Bybit Perpetual Futures Setup

Connect your Bybit Futures account to SignalBee for automated perpetual contract trading. This guide walks you through creating API keys with the correct permissions and configuring your account for automated signals.

Important: Bybit requires only two values for API authentication: API Key and Secret Key. Unlike some exchanges (Bitget, KuCoin, OKX), Bybit does NOT require a passphrase.

---

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Verified Bybit account - Identity verification (KYC) completed
• 2FA enabled on Bybit - Required for API key creation
• SignalBee account - Ready to connect an exchange
• Password manager - For storing your API credentials securely

Security Note: Bybit requires 2FA (two-factor authentication) to create API keys. If you haven't enabled 2FA yet, go to Account & Security → Two-Factor Authentication in your Bybit account.

---

About Bybit Futures

Bybit is a major cryptocurrency derivatives exchange offering USDT-margined perpetual contracts:

Order Type Support

SignalBee supports most Bybit Futures order types:

Time in Force Options

---

Understanding Bybit's Unified Trading Account

Bybit uses a Unified Trading Account (UTA), which is different from many other exchanges that have separate wallets.

What is UTA?

Benefits for SignalBee Users

Key Point: With UTA, you don't need to transfer funds between Spot and Futures. Your deposited USDT is immediately available for all trading products.

---

Creating Your API Key

Follow these steps to create an API key with Futures permissions.

Step 1: Log In to Bybit

1. Go to www.bybit.com
2. Log in with your email/phone and password
3. Complete 2FA verification (authenticator app)

Step 2: Navigate to API Management

1. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner
2. Select API from the dropdown menu
3. You'll see a list of your existing API keys (if any)

Step 3: Create a New API Key

1. Click the Create New Key button
2. Select System-generated API Keys (recommended for trading)
3. You may need to complete 2FA verification

Step 4: Configure Your API Key

1. API Name - Enter a descriptive label: SignalBee Futures
2. Key Type - Select the appropriate type for your account

Tip: Use a specific name like "SignalBee-Futures" so you can easily identify this key's purpose later.

Step 5: Set Permissions

Configure the permissions for your API key:

1. ✅ Enable Read - View account info and positions
2. ✅ Enable Contract - Orders - Place futures orders
3. ✅ Enable Contract - Positions - Manage positions
4. ❌ Do NOT enable Withdraw - Never needed
5. ❌ Do NOT enable Transfer - Not required

Critical: You must enable Contract permissions (not just Spot). These are separate permissions for futures trading.

Step 6: IP Whitelist (Optional)

1. Leave empty for unrestricted access, OR
2. Add specific IP addresses for enhanced security (see IP Whitelist Configuration)

Step 7: Complete Security Verification

1. Authenticator Code - Enter the 6-digit 2FA code
2. Email Verification - Click the link sent to your email (if required)
3. Wait for verification to complete

Step 8: Save BOTH Values IMMEDIATELY

After verification, Bybit displays your API credentials. You MUST save both:

Warning: The Secret Key is displayed only once. If you close the page without copying it, you'll need to delete this API key and create a new one.

Save both values in your password manager now before proceeding.

Note: Unlike Bitget, KuCoin, or OKX, Bybit does NOT require a passphrase. You only need the API Key and Secret Key.

---

Configuring Permissions

Configure the correct permissions to balance functionality and security.

Required Permissions

Never Enable These Permissions

Critical: You MUST enable the Contract permissions. Without these, SignalBee cannot place futures orders even if your API key is valid. The Spot Trade permission is separate and won't work for futures.

How to Edit Permissions

1. In API Management, find your SignalBee Futures API key
2. Click the Edit button next to the key
3. Modify the permission checkboxes as needed
4. Click Confirm
5. Complete 2FA verification

---

IP Whitelist Configuration

IP whitelisting restricts your API key to only work from specific IP addresses. This is optional but adds a strong security layer.

Why Use IP Whitelisting?

Even if your API key is somehow exposed, it won't work from unauthorized IP addresses.

SignalBee Server IP Addresses

Note: Contact support@signalbee.trade to request SignalBee's current production IP addresses for whitelisting. We maintain static IPs specifically for exchange API calls and will notify you before any infrastructure changes.

How to Configure IP Whitelisting

1. When creating or editing your API key, find the IP Addresses section
2. Enter each SignalBee IP address (one per line)
3. Click Confirm
4. Complete verification

If You Skip IP Whitelisting

If you choose not to use IP whitelisting:

1. Leave the IP address field empty
2. Understand this is less secure but still safe if withdrawals are disabled
3. Your other security measures (no withdrawal permission) still protect your funds

---

Adding to SignalBee

Now connect your Bybit Futures API key to SignalBee.

Step 1: Go to Exchanges Page

1. Log in to your SignalBee account
2. Navigate to Exchanges in the main menu

Step 2: Add New Exchange

1. Click the Add Exchange button
2. Select Bybit Perpetual from the exchange list

Critical: Make sure you select Bybit Perpetual, NOT "Bybit". These are different exchange connections for different account types. Selecting the wrong one will cause connection failures.

Step 3: Enter Your Credentials

Bybit Perpetual requires two fields only:

Note: There is NO passphrase field for Bybit. Unlike Bitget, KuCoin, or OKX, Bybit only requires two credentials.

Step 4: Test the Connection

1. Click Save and Test Connection
2. Wait for SignalBee to verify your credentials
3. Look for the success message

Step 5: Verify Your Setup

After successful connection:

1. Your Bybit balances should appear in SignalBee
2. Check that your USDT balance is displayed correctly
3. If balances show $0, verify your API permissions

Tip: If balances don't appear or show $0, verify that:

• You selected "Bybit Perpetual" (not "Bybit")
• Your API key has the Contract permissions enabled
• You have USDT in your Bybit account

---

Bybit Futures-Specific Considerations

Ticker Format

Bybit Futures uses the same ticker format as Bybit Spot - no special suffix needed:

SignalBee automatically converts between formats. When configuring webhooks, use standard formats like BTC-USDT and SignalBee will handle the conversion.

Note: Unlike Bitget which uses _UMCBL suffix, Bybit Linear perpetuals use the same format as spot (e.g., BTCUSDT for both).

Contract Types

SignalBee supports USDT-margined Linear perpetual contracts.

Minimum Order Sizes

Bybit Futures enforces minimum order values:

Tip: Check Bybit's trading rules for current minimums.

Trading Fees

Note: Bybit has highly competitive maker fees at 0.01%. VIP tiers offer additional discounts.

API Rate Limits

• Trade requests: 10 requests per second
• Account/position requests: 10 requests per second
• SignalBee handles rate limiting automatically
• If you see rate limit errors, reduce your signal frequency

Testnet for Practice

Bybit provides a testnet environment for practice:

• Testnet URL: api-testnet.bybit.com
• Create separate testnet API keys at testnet.bybit.com
• Practice trading without risking real funds
• Test your signal configurations before going live

---

Position Mode Configuration

Bybit Futures supports two position modes. Choose based on your trading strategy.

One-way Mode (Default)

Hedge Mode

How to Change Position Mode

1. Go to Bybit Derivatives trading page
2. Click the Settings icon (gear)
3. Select Position Mode
4. Choose One-Way Mode or Hedge Mode
5. Confirm the change

Important: You cannot change position mode while you have open positions or pending orders. Close all positions and cancel all orders first.

---

Leverage and Margin Configuration

Setting Leverage

Leverage is configured per trading pair on Bybit:

1. Open the trading page for your desired pair (e.g., BTCUSDT)
2. Click the leverage display (e.g., "10x")
3. Use the slider to select your desired leverage (1x to 100x)
4. Click Confirm

Recommendation: Start with 5x leverage or less until you're comfortable with futures trading. Higher leverage means faster liquidation.

Margin Types

How to Switch Margin Type

1. On the trading page, find the margin mode indicator
2. Click to switch between Cross and Isolated
3. For Isolated, you can set the margin amount per position

Tip: Isolated margin limits your maximum loss to the margin allocated to that position. Cross margin uses your entire Futures balance.

Understanding Liquidation

When your position losses exceed your margin:

• Your position is automatically closed (liquidated)
• You lose the margin allocated to that position
• With cross margin, liquidation uses more of your account balance

Liquidation price is shown on each open position. Always know your liquidation price before entering a trade.

---

Troubleshooting

Common Bybit Futures-specific errors and solutions:

Connection Test Fails?

If your connection test fails in SignalBee:

1. Verify exchange selection - Must be "Bybit Perpetual", not "Bybit"
2. Check both values - API Key and Secret Key must both be correct
3. Verify Contract permissions - Must have Contract - Orders AND Contract - Positions enabled
4. Wait a few minutes - New API keys may take 1-2 minutes to activate
5. Check IP whitelist - If configured, ensure SignalBee's IPs are included

Funds Show as $0?

If SignalBee shows $0 balance:

1. Verify exchange type - "Bybit Perpetual" connects to your derivatives account
2. Check USDT balance - Ensure you have USDT deposited in Bybit
3. Check Reading permission - API key needs Read permission enabled

For persistent issues, see our Error Codes Reference or contact support@signalbee.trade.

---

Risk Warnings

CRITICAL: Perpetual futures trading carries significant risk. Read this section carefully.

Leverage Amplifies Both Gains AND Losses

Higher leverage = faster liquidation. A 1% adverse price movement with 100x leverage results in complete loss.

Liquidation is Automatic and Final

• When margin is depleted, your position is forcibly closed
• You lose the entire margin allocated to that position
• There is no way to recover from liquidation
• Liquidation fees apply on top of losses

Funding Rates Affect Position Costs

• Perpetual contracts have funding payments every 8 hours
• If you're long and funding is positive, you pay shorts
• If you're short and funding is positive, you receive payment
• Funding can significantly affect profitability of longer-term positions

Risk Management Best Practices

• Start with low leverage (5x or less) until experienced
• Always use stop-losses to limit potential losses
• Never trade with funds you can't afford to lose
• Size positions appropriately - don't risk entire account
• Understand your liquidation price before entering trades
• Monitor funding rates for held positions
• Practice on testnet first before trading real funds
• Consider isolated margin to limit maximum loss per trade

Not Suitable For

Futures trading may not be appropriate if you:

• Are new to cryptocurrency trading
• Cannot afford to lose your entire investment
• Don't understand leverage and liquidation mechanics
• Are unable to monitor positions regularly
• Have high risk aversion

---

Security Best Practices

Follow this checklist to keep your Bybit account secure:

Bybit Account Security

• Enable 2FA with an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) - more secure than SMS
• Use a unique, strong login password for Bybit (not reused from other sites)
• Enable withdrawal address whitelist - restricts withdrawals to pre-approved addresses

API Key Security

• Create a dedicated API key just for SignalBee Futures - don't reuse keys
• Never enable withdrawal permission - SignalBee never needs it
• Consider IP whitelisting for maximum security
• Never share your Secret Key via email, chat, or screenshots
• Store both credentials in a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, etc.)
• Use separate API keys for Spot and Futures if using both

Ongoing Security

• Review your API keys periodically in Bybit - delete any you don't recognize
• Rotate API keys every 90 days as a security habit
• Monitor trade and position history for any unauthorized activity
• Keep your email secure - it's used for Bybit account recovery

Security Note: Even with all precautions, the most important protection is never enabling withdrawal permissions. Without this permission, your funds cannot be moved off the exchange even if everything else is compromised.

---

Related Resources

• Bybit Spot Setup - For spot trading on Bybit
• API Key Best Practices - General API key security guidance
• Security Overview - How SignalBee protects your data
• Error Codes Reference - Common error messages explained