New to crypto arbitrage? You're in the right place. This page is your beginner-friendly starting point — no jargon, no assumptions about what you already know. We'll explain what arbitrage is, why it works, and how you can start earning with as little as $100.
Imagine you're at a flea market. One vendor sells vintage watches for $50. Another vendor across the market sells the same watches for $80. You buy from the first, walk over, and sell to the second. Pocket $30. That's arbitrage.
Crypto arbitrage is the same thing, but with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies across different exchanges (think of exchanges as different vendors). The price of Bitcoin on Binance might be $67,500 while on Luno (South Africa) it's $68,200. Buy on Binance, transfer to Luno, sell — pocket the difference.
In countries with strict currency controls (Nigeria, Turkey, Argentina), people can't easily buy US dollars. They use crypto as a substitute — driving up local prices by 3-10% above the global average. This is called a 'premium.'
Each exchange has different users. If a trending TikTok video causes a buying frenzy on one exchange but not another, the price temporarily spikes on that exchange. Arbitrageurs (that's you!) help equalize it.
Big exchanges (Binance, 150M+ users) barely move when someone buys $100K. Small exchanges can jump 1-2% on the same order. Less liquidity = bigger price swings = more opportunities.
It takes 10-30 minutes to send crypto between exchanges. During that time, prices on different exchanges can diverge. If everyone could teleport money instantly, prices would always be the same.
Don't skip the test transfer on Day 5. Sending $10 teaches you the exact process (withdrawal addresses, network selection, confirmation times) without risking meaningful money. It's the single most important step for building confidence.
These numbers assume 1-2 hours of active effort per day. Beginners typically earn on the lower end of the range because they're still learning which pairs and exchanges work best. After 2-3 weeks, most people find their rhythm and earnings increase as they develop intuition for good opportunities.
Beware of anyone promising 100%+ monthly returns from arbitrage. Those claims are either scams or based on extreme, non-repeatable conditions. Realistic sustained returns are 5-15% monthly for active traders with $2K+ capital.
No. Crypto arbitrage is a legitimate trading strategy used by professional firms managing billions of dollars. It's the same as buying cheap and selling expensive — the most basic principle of commerce. However, there ARE scams that claim to do arbitrage on your behalf — never give anyone access to your exchange account.
No. ArbiScreen is a visual dashboard — you look at numbers and click buttons. You trade on regular exchange websites. No programming required. Bots (automated trading) exist, but they're for advanced users and completely optional.
Yes! ArbiScreen works in mobile browsers. Most exchanges also have mobile apps. You can scan for opportunities on ArbiScreen and execute trades on exchange apps — all from your phone. Many active arbitrageurs trade on the go.
Losses are typically small and come from: (1) The price moving during transfer, (2) Miscalculating fees, or (3) Trading too-small amounts where fees eat the profit. The worst case in spot arbitrage is usually a 1-3% loss — unlike trading where you can lose 50%+ on a bad bet.
ArbiScreen scans 17 exchanges for profitable opportunities. Free forever — no credit card, no time limits.
Try ArbiScreen Free →For active spot arbitrage: 1-3 hours spread throughout the day. You don't need to sit in front of a screen for 3 hours straight — check ArbiScreen 3-4 times a day for 15-30 minutes each time. The best opportunities often appear during high-volatility periods (market opens, major news events).
Yes, in virtually every country where crypto trading is legal. Arbitrage is simply buying and selling — there's nothing illegal about getting a better price. It actually helps markets function better by equalizing prices across exchanges.
Technically $50, but we recommend $300-500 minimum. Below $200, the fees (usually $2-10 per trade) eat too much of your small profits. With $500, a 2% spread nets you $10 — enough to justify the time and effort. See our detailed minimum capital guide.
In spot arbitrage: practically no. The worst case is a few percent loss if the price moves against you during transfer. Compare that to crypto trading where 50%+ losses are common, or DeFi where smart contract hacks can drain everything. Arbitrage is the lowest-risk way to earn from crypto.
No! That's the beauty of arbitrage — you don't predict where prices will go. You only care about where they ARE right now, on two different exchanges. ArbiScreen does all the math for you. No charts, no candles, no RSI, no Fibonacci.
Trading = predicting the future ('I think BTC will go up'). Arbitrage = exploiting the present ('BTC IS cheaper here than there right now'). Trading requires skill, experience, and emotional control. Arbitrage requires speed and fee awareness. Trading risk: -100% to +infinite. Arbitrage risk: -3% to +5% per trade.
Binance (for the lowest fees and most pairs) + one other exchange where you see consistent spreads. Check ArbiScreen to see which exchanges show the most opportunities for your region. South Africa? Add Luno. Turkey? Add BtcTurk. Global? Add KuCoin or Bybit.
Yes, bots are faster. But: (1) They cost money ($50-200/month), (2) They require API key access (security risk), (3) They mostly compete with each other on tiny spreads. As a manual trader, focus on geo arbitrage and larger spreads (2%+) that bots can't access (they don't have bank accounts in every country).
