What is Bybit AI subaccount? A beginner's guide

AI-powered trading agents have moved from experimental tooling to a practical reality for retail traders, with major exchanges now building dedicated infrastructure to accommodate them. Bybit has responded with a purpose-built account type, the AI Subaccount, designed specifically for AI agents to execute trades through API access. Authentication works via public/private key pairs, withdrawals are disabled by default and asset exposure is capped at $5,000 unless you change this amount. 

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Key Takeaways:

• The Bybit AI Subaccount is a purpose-built, API-only account type that isolates AI agent activity from your primary funds and other Subaccounts.

• Authentication relies on a public/private key exchange, rather than a password. API keys expire every 30 days by default.

• Asset exposure is capped at $5,000 by default, with granular permission controls managed from the parent account.

What is the Bybit AI Subaccount?

The Bybit AI Subaccount is a segregated account type designed exclusively for AI assistants to interact with the exchange on your behalf via API. Whereas a Standard Subaccount is a trading environment a human can log into directly to execute trades, the AI Subaccount’s activity is driven by your linked AI assistant. There’s no password-based login, and no in-app account switching into it.

AI agents authenticate through a public/private key pair, rather than via login credentials, which changes the security model significantly. All trades, transfers and activity generated by the connected agent stay within the Subaccount’s isolated environment, with no capability to move assets into your Main Account (or other Subaccounts) without explicit permission. Bybit treats the AI agent as a separate, bounded identity, rather than an extension of the account holder.







How does it differ from a regular Subaccount?

The core difference between a Standard Subaccount and an AI Subaccount depends upon whom the account is built for and how access is granted.

Why use an AI Subaccount?

• Separation of funds from your Main Account. The AI Subaccount operates in a ringfenced environment, meaning that your primary holdings and other Subaccounts are never exposed to agent activity.

• Built-in cap limits. By default, the Subaccount is capped at $5,000, limiting your maximum exposure if an agent misfires or a strategy goes wrong.

• Granular permission controls. You control exactly what the agent can do, including transfer direction, leverage limits and TP/SL settings, all managed from the parent account.

• No need to share Main Account credentials. The agent authenticates through an API key, rather than your login details, and keeps your primary account credentials separate.

• 30-day API key expiration for security. Keys generated for the Subaccount expire every 30 days by default. This forces regular credential rotation and reduces stale access risk.

• Compatible with multiple AI assistants. You can connect different agents, such as OpenClaw, Claude Code and Cursor, to separate AI Subaccounts without overlap.

Which AI assistants are supported?

Bybit supports AI Subaccounts linked to OpenClaw, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Gemini and Cursor, to name just the major ones. Any AI tool capable of API integration can also be connected. 

How authentication works

1. Get the setup command from Bybit. After creating your AI Subaccount, Bybit provides a command to send to your AI assistant.

2. The AI assistant generates a public key. The assistant processes the command and returns a public key.

3. Paste the public key into Bybit. Bybit uses this to generate an API key.

4. AI assistant authenticates. The assistant uses the API key to authenticate all subsequent calls to Bybit's API.

Keys expire every 30 days by default. Advanced settings, such as IP whitelisting, are available on the web platform.

How to create an AI Subaccount on the web

Step 1: Create your AI Subaccount by going to your Profile icon (on the Bybit homepage) → Subaccount → Create Subaccount on your Subaccount Management page.



Step 2: Choose AI Subaccount for the account type to create.



Step 3: Type the name for your Subaccount, choose AI Subaccount for AI agents and Confirm.



Step 4: Provide the security verification code sent to you, then click on Next Step.



Step 5: After getting a message that your Subaccount has been created, click on Connect to AI.



Step 6: Copy the instruction message for your AI assistant, and paste it into your AI tool to get your public key. After the AI assistant generates the public key, copy and paste it into the Generate API Key field, then click on Confirm and provide the security verification.



Step 7: Copy the API key, and provide it to your AI assistant to finish the setup.



Understanding permissions

Permissions are managed from your Main Account via the Subaccount Management page.

The table below outlines the functionality of these permissions:



Asset permissions control your trading cap and the flow of funds between your Subaccount’s Unified Trading Account (UTA) and Funding Account.



Trading permissions control whether the AI assistant can place and manage trades.



TP/SL permissions set a maximum Take Profit/Stop Loss across all Futures positions.



Contract leverage sets the maximum leverage permitted on contract positions.



Max margin leverage sets the upper bound on margin leverage the assistant can apply.



How to create an AI Subaccount on the App

Step 1: On the Bybit App homepage, tap on your Profile icon in the top-left corner and go to Settings → Subaccount → Create. 



Step 2: Enter the Subaccount name and select AI Subaccount, then tap on Create.



Step 3: Complete the security verification, then tap on Connect to AI Assistant. 



Step 4: Copy the instruction message for your AI assistant, and paste it into your AI tool to get your public key. After the AI assistant generates the public key, copy and paste it into the Generate API Key field. Then, click on Confirm and provide the security verification.



Step 5: Copy the API key and provide it to your AI assistant in order to finish the setup.



The bottom line

The Bybit AI Subaccount gives you a flexible way to integrate AI trading agents without exposing your full portfolio. Its default $5,000 asset cap, 30-day key expiration, disabled withdrawals and parent-account permission controls form a layered containment system in which you define the risk limits. For traders considering AI-assisted strategies, this account type serves as a great starting point.



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