Copy Trading: Easy Money or a Trap for the Naive?
Copy trading can feel like the laziest way to earn: just copy a trader (or a bot) and relax. I tried it. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it hurt. Here are the metrics that actually matter before you follow anyone.
Copy trading is sold as one of the most effortless ways to make money: you don’t trade — you mirror someone else. Sometimes you even copy traders who run automated trading bots.
I’ve done it myself. I’ve had wins. I’ve had losses. And most losses were not “because of the market”. They happened because I didn’t study the trader deeply enough.
Why copy trading looks so easy
You see a curve going up. You see huge percentages. You see comments like “stable strategy” and “low risk”. Your brain wants the shortcut. But copy trading is not a shortcut. It’s risk delegation.
If you like this topic, you’ll probably also relate to how people chase “easy wins” in side hustles — this post connects the mindset.
The 3 metrics to check before you copy anyone
Don’t trust a two-month “legend”. One lucky market phase can make anyone look like a genius. Look for at least 6 months. Better: 12+ months.
If the trader has months like -60% or spikes like +1000%, that’s a warning. Many traders optimize for a pretty chart, not your long-term survival.
Decide how much you are willing to lose before you start. If the trader hits that limit — you stop copying and exit. No hope. No “maybe it will recover”.