How to set up sub-accounts on Bybit? (Portfolio Management)

Understanding Sub-Account Structure on Bybit

1. Bybit allows users to create multiple sub-accounts under a single master account, each operating with independent balances and trading permissions.

2. Sub-accounts inherit the KYC status of the master account but maintain separate API keys, margin modes, and position tracking.

3. Each sub-account functions as a distinct entity for futures, spot, and options trading—no automatic fund sharing occurs unless explicitly transferred.

4. The master account retains full administrative control, including the ability to suspend, delete, or monitor all sub-account activity in real time.

5. Sub-accounts support both isolated and cross-margin modes independently, enabling granular risk compartmentalization across strategies.

Navigating the Sub-Account Creation Workflow

1. Log into the Bybit web platform using your verified master account credentials.

2. Access the top-right user menu, select Portfolio Management, then click Sub-Accounts.

3. Click Create Sub-Account and assign a unique, non-editable identifier—this ID becomes the login username for the sub-account.

4. Set a strong, independent password and confirm two-factor authentication enrollment for the new sub-account.

5. Upon completion, the system generates a dedicated sub-account dashboard with zero initial balance and default settings.

Funding and Asset Allocation Mechanics

1. Funds are not auto-transferred; the master account must manually initiate transfers via Transfer Between Accounts in Portfolio Management.

2. Transfers support USDT, BTC, ETH, and other major assets—but only those enabled for the destination sub-account’s trading products.

3. Each transfer carries a timestamped audit trail visible to both master and sub-account holders within transaction history.

4. Withdrawals from sub-accounts require prior whitelisting of external addresses by the master account administrator.

5. Negative equity events in a sub-account do not impact the master account’s solvency or trigger margin calls elsewhere.

API and Security Configuration Options

1. Sub-accounts generate their own API key sets, fully decoupled from master account keys—even if the master key is revoked.

2. Permissions such as Trade, Withdraw, and Read-Only can be toggled per API key during creation.

3. IP whitelisting, VPC restrictions, and signature expiration windows apply individually to each sub-account’s API configuration.

4. Sub-account API keys cannot access master account endpoints like referral analytics or sub-account management APIs.

5. Failed login attempts on any sub-account trigger independent lockout timers without affecting sibling accounts or the master.

Common Questions and Direct Answers

Q: Can a sub-account trade perpetual contracts while the master account uses only spot?A: Yes. Trading permissions are determined per sub-account and do not depend on the master’s active product usage.

Q: Is there a limit to how many sub-accounts one master account can create?A: Bybit currently permits up to 10 sub-accounts per verified master account, subject to tier-based verification levels.

Q: Do sub-accounts share the same leverage settings as the master account?A: No. Leverage is configured separately for each sub-account per contract type and margin mode.

Q: Can I view PnL across all sub-accounts in a consolidated report?A: Yes. The Portfolio Management dashboard includes a Unified PnL Summary toggle that aggregates realized and unrealized profit/loss across all linked sub-accounts.