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Connecting an exchange via API

How to create an API key with the right permissions and connect it safely. Your funds stay on the exchange.

5 min read

The golden rule of API keys

Give the system read + trade permissions only. Never enable withdrawal. Even if a key leaks, no one can move your funds off the exchange without the withdrawal permission.

Steps (general flow, same idea on every exchange)

  1. Log in to your exchange (Binance / Bybit / OKX) and open API Management.
  2. Create a new API key. Name it something like "TalixTrade".
  3. Enable permissions: Read and Spot/Futures Trade. Leave Withdraw OFF.
  4. Copy the API Key and Secret (the Secret is shown once — save it now).
  5. In TalixTrade → Exchanges+ Connect, pick the exchange, paste the key and secret, save.

IP whitelist (recommended)

Most exchanges let you restrict a key to specific IP addresses. If you whitelist, add TalixTrade's server IPs (shown in the connect dialog). This means a leaked key is useless from any other machine. On OKX a whitelist is effectively required for stable trading.

Futures systems: enable Hedge Mode

Hedging and many futures strategies need Hedge Mode (a.k.a. dual-side position) turned on in your exchange's futures settings *before* you start the system. See the dedicated exchange guide in Docs for exact clicks per exchange.

Common mistakes

  • Withdrawal permission enabled — disable it immediately.
  • Wrong account type — a Spot-only key can't run a futures system.
  • Secret lost — you can't recover it; just delete the key and create a new one.

Reading is free. So is testing.

Paper trading costs nothing and needs no card. Build a system, backtest it on real candles, and decide from the result.