For users trading contracts on Gate, contract points are more than just a sign of activity—they’re a key credential for enjoying platform benefits. Yet, many users find that, even after investing significant effort or using automated tools to assist their trading, their account points remain unchanged.
In reality, Gate has clear rules for earning contract points. The platform focuses on whether users complete valid contract trading activities, not simply on trading frequency or nominal trading volume. This is especially important for those using API-based quantitative trading or sub-account strategies. Certain actions may not only fail to earn points but could also trigger the platform’s risk controls.
Red Line 1: Specific Trading Volume Generated by API Quantitative Trading
Quantitative trading plays a major role in the crypto market, but under Gate’s points system, not all trading volume generated via API counts toward point accumulation.
According to Gate’s official rules, trading volume from API transactions typically does not qualify for Gate contract points. This means that if you rely entirely on bots executing high-frequency strategies via API, you could see massive nominal trading volume but still earn no points.
Underlying logic: The points system is designed to reward genuine, market-driven human trading behavior. Some quantitative strategies—such as high-frequency wash trading or order book spoofing—can generate large amounts of artificial or abnormal trading activity. These contribute little to market depth and may disrupt proper price discovery. Excluding API-generated volume from points calculations is Gate’s way of maintaining market fairness.
Pro tip: If you’re an API quantitative trader and want to earn contract points, consider keeping some manual trades or non-API-triggered strategic trades in your main account. Be aware that attempting to inflate volume via API for the sake of points is not only ineffective, but may also violate the User Agreement’s anti-market manipulation clauses and subject your account to risk review.
Red Line 2: Sub-Account Trades Don’t Count Toward Main Account Points
Many professional traders use Gate’s sub-account feature to separate different trading strategies and manage funds more efficiently. However, when it comes to earning points, sub-accounts are more independent than you might think.
Clear rule: As stated in the Gate Points FAQ, trading via sub-accounts typically does not qualify for Gate contract point activities. The points system follows a "sub-account independent accounting" principle—trades made by sub-accounts are treated as actions of separate entities and are not aggregated into the main account’s point tally.
Common misconception: Some users believe that as long as either the main or sub-account is active, points will be combined. In reality, if you want a sub-account to earn points, you must ensure that the sub-account itself is eligible and that its trading activities meet all requirements (such as not being API-triggered or executed by bots). In most cases, sub-accounts are explicitly excluded from the points system.
Pro tip: Your main account should be your go-to for participating in points activities. If you need to use sub-accounts for convenience, limit point-earning manual trades to your main account and use sub-accounts strictly for strategy execution—without expecting to earn points from them.
Red Line 3: Automated Trading by Bots and Copy Trading
With the rise of copy trading, many newcomers participate in the market by mirroring lead traders’ moves. However, this seemingly "hands-off" approach is clearly categorized as "invalid activity" under Gate’s points rules.
Official stance: Gate explicitly states that copy trading and bot-driven trading do not earn contract points. Whether you’re copying top traders or using third-party programs to automate buy and sell orders, if the trading decisions aren’t made by you in real time, the resulting volume is unlikely to count as valid.
Deeper reasoning: The points system rewards "active participation" by traders. Copy trading may generate fees, but it lacks the trader’s own decision-making process. Pure bot programs (not just API-based, but also UI-simulating scripts) are seen as inefficient use of system resources. The platform’s algorithms distinguish between these mechanical, non-human-intervened trades and normal user behavior during reviews.
Pro tip: Turn off copy trading for now and make a few contract trades based on your own independent analysis and judgment. This not only helps you regain a feel for the market, but is also the most reliable way to earn points. If you’re using copy trading, treat it as a learning and observation tool, and reserve point-earning for manual trades on your main account.
Conclusion
Understanding these red lines helps you avoid common pitfalls. To earn Gate contract points steadily and in compliance, focus on these three principles:
- Stick to manual trading: Whenever possible, use the web or app interface for manual order placement and avoid inflating volume with APIs or automated scripts.
- Use your main account: Make sure you’re trading from your main account, not a sub-account. Trades from sub-accounts are typically excluded from point calculations.
- Avoid abnormal trading: Steer clear of self-trading, wash trading, or other behaviors that the system may flag as fake trades. These not only fail to earn points but also violate anti-market manipulation rules in the User Agreement.
Ultimately, Gate contract points are a bonus for genuine trading activity, not a byproduct of quantitative arbitrage. Trading within the rules helps you avoid "invalid activity" red lines and ensures every trade you make carries real value.
