# Best perp DEXs for trading bots and AI agents (2026) > 9 perp DEXs compared for bots: trade-only keys, testnets, fees, rate limits, regions and public data. Hyperliquid, Lighter, dYdX, Paradex, GMX and more. Canonical: https://tradingagentstack.com/best-perp-dex-for-trading-bots/ 1. [Home](https://tradingagentstack.com/) 2. [Exchanges for bots](https://tradingagentstack.com/crypto-exchanges-for-trading-bots/) 3. Perp DEXs Checked against each exchange's own docs · Oct 30, 2026 # Best perp DEXs for trading bots and AI agents (2026) 9 on-chain perpetual futures exchanges compared on what a bot needs: a key that can trade but not withdraw, a testnet, fees, rate limits, who's restricted, and whether anyone can verify a bot's results from public data. Every fact links its source, almost always the exchange's own docs. No referral links and no paid placement. Centralized exchanges are compared on [best crypto exchanges for trading bots](https://tradingagentstack.com/best-crypto-exchanges-for-trading-bots/). ## Our picks ### Best key controls for an AI agent: [Paradex](#paradex) Trading subkeys can't withdraw, transfer or change settings, you can lock them to your IP addresses, and read-only tokens cover dashboards. It has a funded testnet and an official MCP server. API orders pay a 0.045% taker fee, and give the MCP server a subkey, not your account key. ### Best open-source stack: [dYdX](#dydx) Open-source, audited chain software, permissioned keys you can bar from withdrawals, a keyless indexer that shows any address's fills and PnL, and builder codes up to 1%. Limits on long-lived orders are tight (2 per block), and pin client package versions after the January 2026 compromise. ### Best for a verifiable track record: [Hyperliquid](#hyperliquid) Agent keys trade but can't withdraw, and every account's fills and PnL are public, which is why our [leaderboard](https://tradingagentstack.com/ai-trading-leaderboard/) and [vault ratings](https://tradingagentstack.com/hyperliquid-vault-ratings/) are built on it. Manipulation losses hit its HLP vault twice in the past year; US and Ontario residents are restricted. ### Best zero-fee order book: [Lighter](#lighter) Standard accounts pay 0% maker and taker, keys can only withdraw back to your own Ethereum address, and there's a public testnet. The free tier is slowed on purpose (300 ms, 60 requests a minute), so fast bots need Premium. We verify its [public pools](https://tradingagentstack.com/lighter-public-pools/). ### Best for fully on-chain bots: [GMX](#gmx) No exchange keys at all: a delegated signer can trade with an expiry and an action cap but can't withdraw, and everything is readable on-chain. Execution takes two steps through a keeper, so it suits slower strategies. ### Most familiar API: [Aster](#aster) A Binance-style REST and WebSocket API with scoped, expiring agent wallets, a dead-man's switch and market-maker protection. Read its terms first: they ban bots without Aster's express permission, and its audits don't cover the perp engine. ## Compared for bots Fees are the base tier for a new account (maker / taker). Green means a bot's key can't send your money to anyone else. Scores below 50% fail our security gate. | Exchange | Safety score | Bot key | Testnet | Base fees | Public account data | Restricted | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Hyperliquid](#hyperliquid) | [Safety 50%](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/hyperliquid/) | Agent keys trade, can't withdraw | Yes | 0.015% / 0.045% | Yes, any account | US, Ontario | | [Lighter](#lighter) | [Safety 68%](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/lighter/) | Keys withdraw only to your own address | Yes | 0% / 0% (Standard) | Partly: account snapshots and pools | US, Canada, UK and more | | [Aster](#aster) | [Safety 58%](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/aster/) | Agent wallets with a withdraw switch | Yes | 0% / 0.04% | Yes, unless privacy mode | US, Canada, UK and more | | [dYdX](#dydx) | [Safety 68%](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/dydx/) | Permissioned keys can block withdrawals | Yes | 0.01% / 0.05% | Yes, any address | US, Canada and more | | [GMX](#gmx) | [Safety 68%](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/gmx/) | No API keys; delegated signer can't withdraw | Yes | 0.04%–0.06% per trade | Yes, on-chain | US persons | | [Paradex](#paradex) | [Safety 68%](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/paradex/) | Trade-only subkeys with IP allowlist | Yes | 0.003% / 0.045% (API) | No, private by design | US, Canada | | [Extended](#extended) | [Safety 43%](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/extended/) | Signing key can also withdraw | Yes | 0% / 0.025% | No (leaderboard only) | US, UK, Canada and more | | [Pacifica](#pacifica) | [Safety 62% (partial)](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/pacifica/) | Agent keys; withdraw rules unclear | Yes | 0.015% / 0.04% | Yes, any address | US, Canada, UK and more | | [edgeX](#edgex) | [Safety 29% (partial)](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/edgex/) | Separate signing key; transfer rules unclear | Not documented | Not in the docs | No | US, Canada and more | Not compared: - **Variational (Omni):** No public trading API yet, and its terms ban automated control of an account without permission. Zero fees (it earns the spread); private beta. [source](https://docs.variational.io/technical-documentation/api) ## Can anyone check a bot's results there? A bot that claims returns on Hyperliquid, Lighter, Aster, dYdX, GMX and Pacifica can be checked by anyone, because account data is public. We already publish verified results for [AI vaults and apps on Hyperliquid](https://tradingagentstack.com/ai-trading-leaderboard/) and [Lighter's public pools](https://tradingagentstack.com/lighter-public-pools/). On Paradex, Extended and edgeX, accounts aren't public, so a screenshot is all an outsider gets. Run a bot and want its record verified? [Get it verified](https://tradingagentstack.com/get-your-ai-agent-verified/). ## Each exchange in detail ### Hyperliquid [app.hyperliquid.xyz](https://app.hyperliquid.xyz) · Safety 50% [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/hyperliquid/) · [Verified results we publish](https://tradingagentstack.com/ai-trading-leaderboard/) · [Official links check](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/hyperliquid/) **Watch out:** Market-manipulation losses have landed on the HLP vault twice in the past year. - **What it is:** Order-book perps and spot on Hyperliquid's own chain; you sign with your own wallet. [docs](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs) - **Bot keys:** API (agent) wallets can trade for your account but can't withdraw or transfer. [source](https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/API) - **Testnet:** Public testnet (api.hyperliquid-testnet.xyz). [source](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs/for-developers/api/rate-limits-and-user-limits) - **Fees:** Base tier: 0.015% maker, 0.045% taker (14-day volume tiers). [source](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs/trading/fees) - **Rate limits:** REST: 1,200 weight per minute per IP. [source](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs/for-developers/api/rate-limits-and-user-limits) - **Public account data:** Any account's fills, positions and PnL can be read from the public info API; vaults are public. [source](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs/for-developers/api/info-endpoint) - **Builder codes:** Up to 0.1% on perps and 1% on spot; the user approves a max fee from the main wallet. [source](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs/trading/builder-codes) - **Referrals:** Create a code after $10,000 of volume; 10% of referees' fees, less their discount. [source](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs/referrals) - **Restricted:** US and Ontario (Canada) restricted by the terms, plus sanctioned places. [terms](https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/terms) - **AI agent tools:** No official MCP server; community ones only. [source](https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs) - **Code and audits:** Our directory lists no public source code or audit report for its core software. [source](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/hyperliquid/) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** Apr 9, 2026: A FARTCOIN pump and self-liquidation pushed a losing position onto the HLP vault (about $1.5M); HLP depositors bore it [news report](https://forklog.com/en/unknown-attackers-exploit-hyperliquid-storage-via-fartcoin-pump/amp); Nov 13, 2025: POPCAT price manipulation left about $4.9M of bad debt in HLP; bridge withdrawals paused for about an hour [news report](https://cointelegraph.com/news/hyperliquid-hlp-popcat-attack-3m-wipeout) ### Lighter [app.lighter.xyz](https://app.lighter.xyz) · Safety 68% [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/lighter/) · [Verified results we publish](https://tradingagentstack.com/lighter-public-pools/) · [Official links check](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/lighter/) **Watch out:** The zero-fee tier is slow on purpose; serious bots need Premium. - **What it is:** Order-book perps with zero-knowledge proofs settled on Ethereum; deposits sit in Ethereum contracts. A separate exchange runs on Robinhood Chain. [docs](https://docs.lighter.xyz) - **Bot keys:** Any API key can trade and move funds between your own accounts, and can withdraw only back to your own Ethereum address. Sending to anyone else needs your wallet's signature. Read-only tokens and maker-only keys exist. [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/developers/integration-guides/api-keys) - **Testnet:** Public testnet app and API (settles to Sepolia). [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/developers/getting-started/environments) - **Fees:** Standard accounts: 0% maker and taker, with a 300 ms taker and cancel delay and 60 requests per minute. Premium (for fast bots): 0.004% maker, 0.028% taker before staking discounts. [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/trading/trading-fees) - **Rate limits:** Standard: 60 requests per minute. Premium: 24,000 weight per minute; order sends from 4,000 per minute, more with LIT staked. [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/developers/reference/rate-limits) - **Public account data:** Account snapshots with positions and PnL and every public pool are public; full trade history needs the owner's read-only token. [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/developers/integration-guides/account-data) - **Builder codes:** Partner attribution: an app can charge a fee the user approves with a wallet signature; the programs page caps perps at 0.1%. [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/programs/partner-attribution) - **Referrals:** Open to anyone: 10% of referees' fees (20% at Silver), and referees get 10% off. Paid weekly in LIT. [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/programs/referral-program) - **Restricted:** US, Canada, UK, China, Russia, Ukraine and several sanctioned countries; Robinhood Chain adds Singapore, Switzerland and the UAE. [terms](https://lighter.xyz/terms) - **AI agent tools:** Experimental agent kit in its official GitHub org (it can also withdraw); no official MCP server. [source](https://github.com/elliottech/lighter-agent-kit) - **Code and audits:** Circuits and contracts are public (contracts under a source-available licence); the docs link 9 audit reports. [source](https://docs.lighter.xyz/security/security-audits) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** Feb 25, 2026: A whale's ARC long was liquidated and auto-deleveraged; Lighter's LLP lost about $75K and Lighter capped ARC open interest at $40M [news report](https://cointelegraph.com/news/whale-loses-8-2m-arc-squeeze-lighter-perps-liquidation); Dec 30, 2025: Users reported failed withdrawals around the LIT token launch; no losses or post-mortem published [news report](https://thedefiant.io/news/defi/lighter-users-report-withdrawal-issues-after-lit-token-launch) ### Aster [www.asterdex.com](https://www.asterdex.com) · Safety 58% [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/aster/) **Watch out:** Its terms ban bots and automated access without Aster's express permission, even though it ships an API and agent tools. - **What it is:** Order-book perps and spot on Aster Chain, Aster's own chain; deposits come in through bridge contracts on BNB Chain, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Solana and Sui. [docs](https://docs.asterdex.com) - **Bot keys:** Agent wallets have separate perp, spot and withdraw permissions and a required expiry; turning withdraw on requires an IP whitelist. With withdraw off, an agent can only move funds between your own sub-accounts. [source](https://github.com/asterdex/api-docs/blob/master/V3(Recommended)/EN/aster-finance-futures-api-v3.md) - **Testnet:** Testnet app, API and a daily faucet. [source](https://docs.asterdex.com/aster-chain/testnet) - **Fees:** General crypto perps: 0% maker, 0.04% taker; taker falls with VIP tier. [source](https://docs.asterdex.com/trading/perpetuals/fees-and-specs/fees) - **Rate limits:** 2,400 request weight per minute per IP and 1,200 orders per minute per account. [source](https://github.com/asterdex/api-docs/blob/master/V3(Recommended)/EN/aster-finance-futures-api-v3.md) - **Public account data:** The public chain RPC returns any address's positions, open orders and fills, unless the account turned on privacy mode. [source](https://github.com/asterdex/api-docs/blob/master/RPC/aster-chain-rpc.md) - **Builder codes:** Aster Code: builders hold 100 ASTER, users approve a max fee, and fees are claimed in the Builder Center. [source](https://docs.asterdex.com/program-and-rewards/aster-code) - **Referrals:** Open to anyone: 10% of referees' fees by default, which you can share as a discount; approved affiliates get up to 20%. [source](https://docs.asterdex.com/program-and-rewards/referral-program) - **Restricted:** US, Canada, UK, China, Russia, Ukraine and several sanctioned countries. [terms](https://docs.asterdex.com/resources/terms-and-conditions) - **AI agent tools:** An MCP server and agent skills sit in Aster's GitHub org (the docs don't mention them). [source](https://github.com/asterdex/aster-mcp) - **Code and audits:** The 7 published audits cover its vault, earn and stablecoin products, not the perp engine, chain or bridges. [source](https://docs.asterdex.com/overview/audit-reports) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** none found in official sources. ### dYdX [dydx.trade](https://dydx.trade) · Safety 68% [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/dydx/) **Watch out:** Pin client package versions: its official npm and PyPI packages were compromised in January 2026. - **What it is:** Order-book perps on dYdX's own Cosmos chain; validators run the order book and you hold your own keys. [docs](https://docs.dydx.xyz) - **Bot keys:** Permissioned keys can be limited by action, market and sub-account, so a trading key can be barred from withdrawals and transfers. Keys can't cap order size or leverage. [source](https://docs.dydx.xyz/concepts/trading/authenticators) - **Testnet:** Public testnet front end, indexer and faucet. [source](https://docs.dydx.xyz/interaction/endpoints) - **Fees:** Tier 1: 0.01% maker, 0.05% taker; governance can change fees, so check dydx.trade. [source](https://docs.dydx.xyz/concepts/trading/rewards) - **Rate limits:** Long-lived orders: 2 per block and 20 per 100 blocks per account; short-term orders and cancels: 4,000 per 5 blocks. Indexer: 100 requests per 10 seconds per IP. [source](https://docs.dydx.xyz/concepts/trading/limits/rate-limits) - **Public account data:** The keyless indexer returns any address's positions, fills, transfers and historical PnL; MegaVault's results are public. [source](https://docs.dydx.xyz/interaction/integration/integration-portfolio) - **Builder codes:** Builder codes on any order, up to 1% of the fill, with no vote needed. [source](https://docs.dydx.xyz/interaction/integration/integration-builder-codes) - **Referrals:** Affiliate program open after $10 of volume: up to 15% of referees' taker fees (capped per referral); vetted VIP affiliates more. [source](https://www.dydx.foundation/blog/dydx-affiliate-program) - **Restricted:** US and Canada plus sanctioned places, per the docs' compliance page. [terms](https://docs.dydx.xyz/interaction/integration/integration-compliance) - **AI agent tools:** No official MCP server or agent kit; community only. [source](https://docs.dydx.xyz/repositories) - **Code and audits:** Open-source chain, indexer and clients; audit reports are in the v4-chain repo. [source](https://github.com/dydxprotocol/v4-chain/tree/main/audits) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** Jan 28, 2026: Malicious versions of dYdX's npm and PyPI client packages carried wallet-stealing malware; dYdX told affected users to move funds and rotate keys [news report](https://thehackernews.com/2026/02/compromised-dydx-npm-and-pypi-packages.html) ### GMX [app.gmx.io](https://app.gmx.io) · Safety 68% [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/gmx/) **Watch out:** Two-step keeper execution and no WebSocket feed suit slower strategies better than high-frequency ones. - **What it is:** Pool-based perps on Arbitrum, Avalanche and MegaETH: trades fill against liquidity pools at oracle prices, executed by a keeper in a second step. [docs](https://docs.gmx.io) - **Bot keys:** No exchange API keys: bots sign with a wallet. A delegated subaccount signer can place and cancel orders with an expiry and a cap on actions, but can't withdraw, and order proceeds return to the main account. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/api/contracts/delegated-trading) - **Testnet:** Contracts on Arbitrum Sepolia and Avalanche Fuji; no testnet app in the docs. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/api/contracts/addresses) - **Fees:** Opening or closing costs 0.04% or 0.06% depending on whether it balances longs and shorts, plus price impact, borrowing and funding. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/trading/fees) - **Rate limits:** No rate limits published; orders are on-chain transactions. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/api/overview) - **Public account data:** Everything is on-chain: anyone can read an address's positions, PnL and orders; liquidity pools are public. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/api/contracts/reader) - **Builder codes:** UI fee: an app sets a fee receiver on orders and claims the fees; the cap is set on-chain. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/api/frontend-integration) - **Referrals:** Anyone can create a code on-chain: tier 1 gives traders 5% off and the referrer 5% of open and close fees; higher tiers need volume. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/referrals) - **Restricted:** US persons and sanctioned places and people (terms, Aug 2026). [terms](https://gmx.io/terms-and-conditions) - **AI agent tools:** Official agent skills and a Claude Code plugin can trade; the official MCP server isn't out yet. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/ai-agents/plugins-and-skills) - **Code and audits:** V2 contracts public on GitHub with audits by Guardian, Certora, ABDK, Dedaub and Sherlock. [source](https://docs.gmx.io/docs/security) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** none found in official sources. ### Paradex [app.paradex.trade](https://app.paradex.trade) · Safety 68% [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/paradex/) **Watch out:** Give its MCP server a trading subkey, not your account key, even though the setup guide asks for the latter. - **What it is:** Order-book perps, spot and options on Paradex Chain, a Starknet appchain; account data is private by design. [docs](https://docs.paradex.trade) - **Bot keys:** Subkeys can trade and read but can't withdraw, transfer or change settings; you can allowlist up to 50 IP ranges. Read-only tokens last from a minute to a year. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/api/general-information/api-authentication) - **Testnet:** Testnet app and API; each new account gets $1M of test USDC. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/docs/testnet-faqs) - **Fees:** API orders pay Pro fees by default: 0.003% maker, 0.045% taker. App (retail) orders pay zero but come with a 300 ms delay and order caps. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/trading/trading-fees) - **Rate limits:** Orders: 800 per second per account; public endpoints 1,500 per minute per IP. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/api/general-information/rate-limits/api) - **Public account data:** Accounts are private; only vaults whose owners leave them public show positions. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/trading/privacy) - **Builder codes:** No builder program documented. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/docs/xp-referrals/affiliate-referrals) - **Referrals:** Referrers earn 10% of referees' points (XP), not a fee share. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/docs/xp-referrals/affiliate-referrals) - **Restricted:** US persons, Canadian persons and sanctioned places (terms, Feb 2026). [terms](https://www.paradex.trade/terms-of-service) - **AI agent tools:** Official MCP server that can trade (its setup asks for the full account key, not a subkey); a hosted MCP is market data only. [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/agentic-ai-hub/mcp/quickstart) - **Code and audits:** Audits of the core contracts (Cairo Security Clan, 2025) and the bridge (Zellic, Trail of Bits). [source](https://docs.paradex.trade/chain/security/audit-pentests) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** Jan 19, 2026: A database upgrade wrote bad market data on-chain, BTC briefly showed $0 and mass liquidations followed; Paradex rolled the chain back and refunded about $650K [news report](https://cointelegraph.com/news/paradex-refunds-650k-users-bug-liquidations) ### Extended [app.extended.exchange](https://app.extended.exchange) · Safety 43% [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/extended/) **Watch out:** Settlement moved to a new chain days ago and the published audits cover the old contracts. - **What it is:** Order-book perps (formerly X10); settlement moved from Starknet to Circle's Arc on Oct 22, 2026. [docs](https://docs.extended.exchange) - **Bot keys:** The API key is read-only, but every order needs the account's Stark key, which can also withdraw and transfer. Use one of up to 10 sub-accounts per bot to limit what a leaked key reaches. [source](https://api.docs.extended.exchange/) - **Testnet:** Sepolia testnet with daily test USDC. [source](https://docs.extended.exchange/extended-resources/more/testnet) - **Fees:** Standard markets: 0% maker, 0.025% taker. [source](https://docs.extended.exchange/extended-resources/trading/trading-fees-and-rebates) - **Rate limits:** 1,000 requests per minute per IP by default, up to 12,000 at high volume. [source](https://api.docs.extended.exchange/) - **Public account data:** No public per-account API; the in-app leaderboard shows traders' PnL. [source](https://docs.extended.exchange/extended-resources/more/leaderboard) - **Builder codes:** Builder codes: the builder fee goes 100% to the builder, paid daily. [source](https://docs.extended.exchange/extended-resources/builder-codes) - **Referrals:** Referral links after $10,000 of volume (points-based); fee-sharing affiliate tier is invite-only. [source](https://docs.extended.exchange/extended-resources/referrals-and-affiliates) - **Restricted:** US, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Panama and several sanctioned places. [terms](https://docs.extended.exchange/extended-resources/legal/restricted-countries) - **AI agent tools:** Experimental MCP server in the official Python SDK; it trades on production by default. [source](https://github.com/x10xchange/python_sdk) - **Code and audits:** Audits cover the old Starknet contracts; none found yet for the Arc contracts. [source](https://docs.extended.exchange/extended-resources/more/smart-contract-audits) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** none found in official sources. ### Pacifica [app.pacifica.fi](https://app.pacifica.fi) · Safety 62% (partial) [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/pacifica/) **Watch out:** Market and limit orders that take liquidity wait about 200 ms, and accounts are capped at $500K during the closed beta. - **What it is:** Order-book perps and spot on Solana with an off-chain matching engine; most funds in a multisig vault, some in a hot wallet the operator controls. [docs](https://docs.pacifica.fi) - **Bot keys:** Revocable agent keys sign for your account; the docs say they can't move funds like the main wallet, but the withdrawal endpoint accepts an agent field. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/api-documentation/api/signing/api-agent-keys) - **Testnet:** Testnet API; the official MCP server defaults to testnet. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/api-documentation/api/rest-api) - **Fees:** Tier 1: 0.015% maker, 0.040% taker. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/trading-on-pacifica/trading-fees) - **Rate limits:** Credit-based per 60 seconds: 100 credits without a key, 300 with one, up to 30,000 at top fee tiers. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/api-documentation/api/rate-limits) - **Public account data:** Positions and trade history with PnL are readable for any address without a signature; vaults are listed publicly. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/api-documentation/api/rest-api/account/get-positions) - **Builder codes:** Builder codes with a user-approved max fee; onboarding by contacting the team. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/programs/builder-program) - **Referrals:** Referral link after $10,000 of volume (points); fee-sharing affiliates are chosen by Pacifica. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/programs/referral-and-affiliate-program) - **Restricted:** US, Canada, UK, China, Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines and several sanctioned countries (terms, Jun 2026). [terms](https://app.pacifica.fi/term) - **AI agent tools:** Official MCP server (read-only, agent-key or main-key modes; defaults to testnet). [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/api-documentation/api/mcp) - **Code and audits:** BlockSec audit of the perp contracts; core contracts not open source. [source](https://docs.pacifica.fi/other/audits) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** none found in official sources. ### edgeX [pro.edgex.exchange](https://pro.edgex.exchange) · Safety 29% (partial) [Safety score and tool page](https://tradingagentstack.com/tool/edgex/) **Watch out:** The docs leave out fees, rate-limit numbers and a testnet, so it needs the most checking before a bot goes live. - **What it is:** Order-book perps on its own rollup built on Arbitrum's stack, settling to Ethereum. [docs](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation) - **Bot keys:** Orders are signed with a trading key kept apart from the wallet key that withdrawals need; the docs disagree on which key signs transfers. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/api-v2/authentication) - **Testnet:** No public testnet in the docs. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/api-v2) - **Fees:** Tiered by 30-day volume; the docs give no rates and point to the VIP page. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/trading/trading-fees) - **Rate limits:** Depend on the key's tier; no numbers published. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/api-v2) - **Public account data:** Account, position and PnL endpoints need authentication. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/api-v2/private-api/account-api) - **Builder codes:** No builder program documented. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation) - **Referrals:** 5% to 30% of referees' fees once you have active referrals and volume (from Oct 9, 2026). [source](https://pro.edgex.exchange/en-US/news/article/edgex-referral-commission-upgrade-earn-up-to-30-on-friends-trading-fees) - **Restricted:** US and Canada plus sanctioned places. [terms](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/about/terms-of-use) - **AI agent tools:** No official MCP server or agent kit. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/edgex-v2) - **Code and audits:** Audits listed are undated or cover the older StarkEx engine; V2 contract source not found. [source](https://edgex-1.gitbook.io/edgeX-documentation/audits) - **Incidents, last 12 months:** Jun 2, 2026: A sharp EDGE token sell-off spread to edgeX perps and liquidated longs; edgeX called it outside manipulation and offered goodwill payments [news report](https://crypto.news/edgex-offers-usdc-payments-after-edge-liquidations-spark-scrutiny/) ## Before you connect a bot - Give each bot its own sub-account and only the money it needs. - Use a key that can trade but not withdraw, and lock it to your server's IP where the exchange allows it. - Run it on testnet first, then with a small balance. - Check you're on the real site before you connect a wallet: [check a link](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/). - Put limits outside the bot: [TAS Guard](https://tradingagentstack.com/guard/) adds order caps, phone approval and a kill switch in front of an agent, including Hyperliquid and EVM wallets. ## FAQ ### Which perp DEX is best for an AI trading agent? Start with one whose keys can trade but not withdraw: Paradex subkeys, dYdX permissioned keys, Hyperliquid agent wallets, Aster agent wallets with withdraw off, or a GMX delegated signer. Lighter keys can withdraw only to your own address. Extended's signing key can also withdraw, so give each bot its own sub-account there. ### Which perp DEXs have a testnet? Hyperliquid, Lighter, Aster, dYdX, Paradex, Extended and Pacifica have public testnets, and GMX has testnet contracts. edgeX documents none. ### Can US residents use these exchanges? No. All 9 restrict US persons in their terms, and most also restrict Canada; several restrict the UK. Check the terms where you live. ### Which let you verify a bot's track record from public data? Hyperliquid, Lighter, Aster, dYdX, GMX and Pacifica. On Paradex, Extended and edgeX, accounts are private, so a bot's results can only be checked if the owner shares access. ### Do perp DEXs pay referral commissions? Most do. Hyperliquid, Lighter, Aster, dYdX, GMX and edgeX share part of referred traders' fees; Paradex, Extended and Pacifica pay mainly in points unless you're an approved affiliate. This page has no referral links. ## How we checked Every fact comes from the exchange's own documentation, terms or official GitHub, read on Oct 30, 2026. Incidents may link news reports, marked as such, when the exchange published no post-mortem we could read. Fees, limits and terms change often; confirm on the exchange's site before you sign up. The Safety score column uses our [Safety score](https://tradingagentstack.com/safety-score/): what a bot's access can do with your money, from the same sourced facts; referral deals never affect it. Open data: [perp DEXs (JSON)](https://tradingagentstack.com/data/perp-dexes.json). Found something out of date? [Tell us](https://tradingagentstack.com/submit/). Not financial advice. ## More in Markets & infrastructure [Crypto exchanges](https://tradingagentstack.com/crypto-exchanges-for-trading-bots/)[Prediction markets](https://tradingagentstack.com/prediction-market-apis/)[Broker APIs](https://tradingagentstack.com/category/broker-api/)[Market data APIs](https://tradingagentstack.com/category/data-api/)[Backtesting](https://tradingagentstack.com/category/backtest-platform/)[VPS & hosting](https://tradingagentstack.com/vps-for-trading-bots/)[Best crypto exchanges for bots](https://tradingagentstack.com/best-crypto-exchanges-for-trading-bots/)[Best prediction market APIs](https://tradingagentstack.com/best-prediction-market-apis-for-ai-agents/)[Best free market data APIs](https://tradingagentstack.com/best-free-market-data-apis/)[Exchange API key safety](https://tradingagentstack.com/exchange-api-key-safety/) Other paths: [Trade with a bot](https://tradingagentstack.com/trade-with-a-bot/) · [Build an AI agent](https://tradingagentstack.com/build-an-ai-agent/) · [Learn](https://tradingagentstack.com/learn-algorithmic-trading/) · [Search all tools](https://tradingagentstack.com/tools/) ## Check an exchange before you connect a bot Official links, the worst case for your money and a safe setup, every line sourced. [Check any link](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/). [Binance](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/binance/)[Bybit](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/bybit/)[OKX](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/okx/)[Kraken](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/kraken/)[Coinbase Advanced](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/coinbase-advanced/)[Hyperliquid](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/hyperliquid/)[Bitget](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/bitget/)[Gemini](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/gemini/)[KuCoin](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/kucoin/)[MEXC](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/mexc/)[Gate](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/gate/)[HTX](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/htx/)[Crypto.com Exchange](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/crypto-com-exchange/)[BingX](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/bingx/)[Bitfinex](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/bitfinex/)[Bitvavo](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/bitvavo/)[Bitstamp](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/bitstamp/)[WhiteBIT](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/whitebit/)[Pionex](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/pionex/)[Lighter](https://tradingagentstack.com/check/lighter/) ## For agents - [When to use this site, and the page index](https://tradingagentstack.com/llms.txt) - [Sitemap](https://tradingagentstack.com/sitemap.xml) - [Contact](https://tradingagentstack.com/contact/) - [MCP server](https://tradingagentstack.com/mcp/) - [MCP discovery](https://tradingagentstack.com/.well-known/mcp)