Trading virtual assets and using algorithmic trading strategies involve significant risk. It is important that you fully understand these risks before using Blackalgo’s services. By using our platform, you acknowledge and accept the risks outlined in this Risk Warning. This notice does not cover every possible risk, but highlights major factors and risks associated with algorithmic trading and the financial markets. Please consider these carefully and consult a professional advisor if you have any doubts.
- Market Volatility: Markets for cryptocurrencies, forex, and other assets that Blackalgo’s algorithms trade are highly volatile. Prices can fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably, sometimes experiencing sharp movements within seconds. Sudden market events (e.g., economic news, regulatory announcements, exchange hacks) can cause extreme volatility. You should be prepared for significant price swings, which can result in large losses as well as gains. Volatile markets may also make it difficult to execute orders at the expected price, leading to slippage (see Liquidity Risk below).
- No Guarantee of Profits: Past performance is not indicative of future results. Even if Blackalgo’s strategies have historically been profitable or have performed well in back-testing, there is no guarantee they will perform well in the future. Market conditions continually change; a strategy that works well in one scenario may fail in another. There are no guarantees of profit when using Blackalgo’s services – you may incur losses. Be wary of anyone promising assured returns in trading; all trading involves uncertainty.
- Risk of Total Loss: Trading in leveraged instruments (such as margin trading in forex or crypto futures) can amplify both gains and losses. A relatively small market move can have a large impact on your capital. In adverse conditions, you could lose more than your initial investment or even your entire account balance. Even without leverage, poor strategy performance or severe market events could result in a near-total loss of the funds you allocate to the strategy. Only trade with funds you can afford to lose. Do not invest money that you need for critical expenses or life goals.
- Technology and System Risks: Algorithmic trading relies on technology that can fail. Potential technical risks include: hardware failures, software bugs, power outages, internet disconnections, server downtime, and cyberattacks. Blackalgo’s platform, your broker/exchange, or any intermediary (such as a copy-trading service like MetaCopier) could experience issues that impede trading. For example, a network outage might prevent timely transmission of a trade signal, or a software bug might generate an incorrect order. While Blackalgo takes precautions and has redundancies (e.g., backup servers, monitoring, security protocols), no system is infallible. You should understand that technical issues might lead to missed trades, duplicate trades, or unintended positions. It is advisable to monitor your account activity regularly, even when using an automated service.
- Third-Party Dependency: Blackalgo does not execute trades directly; trade execution is carried out by third-party brokers and exchanges via API connections. This means the performance of the service in your account is dependent on those third parties. If your broker’s platform goes down or becomes unresponsive, signals from Blackalgo may not be executed or could be delayed. Brokers may also have different price feeds or execution rules, causing variations in trade outcomes between users or between your account and Blackalgo’s reference account. Blackalgo is not responsible for losses or missed opportunities caused by any failure or delay on the part of third-party platforms. In using our service, you assume the risk of such third-party events.
- Strategy-Specific Risks: Different trading strategies carry different types of risk. Some strategies might trade frequently (high turnover), which can incur substantial transaction costs or be sensitive to execution speed. Others might hold positions for longer periods, exposing you to overnight gaps or weekend risk (when markets open at prices far from Friday’s close due to news). Certain strategies might be concentrated in one asset or market sector, which can suffer if that sector underperforms. Blackalgo provides descriptions of each strategy’s approach, but you are responsible for understanding the strategy you choose. Make sure you review any available documentation or performance metrics for the strategies and consider whether the risk/reward profile suits you. Keep in mind that descriptions of strategies and past metrics are informative, not predictive.
- Liquidity Risk: In some market conditions, or for certain assets, there may be low liquidity (not enough buyers and sellers at a given price). Low liquidity can cause slippage, meaning your order executes at a worse price than expected, especially for large order sizes. In extreme cases, orders might only partially fill or not fill at all. Events such as economic announcements or market openings/closings can temporarily reduce liquidity. Assets with smaller market capitalizations or lower volume are generally less liquid and more prone to drastic price moves on relatively small trades. If a Blackalgo strategy trades such assets, you should be aware that the actual execution price in your account could differ significantly from the strategy’s intended price.
- Human Error: Although trading is automated, humans create and maintain the algorithms. There is a possibility of human error at various stages: when strategies are designed, when parameters are set, or when deploying updates. For example, a developer might mistakenly set an incorrect parameter (like position size) or deploy a wrong version of a strategy. Blackalgo strives to test thoroughly and implement safeguards (like code reviews and simulations), but errors can still occur. Such errors could result in unexpected trading behavior (e.g., too many trades, trades in the wrong asset, etc.). Blackalgo will attempt to correct any identified errors as quickly as possible, but you should be aware of this risk and monitor your account. If you suspect any irregular trading activity, contact us immediately.
- Regulatory and Legal Risks: Changes in laws or regulations can adversely affect your trading or the viability of Blackalgo’s service. Governments may impose bans or restrictions on algorithmic trading, on cryptocurrency trading, or on cross-border data flows which could impact our ability to provide service or your ability to use it. For instance, a country might outlaw certain types of trading programs or might declare trading certain assets illegal. Furthermore, because Blackalgo’s licensed entity (Blackalgo VA Proprietary Trading LLC) is only authorized for proprietary trading and does not manage client funds, your activities are not protected by regulations that apply to client brokerage or asset management relationships. You do not have the protections of a regulated brokerage account with us (for example, there is no government-insured fund backing your trading because your funds remain in your personal broker/exchange account). It is also your responsibility to ensure that using Blackalgo’s service is legal in your own jurisdiction. If you are uncertain, please seek legal advice.
- No Personalized Advice: Blackalgo does not tailor its strategies to any individual’s personal financial situation. The algorithms make trading decisions based on market data and predefined logic, not based on your personal risk tolerance, investment goals, or financial circumstances. As such, the level of risk taken by the strategies may not be appropriate for you. You should carefully consider if you can handle the risk of the strategy’s approach. If you use our service, it means you have judged that the strategies are appropriate for you in your own personal capacity, but Blackalgo cannot make that determination for you. When in doubt about an investment decision, consult a licensed financial advisor.
- Psychological and Behavioral Risks: Automated trading can lead to a “hands-off” approach, but you should remain psychologically prepared for the stress of potential losses. Seeing unexpected losses or volatility in your account can lead to panic decisions, such as manually closing positions at inopportune times or rapidly switching strategies. Conversely, seeing gains might lead to overconfidence and taking on more risk than you can afford. It is important to set clear investment limits and stick to your risk management plan. Avoid emotional reactions to short-term performance. Remember that periodic drawdowns (loss phases) are common even in successful strategies.
- Diversification and Concentration: Relying on a single trading strategy or a single asset class can be very risky. Diversification (spreading your investment across multiple strategies or asset classes) can potentially reduce risk. Blackalgo may offer multiple strategies, but if you put all your funds into one strategy, you are fully exposed to its performance. Likewise, if that strategy primarily trades one asset (e.g., Bitcoin or one currency pair), your exposure is concentrated. While some users choose concentration for potential high returns, it also means higher risk. Make sure you understand this trade-off. If you choose not to diversify, you accept the higher risk of concentration.
Important: The risks described above are not exhaustive. Other unanticipated risks may materialize, such as geopolitical events (war, political instability), macroeconomic risks (inflation, interest rate changes affecting markets), or unique risks related to new financial products. You should regularly educate yourself about the markets you are trading in and stay informed of global events.
By using Blackalgo’s services, you acknowledge that you have read this Risk Warning carefully and that you understand the potential risks involved. You assume all risks related to your trading activities. Blackalgo and its affiliates will not be responsible for any losses or damages you may incur in connection with your use of our algorithmic trading services, except as provided by law or explicitly stated in our Terms of Use.
If you do not understand the risks or are not comfortable with the potential outcomes, do not use Blackalgo’s algorithmic trading services. Consider seeking independent advice.
This Risk Warning is governed by the laws of the United Arab Emirates. It is provided in multiple languages (if applicable); in the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between translations, the English version shall prevail.
Black Algo VA Proprietary Trading LLC is a UAE-based affiliate of BlackAlgo LTD, with both entities under common ownership. While operating independently within their respective jurisdictions, the entities share strategic alignment in advancing compliant virtual asset initiatives across global markets.