What is DEX → futures arbitrage?
It’s a convergence strategy: you’re not betting on direction, you’re aiming to close on spread compression between DEX and perps.
- Enter on DEX.
- Hedge with perps (often short).
- Exit on spread compression by plan.
How it works (step-by-step)
- Find a dislocation: DEX leads or is mispriced vs perps.
- Open the hedge first when speed matters (perps usually fill faster).
- Build the DEX leg in clips (slippage control).
- Use lifetime: don’t overstay if the spread doesn’t compress.
Example trade (from snapshot fields)
- Signal: large spread.
- Action: DEX buy + perp short.
- Exit: close both legs on compression after costs.
Fields
PROSUSDT
Spread 46.63%
- DEX leg
- PancakeSwapbsc$0.02537`dex.network`, `dex.dexId`, `dex.price`
- Perp leg (hedge)
- Binance USD-Mfunding 8h -0.012892$0.03720`futures.ex`, `futures.price`, `futures.funding8h`
Lifetime
If lifetime exceeds your limit — skip.
520s
Simplified PnL
PnL ≈ (spread compression × size) − (gas + fees + slippage) ± (funding).
Funding: when it helps vs hurts
- Funding is carry; don’t rely on it as the only edge.
- If you pay funding, it eats your edge — budget worst-case.
- If you receive funding, it’s a bonus — still exit on compression.
TG Alerts + filters: launch in 2 minutes
- Pick alert mode: Spot, Futures, or Both — then set interval (5/10/15/30/60m).
- Chain + dexId: keep only active networks/DEX IDs to remove weak-pool noise.
- CEX Spot and CEX Futures are separate filters — match them to the route mode.
- Deposit/Withdraw checks: use “open only” if the route depends on transfers.
- Lifetime + volume + liquidity: remove stale and thin spreads even if headline % looks big.
Best workflow: pre-filter routes in Scanner, then enable TG Alerts to receive only executable DEX → Spot and DEX → Futures signals.
Open DEX Scanner · TG AlertsRisks & common mistakes
- DEX slippage: thin pools turn “great spreads” into fake edges.
- Liquidation: keep margin buffer; don’t over-leverage.
- Deposit/withdraw status can change fast.
- Latency + time: higher lifetime often means worse exit odds.
Risk / volatility: dedicated playbook
- A visible spread can still become directional risk in high volatility.
- Before entry, validate 24h range, liquidity, book depth, and signal age.
- Use a dedicated volatility checklist before scaling size.
DEX execution: protect edge on route execution
- Validate router host and route simulation before swap.
- Control slippage and gas, otherwise paper spread disappears in execution.
- For fast setups, hedge on CEX first, then build the DEX leg in clips.
Spot transfers: when transfer playbook is required
- If the route needs transfers, verify network, memo/tag, and limits.
- Open withdraw/deposit status is mandatory, or the route can break mid-trade.
- Use a time-stop: if transfer is too slow, skip the setup.
Resources
DEX Scanner
Live spreads + filters.
TG Alerts
2-minute launch: mode, interval, and execution filters.
Funding Guide
How to reason about funding/carry.