In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency trading, arbitrage—commonly known as "brick-moving" or cross-exchange trading—offers a unique opportunity to capitalize on price differences across platforms. This article dives into a real-world example of manual arbitrage that generated a net profit of 1,371 TWD on August 30, 2023, while exploring the practical challenges, risks, and strategic considerations involved.
Whether you're new to digital asset trading or looking to refine your strategy, understanding how manual arbitrage works—and how it compares to automated solutions—can help you make smarter decisions in volatile markets.
The 1,371 TWD Arbitrage Trade: A Real Execution Example
On August 30, 2023, an arbitrage opportunity emerged between two major Taiwanese exchanges: MAX Exchange and BitoPro. Due to MAX’s strict risk controls, its USDT selling price often remains lower than other local platforms—even dipping below BITGIN’s buying rate at times. This can limit automated arbitrage signals but opens doors for manual traders who act quickly.
That day, a trader spotted a promising gap:
- MAX Exchange: USDT buy price at 31.944 TWD
- BitoPro: USDT sell price initially observed at 32.025 TWD, later rising to 32.05 TWD
Seizing the moment, the trader purchased 31.944 TWD worth of USDT on MAX, transferred the stablecoin to BitoPro, and prepared to sell.
To avoid market impact from large sell orders, they chose to split the sale into multiple smaller listings rather than dumping all 18,000 USDT at once. This cautious approach paid off—the final average selling price reached 32.0524 TWD per USDT, resulting in:
- Gross profit: 2,036 TWD
- Transaction fees: 665 TWD
- Net profit: 1,371 TWD
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This case illustrates not only the potential rewards of manual trading but also the precision and timing required to succeed.
Manual vs Automated Arbitrage: Key Differences
When it comes to cross-exchange arbitrage, there are two primary approaches: manual and automated. Each carries distinct advantages and trade-offs.
Automated Arbitrage: Low Risk, Passive Income
Platforms like BITGIN offer automated brick-moving robots designed for passive income generation. These bots operate under strict rules—only executing trades when profit is guaranteed after fees—and currently work exclusively between BITGIN and MAX.
Key benefits:
- Trades only occur when risk-free profit is confirmed
- Operates 24/7 without user intervention
- Reduces emotional decision-making
- Ideal for beginners or those seeking hands-off investing
However, due to its limited exchange integration (only two platforms), opportunities are constrained—especially when one exchange tightens its risk policies.
Manual Arbitrage: High Effort, Higher Reward Potential
Manual trading allows users to exploit price gaps across any of Taiwan’s top five exchanges, vastly increasing potential opportunities.
But this freedom comes at a cost:
- Requires constant market monitoring
- Involves pre-buying assets before confirming exit prices, introducing significant risk
- Large transactions may affect market depth and slippage
- Speed is critical—delays in transfer or order placement can erase profits or lead to losses
“Manual arbitrage isn’t just investing—it’s active combat with volatility.”
Unlike automated systems that hedge or execute simultaneously, manual methods rely on sequential actions: buy → transfer → sell. During that window, prices can shift dramatically.
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Challenges of Manual Brick-Moving
Even with clear opportunities, success in manual arbitrage demands more than just spotting price differences. Several operational hurdles come into play:
1. Market Liquidity Constraints
When placing large buy or sell orders, insufficient order book depth can cause slippage. For instance:
- A large purchase may push the price up before full execution
- A bulk sale might depress the market, lowering the average sell price
The solution? Break orders into smaller chunks and monitor real-time depth—a time-consuming but necessary tactic.
2. Transfer Delays and Timing Risks
Cryptocurrency transfers between exchanges take time—especially during network congestion. By the time funds arrive, the arbitrage window may have closed.
In our example, the trader was fortunate: the USDT sell price on BitoPro actually increased during transit. But this isn't always the case.
3. Competition Among Traders
Price discrepancies don’t stay hidden for long. Other traders—some using bots—are constantly scanning for these gaps. Being even a few seconds late can mean missing the opportunity entirely or getting stuck holding an asset at a loss.
4. Emotional and Mental Fatigue
Constant vigilance, rapid decisions, and high stakes create mental strain. One mistake—a misentered amount or delayed action—can wipe out gains from multiple successful trades.
After just a few manual attempts, many traders find themselves longing for reliable automation.
The Need for Broader Exchange Integration
Currently, automated arbitrage tools like BITGIN’s robot are restricted to a single exchange pair (BITGIN ↔ MAX). With MAX tightening its risk management policies, profitable signals have become rare.
To restore consistent performance, expanding the robot’s capabilities to include other major exchanges—such as BitoPro, MaiCoin, or Foxbit—would significantly increase signal frequency and resilience.
Diversifying partner exchanges would allow the bot to:
- Respond dynamically to shifting market conditions
- Avoid over-reliance on a single platform
- Capture wider arbitrage spreads across more liquidity pools
Until then, traders are left choosing between limited automation and high-effort manual execution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is blockchain arbitrage ("brick-moving")?
A: It refers to buying cryptocurrency on one exchange at a lower price and selling it on another where the price is higher, profiting from the difference—similar to "buy low, sell high" across platforms.
Q: Is manual arbitrage riskier than automated?
A: Yes. Manual trading requires pre-funding purchases without guaranteed exit prices, exposing traders to market shifts during transfers. Automated systems typically confirm profitability before acting.
Q: How do transaction fees impact arbitrage profits?
A: Fees directly reduce net gains. High-frequency or small-margin trades can become unprofitable if fees aren't carefully calculated upfront.
Q: Can anyone do arbitrage trading?
A: Technically yes—but success requires technical knowledge, fast execution tools, access to multiple exchanges, and strong risk management skills.
Q: Why did MAX’s risk controls affect arbitrage opportunities?
A: MAX enforces strict anti-manipulation and liquidity rules, which can suppress USDT pricing relative to peers. While safer, this reduces viable spread opportunities for arbitrageurs.
Q: Are stablecoins like USDT best for arbitrage?
A: Yes. Their low volatility makes them ideal for short-term cross-exchange trades, minimizing exposure between buy and sell actions.
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Final Thoughts
Manual arbitrage can yield tangible profits—as demonstrated by the 1,371 TWD gain—but it's far from effortless. It demands speed, discipline, and nerves of steel. While automation offers a safer, more sustainable path, current limitations restrict its effectiveness.
For now, traders must weigh their options: endure the grind of manual execution or wait for broader automated solutions. As the ecosystem evolves, integrating more exchanges into algorithmic trading frameworks will likely become the key to unlocking consistent returns.
Remember: past performance does not guarantee future results. This article shares personal experience only and should not be taken as financial advice. Always assess your risk tolerance and conduct independent research before engaging in any form of trading.
Keywords: blockchain arbitrage, manual arbitrage, crypto arbitrage strategy, USDT trading, cross-exchange arbitrage, cryptocurrency profit, automated trading bot, stablecoin arbitrage