2026-01-02 18:22:58

Recently, I've been paying attention to an interesting phenomenon—the trading market in 2025 will be completely driven by algorithms.

High-frequency trading (HFT) is no longer a niche activity; it has become the dominant force in the market. Simply put, a delay of more than 5 milliseconds means being eliminated. This may sound exaggerated, but looking at the on-chain transactions of ETH and SOL reveals how intense the competition is: everyone is vying for millisecond-level advantages. Layer2 is still optimizing block times, while HFT players have long since moved down to nanosecond levels.

There are three core issues: whether trading speed can keep up, whether algorithmic decision-making can replace human brains, and whether infrastructure investments can support this.

For ordinary investors, this reality is a bit harsh. Participating in this speed race requires hardware at the level of quantum computers, near real-time strategy iteration, and also entails the risk of 95% of retail traders being crushed. Most people's trading speed and computing power are simply not on the same level.

But the real question is, under this market structure, what opportunities can ordinary people still find? Perhaps it's not about participating in the speed race itself, but about trading steadily in markets with sufficient liquidity. What do you think?

ETH4,05%

SOL4,35%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

13 Likes

Reward
13
5
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

just_another_fish

· 6h ago

Forget it, I didn't even react in 5 milliseconds. Let's just exit the market with this speed. Nanosecond-level competition? I can't even keep up with milliseconds. It's better to be honest and do long-term holding. HFT crushing retail investors is basically because they can't afford to play this game. Just recognize the reality. Instead of racing with speed, find a place with genuine liquidity to steadily make money. Don't compete against yourself. A 95% chance of being crushed... maybe we should band together for warmth. It's not bad for retail investors to lie flat together. Machines operate at the millisecond level, while we think on a daily chart. Seems like there's no wrong in that. Now I really understand why big players say "don't race with algorithms." We're simply not on the same level. Stop messing around. It's better to stay in trading pairs with good liquidity and hold steady than anything else.

View OriginalReply0

alpha_leaker

· 6h ago

Forget it, ordinary people can't really play this game... Instead of racing to keep up, it's better to look for gaps that HFT hasn't yet touched and steadily earn some profits.

View OriginalReply0

SerNgmi

· 6h ago

To be honest, I gave up on the 5-millisecond approach a long time ago. If you can't keep up, you just can't keep up. Instead of competing with hardware, it's better to look for those gaps that HFT hasn't had time to smooth out. Nanosecond-level trading is no longer for retail investors; we need to change our mindset. In my opinion, the right path is to trade in places with stable and abundant liquidity. Earning slowly is better than being instantly wiped out. This is the cruelty of the market—big fish eat small fish, machines eat big fish. Instead of competing with HFT, it's better to study those overlooked liquidity troughs. That's the way for ordinary people to survive.

View OriginalReply0

BlockBargainHunter

· 6h ago

Forget it, I'm just here to pick up the leftovers. The HFT strategies are not really meant for us retail investors. Wait, 95% get crushed? Then I must be that 95%... Haha, that’s a bit harsh. Instead of chasing milliseconds, it’s better to focus on liquidity. I understand this principle. Nanosecond level? Bro, are you talking about science fiction or is it real? Anyway, I still prefer stable trading pairs. Let the robots compete among themselves. Feels like even trading has turned into a competition. Truly, it’s the era of being forced to compete.

View OriginalReply0

AllInAlice

· 6h ago

95% retail investors crushed? I've long given up, I don't play these nanosecond-level games, it's too competitive --- Do ordinary people still want to make money in the era of algorithms? Dream on. Instead of competing in speed, find a niche --- Real thoughts: We should give up on illusions and focus on long-term holding—that's the way to survive --- This is ridiculous. A 5-millisecond difference means elimination. It feels more like quantum physics than trading --- Stable trading in places with sufficient liquidity sounds good, but in reality? Still getting cut --- No hype, no blackening. HFT has long been a game for big players. Retail investors entering just means giving away money --- Nanosecond-level advantage, we simply can't keep up with this speed, so might as well give up --- Seeing the number 95% makes me laugh. Who are the 5%? They must all be quantitative giants --- So in the end, it's still about technology and capital. Retail investors should just accept their fate --- Sufficient liquidity is pointless; algorithms can eat you in the blink of an eye. Why deceive ourselves

View OriginalReply0