# Crypto

> Trade cryptocurrencies through Robinhood Crypto: the one broker that supports it, the fields a crypto strategy shows, and the risk tools available.

*Source: https://tradelabs.org/docs/reference/instruments/crypto*

Crypto strategies buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. A signal source drives the entries and exits, and TradeLabs places the matching order. Crypto markets run around the clock, so a crypto strategy keeps watching and trading outside normal market hours.

## Which broker trades it

Crypto routes to **Robinhood Crypto** only. It is the single broker the app supports for this instrument, so once you set the instrument to Crypto the app assigns Robinhood Crypto for you.

| What trades crypto | Supported |
| --- | --- |
| Robinhood Crypto | Yes |
| Every other broker | No |

> **Note**
>
> Robinhood Crypto uses its own API key and public key, separate from a Robinhood stock account. Connect it on the Brokers page before you build a crypto strategy. See the [Robinhood Crypto broker page](/docs/reference/brokers/robinhood-crypto/) for the exact steps.

## Set up a crypto strategy

Open a strategy from the Strategies page and set its instrument to **Crypto** on the General tab. That restricts the strategy to Robinhood Crypto and hides the controls that do not apply to crypto. For the full walkthrough of every tab, see the [strategy editor guide](/docs/copy-trading/strategy-editor/).

![The strategy editor open on a crypto strategy, showing the fields crypto uses](/docs-assets/app-strategy-editor-crypto.png)
*A crypto strategy in the editor. No strike or expiration — crypto trades the coin itself.*

The fields a crypto strategy shows:

- **Ticker** free-text symbol. Type a coin like `BTC` or `ETH` to react only to that coin, or `ALL` to react to any coin the signal mentions.
- **Direction** picks which signals you act on: **Long only** (buys), **Short only** (sells), or **Both**.
- **Default quantity** on the Sizing tab, with a segmented control to size in **Shares**, **Dollars**, or **Percent**. Picking Percent adds a **Percent sizing basis** choice of **Available Funds** or **Net Liquidation**.
- **Entry** and **Exit** are **Market** only. Crypto has no limit-order path, so the control shows a locked Market tile rather than a Market/Limit choice.
- **Time in force** toggles **Day** or **GTC** for how long an unfilled order stays open.

> **Note**
>
> Crypto runs on **Discord** or **Telegram** signals. TradingView alerts cannot carry a crypto signal, so that chip does not appear on a crypto strategy at all.

The AI, Filters, and Protections tabs work the same as any other Discord or Telegram strategy.

## Risk and exits

On the **Risk & exits** tab a crypto strategy can set:

- **Stop loss** sells to limit a loss. Enter a dollar amount or a percentage. Leave it empty to skip.
- **Take profit** sells to lock in a gain. Enter a dollar amount or a percentage. Leave it empty to skip.

> **Note**
>
> There is no trailing stop for crypto. Use stop loss and take profit to manage exits.

Crypto tends to move more than stocks, so give the stop room to breathe rather than setting it as tight as an equity trade.

## Next steps

- Connect the account on the [Robinhood Crypto broker page](/docs/reference/brokers/robinhood-crypto/).
- Build and activate the strategy with the [copy-trading setup guide](/docs/copy-trading/strategy-editor/).