Can AI Beat Human Traders? Inside the WEEX Amsterdam Crypto Trading Showdown

On February 11, from 16:00 to 20:00 (GMT+1), WEEX hosted the AI Hackathon Amsterdam Workshop, the third stop of our European tour following London and Paris. Despite the grey Amsterdam sky, the venue was packed with energy. Traders, developers, and crypto builders gathered to witness a real question being tested live: Can AI trading outperform professional human traders in real market conditions?

This workshop was more than a local meetup. It was a key milestone in the broader WEEX AI Hackathon global series, which has already attracted nearly 2,000 registrations, 200 qualified teams, and global attention across Europe’s fast-growing AI and crypto communities.

Amsterdam marked the moment where AI met reality — live, transparent, and under pressure.

AI Trading vs Human Crypto Traders: 3 Live Crypto Market Rounds That Tested Performance

Unlike the previous stops in London and Paris, the Amsterdam workshop introduced a brand-new competition format. The event featured two teams: one group executed trades fully manually, while the other relied entirely on AI-powered automated trading systems. Each team consisted of two participants, and they competed across three intense rounds to determine the final winner. The champions walked away with exclusive WEEX merchandise and special rewards, but more importantly, they earned recognition in front of a highly engaged trading community.

The lineup included well-known industry figures such as Elroy Ryon, a respected crypto trader and mentor; YD (@CryptoYDao), CEO of Y-DAO; and Chento, our old friend and Founder of @scalpxofficial. These were not casual participants — they are experienced market players with real performance records, bringing credibility and excitement to the competition.

Live AI Trading Battle: Execution Speed, Risk Control, and Real Market Performance

The highlight of the Amsterdam workshop was the live AI vs manual trading showdown, and the difference was clear almost instantly. Human traders needed time to read charts, confirm signals, and execute orders, while AI, connected through API, reacted in milliseconds with no hesitation and no emotion. With real-time PnL on display, the audience witnessed a powerful question unfold live: in a market where speed and consistency matter most, is human intuition enough — or is AI the true competitive edge?

During the player interviews, participants shared candid insights into their strategies and philosophies. Manual traders emphasized flexibility and the value of intuition built through years of market exposure. They argued that human judgment can adapt to unexpected macro events and sudden sentiment shifts. On the other hand, supporters of AI trading highlighted discipline and consistency. AI does not feel fear during drawdowns or greed during rallies. It follows predefined rules and data models without hesitation.

In the post-match interview, Elroy Ryon offered a balanced perspective. He acknowledged the clear advantages of AI in terms of execution speed and emotional control, but he also stressed that the future of trading is not about replacing humans. Instead, he described a collaborative model where AI handles precision and automation while human traders provide strategic oversight and macro-level thinking. The panel discussion further explored whether risk management can be fully automated and whether AI truly “understands” the market. The shared conclusion was that AI is rapidly becoming a core infrastructure layer in crypto trading, rather than just a temporary trend.

"AI won’t replace traders — it will empower them. The future belongs to those who combine machine precision with human strategy."

Crypto Rewards & Live Giveaways: 1,000 USDT Distributed During the AI Trading Event

During the WEEX Global AI Trading Hackathon Amsterdam Workshop livestream, excitement wasn’t limited to the trading floor — users at home could join in the action too. WEEX rolled out two rounds of Crypto Gift red packets, totaling 1,000 USDT, giving both new and existing users a chance to grab rewards in real time. In Round 1, new users could register a WEEX account, open the Crypto Gift feature, and claim their share of 500 USDT instantly on a first-come, first-served basis. Round 2 opened the opportunity to all users, allowing anyone logged in to grab another 500 USDT in rewards. The live event created a thrilling, interactive experience, combining the intensity of AI vs. human trading with the excitement of real-time giveaways, making the Amsterdam workshop not only an educational milestone but also a celebration for the entire WEEX community.

What This Means for AI Trading in Europe

The Amsterdam workshop also reinforced the broader strategic vision of the WEEX AI Hackathon. With a total prize pool exceeding $1.8 million and a Bentley Bentayga S awaiting the champion, the competition reflects WEEX’s long-term commitment to innovation in AI-powered trading. More importantly, it highlights WEEX’s mission to empower traders with advanced tools, deep liquidity, and high-performance infrastructure. The European tour continues with upcoming workshops on February 12 in Munich, Germany, and February 13 in Turkey. As demonstrated in Amsterdam, the future of crypto trading is faster, more data-driven, and increasingly powered by AI. Through the AI Hackathon series, WEEX is helping shape that future — together with the global trading community.

Watch the full recap below: 

About WEEX

Founded in 2018, WEEX has developed into a global crypto exchange with over 6.2 million users across more than 150 countries. The platform emphasizes security, liquidity, and usability, providing over 1,200 spot trading pairs and offering up to 400x leverage in crypto futures trading. In addition to traditional spot and derivatives markets, WEEX is expanding rapidly in the AI era — delivering real-time AI news, empowering users with AI trading tools, and exploring innovative trade-to-earn models that make intelligent trading more accessible to everyone. Its 1,000 BTC Protection Fund further strengthens asset safety and transparency, while features such as copy trading and advanced trading tools allow users to follow professional traders and experience a more efficient, intelligent trading journey.