Important Update!
Native Stop Loss is now available for Futures DCA bots.
This means Stop Loss orders are placed directly on the exchange alongside your Limit Take Profit orders (excluding Trailing TP). This offers faster, exchange-side execution during periods of high volatility.
If the exchange does not support native SL in a specific case, the fallback will be a standard 3Commas Stop Loss.
Currently supported on:
Binance Futures (USDT-M, COIN-M)
Bybit Futures (USDT Perpetual, Inverse Perpetual)
Gate Futures
Not available on Spot accounts at this time.
Although this guide focuses on setting up Stop Loss in SmartTrade, all principles apply to DCA bots as well.
Where to Set Up Stop Loss
When creating or editing a SmartTrade or DCA bot, scroll to the Stop Loss section to configure the following:
1. Order Type
Choose between:
Cond. Limit Order — lets you specify the exact price at which the Stop Loss order is placed.
Cond. Market Order — executes the Stop Loss instantly at market price.
2. Stop Loss Price or %
The trigger point for SL activation. Example: -3%.
You can toggle between entering the SL as a price or as a percentage by clicking the blue value field.
2.a. Limit Price (for Cond. Limit orders only)
The price at which the Limit SL order will be placed. Example: -3.5%.
3. Stop Loss Timeout
Delay execution of Stop Loss by a few seconds. More on this below.
4. Trailing Stop Loss
Enable if you want SL to adjust upwards with market price.
5. Move to Breakeven
Automatically move your SL to entry price once TP1 is hit.
6. Risk/Reward Estimate
Shows potential loss and RR ratio based on your configuration.
What Is Stop Loss?
Stop Loss is a risk management tool that closes your position when the price moves against your trade by a certain amount.
Example:
You buy 1 ETH at $1800
SL is set to -5% → $1710
You select a convenient Price follow method — see which method to choose here;
If the price drops to $1710, the system will:
Place a market order (Cond. Market), or
Place a limit order (Cond. Limit), depending on your SL type
More info about Order types is in this article.
SL helps cap losses, but many traders also use it on profitable trades to lock in gains or protect break-even outcomes.
What Is Stop Loss Timeout?
Stop Loss Timeout is a delay mechanism that protects you from temporary dips (fake-outs or "wicks").
Why use it?
Some coins experience short-lived price drops that bounce back quickly. Timeout ensures your trade only closes if the price stays below SL for a few seconds.
How it works:
Price hits or drops below SL
A countdown begins (e.g., 10 seconds)
If price recovers above SL during countdown → trade stays open
If price remains below SL → trade closes
This is useful for coins with erratic movement or low liquidity.
What Is Trailing Stop Loss?
Trailing Stop Loss (TSL) adjusts your Stop Loss upward as price rises, locking in more potential profit without you having to move it manually.
How it works:
You set a Stop Loss (SL) when opening a trade (e.g., -3%).
If you enable Trailing Stop Loss, that same SL % is used as the “trail %".
The system converts this trail % into a fixed value based on your trade’s average entry price.
Trail value = (avg. entry price) × (SL%)
Each time a new price peak is reached, the SL moves up to:
New SL = Highest price – Trail value
Example:
Entry: $100
Stop Loss: -3% (which becomes trail % = 3%)
Trail value:
100 × 0.03 = $3
Now:
Price rises to $120 → SL moves to
120 – 3 = $117If price drops to $117 → position closes
Note: Executed SL may differ slightly due to order type, slippage, or exchange fees.
Important Notes
No extra setting required: The “trail %” is always the same as the SL % you set.
Based on average entry: If you add funds to the SmartTrade, the average entry price changes, and the trail value is recalculated.
Example: if avg. entry moves from $100 → $105, trail value =
105 × 0.03 = $3.15.If price hits $120, new SL =
120 – 3.15 = $116.85.
Keeps moving upward only: The SL never moves down and it only shifts up when a new high is made.
How to enable:
In SmartTrade: toggle the Trailing Stop Loss switch
In DCA bots: enable Stop Loss, then enable Trailing SL
The system updates the SL each time the price hits a new high. This continues until the position closes by SL, TP, or manual action.
Check this GIF for a better understanding:
What Is Move to Breakeven?
The Move to Breakeven option automatically shifts your Stop Loss to the trade’s entry price (plus fees) once your first Take Profit is hit.
Requirements: Must have at least two TP targets
Example:
Buy ETH at $100
SL at $90
TP1: $110
TP2: $120
TP3: $130
When TP1 is hit, SL is moved from $90 → $100
TP2 is hit — SL stays at $100
If price reverses and hits $100, you exit at break-even.
Visualization:
ETH Price | SL Price |
$100 | $90 |
$110 (TP1 hit) | $100 (moved to BE) |
$120 (TP2 hit) | $100 |
$105 | $100 |
$100 | SL triggered, breakeven exit |
This protects gains once some profit has been secured.