The above image depicts where the "Max Spread Percent" setting is located in the Shrimpy Pro application. This setting will be discussed in detail throughout this article.
You may notice that the setting is hidden by default on the "Automation" tab. In order to show this setting, select the text to "Show more settings".
Before we can understand the purpose of the spread control setting in the Shrimpy Pro application, we must first understand what is spread.
In the above illustration, we see how limit orders are placed on the order book. We have bids on the left and asks on the right. The gap in the middle where there are no bids or asks is called the spread. When a new order is placed, it can either be placed as an open order, making you a "maker", or it can be placed on the opposite side of the order book to make you a "taker". Placing an order on the other side of the order book means the order will be instantly executed.
In the Shrimpy Pro application, we currently always act as the taker. That means Shrimpy Pro crosses the spread in order to execute a trade instantly. This allows us to systematically execute rebalances in a quick and predictable manner.
One setting that Shrimpy Pro controls for automatically is the amount of spread Shrimpy Pro is allowed to cross in order to immediately execute an order. If the user does not manually set a value for spread, Shrimpy Pro will use the automated settings.
Inputting a value for the maximum spread percent control will mean Shrimpy Pro will not execute a trade over a spread that is larger than that amount. So, if you set a spread of 10% for example, Shrimpy Pro will not cross a spread that is more than 10%.
If there are multiple trades for a single asset during a rebalance, this setting will be checked before every trade. That means if the first trade during a rebalance was below this maximum percent, but the second trade was above, Shrimpy Pro will not execute the second trade.
Caution: There are some assets that naturally have high spreads. For example, if an asset has a bid price of 6 Satoshi and an ask price of 7 Satoshi, placing a spread control of 10% would mean this asset cannot be automatically traded with Shrimpy Pro since this spread will always be more than 10%.
Additionally, setting extremely low spread controls, such as .1% will decrease the chance a rebalance will complete. That is because we won't place trades unless the spread is less than this amount (which might be unlikely for many assets).
How to trade assets with high spread
Trading assets with high spread can still be done through the trading terminal. Simply navigate to "Trading", select the portfolio which has the funds you would like to trade, select the trading pair, and execute the trades at the price that is comfortable to you.
Have questions, comments or concerns? Feel free to reach out to us via the blue "Support" button found in the bottom left corner of your Dashboard, or send an email to Support@Shrimpy.io.