---
title: "Bitfinex"
description: "Our Bitfinex integration lets you deploy live trading algorithms on our co-located servers that trade the capital you have in your Bitfinex account."
canonical: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/brokerages/bitfinex
markdown: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/brokerages/bitfinex.md
language: python
source: https://github.com/QuantConnect/Documentation/tree/master/01%20Cloud%20Platform/10%20Live%20Trading/02%20Brokerages/15%20Bitfinex
modified: 2026-11-01
index: https://www.quantconnect.com/llms.txt
---

# Bitfinex

[Documentation](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2.md) > [Cloud Platform](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform.md) > [Live Trading](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading.md) > [Brokerages](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/brokerages.md) > Bitfinex

> Code examples are shown in Python. Append `?lang=csharp` to this URL for the C# version of this page.

## Introduction

QuantConnect enables you to run your algorithms in live mode with real-time market data.

Bitfinex was founded by Giancarlo Devasini and Raphael Nicolle in 2012 with the goal to "give our users the ultimate cryptocurrency trading experience". Bitfinex provides access to trading Crypto for clients outside [prohibited jurisdictions](https://www.bitfinex.com/legal/exchange/terms) with no minimum deposit to set up an account. If you fund your account with fiat currency, they enforce a [10,000 minimum](https://support.bitfinex.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023357574-Bank-Wire-Deposit-) for USD, EUR, and GBP. However, if you fund your account with Crypto, they do not enforce a minimum deposit. Bitfinex also provides Crypto staking, a mobile app, and an unrealized profit leaderboard for the traders on the platform. Bitfinex has always been at the forefront of technological innovation in digital asset trading.

To view the implementation of the Bitfinex brokerage integration, see the [Lean.Brokerages.Bitfinex repository](https://github.com/QuantConnect/Lean.Brokerages.Bitfinex).

## Account Types

Bitfinex supports cash and margin accounts. To set the account type in an algorithm, see the [Bitfinex brokerage model documentation](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/brokerages/supported-models/bitfinex.md).

Use `AccountType.CASH` to connect to your Exchange wallet or `AccountType.MARGIN` to connect to your Margin wallet. You can not connect to your Funding or Capital Raise wallet. If you provide the wrong `AccountType` to the `set_brokerage_model` method, you may connect to an empty wallet, causing Lean to throw a warning. If you have a currency in your wallet that ends with "F0", it will not load into your `CashBook`.

### Create an Account

Follow the [account creation wizard](https://www.bitfinex.com/sign-up/) on the Bitfinex website to create a Bitfinex account.

You will need API credentials to deploy live algorithms. After you have an account, [create API credentials](https://support.bitfinex.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003363429-How-to-create-and-revoke-a-Bitfinex-API-Key) and store them somewhere safe.

### Paper Trading

Bitfinex supports paper trading with only the TESTBTCTESTUSD and TESTBTCTESTUSDT securities. Follow these steps to paper trade with Bitfinex:

1. Create a paper trading sub-account and refill the paper balance For instructions, see [Paper Trading at Bitfinex](https://support.bitfinex.com/hc/en-us/articles/900001525006-Paper-Trading-at-Bitfinex-test-learn-and-simulate-trading-strategies) on the Bitfinex website.
2. Create an API key for your sub-account. For instructions, see [How to create and revoke a Bitfinex API Key](https://support.bitfinex.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003363429-How-to-create-and-revoke-a-Bitfinex-API-Key) on the Bitfinex website.
3. Use `AccountType.CASH` in your algorithms.

To paper trade securities other than TESTBTCTESTUSD and TESTBTCTESTUSDT, follow these steps to simulate paper trading with the QuantConnect Paper Trading brokerage:

1. In the `initialize` method of your algorithm, [set the Bitfinex brokerage model and your account type](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/brokerages/supported-models/bitfinex.md).
2. [Deploy your algorithm with the QuantConnect Paper Trading brokerage](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/brokerages/quantconnect-paper-trading.md#15-Deploy-Live-Algorithms).

## Asset Classes

Our Bitfinex integration supports trading [Crypto](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/securities/asset-classes/crypto.md).

## Data Providers

The [QuantConnect data provider](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/datasets/quantconnect/crypto.md) provides Crypto data during live trading.

## Orders

We model the Bitfinex API by supporting several order types, order properties, and order updates. When you deploy live algorithms, you can [place manual orders](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/algorithm-control.md#03-Place-Manual-Trades) through the IDE.

### Order Types

The following table describes the available order types for each asset class that our Bitfinex integration supports:

| Order Type | Crypto |
| --- | --- |
| [Market](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/trading-and-orders/order-types/market-orders.md) | ![green check](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/check.png) |
| [Limit](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/trading-and-orders/order-types/limit-orders.md) | ![green check](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/check.png) |
| [Stop market](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/trading-and-orders/order-types/stop-market-orders.md) | ![green check](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/check.png) |
| [Stop limit](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/trading-and-orders/order-types/stop-limit-orders.md) | ![green check](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/check.png) |

### Order Properties

We model custom order properties from the Bitfinex API. The following table describes the members of the `BitfinexOrderProperties` object that you can set to customize order execution:

| Property | Data Type | Description | Default Value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `time_in_force` | `TimeInForce` | A [TimeInForce](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/trading-and-orders/order-properties.md#03-Time-In-Force) instruction to apply to the order. The following instructions are supported: `DAY` `GOOD_TIL_CANCELED` `good_til_date` | `TimeInForce.GOOD_TIL_CANCELED` |
| `hidden` | `bool` | A flag to signal that the order should be hidden. Hidden orders do not appear in the order book, so they do not influence other market participants. Hidden orders incur the taker fee. |  |
| `post_only` | `bool` | A flag to signal that the order must only add liquidity to the order book and not take liquidity from the order book. If part of the order results in taking liquidity rather than providing liquidity, the order is rejected without any part of it being filled. |  |

### Updates

We model the Bitfinex API by supporting [order updates](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/trading-and-orders/order-management/order-tickets.md#04-Update-Orders).

## Fees

To view the Bitfinex trading fees, see the [Fees Schedule](https://www.bitfinex.com/fees/) page on the Bitfinex website. To view how we model their fees, see [Fees](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/brokerages/supported-models/bitfinex.md#06-Fees).

To use the Bitfinex brokerage in a live algorithm, the following table shows the fee settings you need on your **Account > Fees** page on the Bitfinex website:

| Fee Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Default currency for fees | USD |
| Fee type for Exchange orders | Currency Exchange Fee |

## Margin

We model [buying power](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/brokerages/supported-models/bitfinex.md#07-Buying-Power) and [margin calls](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/margin-calls.md) to ensure your algorithm stays within the margin requirements.

## Slippage

Orders through Bitfinex do not experience slippage in backtests. In Bitfinex paper trading and live trading, your orders may experience slippage.

To view how we model Bitfinex slippage, see [Slippage](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/brokerages/supported-models/bitfinex.md#05-Slippage).

## Fills

QuantConnect fills market orders immediately and completely in backtests. In Bitfinex paper trading and live trading, if the quantity of your market orders exceeds the quantity available at the top of the order book, your orders are filled according to what is available in the order book.

To view how we model Bitfinex order fills, see [Fills](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/brokerages/supported-models/bitfinex.md#04-Fills).

## Settlements

Trades settle immediately after the transaction

To view how we model settlement for Bitfinex trades, see [Settlement](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/reality-modeling/brokerages/supported-models/bitfinex.md#08-Settlement).

## Security and Stability

Note the following security and stability aspects of our Bitfinex integration.

### Account Credentials

When you deploy live algorithms with Bitfinex, we don't save your credentials.

### API Outages

We call the Bitfinex API to place live trades. Sometimes the API may be down. Check the [Bitfinex status page](https://bitfinex.statuspage.io/) to see if the API is currently working.

## Deposits and Withdrawals

You can deposit and withdraw cash from your brokerage account while you run an algorithm that's connected to the account. We sync the algorithm's cash holdings with the cash holdings in your brokerage account every day at 7:45 AM Eastern Time (ET).

## Demo Algorithm

The following algorithm demonstrates the functionality of the Bitfinex brokerage:

```python
# Demonstrate Bitfinex brokerage functionality with an EMA crossover strategy.
class BitfinexDemoAlgorithm(QCAlgorithm):
    def initialize(self) -> None:
        self.set_start_date(2024, 9, 1)
        self.set_end_date(2024, 12, 31)
        self.set_cash(100000)
        self.set_brokerage_model(BrokerageName.BITFINEX, AccountType.CASH)
        self._symbol = self.add_crypto("BTCUSD", Resolution.DAILY, Market.BITFINEX).symbol
        self._fast = self.ema(self._symbol, 10, Resolution.DAILY)
        self._slow = self.ema(self._symbol, 50, Resolution.DAILY)

    def on_data(self, slice: Slice) -> None:
        if not self._slow.is_ready:
            return
        if self._fast.current.value > self._slow.current.value and not self.portfolio.invested:
            self.set_holdings(self._symbol, 1)
        elif self._fast.current.value < self._slow.current.value and self.portfolio.invested:
            self.liquidate()
```

## Virtual Pairs

All fiat and Crypto currencies are individual assets. When you buy a pair like BTCUSD, you trade USD for BTC. In this case, LEAN removes some USD from your portfolio [cashbook](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/portfolio/cashbook.md) and adds some BTC. The virtual pair BTCUSD represents your position in that trade, but the virtual pair doesn't actually exist. It simply represents an open trade. When you deploy a live algorithm, LEAN populates your cashbook with the quantity of each currency, but it can't get your position of each virtual pair.

## Deploy Live Algorithms

You must have an available [live trading node](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/organizations/resources.md#04-Live-Trading-Nodes) for each live trading algorithm you deploy.

Follow these steps to deploy a live algorithm:

1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/getting-started.md#02-View-All-Projects) you want to deploy.
   If you are deploying a paper trading algorithm without the QuantConnect Paper Trading brokerage, include the following lines of code in the `initialize` method of your algorithm:
   ```python
   self.set_account_currency('TESTUSD') # or 'TESTUSDT'
   self.set_brokerage_model(BrokerageName.BITFINEX, AccountType.CASH)
   self.set_benchmark(lambda x: 0) # or the Symbol of the TESTBTCTESTUSD/TESTBTCTESTUSDT securities
   ```
2. Click the ![Lightning icon](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/deploy-live-icon.png) **Deploy Live** icon.
3. On the Deploy Live page, click the **Brokerage** field and then click **Bitfinex Exchange** from the drop-down menu.
4. Enter your API key and secret.
   To generate your API credentials, see [Account Types](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/brokerages/bitfinex.md#02-Account-Types). Your account details are not saved on QuantConnect.
5. In the **Region** section, click the [region](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/getting-started.md#07-Redundancy) where you want to run the algorithm.
6. Click the **Node** field and then click the live trading node that you want to use from the drop-down menu.
7. (Optional) In the **Data Provider** section, click **Show** and change the data provider or add additional providers.
8. (Optional) [Set up notifications](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/notifications.md).
9. Configure the **Automatically restart algorithm** setting.
   By enabling [automatic restarts](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/deployment.md#07-Automatic-Restarts), the algorithm will use best efforts to restart the algorithm if it fails due to a runtime error. This can help improve the algorithm's resilience to temporary outages such as a brokerage API disconnection.
10. Click **Deploy**.

The deployment process can take up to 5 minutes. When the algorithm deploys, the [live results page](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/results.md) displays. If you know your brokerage positions before you deployed, you can verify they have been loaded properly by checking your equity value in the runtime statistics, your cashbook holdings, and your position holdings.

Restarts, including automatic restarts and redeployments, don't save the state of your algorithm. To learn what a restart recovers and how to persist the rest, see [State Persistence](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/deployment.md#10-State-Persistence).