Many beginners get overwhelmed by the various concepts of DeFi and feel that arbitrage is very complicated. In fact, as long as you master the trick of "borrowing low and lending high," and follow the steps carefully, you can complete your first attempt in about half an hour. I’ve organized this process into a checklist that new users can follow directly—from preparing tools, to actual operations, to key details—nothing is missed. The key is to avoid unnecessary detours, focus on practical execution, and even complete beginners can easily earn an annualized return of 15% to 18%, making steady profits with idle funds.

**First, get your tools ready**

To get started smoothly, preparing these items in advance can save a lot of time. First, a trading platform account—register and complete real-name verification so asset transfers are smoother. Second, a user-friendly wallet tool—choose one with a simple interface for beginners; the most important thing is to add the BNB Chain network information. Third, a small reserve of about $10 worth of BNB to pay gas fees—don’t wait until you need to operate and find your account has no funds for fees. Lastly, prepare your core assets—around $1,000 to $5,000 in BTCB or BNB, which are two collateral options with relatively favorable borrowing rates on Lista.

**The actual operation isn’t that complicated**

Managing assets takes about 5 minutes. First, buy BTCB on a trading platform—this is recommended for beginners because its price fluctuations are relatively moderate. Then, select the BNB Chain network when withdrawing assets and transfer BTCB to your wallet. Next, move to DeFi interactions. Open a mainstream DEX, pair BTCB and BNB for liquidity mining, or directly participate as a lender in top lending protocols to earn basic yields. The real arbitrage opportunity lies in borrowing stablecoins at a low interest rate on one side, then deploying that capital into high-yield products on the other side. The interest rate difference is your profit.

In terms of specific numbers, the entire process can be completed in about 30 minutes. The most common mistake for beginners is rushing operations or underestimating gas fees, which can cause transactions to get stuck. That’s why reserving that $10 worth of BNB is crucial. Also, don’t go all-in right away; a capital of $1,000 to $5,000 allows you to experience the full process without taking on too much risk.

**A few common pitfalls**

Before confirming each transaction, carefully check the address and amount—don’t just click confirm for speed. When transferring between wallet and platform, make sure the network matches. Wait for each transaction to be confirmed before proceeding to the next; don’t submit multiple times. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll see that the "borrowing low and lending high" logic is actually very clear—low costs, steady returns, and relatively manageable risks. As long as your funds are in place, the network is stable, and operations are correct, earning an annualized return of over 15% is entirely achievable.