> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://quantumfinance.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Demo mode vs Real mode: what's the difference?

> Understand the difference between Demo and Real mode — simulated $10,000 balance vs live on-chain BNB trades through the non-custodial vault.

Quantum Finance lets you run the AI engine in two modes: Demo and Real. Both modes use the same AI engine, the same price feeds, and the same four trading strategies. The difference is whether your trades are simulated or executed as actual on-chain transactions on BNB Smart Chain.

## Demo mode

When you select Demo mode, Quantum gives you a simulated USDT balance of \$10,000. All trades are paper trades — the engine runs its full signal and execution logic, and your balance updates in real time based on live market prices, but no funds leave your wallet and no blockchain transactions are created.

Demo mode is designed for learning and strategy testing. Use it to:

* Understand how each strategy behaves across different market conditions
* Compare pairs and strategies without financial exposure
* Get familiar with the terminal interface before trading real funds

You can manage your Demo balance at any time from **Settings**:

* **Reset** — restore the balance to \$10,000
* **Add** — top up the simulated balance to any amount
* **Empty** — clear the balance to zero

## Real mode

When you switch to Real mode, the engine executes genuine trades on BNB Smart Chain. Every entry and exit triggers an on-chain transaction through the non-custodial vault smart contract. Profits and losses are settled on-chain and reflected in your vault balance.

Before you can start the engine in Real mode, you must deposit BNB into the trading vault. The engine uses your vault balance as collateral for trade sizing. Without a deposit, the engine will not start.

See [Deposit & withdraw](/guides/deposit-withdraw) for step-by-step instructions on funding your vault.

## Comparison

| | Demo mode | Real mode |
| - | - | - |
| **Funds used** | Simulated USDT (virtual) | Real BNB from your vault deposit |
| **Profit** | Simulated — no real gains | Real — on-chain profit settlement |
| **Risk** | None — no funds at risk | Real financial risk |
| **Settlement** | In-app balance update | On-chain BNB Smart Chain transaction |
| **Vault deposit required** | No | Yes |
| **Balance management** | Reset, add, or empty in Settings | Deposit and withdraw via vault contract |

<Tip>
  Always run a strategy in Demo mode first — at least across a few market sessions — before switching to Real mode. Real market conditions can produce drawdown sequences that feel very different from back-testing expectations. Demo mode lets you calibrate your comfort with a strategy's behavior before real capital is at risk.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Real mode involves genuine financial risk. The Quantum AI engine trades autonomously and can incur losses. Past simulated performance in Demo mode does not guarantee equivalent results in Real mode. Only deposit funds you can afford to lose. Quantum Finance does not guarantee profits, and no trading system eliminates market risk entirely.
</Warning>


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