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The Copy Trading Trap: Are You Ready to Rely on Someone Else's Decisions with Your Money?

Updated: Feb 26, 2023

Have you ever dreamed of making money trading, but just can't seem to figure it out?


Perhaps you've heard of copy trading, a way to follow other traders and automatically mimic their trades. It sounds easy, right? But have you ever stopped to consider the potential pitfalls of relying on someone else's decisions with your hard-earned money?


It's like hiring a personal chef to cook all your meals for you. Sure, it may be convenient, but what happens if they get sick or decide to make something you don't like? You're left without any cooking skills of your own and no idea how to feed yourself. The same can be said for copy trading - you're relying on someone else to do the work for you, but what happens if their strategy doesn't work out or if they decide to stop trading altogether?


In this article, we're going to take a closer look at copy trading and address some of the most commonly asked questions. Is it a good idea? Is it legal? Can you make money from it? And most importantly, is it a good option for beginners? By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of the potential pitfalls of copy trading and why learning the skills yourself may be a better long-term strategy. So, let's get started!





Is Copy Trading a Good Idea?


On the surface, copy trading may seem like a great idea - you get to follow experienced traders and let them make all the decisions for you. It's like relying on someone to assemble your IKEA bookshelf - sure, it might save you some time and effort, but what if they put the wrong screw in the wrong place and your bookshelf collapses on top of you? You're left alone to try fix it.


The same can be said for copy trading - you're relying on someone else to make all the trading decisions for you. While this may seem like a good idea in the short term, it can be detrimental to your long-term success. You're not developing any trading skills of your own, and you're not learning how to make informed trading decisions.


Additionally, you're not learning how to manage your emotions when it comes to trading. When you're following someone else's trades, you're not developing the discipline and emotional control that is necessary for successful trading. This can be a recipe for disaster when the market inevitably takes a downturn.


Overall, while copy trading may seem like a good idea, it's important to weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages. Sure, you may be able to make some quick gains in the short term, but without the necessary knowledge and skills, you're setting yourself up for failure in the long run. So, while it may be tempting to rely on someone else to do the work for you, learning how to trade for yourself is the key to long-term success.





Is Copy Trading Good for Beginners?


As a beginner, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start when it comes to trading. Copy trading may seem like an 'easier' option - after all, you get to follow someone else's trades and let them do all the work. But is it really the best option for beginners?


It's like using training wheels on a bike - sure, you might feel safe and secure with them on, but you're not really learning how to balance and ride on your own. It's the same with copy trading - you may feel like you're on the right track, but you're not really developing the skills you need to be a successful trader in the long run. Take off the training wheels and start pedalling on your own!


As a beginner, it's important to take the time to learn how to trade for yourself. This means learning the basics of technical analysis, developing a trading strategy, and learning how to manage your emotions when it comes to trading. While it may seem like a lot of work, the benefits are worth it.


By learning how to trade for yourself, you're developing a skill set that you can use for the rest of your life. You're also taking control of your own financial future and not relying on someone else to make decisions for you. It may be tempting to take the easy route and copy someone else's trades, but in the long run, you'll be much better off learning how to trade for yourself.





Is Copy Trading Legal?


When it comes to the legality of copy trading, it all depends on the laws in your own country.


In general, copy trading is legal in most countries, but it's important to do your research and make sure you're not breaking any laws. This may involve checking with a financial advisor or doing some research on your own.


The good news is that in many countries, copy trading is a legitimate way to make money through trading. But it's important to make sure you're following the rules and regulations in your specific area to avoid any potential legal issues.





Can you Make Money from Copy Trading?


The short answer is yes - it is possible to make money from copy trading. But it's important to do your research and make sure you're following the right traders. It's like hiring a contractor to do work on your house - you want to make sure they have a good reputation and a proven track record.


When it comes to copy trading, it's important to find traders who have a successful trading history and evidence to back it up. This means doing your own research and looking at the statistics before deciding who to copy. You should also monitor your copy trading activity every single day to ensure that you're not losing money. Markets change, and people do too. If you're copying them, make sure they're doing their job properly.


While it is possible to make money from copy trading, it's not a set-it-and-forget-it kind of strategy. You still need to be actively involved and monitoring your trades on a regular basis. And in the long run, relying on someone else's decisions may not be the best strategy.


So, while copy trading may seem like a good idea in the short term, it's important to weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages. While it is possible to make money from copy trading, you're still relying on someone else's decisions and you're not developing your own skills.





How Much Money do I Need to Start Copy Trading?


When it comes to copy trading, the amount of money you need to get started depends on the trading platform you choose.


Some copy trading platforms only require a small amount of money to get started - as little as $10 in some cases. Other platforms may require significantly more. It's important to choose a reputable platform and make sure you have a clear understanding of the fees and costs involved. The platform needs to have large trading volumes and a strong history, avoid new brokers or exchanges that pop up overnight offering copy trading as a service, these likely won't be around long and you could lose all of your money.


It's also important to do your own research and make sure you're copying the right traders. Make sure the platform provides clear statistics and information about the traders you're copying, so you can make an informed decision. The more detailed, the better.


Overall, the amount of money you need to start copy trading varies depending on the platform you choose. It's important to do your own research and make sure you have a clear understanding of the costs and fees involved. And remember - while copy trading may seem like an easy way to make money, it's still important to do your own due diligence and monitor your trades on a regular basis.




How do I Start Copy Trading?


Once you've done your research and chosen a reputable copy trading platform, the process of getting started is usually pretty straightforward. It's like following a recipe - you just need to follow the steps and you'll have a successful dish.


Some of the platforms we trade on offer copy trading are listed on our partner page here. Disclaimer, at Spitfire Traders, we would never use a copy trading service.


Once you've chosen a platform, simply follow the steps provided by the platform to set up your account and start copying the trades of successful traders.


But remember, while it may seem like an easy way to make money, we would never recommend copy trading as a long-term strategy. Instead, we believe in taking the time to learn the skills yourself and developing a trading strategy that works for you.





What is the Disadvantage of Copy Trading?


Oh boy, where do we even start? There are so many reasons why copy trading may not be the best option for you. But if you're a glutton for punishment, here are just a few of the potential disadvantages:


  • You won't develop the skills you need to be a successful trader in the long run. But hey, who needs skills when you can just copy someone else's trades, right?

  • You're relying on someone else's performance to make money. And who doesn't love leaving their financial fate in the hands of a stranger?

  • You could end up losing money if the trader you're copying has a bad day, week, or month. But hey, who needs money when you can just take a gamble with your hard-earned cash?

  • Copy trading can be risky if you're not careful. But hey, who needs safety when you can just roll the dice and hope for the best?

  • You're not really learning anything about trading. But hey, who needs knowledge when you can just live in blissful ignorance?

  • You're not developing your own trading strategies. But hey, who needs originality when you can just copy someone else's ideas?

  • So there you have it, folks - just a few of the many reasons why copy trading may not be the best option for you. But if you're still feeling tempted, we wish you the best of luck in your copy trading endeavours. You'll need it!