Many users who perform quantitative trading or manage multiple strategies on the Binance Official Website or the Binance Official APP for a long time will eventually encounter the need to "manage multiple strategies separately under one login". (If you haven't installed the APP, please read the iOS Installation Guide first). Binance provides the Sub-Account feature precisely for this purpose. To give a direct answer: The Main Account is the account you registered with, while Sub-Accounts are independent secondary accounts generated under the Main Account. They have independent balances, independent API Keys, and independent transaction records. However, KYC, login permissions, and risk control are all managed by the Main Account. One Main Account can create up to 200 Sub-Accounts.
Core Differences Between Main Account and Sub-Account
Let's clarify the key differences with a table:
| Feature | Main Account | Sub-Account |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Method | Independent Email + Phone + KYC | One-click creation from the Main Account |
| KYC (Identity Verification) | Must be completed independently | Inherits Main Account's KYC, no re-verification needed |
| Funds | Independent, can transfer to Sub-Accounts | Independent, can transfer to other Sub-Accounts |
| API Key | Independent | Independent, no mutual interference |
| Login | Log in using registered email/phone | Accessed via "switching" from the Main Account, no independent login |
| Fee VIP Level | Calculated independently | Merged into the Main Account's VIP level |
| Account Deletion | Requires emptying assets to delete | Main Account can delete Sub-Accounts at any time |
The most important sentence: A Sub-Account's identity attributes belong to the Main Account, but its funds and transaction records are independent. This is the foundation for its use in risk isolation and strategy separation.
What is a Sub-Account Used For?
Not all users need a Sub-Account. It is primarily aimed at users with the following needs:
1. Multi-Strategy Isolation
For example, if you are simultaneously running a Spot Grid, Futures Hedging, and Launchpad participation, you might want each strategy to independently account for profit/loss and independently control risks. By running them in three separate Sub-Accounts, a liquidation in one strategy will not affect the other two.
2. Separating Quantitative and Manual Trading
Use the Main Account for manual trading and Sub-Accounts for quantitative strategies. This way, even if your quantitative script has a bug and places massive orders, it will not touch your manual positions.
3. Team Collaboration
In a company or team, you can assign a Sub-Account to each trader, providing independent charts, APIs, and PnL reports, while the Main Account unifies management and fund transfers.
4. Family Account Management
When several family members share Binance, you can open Sub-Accounts for family members. This isolates their positions while combining trading volumes for a higher VIP level (higher volume equals higher VIP tier).
5. Separating Testing from Production
When developing a quantitative system, use a Sub-Account for real-world, small-amount testing. Once the test passes, switch to the Main Account to deploy larger capital. The risk isolation is extremely clear.
How to Create a Sub-Account
Not all users can directly activate Sub-Accounts:
Prerequisites for Activation
- The Main Account must have completed basic KYC.
- Some regions require the Main Account to complete advanced KYC.
- The account must not be under risk control or frozen status.
- There must be no prior history of bans or violations.
Creation Steps
- Log in to the Binance web version (Sub-Account management is currently mostly operated on the web).
- Click the Profile icon in the top right corner → "Sub-Account Management".
- Click the "Create Sub-Account" button.
- Enter a virtual email for the Sub-Account (automatically generated by the system, format like [email protected]).
- Set a nickname for the Sub-Account (for your easy identification).
- Complete 2FA verification.
- It takes effect immediately upon submission.
Status After Creation
A newly created Sub-Account:
- Has a balance of 0.
- Has Futures and Margin permissions disabled by default (requires manual activation by the Main Account).
- Does not have any API Keys.
- Automatically inherits the VIP level of the Main Account.
Fund Transfers for Sub-Accounts
After a Sub-Account is created, funds do not sync automatically; they must be transferred manually:
Transferring from Main Account to Sub-Account
Find the target Sub-Account on the "Sub-Account Management" page and click the "Transfer" button:
- Select the Coin (any).
- Enter the Amount.
- Select the Direction (Main → Sub or Sub → Main).
- The transfer is instantaneous with 0 fees.
Transfers Between Sub-Accounts
Certain advanced accounts support direct Sub-Account to Sub-Account transfers without passing through the Main Account. This is turned off by default and needs to be manually enabled in the settings.
Transfer Permission Control
The Main Account can restrict whether a specific Sub-Account is allowed to withdraw funds. For example, you can disable outbound transfer permissions for a Sub-Account used for quantitative strategies. Even if the API is compromised, the funds cannot be transferred out; they can only be traded within the Sub-Account. This is a critical security setting.
API and Permission Management for Sub-Accounts
Every Sub-Account Can Have Independent API Keys
- Independent API Key + Secret
- Independent IP Whitelists
- Independent Trading and Withdrawal Permissions
- Independent API Rate Limits
The Main Account Can View All Sub-Account Operations
On the "Sub-Account Management" page, the Main Account can view:
- The real-time assets of each Sub-Account.
- The daily PnL of each Sub-Account.
- The recent trades of each Sub-Account.
- The API usage of each Sub-Account.
Sub-Accounts are completely transparent to the Main Account, but Sub-Accounts cannot see each other.
Sub-Account Fees and VIP Levels
This is a point many people misunderstand:
- The trading volume of all Sub-Accounts is aggregated to the Main Account to calculate the VIP level.
- All Sub-Accounts enjoy the VIP fee rate of the Main Account.
- The BNB fee deduction toggle takes effect at the Main Account level.
Practical Significance: If you divide a monthly trading volume of 10 million USDT across 10 Sub-Accounts, the VIP level is still calculated based on the cumulative total. This is more beneficial for enjoying lower fees than spreading funds across different exchanges.
Limitations of Sub-Accounts
It is not entirely without limits. Binance has a few strict rules:
1. Maximum Limit of 200
One Main Account can create up to 200 Sub-Accounts. This is sufficient for the vast majority of individual users; institutional users can apply for more.
2. Cannot Independently Withdraw Externally
If a Sub-Account has not been granted external withdrawal permissions, it can only transfer funds back to the Main Account for withdrawal. This is a crucial security boundary.
3. Cannot Perform Independent KYC
The identity of a Sub-Account always belongs to the Main Account. You cannot use a Sub-Account to perform KYC for another person. If you want to open an account for a family member, you should have them register their own Main Account rather than using your Sub-Account.
4. Excluded from Certain Promotions
For "one per person" events such as New User Rewards, First Deposit Bonuses, and Launchpad Airdrops, Sub-Accounts do not participate. Only the Main Account can claim them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between a Sub-Account and a regular alt-account?
A: A regular alt-account (an independently registered second account) is an independent Main Account; it has its own KYC, its own VIP level, and is deleted independently. A Sub-Account is subordinate to the Main Account, sharing its KYC and VIP level. If you need a completely independent identity, open an alt-account. If you need to centrally manage multiple strategies, open a Sub-Account.
Q2: Does it cost money to open a Sub-Account?
A: It is completely free. Sub-Accounts themselves have no activation fees, no monthly fees, and no minimum deposit requirements. The only cost is the standard trading fee during regular trading, which is identical to the Main Account.
Q3: Can Sub-Accounts handle high-frequency trading (HFT)?
A: Yes. The API rate limits for Sub-Accounts are the same as the Main Account (e.g., 1200 weight units per minute) and are not reduced. Running high-frequency strategies in a Sub-Account is actually clearer: if the Sub-Account's dedicated API Key is revoked or reset, it does not affect the Main Account's other tasks.
Q4: Will Sub-Accounts be affected if the Main Account is subjected to risk control?
A: Yes. The identity of the Sub-Account is tied to the Main Account. When the Main Account is subjected to risk control or frozen, all Sub-Accounts are frozen simultaneously, making trading and transferring impossible. This is the centralized risk point of Sub-Accounts compared to having multiple independent Main Accounts. If you require complete physical isolation, independent Main Accounts remain the only solution.