How to Copy Trade on Bybit App: Step-by-Step Guide for Smart Traders

Published On: 2025-10-27

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.

Copy trading can fast-track your crypto learning curve and potentially improve returns by following experienced traders. This comprehensive guide explains how to copy trade on Bybit app, from account setup and choosing the right traders to risk management, monitoring, and advanced tips. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader wanting to add social trading to your toolkit, you’ll find practical, actionable steps and reliable resources to start copy trading on Bybit today.

What is copy trading and why use it?

Copy trading (also called social trading) is a system where you automatically replicate the trades of another trader in real time. The copied trades are executed in your account proportionally based on the allocation settings you choose. For a clear definition and history, see the Wikipedia entry on copy trading. For a beginner-friendly overview of the concept and common terms, Investopedia is also a helpful resource: Copy Trading — Investopedia.

Reasons traders copy trade on Bybit or other platforms:

Accelerate learning by observing experienced traders’ strategies and discipline.
Potentially earn returns without trading full-time.
Diversify exposure by following multiple strategies and leaders.
Automate execution to avoid emotion-driven mistakes.

Bybit copy trading overview — what the Bybit app supports

Bybit provides social and copy trading features that allow users to follow professional traders, copy their spot or derivatives trades (depending on product availability), and manage risk via allocation and stop-loss settings. The Bybit app's interface is mobile-first and aims to simplify the process for retail traders. Before proceeding, ensure you have the latest version of the Bybit app installed and that your account meets KYC and funding requirements.

Before you start: prerequisites and safety checklist

Create and verify your Bybit account (KYC may be required for some features). You can sign up via this invite link: Bybit invite.
Fund your Bybit wallet with the asset(s) you plan to use for copy trading (USDT is commonly used).
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and secure your account credentials.
Understand product types: spot vs. derivatives (futures/perpetuals) and leverage implications.
Decide on a budget and maximum risk per copied trader.

Step-by-step: how to copy trade on Bybit app

Below is a detailed, practical walkthrough to set up and start copy trading on the Bybit mobile app.

Install and sign in to the Bybit app
Download the Bybit mobile app from the official app store and sign in with your account. If you don’t have an account yet, register here: Bybit registration.
Find the Copy Trading / Social Trading section
Open the app and navigate to the “Copy Trading” or “Discover” tab (names can vary with app updates). Bybit lists popular strategy leaders, their performance stats, risk score, and assets traded.
Filter and search leaders
Use filters to narrow candidates by:
- Trading product (spot, margin, perpetuals)
- Timeframe (1 month, 3 months, 1 year)
- Minimum follower requirement
- Risk score and maximum drawdown
Analyze trader performance
Open a leader’s profile and review these metrics:
- Cumulative ROI — but always check the period (past month vs. past year).
- Maximum drawdown — a key risk indicator.
- Win rate and average profit/loss per trade.
- Number of trades and frequency (scalper vs. swing trader).
- Assets targeted (BTC, altcoins, tokens) — ensure asset overlap with your goals.
Check strategy details and risk controls
Some leaders describe their strategy (trend following, mean reversion, news-based). Confirm whether they use leverage and how big typical positions are. Look for traders who publish rationale and past trade commentary.
Set allocation and risk parameters
Decide how much of your capital to allocate to that leader. Common practices:
- Limit exposure per leader (e.g., 2–10% of portfolio per leader).
- Set a maximum active trade size or percentage of account.
- Use built-in stop-loss or manual stop-loss orders if the app supports them.
Enable copy and confirm settings
After configuring allocation, leverage, and stop-loss, enable the copy feature. The app will typically show a summary of expected allocation and risk. Confirm to start copying future trades automatically.
Monitor and adjust
Track the copied trades and leader performance regularly. Adjust allocation or stop copying if the trader’s performance diverges from your risk tolerance.

Choosing the right trader to copy — criteria and examples

Not all top ROI traders are suitable. A high return often comes with high risk. Use the following objective criteria to compare leaders.

Consistency over time: A trader with steady returns and low drawdowns over 6–12 months is often preferable to a trader with a sharp spike in returns over a short period.
Maximum drawdown: If you cannot tolerate a 30% drawdown, don’t copy traders who regularly hit that level.
Trade frequency: Scalpers may generate many small trades, increasing fees and slippage. Swing traders trade less frequently but may capture larger moves.
Strategy transparency: Traders who explain their approach and risk management are more trustworthy than anonymous, opaque accounts.
Position sizing and leverage: Traders using high leverage expose you to quick liquidation risks.

Example: Trader A shows 120% return in 3 months but a max drawdown of 65% and frequent high-leverage positions. Trader B shows 45% return in 6 months with a max drawdown of 12% and uses mostly spot or low-leverage positions. For a conservative follower, Trader B is typically the better choice.

Risk management: how to protect your capital while copy trading

Copy trading concentrates risk if you follow only a few leaders. Follow these rules to reduce downside:

Position sizing: Allocate a fixed percentage of your portfolio to each copied trader (e.g., 2–10%). Use simple formulas: Allocation = Total capital × Desired % per leader.
Diversify: Follow multiple leaders with different strategies and assets to spread risk.
Set stop-losses: Use platform stop-loss settings where available. Alternatively, set alerts and manually intervene.
Cap leverage: Limit or avoid copying traders with extreme leverage settings.
Use an emergency kill-switch: Decide in advance what drawdown or loss triggers termination of a copy relationship (e.g., stop copying if drawdown > 20%).

Practical example of position sizing: If you have $5,000 and decide to allocate 5% to a leader, you’ll allocate $250. If you copy 5 leaders with the same rule, that’s 25% total allocated, leaving 75% unexposed or used for other strategies.

Fees, slippage, and tax considerations

Be aware of:

Trading fees: Copying frequent traders increases fee frequency. Calculate fee drag on expected returns.
Slippage: High-frequency or low-liquidity trades may suffer slippage between leader execution and follower execution.
Taxes: Copy trading still produces taxable events. Keep records of trades and consult local tax rules or a tax professional. For general guidelines, consult government tax resources or educational sites in your jurisdiction.

Monitoring and optimizing your copy trades

Active monitoring helps you avoid surprises. Recommended routine:

Review performance weekly and monthly — compare leaders against benchmarks like BTC or a crypto index.
Track correlations — if all leaders trade BTC, you may have concentrated exposure.
Reallocate capital if a leader’s long-term performance deteriorates.
Use A/B testing — copy a small allocation first; increase if performance meets expectations over time.

Tools and integrations that help

Use charting and alert tools like TradingView to cross-check leaders’ trades. If you use multiple brokers or want to integrate signal feeds with charting, see this guide on brokers that integrate with TradingView for 2025: Which brokers integrate with TradingView in 2025 — Ultimate Guide.

Advanced tips: blending copy trading with your own strategy

Hybrid approach: Combine manual trades with copy trades to benefit from both personalized insights and automation.
Partial copy: If the platform supports it, copy only a percentage of each trade rather than full replication to manage exposure.
Use signals selectively: Some traders publish signal channels (e.g., live YouTube signals). Use them alongside copy trading for confirmation; for more on signals, check this resource: Live Bitcoin Signals & YouTube — Ultimate Guide.
Backtest and paper trade: If available, paper trade a leader for a short period to see how their trades would perform in your account settings.

Common mistakes new copy traders make

Copying solely based on short-term returns without checking drawdowns and consistency.
Over-allocating to a single leader or replicating too many leveraged strategies.
Failing to adapt — markets evolve, and a strategy that worked in one cycle may underperform later.
Neglecting tax and recordkeeping obligations.

Examples: two sample copy trading setups

Example A — Conservative follower

Account size: $10,000
Allocate 3% per leader = $300 per leader
Follow 5 leaders across spot BTC, ETH, and low-volatility altcoins
Stop copying if any leader’s drawdown exceeds 15%

Example B — Growth-oriented follower

Account size: $10,000
Allocate 7% per leader = $700 per leader
Follow 3 leaders who use moderate leverage and swing strategies
Use trailing stop-loss and limit total exposure to 30% of portfolio

Comparing Bybit copy trading with other exchanges

Bybit is not the only platform that offers copy trading or social trading features. When comparing, consider fees, supported products, leader verification, liquidity, and integration with external tools. Popular exchanges to explore include Binance, MEXC, and Bitget. You can register with these platforms via the following links:

If you want to read more about trading strategies that pair well with copy trading or as supplementary knowledge, see this beginner strategy guide: Crypto Trading Strategy for Beginners — 2025 Guide. For trending signals and what traders are following this year, explore: Most Popular Trading Signals 2025 — Practical Guide.

Ethical and regulatory considerations

Copy trading involves following other people’s financial decisions — be mindful of disclosures, potential conflicts of interest, and the regulatory environment in your country. If you’re exploring passive income or yield products offered alongside copy trading (like exchange “earn” products), consider ethical questions and compliance; for instance, this guide discusses Shariah considerations for crypto products: Is Binance Earn Halal? — Shariah Guide.

How to evaluate signal services and paid leaders

Some traders or services charge subscription fees for signals or premium leader status. Before paying:

Check a verified track record — raw returns aren’t enough without context.
Review independent community feedback and long-term performance.
Start with a short trial or small allocation to validate performance.

For curated signal service overviews and how signal popularity is shifting in 2025, this article is a helpful resource: Live Bitcoin Signals & YouTube — Ultimate Guide and Most Popular Trading Signals 2025.

FAQ — Quick answers about copy trading on Bybit app

Is copy trading available on the Bybit mobile app?

Yes — Bybit offers copy trading features in the mobile app. Availability of product types (spot vs. derivatives) may vary by region and account level.

Can I copy traders who use leverage?

Yes, but copying leveraged traders multiplies both potential gains and losses. Check the trader’s leverage use and consider limiting your own allocated leverage or avoiding such traders if you are risk-averse.

How much should I allocate to a copied trader?

There’s no universal answer. Conservative followers often allocate 1–5% per leader, while growth-oriented followers may allocate 5–10%. Use position sizing rules and never risk more than you can afford to lose.

Can I stop copying at any time?

Yes. You can usually stop copying a leader at any time and close or close-win positions according to the platform’s rules.

Final checklist before you start copying on Bybit

Verify account and secure 2FA
Fund the wallet with your chosen asset
Research and shortlist 3–5 potential leaders
Start small — test with low allocations
Set stop-loss and maximum drawdown limits
Monitor weekly and rebalance monthly

Conclusion — start copying responsibly

Knowing how to copy trade on Bybit app is one thing; doing it wisely is another. Use rigorous vetting, disciplined risk management, and ongoing monitoring. Start small, diversify across leaders and strategies, and complement copy trading with education and chart analysis. If you’re ready to begin, register on Bybit here: Bybit registration, or compare alternatives on Binance, MEXC, and Bitget with the links above. For strategy primers and signal guides referenced in this article, explore the linked resources to build a robust, long-term approach to copy trading.