date/time, quantity, price, fees, and the USD (or local-currency) value at time of sale. For US guidance on virtual currency tax considerations, consult the IRS virtual currencies page.

Common mistakes to avoid

Not checking which wallet (Spot vs. Margin) holds your asset before attempting to sell.
Using market orders during low liquidity or high volatility, leading to significant slippage.
Failing to factor in fees when planning exits.
Not recording transactions for tax or compliance.
Ignoring security with API keys and account access — always use 2FA and secure passwords.

When to use Market vs Limit vs Conditional orders

Market Orders: When speed matters (e.g., sudden drop or immediate profit-taking).
Limit Orders: When you want a specific price and can wait.
Conditional Orders: When you want automation for stop-loss or to trigger an exit at a price band (risk management).

Integrating exit strategy into broader trade plans

Closing a trade should be part of an overall plan: entry rules, position sizing, risk limits, and exit rules. Using predetermined take-profit and stop-loss levels removes emotion and improves consistency. If you want structured strategies for 2025, consider the easy crypto trading strategies guide for practical approaches and allocations.

Copy trading and closing replicated spot positions

If you use Bybit’s copy trading or follow other traders, closing your own spot trade differs from closing a copied position: copied portfolio changes follow the master trader’s rules. To learn how copy trading works and how to manage exits when copying other traders, consult a detailed copy-trade guide specifically for Bybit.

Which exchanges to consider alongside Bybit

Depending on liquidity, fees, and fiat rails, traders sometimes keep accounts across multiple exchanges. Popular alternatives include Binance, MEXC, and Bitget — you can register using these referral links: Binance, MEXC, Bitget. If you intend to stay on Bybit, register with Bybit here.

Security tips before closing trades

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails — always log in directly via official domains.
Keep withdrawal whitelists and API restrictions active.
For large trades, consider OTC execution to minimize market impact.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I partially close a spot trade on Bybit?

A: Yes. Enter the amount you want to sell rather than the full balance when placing the order.

Q: How long does it take to close a spot trade?

A: Market orders execute almost instantly, subject to network and exchange processing. Limit orders depend on market price reaching your target and may remain open until canceled or filled.

Q: Will I be charged withdrawal fees when I convert to fiat?

A: Withdrawal fees and fiat conversion costs vary by rail and country. Check the Bybit withdrawal and fiat on/off ramp pages and the bitcoin sell fee article for currency-specific examples.

Q: How do stop-loss orders work for spot?

A: Conditional/Stop orders trigger a limit or market order when the stop price is reached. They help automate downside protection but may still be subject to slippage in fast markets.

Final checklist before you close a spot trade on Bybit

Confirm asset in Spot wallet.
Decide full or partial exit and the order type (Market/Limit/Conditional).
Check order book depth and current spread.
Estimate fees and net proceeds.
Place order and verify execution in Order History.
Record transaction details for tax and accounting.

Closing a spot trade on Bybit is a fundamental skill that becomes faster and more precise with practice. Use limit orders when possible to conserve value, conditional orders to automate risk control, and always factor in fees and tax implications. If you want to expand beyond Bybit, consider registering on alternate exchanges like Binance, MEXC, or Bitget, or create your Bybit account with the official invite link.

Register links (if you want to open accounts on other exchanges): Binance registration, MEXC registration, Bitget registration, Bybit invite.

If you’d like, I can provide a short checklist you can print or a quick step-by-step mobile-friendly flow to follow next time you need to close a spot trade on Bybit.