There is no need to make a large deposit or juggle exchange accounts to get in on a crypto trading competition. In fact, the process is more straightforward than many traders think: select a tournament and put down your registration, you are given a virtual balance to work with and then you trade for a place on the leaderboard. The ones at the top of the table walk away with real USDT. We have put together this guide to cover everything from the initial sign up to the payout so there are no surprises.
In a time-boxed contest like these, you are pitted against other participants in a test of performance. But you are not parting with your own capital or making real coin sales; the trading is done on a virtual balance that tracks live market data. Your ranking is what puts you in the winner’s circle, and on BuyCrypt that means a prize in actual USDT even though the trading itself is simulated.
That is an important consideration when entering a tournament. A run of bad trades will not empty your bank account since the funds are virtual. You are really being judged on your decisions: the timing, risk sizing and how you handle entries and exits. While PnL and ROI are the usual yardsticks, some of our formats factor in PMC (Position Movement Change) to give credit for steady, well-managed trading over a lucky stroke. For scale: BuyCrypt has run 2,027 tournaments since 2022, and winners have received $42,913 in prizes (USDT, Tour Pass at $0.10, BUYT), as of Nov 14, 2026.
New tournaments start every day, so you will not be left waiting for one that suits your calendar. The key is to find the right fit. A quick one-day affair is good for aggressive scalping but a multi-day event calls for patience. Newcomers might prefer a short, free run to get used to the interface without any pressure. Make sure to review the rules panel on any open tournament to see what the starting balance is, which markets are on offer and how the scoring works.
When it comes to cost, there are two options. The free tier has no deposit or fee and is a sound way to put a strategy to the test or build a record. Some never leave the free ladder. Paid tournaments charge an entry fee: the weekend BTC Battle, for example, costs 100 Tour Pass (one Tour Pass is $0.10) and splits a 100 USDT prize pool across 15 places. If you are aiming for a funded account, prop plans run from 49 to 449 USDT with an 80% profit split (85% on Elite). There is also ‘The Ladder’ for those who can earn their way to a funded account through strong showings in qualifying rounds. The mechanics of joining do not change, only the entry fee.
Signing up is a matter of minutes. After creating an account and affirming the rules, you are in. Paid entries want the fee first thing, but for a free contest you simply join. The platform will then put the virtual balance in your account. Consider this your working capital for the duration of the event. It is not something you can withdraw nor does it belong to you; it is the level playing field from which you must try to outperform the rest of the field.
You will be trading from a single terminal once you are registered. There is no need to be tab-hopping between multiple accounts. This gives you a consolidated view of the markets and lets you put in orders across 10 different exchanges while staying in the tournament. You will find the bulk of the competition here, accessible from the web terminal or via our iOS and Android app.
The virtual balance is to be handled with the same care as real capital. Put some discipline into it: set your risk for each trade, do not over-leverage and make a note of what is working. With the tournament clock ticking, you have to plan for the format; a setup that might see you through a week-long contest is often too slow for a one-day sprint. While the trading is simulated and there are no guarantees of profit, it is skill and sound risk management that put you at the top of the leaderboard.
The live leaderboard has you ranked against every other participant in accordance with the scoring rules. It is useful to see where you stand in relation to the prize cutoff so you can determine if you should be on the offensive or content to hold your ground. Be mindful of the time left on the clock, as late volatility has a way of turning the standings on their head.
Once the tournament is over and the final rankings are in, we distribute the prizes. Top finishers receive the prize in the tournament’s currency: USDT, Tour Pass or BUYT. USDT and BUYT are paid out on TON, and the record is public on the payouts page. If you go down the funded-account route instead, a good showing can lead to a $5,000 account with an 80% profit split rather than a one-time prize. Claiming is simple when the results are final, and you can sign up for the next event right away.
If you are new to this, take the pressure off and start with a free contest to get a feel for the pace and the terminal. Resist the urge to trade at random; pick a strategy and test it. A solid track record means more than a stroke of luck, particularly if The Ladder and a funded account are your goal.
Make sure to read the rules of each tournament as they can vary in terms of eligible markets and starting balances. Set your personal risk limits before you put in an order, and if you need to manage positions while out and about, the app is there for you. New tournaments start every day, giving you ample opportunity to hone your approach and move on to the next crypto contest.
Simply register for one of the free tournaments. There is no deposit or fee required and you will be given a virtual balance to begin. It is the most straightforward way to build a record before you think about a paid entry.
Not for the free tournaments. Paid tournaments and prop plans (49 to 449 USDT) have a fee, and The Ladder progression system allows you to reach a funded account without paying based on how you perform.
Simulated and dependent on your skill. You are working with a virtual balance tied to live market data, not putting your own capital or coins at risk. But the prizes are real, and USDT payouts go out on TON.
The live leaderboard does, by applying the tournament’s scoring rules which may include PnL, ROI or even PMC (Position Movement Change). When the event is done, the final ranking dictates the prize. Profit is never guaranteed.
Certainly. The iOS and Android apps let you join and trade just like the web terminal. From one place you can even trade across 10 exchanges without having to switch between accounts.
New tournaments start every day, so you can be in the next one almost as soon as the last one wraps up. BuyCrypt has run 2,027 tournaments since 2022 (as of Nov 14, 2026).
