Verify the address, not the story
Confirm the public address from more than one reliable context where possible. A profile name, screenshot, or social claim does not prove control of a wallet.
Check data coverage
Know the supported dates, programs, venues, and activity types. Missing history can change trade count, inventory, P&L, and risk conclusions.
Measure outcome quality
Look beyond win rate.
- Net realized outcomes after costs
- Unrealized holdings and exit depth
- Largest drawdown and loss
- Concentration by token and trade
Assess repeatability
Compare typical entry, holding time, exits, trade size, and token liquidity with what a follower could actually do after the source transaction.
Test a fixed rule set
Observe new activity without changing rules after each result. Record skips and execution differences so the paper period tests the process rather than hindsight.
Account for incomplete context
The wallet may use other addresses, exchanges, hedges, transfers, or private information. Behavior can change immediately, and copied trades can lose all capital.