Before we walk you through anything, let's figure out where you're starting from — so we only show you the steps that are actually relevant to you. This won't take long, and every step has a guide.
Not all crypto is equal — where it lives matters. To run the DAO1 SmartBot, your crypto needs to be in a self-custody wallet connected to the Apertum blockchain. Take a look and pick the option that matches your situation.
A centralised exchange is a great starting point — but to use DAO1's SmartBot, you need to move your crypto to a self-custody wallet. Think of the exchange like a bank — they hold your funds on your behalf. A self-custody wallet is your own personal vault — only you hold the keys.
Don't worry, this is straightforward and we'll walk you through every step. We recommend the XOVA Wallet — it's multi-chain, works natively with Apertum (the blockchain DAO1 is built on), and its built-in mobile browser makes using your DAO1 registration link completely seamless.
Having a self-custody wallet means you're already controlling your own keys — that's exactly the right foundation. Now we just need to make sure you're using a wallet that works seamlessly with Apertum, the blockchain DAO1 is built on.
The key question is this: did you buy crypto through an app or website, and does that app hold it for you?
Think of a self-custody wallet like your own personal bank vault. Nobody else has the keys — only you. This is an important step, so take your time and follow the guide carefully. It only takes about 10–15 minutes.
You're in a great position to get this right from the start. We're going to walk you through each step in order — and you'll only need to do each one once. There are three stages to getting from your bank account to a running SmartBot:
First, let's get your money converted from fiat (regular currency) into crypto. There are two good routes — choose the one that feels right for you.
Both work well — choose based on what feels most comfortable for you.
Crypto exchanges are region-specific — some work in certain countries and not others. Select your region below and we'll show you the right options for where you are.
These exchanges are well-supported across most European countries. Choose one, sign up, verify your identity, and deposit your funds.
These exchanges are FCA-registered and available to UK residents. Choose one, sign up, complete verification, and deposit your funds.
These exchanges have strong coverage across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the broader MENA region. Check availability in your specific country during sign-up.
Crypto adoption is growing fast across Africa. These exchanges have the broadest coverage — availability varies by country so confirm yours during sign-up.
South Africa has a well-developed crypto market with several locally-supported exchanges. These platforms are well-suited for ZAR deposits and South African users.
Coverage across Asia Pacific varies significantly by country. These exchanges have the broadest regional reach — availability in your specific country will be confirmed at sign-up.
Australia and New Zealand have a well-regulated crypto market. PIN (Pay It Now) is a recommended option for easy fiat-to-crypto conversion in the region.
Latin America has strong crypto adoption and good exchange availability. These platforms have the best coverage across the region.
MisPayWay is a private neo-banking solution that lets you hold fiat and crypto in one place — and comes with a crypto debit card so you can spend directly from your balance. It's a cleaner, more integrated solution for those who want everything in one app.
Your wallet is set up and funded — this is the final step. Before you can activate your SmartBot, you need to complete a quick identity verification and receive your Digital ID NFT — your personal passport to the DAO1 platform. Then you're ready to launch.
Your SmartBot is running. It's trading automatically, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You don't need to do anything — just let it work.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| CEX | Centralised Exchange — a company that holds your crypto for you (e.g. Binance, Coinbase) |
| Self-Custody Wallet | A wallet only you control — no company can access or freeze your funds |
| Seed Phrase | 12 or 24 words that are the master key to your wallet — keep these safe and private, offline |
| XOVA | The recommended multi-chain wallet for DAO1 — works natively with the Apertum blockchain |
| Apertum | The blockchain DAO1 is built on — fast, low-cost, and purpose-built for DeFi |
| DeFi | Decentralised Finance — financial tools running on blockchain, not controlled by any company |
| Gas / Network Fee | A tiny fee to process transactions on the blockchain — usually just cents |
| USDT | A stablecoin always worth $1 USD — used to fund the SmartBot |
| SmartBot | The DAO1 AI trading bot — trades automatically and targets 360% profit on your capital |
| MisPayWay | A private neo-banking solution — holds fiat + crypto with a debit card included |