> ## 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 — Setup and Operation

> Long-history venue with sophisticated API. Trade pair prefix `t` (e.g., `tBTCUSD`) — unique among supported venues.

<Info>
  **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`).
</Info>

## When Bitfinex makes sense

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Long-history preference" icon="landmark">
    Operating since 2012. Track record across multiple market cycles. For operators who value history.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Diversification beyond Kraken" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Often paired with Kraken as both are long-established venues. Different jurisdictional profiles.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Strong major-pair liquidity" icon="droplet">
    `tBTCUSD`, `tETHUSD` — solid books. Comparable to mid-tier majors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="USD-quoted markets" icon="dollar-sign">
    Native USD pairs (not USDT). Useful for operators preferring fiat-quoted trading.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When NOT to use Bitfinex

<Warning>
  * ❌ **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.
</Warning>

## Account creation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign up at Bitfinex">
    Standard signup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify email and phone">
    Standard verification.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete KYC">
    Bitfinex KYC for spot trading. Plan for `1–3` business days.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable 2FA">
    Authenticator app preferred.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## API key creation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to API Management">
    Account → API → API Keys.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create new API key">
    Standard flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set IP allowlist">
    Paste your VPS IP. Wait for propagation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save key and secret">
    Save both immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connecting unCoded to Bitfinex

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Dashboard, add Bitfinex">
    "Exchanges" → "Add Exchange" → "Bitfinex."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste credentials">
    API key + secret. Test Connection.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Bitfinex-specific quirks

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Symbol naming with `t` prefix" icon="font">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="USD-quoted natively" icon="dollar-sign">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sophisticated product set" icon="layer-group">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Long-history reputation considerations" icon="clock-rotate-left">
    Bitfinex has had historical incidents (2016 hack with Tether-linked aftermath). Modern Bitfinex operations have improved substantially. Operator trust assessment is your call.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fee structure" icon="coins">
    Default `0.20%` taker, with substantial volume tier discounts. Higher than Binance, lower than some alternatives.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sub-account support" icon="layer-group">
    Limited compared to Binance/Bybit. For strategy isolation, prefer venues with mature sub-account features.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting Bitfinex-specific

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Authentication fails" icon="circle-exclamation">
    Standard checks: IP allowlist, permissions (Account history + Orders + Wallets), credential whitespace, propagation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Symbol not found" icon="font">
    Bitfinex spot symbols use `t` prefix (`tBTCUSD`). Verify the format matches.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Insufficient balance" icon="circle-exclamation">
    Standard fix. On Bitfinex, also verify balance is in spot wallet (not funding/margin wallet).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Best practices for Bitfinex operators

<Tip>
  * ✅ **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.
</Tip>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API Key Security" icon="shield" href="/exchanges/api-key-security">
    Universal principles.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Kraken Setup" icon="building-columns" href="/exchanges/kraken">
    The other long-history venue. Often paired with Bitfinex.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Binance Setup" icon="building-columns" href="/exchanges/binance">
    The recommended primary.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Other venues" icon="ellipsis" href="/exchanges/other-venues">
    Remaining production-ready.
  </Card>

  <Card title="TradingBot" icon="robot" href="/modules/tradingbot">
    The execution engine.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>