What is Copy Trading and How Can I Use It to Start Trading

Copy trading is a popular investment strategy that allows you to copy the trades of experienced traders.

It’s an excellent way to start trading without having to learn the ins and outs of the market yourself. Having said that, you should never start copy trading without having a decent knowledge of the way the financial markets work, and how the trading platforms operate too.

Put simply, copy trading is not a magic way to make money without working hard. It still requires some knowledge, effort, understanding and input on your part.

So, with that out of the way we’ll discuss what copy trading is, how to use it, and the difference between copy trading and paid signals.

What is Copy Trading?

Copy trading is an investment strategy that allows you to automatically copy the trades of experienced traders. It’s a popular way for novice traders to start trading without having to learn the intricacies of the market.

Essentially, you’re copying the trades of someone else who has a successful track record. This can be done through a copy trading platform or social trading network. It can be a good way to understand how other people trade, and even find your own trading strategy.

The process of copy trading is relatively simple. You first select a trader whose trades in a market that you want to copy, and then you allocate a portion of your capital to follow their trades.

Whenever the trader makes a trade, it’s automatically executed in your account in proportion to the amount you allocated to that trader.

You can do copy trading in both traditional financial markets and crypto too, and some platforms can do both.

How to Start Copy Trading

To start copy trading, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Choose a copy trading platform: There are many copy trading platforms available, so it’s essential to choose one that meets your specific needs. Look for a platform that has a good reputation, user-friendly interface, and a wide range of traders to choose from.
2. Open an account: Once you’ve chosen a platform, you’ll need to open an account. This will involve providing some personal information and verifying your identity.
3. Fund your account: You’ll need to deposit funds into your account to start copying trades. The amount you’ll need to deposit will depend on the platform you choose and the minimum investment amount. Some will choose to copy trade with $100, others $1000 or more. Never trade with more than you can afford to lose…
4. Select traders to copy: Once you’ve funded your account, you can start selecting traders to copy. Look for traders with a track record of success and a trading strategy that aligns with your investment goals. You should also check how often the traders do their trading, and when. For example, if you’re based in Europe, it’s often a good idea to follow a trader who operates in your time zone, or at least during your waking hours.
5. Set your risk management strategy: It’s crucial to have a risk management strategy in place when copy trading. This can include setting stop-loss orders and diversifying your portfolio. You should also make a point of tracking the trades that your trader is making, taking notes and analysing what is working and what isn’t.

It’s essential to note that copy trading platforms typically charge a fee for their services.

This fee can be in the form of a commission on the trades you copy, a percentage of your profits, or a flat fee. Be sure to understand the fee structure of the platform you choose before you start copy trading.

What’s the Difference Between Copy Trading and Paid Signals?

Paid signals are another investment strategy that’s often confused with copy trading. However, there are some key differences. Paid signals involve subscribing to a service that provides trading signals based on market analysis.

You’ll need to manually enter these trades into your account. In contrast, copy trading allows you to automatically copy the trades of experienced traders.

Paid signals can be beneficial because they provide you with market insights and trading signals that you can use to inform your trading decisions. However, they require a more hands-on approach than copy trading, as you’ll need to monitor the signals and execute the trades yourself.

Some people prefer paid signals as it gives them the power to trade on their own terms, and even to enter and exit at different times, as they see fit. Of course, using paid signals means you will need a good understanding of the market and to do some of your own analysis as there is more room for error.

The Pros and Cons of Copy Trading

Copy trading has several advantages, including:

• It’s an excellent way to start trading without having to learn about the market.
• You can benefit from the experience of successful traders.
• It’s a passive investment strategy, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time monitoring the market.

However, there are also some disadvantages to consider, including:

• You’re relying on the expertise of others, which means you may miss out on learning opportunities.
• You may be tempted to follow traders with a high-risk tolerance, which can result in significant losses.
• The fees associated with copy trading can add up over time, especially if you’re on a losing streak. On average, fees will be around 10% per trade, win or lose. This is how the copy traders make money from their followers and an incentive to offer their trades to copy.

It’s essential to have a risk management strategy in place when copy trading. This can include setting stop-loss orders and diversifying your portfolio. You should also monitor the performance of the traders you’re copying and adjust your allocations accordingly.

What are some good platforms for copy trading?

There are plenty of great platforms for copy trading in both crypto and the traditional financial markets.

• eToro is perhaps the best known, and has the biggest choice of traders to copy. They also let you copy trade crypto as well as forex and stocks.
• FXPro Copy Trade is a great option for those focusing on forex trading. You can also trade stock based CFDs.
• ByBit is a great platform for copy trading in the crypto space. There are lots of traders to choose from.

Conclusion

Copy trading is a popular investment strategy that allows you to benefit from the expertise of experienced traders.

If you’re new to trading or don’t have the time to learn about the market, copy trading can be an excellent option. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can start copy trading today and take your first steps towards financial success.

Always remember to do your research and have a risk management strategy in place to ensure you’re making informed and responsible trading decisions.