Desk tickers have gone from a niche gadget to something a lot of traders and holders keep next to their monitor. They're simple, but they're not all the same. Here's what I'd check before buying one (including mine).
1. How often does it refresh?
Some displays only update every few minutes, or every 15 minutes for stock data. If you're watching volatile coins, that's an eternity. Look for a refresh time you'd actually be happy with.
2. Can it track more than the top coins?
Plenty of tickers only cover the top 100 or so tokens. If you hold anything newer or smaller, check whether you can add a token by its contract address.
3. Is it only crypto?
Many people watch more than one market: Bitcoin, a few stocks, gold, maybe a currency pair. A display that shows all of it in one place saves you a second device or a second app.
4. Does it ever ask for your keys?
A price display should never need a private key or seed phrase. If you want to see your holdings, it should only need your public wallet address. Anything that asks for more is a red flag.
5. Is there a subscription?
Some devices are cheap up front and then charge monthly for data. Check the total cost over a year or two.
6. What happens if it breaks?
Small electronics fail sometimes. Look for a clear warranty or repair policy, and a real person you can email.
How Crabby answers those questions
- Refreshes every 60 seconds.
- Tracks any token by contract address via DexScreener.
- Crypto, stocks, gold, forex, oil and indices on one 2.8 inch touchscreen.
- Read-only: public addresses only, across 15 chains.
- No subscription.
- Free repairs, even accidental damage, with shipping paid by me, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.