Paradex trading bot setup (2026): keys, testnet, fees and limits
Order-book perps, spot and options on Paradex Chain, a Starknet appchain; account data is private by design. Here's how to run a trading bot or AI agent on it without handing it more power than it needs. Every fact links Paradex's own docs, checked Oct 30, 2026.
| Safety score | Safety 68% |
|---|---|
| Bot key | Trade-only subkeys with IP allowlist source |
| Testnet | Yes source |
| Base fees (maker / taker) | 0.003% / 0.045% (API) source |
| Rate limits | Orders: 800 per second per account; public endpoints 1,500 per minute per IP. source |
| Anyone can check an account's results | No, private by design source |
| Restricted | US, Canada source |
| Builder codes | No builder program documented. source |
| Referrals | Referrers earn 10% of referees' points (XP), not a fee share. source |
Set up a bot on Paradex, step by step
- Make sure you're on the real site. Fake trading sites and bots copy every big exchange. Before you connect a wallet, use the official app at app.paradex.trade.
- Give the bot its own account. Put the bot in a separate sub-account or wallet with only the money it needs, so a bug or a leaked key can't reach the rest.
- Create the bot's key. Use a key that can trade but not send money out. 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. docs
- Run it on testnet first. Testnet app and API; each new account gets $1M of test USDC. docs
- Stay inside the rate limits. Orders: 800 per second per account; public endpoints 1,500 per minute per IP. docs
- Count the 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. docs
- Put limits outside the bot. A bot can't be trusted to police itself. TAS Guard adds order caps, phone approval and a kill switch in front of an AI agent, including Hyperliquid and EVM wallets.
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
Code and audits
Audits of the core contracts (Cairo Security Clan, 2025) and the bridge (Zellic, Trail of Bits). source
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
FAQ
Can I run a trading bot on Paradex?
Yes. Paradex has an API for automated trading. 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.
Does Paradex have a testnet?
Testnet app and API; each new account gets $1M of test USDC.
Can a Paradex API key withdraw my funds?
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.
Can US residents use Paradex?
No. Paradex's terms restrict: US persons, Canadian persons and sanctioned places (terms, Feb 2026).
What are Paradex's trading fees for bots?
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.