Bonkbot Review 2026: Is It Safe? Fees, Features & Security Explained

What Is Bonkbot?

Bonkbot is a trading interface built on the Telegram API. Instead of connecting a browser wallet like Phantom to a decentralized exchange (DEX) like Raydium, users interact with a bot inside Telegram.

When you paste a token address into the chat, Bonkbot’s server—which holds an encrypted private key dedicated to your account—executes the trade directly on the blockchain. By bypassing the visual interface of a DEX and using server-side signing, it shaves seconds off execution time.

Born from the MonkeDAO and the $BONK community, it’s not just a tool but an economic engine. Bonkbot distinguishes itself by using its revenue to buy $BONK from the open market and burn a portion of it. This deflationary mechanism means that trading volume on the bot directly contributes to reducing the $BONK token supply.

Bonkbot Key Features

The "Headless" Trading Panel

The core feature is simplicity. When you paste a contract address (CA), Bonkbot instantly pulls data from Birdeye or DEXScreener and presents a "Panel" with pre-set buy buttons (e.g., Buy 1 SOL, Buy 5 SOL).

Because the bot handles the transaction signing on its server, there is no wallet approval popup. You tap "Buy," and the transaction is sent to the validator immediately. This creates a "Happy Path" that removes almost all friction from the buying process.

MEV Protection & Jito Integration

Solana is plagued by "sandwich attacks," where predatory bots see your buy order and manipulate the price before your trade clears. Bonkbot integrates directly with Jito Labs to route your transaction through a private mempool.

• Turbo Mode: Uses aggressive "tips" (bribes) to validators to ensure your trade is in the very next block. Great for sniping.
• Secure Mode: Guarantees your trade won’t be broadcast publicly until it’s confirmed, preventing front-running.

Telemetry Dashboard

Recognizing that chat logs are terrible for tracking a portfolio, the team launched Telemetry. This is a web-based dashboard that syncs with your Telegram bot. You can view charts, track PnL (Profit and Loss), and manage positions in a browser while the bot handles the execution in the background.

The $BONK Burn

This is the "killer app" for the community. A portion of the 1% fee is used to market-buy $BONK. 10% of that is burned (destroyed) immediately, and the rest funds the BonkDAO. If you hold $BONK, using Bonkbot technically supports your own investment.

Is Bonkbot Safe? Security Deep Dive

Safety in Telegram bots is a trade-off: you sacrifice custody for speed.

Custodial Architecture

Bonkbot operates on a custodial basis. When you start the bot, it generates a wallet address for you. The private keys for this wallet are encrypted using AES-256 and stored in secure enclaves (likely AWS KMS).

The Risk: While the developers technically cannot see your raw key, the key does exist on a server. If Bonkbot’s infrastructure were compromised, your funds could be at risk. Never store your life savings in a trading bot. Treat it like a hot wallet: load only what you intend to trade.

The Solareum Incident (The "Export" Danger)

In March 2024, hundreds of wallets were drained, and many belonged to Bonkbot users. However, forensic analysis proved Bonkbot was not hacked. The victims had exported their private keys from Bonkbot and imported them into a different bot called Solareum, which was compromised.

Lesson: Do not export your Bonkbot keys to other apps. If you want to use a different bot, create a fresh wallet.

Hardware Wallet in the Cloud

To address custody concerns, Bonkbot is pivoting to a "Hardware Wallet in the Cloud" model using Passkeys and non-custodial 2FA. This aims to split custody so that the server cannot sign a transaction without a biometric trigger from your device, significantly reducing insider threat risks.

Bonkbot Fees, Costs & Referral Discounts

Bonkbot charges a premium for its speed. It is one of the most expensive bots in the ecosystem.

• Service Fee: 1.00% charged on every Buy and Sell.
• Network Fee: ~0.000005 SOL (standard Solana gas).
• Jito Tip: Variable, ~0.005 – 0.01 SOL (higher during congestion).
• Withdrawal: Network fee only. No extra fee to withdraw funds.

The Hidden Cost: Jito Tips

Users often complain about "missing funds." This is usually due to the Jito Tip. In "Turbo" mode during network congestion, the bot may pay a high tip (e.g., 0.01 SOL) to push your trade through. This is deducted automatically and can look like a hidden fee to inexperienced users.

Referral Code Strategy

Unlike Trojan, which explicitly markets a fee discount for using a referral code, Bonkbot’s referral program is focused on the referrer earning a commission (30% in month 1). However, using a Bonkbot Referral Code is still standard practice in the community to support creators who provide signal and analysis.

Pro Tip: Maximizing Bonkbot Points & Airdrop Eligibility

Bonkbot currently does not have a "points" system like Rainbow Wallet or Tensor. Instead, the reward mechanism is the $BONK Burn. However, with the rise of competitors like BullX offering airdrops, rumors persist that Bonkbot could introduce a loyalty token or tiered fee structure based on $BONK holdings. To maximize potential eligibility:

• Maintain active volume (don’t just hold).
• Use the Telemetry dashboard (often a criteria for "power user" status).
• Keep a balance of $BONK in your trading wallet.

How to Use Bonkbot: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Sign Up (10 Seconds)

Click the Bonkbot Telegram Link. The bot will open in your Telegram app. Click "Start." It will instantly generate a new Solana wallet address for you.

2. Fund Your Wallet

Copy the wallet address provided by the bot. Send SOL to this address from your main wallet (Phantom/Solflare) or an exchange (Coinbase/Binance).

• Warning: Start small (e.g., 0.5 SOL) to get comfortable.

3. Configure Settings

Type /settings. You can adjust your Auto-Buy amounts (e.g., 1 SOL, 5 SOL) and your Slippage.

• Recommendation: Set "MEV Protection" to "Turbo" for launches, or "Secure" for casual trading.

4. Execute a Trade

Find a contract address (CA) from DEXScreener or a signal group. Paste the CA into the Bonkbot chat.

The "Trading Panel" will appear. Click "Buy X SOL". The bot will reply with a "Tx Sent" message followed by a "Success" card showing your entry price and market cap.

5. Monitor & Sell

The bot will update the message with your current PnL. When ready to exit, click "Sell 100%" or "Sell 50%" on the panel.

• Tip: You can also use the Telemetry dashboard to close positions if Telegram is lagging.

6. Withdrawal

Type /wallet and click "Withdraw all SOL." Paste your external wallet address. Funds usually arrive in seconds.

Bonkbot vs. Competitors: Which Should You Use?

The "Bot Wars" are fierce. Here is how Bonkbot stacks up against its main rivals.

When to Choose Trojan:

• You need Copy Trading to mirror a profitable wallet automatically.
• You want to set Limit Orders (e.g., "Buy if price drops to $0.05") rather than buying at market.
• You want slightly lower fees (0.9% vs 1%).

When to Choose Photon:

• You refuse to trade without seeing a chart. Photon runs in your browser and stores keys locally, offering a hybrid between a bot and a DEX.
• You want a desktop-first experience.

When to Choose Bonkbot:

• You want the absolute simplest mobile experience.
• You are a $BONK loyalist.
• You want the reliability of the biggest player in the space (highest volume often means best liquidity routing via Jupiter).

Final Verdict: Is Bonkbot Worth It?

Bonkbot is a key player in the Telegram trading bot space because it nailed the user experience. It took the scary, clunky world of DeFi and turned it into a simple text conversation. If you are trading meme coins on the go and speed is your priority, it is an excellent tool.

However, the 1% fee is difficult to justify if you are trading with large size or high frequency. If you are a sophisticated trader who needs limit orders or copy trading, Trojan is the superior product. But for the "degen" who wants to snipe a coin while waiting in line for coffee, Bonkbot remains the king.