Zebpay Trading Bot in Python

This guide shows how to build a Zebpay trading bot in Python with LumiBot, for both AI agent trading and algorithmic trading. LumiBot connects to Zebpay through CCXT, the open source library that talks to more than 100 crypto exchanges. You will create a Zebpay account and API key, connect it, and run two examples: a simple algorithmic trading bot and an agentic trading bot where an AI agent makes the calls.

Zebpay at a glance

CCXT exchange id

zebpay

Markets

Spot, Perpetual swaps

Testnet (sandbox)

No

Credentials

API key, API secret

Live data streams

None listed; LumiBot uses REST

CCXT request spacing

about 50 ms between requests

Official site

https://www.zebpay.com

API docs

https://github.com/zebpay/zebpay-api-references

Fees

https://zebpay.com/in/features/pricing

What is Zebpay?

ZebPay is a crypto exchange with spot markets, including crypto pairs priced in Indian rupees (INR), and perpetual futures. ZebPay says it has 40+ spot markets and 60+ futures markets that share one API sign-in system.

Sign up for Zebpay

  1. Create a ZebPay account and finish KYC verification. Your KYC status shows on the My Account page.

  2. Make sure your mobile number and email are confirmed. ZebPay sends a 6-digit code to both when you create an API key.

  3. ZebPay’s own docs describe no public testnet, so plan to test with a very small amount.

Open a Zebpay account

Create a Zebpay API key

  1. Log in to ZebPay in a web browser.

  2. Go to API Trading from the navigation bar on the left and click Create New API Key.

  3. Name your key and choose the permissions (see below).

  4. Add your bot’s IP address to the IP whitelist. It is optional, but it limits the key to your machine.

  5. Enter the 6-digit code ZebPay sends to your mobile number and email.

  6. Save the Secret Key right away. ZebPay shows it only once.

Which permissions to turn on: ZebPay keys have Read, Trade and Withdraw permissions. Turn on Read and Trade. Leave Withdraw off. A trading bot never needs to move money out of your account.

Warning

Never turn on withdrawals for a Zebpay trading bot key. Bind the key to your server’s IP address when Zebpay lets you, keep the secret out of your code and out of Git, and delete the key if it ever leaks.

Connect Zebpay to LumiBot

The simplest way: put these lines in a .env file next to your strategy. LumiBot loads the file, sees TRADING_BROKER=zebpay and connects to Zebpay for you, so your strategy needs no broker code.

TRADING_BROKER=zebpay
ZEBPAY_API_KEY=your_apiKey
ZEBPAY_API_SECRET=your_secret

LumiBot reads exactly the fields CCXT needs for Zebpay (apiKey, secret). If one is missing, LumiBot stops at start-up and names the variable you still need.

You can also build the broker in code. This is handy when one script talks to more than one exchange, or when you need extra CCXT options. The keys in the config are CCXT’s own credential names for Zebpay:

import os

ZEBPAY_CONFIG = {
    "exchange_id": "zebpay",
    "apiKey": os.environ.get("ZEBPAY_API_KEY"),
    "secret": os.environ.get("ZEBPAY_API_SECRET"),
    "sandbox": False,  # no sandbox for this exchange
}

from lumibot.brokers import Ccxt

broker = Ccxt(ZEBPAY_CONFIG)
# then: MyStrategy(broker=broker, ...)

Either way, LumiBot turns on CCXT’s built-in rate limiting for you.

Testing on Zebpay

CCXT lists a ZebPay staging address (zebstage.com), but ZebPay’s own API docs do not describe a public testnet or how to get keys for it. Test with a very small amount on the live exchange instead. With environment variables, leave ZEBPAY_SANDBOX unset. In a code config, set "sandbox": False.

Algorithmic trading example: a simple Zebpay bot

This bot buys about 4500 INR of BTC on Zebpay once and then holds it. It is a starting point to check that your keys, balances and orders work. If the exchange’s minimum order is larger, raise the amount.

from lumibot.entities import Asset
from lumibot.strategies import Strategy


class ZebpayBuyOnce(Strategy):
    """Buy a small amount of BTC once, then hold it."""

    def initialize(self):
        self.sleeptime = "1H"
        self.set_market("24/7")  # crypto trades all day, every day

    def on_trading_iteration(self):
        coin = Asset("BTC", asset_type=Asset.AssetType.CRYPTO)
        if self.get_position(coin) is not None:
            return  # already holding BTC
        price = self.get_last_price(coin, quote=self.quote_asset)
        if price:
            quantity = round(4500 / price, 6)  # about 4500 INR worth
            order = self.create_order(coin, quantity, "buy", quote=self.quote_asset)
            self.submit_order(order)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    # LumiBot reads TRADING_BROKER and the keys from your .env file.
    strategy = ZebpayBuyOnce(quote_asset=Asset("INR", asset_type=Asset.AssetType.CRYPTO))
    strategy.run_live()

Agentic trading example: an AI agent that trades on Zebpay

Agentic trading means an AI agent reads the market and decides what to do. In this example one LumiBot agent looks at prices and your Zebpay account, then places the orders itself. There is no Python logic in between: you set the rules in plain English in the prompt, such as what it may trade and how big each order can be. This follows the same pattern as LumiBot’s AI trading team examples.

from lumibot.entities import Asset
from lumibot.strategies import Strategy


class ZebpayAITrader(Strategy):
    """One AI agent researches the market and places the trades itself."""

    def initialize(self):
        self.sleeptime = "4H"
        self.set_market("24/7")
        self.agents.create(
            name="trader",
            model="openai/gpt-6-luna",
            reasoning_effort="high",
            allow_trading=True,
            system_prompt=(
                "You manage a small crypto account on Zebpay. "
                "You may trade BTC and ETH against INR (asset_type 'crypto', quote_symbol 'INR'), or hold cash. "
                "Before every order, call account_portfolio, account_positions and "
                "market_last_price for that exact symbol in the same run. "
                "Keep each order under 10% of the account value. "
                "Explain each decision in one short paragraph."
            ),
        )

    def on_trading_iteration(self):
        self.agents["trader"].run(
            task_prompt="Review recent BTC/INR and ETH/INR prices and your current holdings, then decide whether to buy, sell or hold.",
            context={"exchange": "Zebpay", "quote": "INR", "date": self.get_datetime().isoformat()},
        )


if __name__ == "__main__":
    # LumiBot reads TRADING_BROKER and the keys from your .env file.
    strategy = ZebpayAITrader(quote_asset=Asset("INR", asset_type=Asset.AssetType.CRYPTO))
    strategy.run_live()

The agent needs a model key such as OPENAI_API_KEY in your environment. See the AI agents quickstart for models, tools and memory.

What you can trade on Zebpay through CCXT

Market

Listed by CCXT

Spot

Yes

Margin

No

Perpetual swaps

Yes

Dated futures

No

Options

Not listed by CCXT

CCXT lists these order features for Zebpay: market orders, limit orders, editing open orders, canceling orders.

For perpetual contracts, use the full CCXT symbol so the settlement currency is clear, for example BTC/USDT:USDT. See the CCXT guide for contract quantities, position modes and leverage.

Zebpay tips

  • ZebPay spot markets include rupee pairs such as BTC/INR and USDT pairs such as BTC/USDT. Perpetual futures use the full CCXT form, for example BTC/USDT:USDT.

  • Spot and futures use different API hosts (sapi.zebpay.com for spot, futuresbe.zebpay.com for futures), but ZebPay says they share the same authentication framework. CCXT picks the right host for you.

  • You can see each key’s rate limits and revoke a key at any time from My Account.

  • ZebPay’s official API docs are on GitHub at https://github.com/zebpay/zebpay-api-references. ZebPay notes the spot docs are still being expanded.

Frequently asked questions

Can I build a Zebpay trading bot in Python?

Yes. Install LumiBot (pip install lumibot), set your Zebpay keys and use the zebpay CCXT exchange id as shown above.

Does Zebpay have a testnet?

No testnet is set up for Zebpay in LumiBot. Start with a small amount, and in a code config set "sandbox": False.

Which API permissions does a Zebpay bot need?

ZebPay keys have Read, Trade and Withdraw permissions. Turn on Read and Trade. Leave Withdraw off. A trading bot never needs to move money out of your account.

Can an AI agent trade on Zebpay by itself?

Yes. The agentic example above gives one agent permission to trade. You control what it may trade and how much through its prompt.

Can I trade Zebpay perpetual futures with LumiBot?

CCXT lists perpetual swaps for this exchange. Use the full contract symbol, such as BTC/USDT:USDT.

Is LumiBot free?

Yes. LumiBot is open source on GitHub at https://github.com/Lumiwealth/lumibot. You pay only your exchange’s trading fees and, for AI agents, your model provider.

Run it in the cloud with BotSpot

Do not want to keep a computer running for your Zebpay bot? BotSpot is the hosted home for LumiBot strategies and AI trading agents: build with AI, backtest, connect a broker, and watch every trade with logs and alerts.

Try BotSpot

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