Who CloddsBot is for#
Traders active across prediction markets and futures exchanges
Access Polymarket, Kalshi, and Betfair prediction markets alongside Binance, Bybit, and Hyperliquid perpetual futures from one agent via Telegram or Discord. Route orders, check open positions, set stop-losses, and get fill alerts through natural language without switching between separate apps.
Skip if:
You trade only on one centralized exchange and prefer a polished visual dashboard with pre-built strategy templates. Tools designed specifically for CEX trading will feel more familiar and require less initial configuration.
Privacy-conscious traders avoiding SaaS key custody
Run CloddsBot locally so exchange API keys stay on your own hardware and never pass through a third-party service. AES-256-GCM encryption is applied to stored credentials. All outbound connections go directly to exchange APIs with no intermediary cloud layer.
Skip if:
You prefer managed reliability with guaranteed uptime, automatic software updates, and professional support. A cloud-based trading service handles server maintenance and failures for you, which is a real operational advantage if you cannot maintain your own server.
Developers building and testing multi-market strategies
Use the 119 MCP skills via Claude Desktop to develop strategies, or use the built-in backtesting framework to validate them against historical data before going live. The trade ledger's confidence calibration output shows how well the AI's stated confidence tracks actual trade outcomes over time.
Skip if:
You need a low-code visual builder for strategies with drag-and-drop logic blocks. CloddsBot is configured through chat commands and code, not a graphical interface.
Arbitrage hunters across prediction market platforms
The built-in arbitrage engine scans Polymarket and Kalshi simultaneously for cross-platform price discrepancies, applies combinatorial analysis from arXiv:2508.03474, and uses Kelly sizing for position recommendations. Defaults to dry-run mode so you can audit signals before enabling live execution.
Skip if:
You need fully automated live arbitrage execution at low latency with no manual review step. The README notes that cross-platform settlement complexity requires manual review in many cases, and the default configuration is dry-run only.
The problem it solves#
Managing crypto trading across multiple market types means maintaining a separate setup for each: a bot for centralized exchange futures, a different tool for Polymarket prediction markets, and a manual workflow for on-chain DEX swaps. This fragmentation compounds when you try to apply consistent risk management, since each tool has its own position limits, stop-loss settings, and reporting format.
The other friction point is key custody. Most trading automation services require you to input your exchange API keys into their cloud systems. You are trusting a third party with API access to your funds, with no visibility into how those keys are stored or who else can access them. Self-hosting removes that dependency: your keys stay on your machine, and the trading agent runs without routing through any external infrastructure.
How it solves it#
1,000+ market coverage in one agent
Trades across 10 prediction markets (Polymarket, Kalshi, Betfair, Smarkets, Drift, Opinion.xyz, Predict.fun), 7 perpetual futures exchanges (Binance, Bybit, Hyperliquid, MEXC, Drift, Lighter, Percolator), Solana DEXs (Jupiter, Raydium, Orca, Pump.fun, Meteora), and five EVM chains via Uniswap V3 and 1inch. All accessible through one agent without switching interfaces.
118+ trading strategies with backtesting
Includes momentum, mean reversion, arbitrage detection (using combinatorial analysis sourced from arXiv:2508.03474), DCA bots, copy trading, whale tracking, and market making. Strategies are backtestable with configurable sizing, stop-loss, and take-profit parameters before going live. A/B testing across live strategies is supported on futures exchanges.
21 messaging channels and built-in WebChat
Control the agent through Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Teams, Signal, Matrix, iMessage, LINE, Nostr, and a built-in browser interface at localhost:18789. WebChat stores unlimited message history in SQLite, supports nine interface languages, and uses context compacting so the AI retains older conversation context across long sessions.
Risk engine with circuit breaker and kill switch
A unified risk layer applies VaR and CVaR calculations, volatility regime detection, Kelly sizing, and configurable daily loss limits across all open positions. A circuit breaker halts trading if the daily loss limit is hit. A kill switch closes all positions immediately. These controls apply globally across every connected market.
Trade ledger with on-chain anchoring
Every trade decision is logged with the AI's reasoning, confidence score, and outcome. Records are optionally hashed with SHA-256 for integrity verification and can be anchored to Solana, Polygon, or Base for immutable proof. The ledger CLI surfaces win rates, P&L, and confidence calibration statistics via `clodds ledger stats`.
MCP server for Claude Desktop and Claude Code
All 119 bundled skills are exposed as MCP tools, letting you invoke CloddsBot's trading, analysis, and automation capabilities from Claude Desktop or Claude Code directly. Auto-configure with `clodds mcp install`. Useful for building multi-step trading workflows in Claude without writing a custom API client.
Strengths and trade-offs#
Strengths
- API key custody stays on your machineThe agent runs locally; your exchange API keys never leave your own hardware. Cloud trading services require connecting your keys to their servers, creating a third-party custody risk. CloddsBot applies AES-256-GCM encryption to stored credentials locally, and all outbound connections go only to the exchange APIs you configure.
- Widest market coverage among open source trading agentsCloddsBot covers prediction markets, centralized futures, Solana DEXs, and EVM DEXs in one agent. Most open source bots focus on a single category: CEX trading only or one DEX. The README's feature table documents support for 10 prediction markets, 7 futures exchanges, and DeFi protocols across six blockchain networks.
- MIT license with no usage restrictionsMIT allows commercial use, modification, and distribution without licensing fees beyond the copyright notice. You can fork it, adapt strategies to your own use case, and run it commercially without a subscription. The source code is public and auditable, which matters when the agent has access to your trading API keys.
- Natural language control through any messaging appRather than requiring a dedicated web dashboard, CloddsBot accepts trading commands, status requests, and strategy changes through natural conversation in Telegram, Discord, Slack, or WhatsApp. You ask "what are my open positions" or "run a BTC DCA starting tomorrow" and the agent handles execution.
Trade-offs
- -Anthropic API key required for core AI functionsClaude is the default LLM and required for the main agent. You pay Anthropic API costs per message and trade decision. High-frequency scenarios with many short decisions accumulate meaningful API costs over time. Alternative LLM providers (GPT-4, Gemini, Groq, Ollama) are supported as substitutes, but the default configuration and documentation target Claude.
- -Wide market coverage means wide credential setupEach market integration requires its own API key, and some exchanges (Binance, Bybit) require KYC. The onboard wizard handles the initial setup, but configuring all 16+ trading platforms is a multi-step process. Users who only need one or two exchanges will still encounter a broad configuration surface during setup.
- -Young project with 30 open issuesCloddsBot launched in January 2026 and has 30 open issues as of September 2026. The codebase has grown fast across many integrations, and the release cadence is rapid. Users who run the main branch should expect occasional breaking changes in configuration keys, channel integrations, or strategy parameters between updates.
CloddsBot vs alternatives#
CloddsBot vs 3Commas
Both tools automate crypto trading, but they differ in deployment model and market coverage. 3Commas is a cloud-hosted SaaS; CloddsBot runs on your own machine and keeps API keys local.
| Feature | CloddsBot | 3Commas |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Proprietary |
| Self-hosting | Yes | No |
| Prediction markets | 10 platforms | None |
| On-chain DeFi | Yes (Solana and 5 EVM chains) | No |
| Perpetual futures | 7 exchanges | Select CEXs |
| API key custody | Your hardware | Cloud servers |
| Pricing model | API usage (Anthropic key) | Subscription |
CloddsBot is the stronger choice for traders who need prediction market or DeFi coverage alongside centralized exchange trading, or who want full custody of their API keys. 3Commas is the better fit when you want a managed, visual interface with no infrastructure setup and a longer-established track record on centralized exchanges.
CloddsBot vs Cryptohopper
Cryptohopper is a cloud-based trading bot focused on centralized exchanges, with a marketplace for community-built strategies. CloddsBot's scope extends to on-chain trading and prediction markets that Cryptohopper does not cover.
| Feature | CloddsBot | Cryptohopper |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Proprietary |
| Self-hosting | Yes | No |
| Prediction markets | 10 platforms | None |
| DeFi trading | Yes | No |
| Natural language control | Yes (21 channels) | No |
| AI reasoning layer | Claude (LLM) | Rule-based signals |
| Pricing model | API usage (Anthropic key) | Subscription |
Cryptohopper suits traders who prefer visual strategy builders, community strategy templates, and cloud-managed reliability without infrastructure overhead. CloddsBot reaches markets Cryptohopper cannot (Polymarket, Kalshi, Hyperliquid DEX, Solana DeFi) and accepts natural language commands through Telegram or Discord rather than requiring a dedicated web dashboard.
Install and self-host#
Install CloddsBot via npm and run the onboard wizard to configure API keys and start the local gateway.
```bash
npm install -g clodds --loglevel=error
clodds onboard
```What it's built on#
- Languages
- JavaScriptTypeScript
- Frameworks
- Express
- Databases
- PostgreSQL
- Cache
- Redis
FAQ#
Is CloddsBot free to use?
CloddsBot is MIT licensed and free to run on your own hardware. You will need API keys for the exchanges and markets you trade on. The default AI is Claude, which requires an Anthropic API key with usage-based billing. Alternative LLM providers including Ollama (free, local) are supported as a substitute for the AI layer.
What exchanges and markets does CloddsBot support?
CloddsBot connects to 10 prediction markets (Polymarket, Kalshi, Betfair, Smarkets, Drift, Manifold, Metaculus, PredictIt, Opinion.xyz, Predict.fun), 7 perpetual futures exchanges (Binance, Bybit, Hyperliquid, MEXC, Drift, Percolator, Lighter), Solana DEXs (Jupiter, Raydium, Orca, Pump.fun, Meteora), and five EVM chains via Uniswap V3 and 1inch.
Does CloddsBot work with Telegram?
Yes. Telegram is one of 21 supported messaging channels. After running clodds onboard, you connect a Telegram bot token and control the agent through natural language chat. Other supported channels include Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Teams, Signal, Matrix, and a built-in web interface at localhost:18789.
Does CloddsBot require a cloud server?
No. CloddsBot runs on your local machine via Node.js. The gateway listens locally for the web interface and connects outbound to exchange APIs only. You can also deploy it on a home server or VPS. It does not depend on any external service beyond the exchange and AI provider APIs you configure.
How does CloddsBot handle trading risk?
A unified risk engine applies VaR and CVaR calculations, Kelly sizing, volatility regime detection, and configurable daily loss limits across all positions. A circuit breaker halts trading when the daily loss limit is reached. A kill switch closes all open positions immediately. These controls apply globally across every connected market and exchange.
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