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How to Open and Manage Binance Sub-Accounts

2026/4/6 24 min
#Account Security

Sub-accounts are a tool designed for intermediate and advanced Binance users to "set separate tables" for their funds. Whether you want to manage funds with different strategies, allow partners to trade independently, or implement permission isolation within a team, sub-accounts are the solution. Each sub-account has its own balance, API, and positions, but withdrawals can only be processed through the main account; the main account can also freeze any sub-account with one click, balancing high security with flexibility. This article covers the requirements, creation process, permission settings, fund transfers, and FAQs in detail. If you haven't logged in to your main account yet, visit the Binance Official Site on the web (sub-account management is primarily done via web); use the Binance Official APP for mobile checks; iPhone users who cannot find it in the App Store can refer to the iOS Installation Tutorial.

What Kind of Accounts Can Open Sub-Accounts?

Not all accounts can open sub-accounts; Binance has set certain thresholds.

Requirements

  • The main account must complete Intermediate Verification (ID upload + facial recognition).
  • The main account VIP level must be ≥ VIP 1 or meet the corresponding trading volume.
  • Alternatively, be an Institutional Account, which generally has no restrictions.
  • Some regions may have additional requirements (e.g., MiCA compliance areas in Europe).

VIP Level Thresholds

  • VIP 1: 30-day spot trading volume of 1,000,000 USDT or holding 25 BNB.
  • VIP 2: 30-day spot trading volume of 5,000,000 USDT or holding 100 BNB.
  • The maximum number of sub-accounts varies by level; VIP 1 usually allows 10, while VIP 5 can exceed 200.

When Sub-Accounts Cannot Be Opened

  • Personal accounts below VIP 1.
  • Accounts frozen due to risk control.
  • KYC only at the Basic level (email/phone only).
  • Recent major compliance violations.

Users who do not meet the VIP threshold can apply to become an Institutional Account by submitting company information; once approved, multi-sub-account permissions are automatically granted.

Typical Use Cases for Sub-Accounts

Understand the purpose before deciding whether to open one.

Scenario 1: Personal Multi-Strategy Splitting

  • Sub-account 1: Runs spot grid trading.
  • Sub-account 2: Runs futures trend trading.
  • Sub-account 3: For long-term BTC accumulation.
  • Each account has an independent PnL; strategies do not interfere with each other.

Scenario 2: Family Asset Isolation

  • Main account: Personal holdings.
  • Sub-account 1: Family long-term investments.
  • Sub-account 2: Children's education fund.
  • Clear accounting for each.

Scenario 3: Team Partnership Operation

  • Main account: Controlled by the CEO.
  • Each partner: Has a sub-account with independent funds.
  • API permissions: Held individually; partners cannot see each other's strategies.
  • Main account: Can check and freeze any account at any time.

Scenario 4: Quantitative Team Multi-Strategy

  • One sub-account per strategy.
  • One API key per sub-account.
  • Issues with a single strategy do not affect the whole portfolio.
  • Facilitates individual settlement.

Scenario 5: Market Maker Multi-Dimensional Positioning

  • Main market-making account.
  • Hedging account.
  • Arbitrage account.
  • Achieves Delta neutrality.

Detailed Steps to Open a Sub-Account

This operation is only available on the web version; the APP does not currently provide a creation entry.

Step 1: Enter Sub-Account Management

  1. Log in to the Binance official site -> Click the profile icon in the top right -> "Sub-Account."
  2. Or visit binance.com/sub-account directly.
  3. You will be asked to agree to the Terms of Service upon your first entry.

Step 2: Create Sub-Account

  1. Click the "Create Sub-Account" button.
  2. Fill in sub-account information:
    • Account Type: Spot or Trading (includes Futures).
    • Sub-account Email: Must be a unique email not associated with the main account.
    • Sub-account Login Password.
  3. Click to confirm creation.

Step 3: 2FA Verification

  1. Main account 6-digit Google Authenticator code.
  2. Main account email verification code.
  3. Submit.

Step 4: Complete Initialization

After creation, the sub-account is in an inactive state by default. You need to:

  1. Log out of the main account.
  2. Log in with the sub-account email and password.
  3. The sub-account automatically inherits the main account's KYC status.
  4. It is recommended to bind a separate 2FA (different from the main account's Authy/Google Authenticator account) for the sub-account.
  5. Return to the main account to confirm the sub-account is activated.

Step 5: Transfer Initial Funds

  1. Go to the "Sub-Account" management page in the main account.
  2. Select the target sub-account.
  3. Click "Transfer."
  4. Select the coin and enter the quantity.
  5. The transfer is instantaneous.

Sub-Account Permission Allocation

The main account has full control over sub-accounts and can grant permissions as needed.

What the Main Account Can Do to Sub-Accounts

  • View full holdings and trading history of the sub-account.
  • Freeze/unfreeze the sub-account.
  • Change the sub-account login password.
  • Reset the sub-account 2FA.
  • Two-way fund transfers (Main -> Sub, Sub -> Main).
  • Set trading permissions (e.g., enable Futures or Margin).
  • Close the sub-account.

What the Sub-Account Can Do

  • Independent login and trading.
  • Independently set its own API.
  • Independently set its own 2FA and anti-phishing code.
  • Cannot withdraw funds directly to an external on-chain address (must transfer back to the main account first).
  • Cannot modify its own KYC information.
  • Cannot delete its own account.

The core of this permission design: Withdrawal permission is always held by the main account. Even if a sub-account is compromised, funds can only be lost through internal trading and cannot be withdrawn externally.

Rules and Limits for Fund Transfers

Transferring is the core operation of the sub-account ecosystem.

Transfer Directions

  • Main -> Sub: Any time, instant.
  • Sub -> Main: Any time, instant.
  • Sub -> Sub: Direct transfer is not allowed; must go through the main account.
  • P2P transfers between sub-accounts are not possible.

Assets for Transfer

  • All spot assets are allowed.
  • Assets in Earn must be redeemed first.
  • Margin in Futures accounts must be transferred back to spot before it can be moved to another sub-account.

Transfer Limits

  • No limits on internal transfers between sub-accounts.
  • Does not consume the 24-hour withdrawal quota.
  • No on-chain transaction fees (entirely internal ledger operations).

Record Checking

  • Main Account: "Wallet -> Account Transfer -> Sub-account Transfer History."
  • Sub-Account: "Assets -> Details -> Select 'Main Account Transfer' as type."

API Features for Sub-Accounts

Each sub-account can independently create its own API without interference.

  • Sub-account APIs can only operate assets within that sub-account and cannot access the main account.
  • It's recommended to give each quantitative strategy its own sub-account and key.
  • IP whitelisting and permission rules are identical to the main account.
  • Sub-account APIs cannot withdraw (same restriction as the web interface).
  • API usage quotas for sub-accounts are calculated independently.

This is why many quantitative traders use sub-accounts: A bug in a strategy will not affect the main account funds.

How the Main Account Monitors Sub-Accounts

The main account has a unified view.

Unified Overview

  1. The sub-account management page displays all sub-account balances.
  2. Balances can be shown in USDT valuation or original coins.
  3. Supports viewing PnL changes over time.
  4. Alerts can be set (e.g., email notification when a certain balance/loss percentage is reached).

Freeze/Disable

  • One-click freeze if an anomaly is detected in a sub-account.
  • Once frozen, the sub-account cannot log in or trade.
  • The main account can still transfer funds out.

Batch Operations

  • Batch transfer (collect all sub-account funds into the main account).
  • Batch report generation (for tax and compliance).
  • Batch pause of trading.

Sub-Account Closing Process

It is recommended to close unused sub-accounts to avoid management burden.

  1. Go to sub-account management in the main account.
  2. Select the sub-account to be closed.
  3. Empty all assets in the sub-account (transfer back to main).
  4. Click "Close Sub-Account."
  5. Complete 2FA + email verification.
  6. Confirm closure.

Note: You can apply for recovery within 7 days of closing; after 7 days, it is permanently deleted. Trading history is cleaned up after the compliance period (usually 5-7 years).

FAQ

What is the difference between a sub-account and an independent new account?

An independent account requires its own KYC and has no connection to the main account. A sub-account inherits the main account's KYC, is fully controlled by it, and withdrawals must go through the main account. The former is for independent identities, while the latter is for managing funds for the same person or team.

Can a sub-account independently trade Futures or Margin?

Yes, but the main account must enable those permissions first. Futures sub-accounts require signing an additional "Futures Service Agreement." Margin permissions also need individual activation.

Are the fee levels the same for sub-accounts and the main account?

Yes. Sub-accounts share the main account's VIP level and fee rates; they don't need to build up their own trading volume. This is one of the biggest advantages of sub-accounts over independent accounts.

If a sub-account is hacked, is the main account unsafe?

No. Passwords and 2FA for sub-accounts and the main account are completely independent. A sub-account leak will not affect the main account. Since sub-accounts lack withdrawal permissions, the maximum loss is slippage from internal trading; the funds themselves are hard to drain externally.

Can sub-accounts hedge against each other?

Yes. Futures positions in different sub-accounts do not offset each other, so you can open opposite positions in different sub-accounts for cross-account hedging (common in market-making strategies).

Does sub-account trading volume count toward main account VIP status?

Yes. Trading volume from all sub-accounts is automatically combined for the main account's VIP calculation, helping you move up levels. This is a common practice for institutional accounts. However, individual sub-accounts do not calculate their own VIP status.

Summary

The sub-account feature is a powerful tool provided by Binance for advanced users, offering asset isolation, centralized permission control, and centralized withdrawal rights. For individuals, it's for splitting strategies and accounting; for teams, it's for separating members and risk exposure; for institutions, it's for compliance reporting and parallel strategies. The threshold is VIP 1; if you haven't reached it, focus on building volume or switch to an institutional account. Once opened, be sure to give each sub-account its own 2FA and API configuration. Treat the main account as "Headquarters" and sub-accounts as "Branches"—this will elevate your sense of control over your funds. For daily management, it's recommended to check all sub-account alerts from the main account's perspective weekly.