Triangular Arbitrage: Find Crypto Cycles with Positive Net Return
Every minute the scanner checks 444 coins on 7 exchanges for triangular cycles A→B→C→A. Net return is calculated after taker fees. Live example right now: RAIN→SHIB→ONDO via KuCoin→MEXC→Gate.io gives +1.13% net.
What it is
Triangular arbitrage is a cycle A→B→C→A: you buy coin A, convert it to B, then to C, and back to A — ending with more A than you started with. The scanner looks for such cycles across 7 exchanges: each leg of the cycle is executed on its own exchange at its own cross-rate.
Example from the live table: cycle RAIN → SHIB → ONDO (KuCoin → MEXC → Gate.io) shows +1.33% gross and +1.13% net.
How the numbers are calculated
- Each cycle shows the gross return in % — the pure price difference.
- Net return is gross minus taker fees on every leg of the cycle. Net is the only number that matters.
- Cross-exchange spreads — a separate table of the same coin quoted differently on different exchanges.
- BestChange chains — cycles that pass through exchangers, where the margin is already inside the rate.
Honest view: what is realistic
Instant triangular arbitrage within one exchange is rare and closes in seconds — bots eat it up. What is real is cross-exchange price differences: the median spread across exchanges is about 0.27%, and for low-liquidity coins it reaches 5–17%. Cycles with +0.5–1% net appear regularly in the scanner. The key is speed and controlling fees: withdrawal and network costs can erase a small net profit, so check them before acting.
How to use the scanner
- 1. Open the cycles list sorted by net return.
- 2. Pick a cycle with a positive net return and study its three legs (exchange per leg).
- 3. Check withdrawal/network fees for moving funds between the exchanges — they are not included in net %.
- 4. Estimate the real profit = amount × net % − withdrawal fees.
- 5. If it still makes sense, execute quickly: opportunities shift every minute.
Tips
- Ignore gross % — decide only by net after fees.
- For small amounts, network fees may eat the whole profit.
- The cross-exchange spread table is more actionable for manual trading than chasing cycles.
The tool is free and updates in real time.
FAQ
What is triangular arbitrage?
A cycle A→B→C→A where you convert a coin through two intermediate coins across exchanges and end up with more of the original coin. The scanner finds cycles whose net return (after taker fees) is positive.
Is it possible to make money with it?
Sometimes, but not as easy as it looks. Instant same-exchange cycles are eaten by bots in seconds. Cross-exchange price differences of 0.5–1% net appear regularly — but you must add withdrawal and network fees to the calculation.
What are the real risks?
Fees (taker, withdrawal, network) can exceed the gross profit; prices move while you execute; low-liquidity coins may slip against you. That is why the scanner shows net after taker fees and why you should verify withdrawal costs.
What does net after fees mean?
Gross return of the cycle minus the taker fees of all three legs. It is the profit before withdrawal and network costs of moving funds between exchanges.
How often is the data updated?
Cycles, spreads and coins scanned are refreshed every minute. An opportunity that exists now may be gone in 60 seconds.
