Does Alpaca support Crypto Coin Pair Trading?

Yes! With the introduction of Alpaca’s Coin Pair Trading, you can now buy a crypto asset with another crypto asset. Alpaca users can now trade with supported coin pairs of Bitcoin (BTC),Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC).

What are the supported coins pairs?

For the initial launch of Alpaca Coin Pair Trading, we are launching with BTC and USDT as the base currencies. Below, are the list of supported Coin Pairs:

  • BTC pairs (BCH, ETH, LTC, UNI)
  • USDT pairs (AAVE, BCH, BTC, ETH, LINK, LTC, UNI)
  • USDC pairs (AAVE, AVAX, BAT, BCH, BTC, CRV, DOT, ETH, GRT, LINK, LTC, MKR, SHIB, UNI, XTZ)
  • USD pairs (AAVE, AVAX, BAT, BCH, BTC, CRV, DOT, ETH, GRT, LINK, LTC, MKR, SHIB, UNI, USDC, USDT, XTZ)

How to Coin Pair Trade on Alpaca?

Traders will be able to place coin pair orders on both the Alpaca Dashboard and via the API.

You will now be able to search and place orders for assets such as ETH/BTC or ETH/USDT.

To begin Coin Pair Trading, please follow the steps below:

  1. Simply search for the asset you would like to coin pair trade with.
  2. Input the quantity of crypto asset you would like to purchase (in this example we are buying 1.4 ETH in exchange for 0.08 BTC).
  3. Click Review Order, and done!

How are fees applied to Coin Pairs trades?

With Coin Pair trading, Alpaca traders will be charged fees on the credited side of the coin.

For instance, the order.fees field will denote the fees denominated in accordance to the pair symbol rather than USD.
Some examples:

Buy ETH/BTC, you receive ETH, the fee is denominated in ETH.

Sell ETH/BTC, you receive BTC, the fee is denominated in BTC.

Buy ETH/USD, you receive ETH, the fee is denominated in ETH.

Sell ETH/USD, you receive USD, the fee is denominated in USD.

What are the specific order limitations for a given crypto pair?

Minimum Order Size: The minimum quantity value that is accepted in an order. This value is calculated dynamically based on a $1 USD notional equivalent minimum, based on the last close price of the relevant asset(s). The maximum decimal places accepted is 9 i.e 0.000000001 for all crypto assets.

For USD pairs, the minimum order size calculation is: 1/USD asset price.

For BTC, ETH and USDT pairs, the minimum order size calculation is: 1/(base asset price/quote asset price).

Min_trade_increment: The minimum quantity allowed to be added to the min_order_size. E.g. if 0.1 we accept an order for 1.1 but we won’t accept 0.9 because it’s under the min_order_size. The maximum decimal places accepted are 9 i.e 0.000000001 for all crypto assets.

Price Increment: The minimum notional value that is accepted in an order. Similar to Min Order Size but for notional orders. The maximum decimal places accepted are 9 i.e 0.000000001 for all crypto assets.

Why am I seeing BTCUSD after I bought BTC/USD?

The new symbology is not present in the Positions list.

The Position list shows BTCUSD instead of BTC/USD to denote you hold BTC asset, while you submit an order to buy BTC/USD to indicate you are exchanging USD with BTC. BTCUSD is an asset symbol and BTC/USD is a tradable pair.

Is Coin Pairs enabled for Paper Trading?

Yes! Coin Pair trading is available for all paper trading accounts too.

Is Coin Pair Trading available for Broker API?

Yes, Coin pair trading is available for broker API partners, for more info, visit this page.

What Happens if I Submitted an Order with Buy BTCUSD?

If you submit an order with buy BTCUSD, the API backend will translate it immediately to a buy BTC/USD

Does TradingView Integration Support Coin Pair Trading?

Yes it does! TradingView symbology denotes an “ETHBTC” style i.e without a slash, but Alpaca correctly recognizes this symbology.


Please note that this article is for informational purposes only. The example above is for illustrative purposes only. Actual crypto prices may vary depending on the market price at that particular time. Alpaca Crypto LLC does not recommend any specific cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrency is highly speculative in nature, involves a high degree of risks, such as volatile market price swings, market manipulation, flash crashes, and cybersecurity risks. Cryptocurrency is not regulated or is lightly regulated in most countries. Cryptocurrency trading can lead to large, immediate and permanent loss of financial value. You should have appropriate knowledge and experience before engaging in cryptocurrency trading. For additional information please click here.

Cryptocurrency services are made available by Alpaca Crypto LLC ("Alpaca Crypto"), a FinCEN registered money services business (NMLS # 2160858), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc. Alpaca Crypto is not a member of SIPC or FINRA. Cryptocurrencies are not stocks and your cryptocurrency investments are not protected by either FDIC or SIPC. Please see the Disclosure Library for more information.

This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell cryptocurrencies, or open a cryptocurrency account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca Crypto is not registered or licensed, as applicable.