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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://uncoded.ch/docs/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Bitfinex is one of the longest-running crypto exchanges (since 2012). Long history through multiple market cycles, sophisticated API, broader product set than unCoded uses. Spot trading is solid. Distinguishing feature: trade pair symbols use a t prefix (e.g., tBTCUSD).

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When Bitfinex makes sense

Long-history preference

Operating since 2012. Track record across multiple market cycles. For operators who value history.

Diversification beyond Kraken

Often paired with Kraken as both are long-established venues. Different jurisdictional profiles.

Strong major-pair liquidity

tBTCUSD, tETHUSD — solid books. Comparable to mid-tier majors.

USD-quoted markets

Native USD pairs (not USDT). Useful for operators preferring fiat-quoted trading.

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When NOT to use Bitfinex

  • ❌ As your starter venue — established majors better for first month.
  • ❌ For specific jurisdictions — Bitfinex has restrictions in some regions including US.
  • ❌ For very fast/HFT-style strategies — Bitfinex API is solid but not optimized for sub-millisecond.
  • ❌ For pure altcoin breadth — KuCoin/MEXC/Gate.io broader on long-tail.

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Account creation

1

Sign up at Bitfinex

Standard signup.
2

Verify email and phone

Standard verification.
3

Complete KYC

Bitfinex KYC for spot trading. Plan for 1–3 business days.
4

Enable 2FA

Authenticator app preferred.

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API key creation

1

Navigate to API Management

Account → API → API Keys.
2

Create new API key

Standard flow.
3

Configure permissions

  • ✅ Account history — read.
  • ✅ Orders — write (for placing/canceling orders).
  • ✅ Wallets — read (for balance queries).
  • ❌ Withdrawal — leave unchecked. NEVER enable.
  • ❌ Margin / Funding — disabled unless required.
4

Set IP allowlist

Paste your VPS IP. Wait for propagation.
5

Save key and secret

Save both immediately.

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Connecting unCoded to Bitfinex

1

Open Dashboard, add Bitfinex

“Exchanges” → “Add Exchange” → “Bitfinex.”
2

Paste credentials

API key + secret. Test Connection.
3

Use Bitfinex's `t` prefix in symbols

Trade pairs are formatted as tBTCUSD, tETHUSD (note the t prefix). The exchange profile handles this transparently when you specify symbols normally.

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Bitfinex-specific quirks

Bitfinex spot trading pairs use a t prefix: tBTCUSD, tETHUSD. Funding pairs use f prefix.The unCoded exchange profile handles this transparently — but mentally translate when cross-referencing.
Bitfinex offers USD pairs (not USDT). For US-based operators avoiding USDT, this is a benefit. For operators in USDT-pair pre-built modes, mentally treat USD as roughly equivalent.
Bitfinex supports margin, funding/lending, derivatives. unCoded uses spot-only. The other product features are visible in Bitfinex’s UI but unCoded doesn’t interact with them.
Bitfinex has had historical incidents (2016 hack with Tether-linked aftermath). Modern Bitfinex operations have improved substantially. Operator trust assessment is your call.
Default 0.20% taker, with substantial volume tier discounts. Higher than Binance, lower than some alternatives.
Limited compared to Binance/Bybit. For strategy isolation, prefer venues with mature sub-account features.

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Troubleshooting Bitfinex-specific

Standard checks: IP allowlist, permissions (Account history + Orders + Wallets), credential whitespace, propagation.
Bitfinex spot symbols use t prefix (tBTCUSD). Verify the format matches.
Standard fix. On Bitfinex, also verify balance is in spot wallet (not funding/margin wallet).

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Best practices for Bitfinex operators

  • ✅ Use Bitfinex’s t-prefixed symbols (tBTCUSD).
  • ✅ API permissions: Account history + Orders + Wallets — never Withdrawal.
  • ✅ IP allowlist mandatory.
  • ✅ 2FA with authenticator app.
  • ✅ Use as secondary/tertiary venue.
  • ✅ USD-quoted pairs natural for non-USDT-preference operators.
  • ✅ Quarterly rotation.
  • ✅ Don’t engage Bitfinex’s margin/funding products through unCoded — spot-only.

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What’s next

API Key Security

Universal principles.

Kraken Setup

The other long-history venue. Often paired with Bitfinex.

Binance Setup

The recommended primary.

Other venues

Remaining production-ready.

TradingBot

The execution engine.
Last modified on May 3, 2026