Ask HN: What is a good way to get into trading cryptocurrency as a developer?

I'm assuming you're talking about algorithmic cryptotrading here since you'd like to utilize your CS skills. No need to inform you that trading by bots is extremely risky, i'm sure you already know it.

Well here you go:

Grab some foreknowledge of cryptocurriencies from https://github.com/Xel/Blockchain-stuff.

Sound knowledge of Quant,Stats and Economics in general. Also grab the Black Swan by Nassim Taleb if you can.

Learn a bit of technical analysis: Familiarize yourself with indicators

You'd need to spend some time on exchanges that have APIs, play around with the system a bit.

Learn about what kind of trading is allowed and what types of orders you can make.

Trade by hand just to get a feel of what trading is like. Some exchanges have demo trading in built when you sign up. Play around until you're comfortable

Find the trading strategy you're comfortable and begin to automate it.

Be prepared to lose lots of money!!!

Also join telegram chats of the various cryptogroups. Their analysis is so spot on, it sometimes feels like insider trading. Good luck

The top comment in this thread is very informative:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BitcoinMarkets/comments/1rhtv1/eli5...

The "pump & dump" dynamic is extremely important in cryptotrading.

I'm not too sure that CS knowledge would be that applicable (for trading) at least. Trading cryptocurrency for profit is speculation - essentially the same as trading a stock on the stock market. Unless you're working in HFT or trying to build out an algo to trade for you, besides some basic math skills, I can't see how CS knowledge would apply.

I found Cryptotrader [1] interesting years ago, & found myself wishing I knew how to code so I could get in on maybe making some money there.

Was using a minimal bot that came as a Chrome extension called "Butter-Bot", but it stopped working right after that one Thanksgiving when it broke $1k- when the market started going sideways. The developer was building a newer version called "Butter-X", which looked promising, but was never completed after money ran out.

[1]

https://cryptotrader.org

1. Go to bank.

2. Withdraw large pile of cash.

3. Put it in a metal garbage can, away from any flammable materials.

4. Light the cash on fire.

This will get you to the same destination, only much faster.

You absolutely can make money with bots in cryptocurrency - there are times when different exchanges have $100 differences in the price of bitcoin. During times of volatility you can have bots making money off arbitrage.

Start with this

https://anders.com/blockchain/

never forget to only play with what you're willing to lose