diff --git a/trader/aster/trader_account.go b/trader/aster/trader_account.go
index bfc41304..a573c564 100644
--- a/trader/aster/trader_account.go
+++ b/trader/aster/trader_account.go
@@ -36,14 +36,21 @@ func (t *AsterTrader) GetBalance() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 			foundUSDT = true
 
 			// Parse Aster fields (reference: https://github.com/asterdex/api-docs)
+			var parseErr error
 			if avail, ok := bal["availableBalance"].(string); ok {
-				availableBalance, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(avail, 64)
+				if availableBalance, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("availableBalance", avail); parseErr != nil {
+					return nil, parseErr
+				}
 			}
 			if unpnl, ok := bal["crossUnPnl"].(string); ok {
-				crossUnPnl, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(unpnl, 64)
+				if crossUnPnl, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("crossUnPnl", unpnl); parseErr != nil {
+					return nil, parseErr
+				}
 			}
 			if cwb, ok := bal["crossWalletBalance"].(string); ok {
-				crossWalletBalance, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(cwb, 64)
+				if crossWalletBalance, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("crossWalletBalance", cwb); parseErr != nil {
+					return nil, parseErr
+				}
 			}
 			break
 		}
diff --git a/trader/auto_trader_orders.go b/trader/auto_trader_orders.go
index edfc1995..e18b2b8f 100644
--- a/trader/auto_trader_orders.go
+++ b/trader/auto_trader_orders.go
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeOpenLongWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, actio
 	// Get current price
 	marketData, err := market.GetWithExchange(decision.Symbol, at.exchange)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get market data for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	// Get balance (needed for multiple checks)
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeOpenLongWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, actio
 	// Open position
 	order, err := at.trader.OpenLong(decision.Symbol, quantity, decision.Leverage)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open long position for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	// Record order ID
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeOpenShortWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, acti
 	// Get current price
 	marketData, err := market.GetWithExchange(decision.Symbol, at.exchange)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get market data for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	// Get balance (needed for multiple checks)
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeOpenShortWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, acti
 	// Open position
 	order, err := at.trader.OpenShort(decision.Symbol, quantity, decision.Leverage)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open short position for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	// Record order ID
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeCloseLongWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, acti
 	// Get current price
 	marketData, err := market.GetWithExchange(decision.Symbol, at.exchange)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get market data for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 	actionRecord.Price = marketData.CurrentPrice
 
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeCloseLongWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, acti
 	// Close position
 	order, err := at.trader.CloseLong(decision.Symbol, 0) // 0 = close all
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to close long position for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	// Record order ID
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeCloseShortWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, act
 	// Get current price
 	marketData, err := market.GetWithExchange(decision.Symbol, at.exchange)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get market data for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 	actionRecord.Price = marketData.CurrentPrice
 
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ func (at *AutoTrader) executeCloseShortWithRecord(decision *kernel.Decision, act
 	// Close position
 	order, err := at.trader.CloseShort(decision.Symbol, 0) // 0 = close all
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to close short position for %s: %w", decision.Symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	// Record order ID
diff --git a/trader/binance/futures.go b/trader/binance/futures.go
index efc3bb32..57d3c1e9 100644
--- a/trader/binance/futures.go
+++ b/trader/binance/futures.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
 	"nofx/hook"
 	"nofx/logger"
 	"strings"
@@ -63,6 +64,9 @@ type FuturesTrader struct {
 // NewFuturesTrader creates futures trader
 func NewFuturesTrader(apiKey, secretKey string, userId string) *FuturesTrader {
 	client := futures.NewClient(apiKey, secretKey)
+	// The SDK defaults to http.DefaultClient, which has no timeout — a hung
+	// connection would stall the trading loop indefinitely.
+	client.HTTPClient = &http.Client{Timeout: 30 * time.Second}
 
 	hookRes := hook.HookExec[hook.NewBinanceTraderResult](hook.NEW_BINANCE_TRADER, userId, client)
 	if hookRes != nil && hookRes.GetResult() != nil {
diff --git a/trader/binance/futures_account.go b/trader/binance/futures_account.go
index 549e3fd7..812a182d 100644
--- a/trader/binance/futures_account.go
+++ b/trader/binance/futures_account.go
@@ -30,9 +30,17 @@ func (t *FuturesTrader) GetBalance() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 	}
 
 	result := make(map[string]interface{})
-	result["totalWalletBalance"], _ = strconv.ParseFloat(account.TotalWalletBalance, 64)
-	result["availableBalance"], _ = strconv.ParseFloat(account.AvailableBalance, 64)
-	result["totalUnrealizedProfit"], _ = strconv.ParseFloat(account.TotalUnrealizedProfit, 64)
+	for field, value := range map[string]string{
+		"totalWalletBalance":    account.TotalWalletBalance,
+		"availableBalance":      account.AvailableBalance,
+		"totalUnrealizedProfit": account.TotalUnrealizedProfit,
+	} {
+		parsed, parseErr := types.ParseFloatField(field, value)
+		if parseErr != nil {
+			return nil, parseErr
+		}
+		result[field] = parsed
+	}
 
 	logger.Infof("✓ Binance API returned: total balance=%s, available=%s, unrealized PnL=%s",
 		account.TotalWalletBalance,
diff --git a/trader/bitget/trader_account.go b/trader/bitget/trader_account.go
index 5449a33c..eb6e8276 100644
--- a/trader/bitget/trader_account.go
+++ b/trader/bitget/trader_account.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"nofx/logger"
+	"nofx/trader/types"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -43,9 +44,15 @@ func (t *BitgetTrader) GetBalance() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 	var totalEquity, availableBalance, unrealizedPnL float64
 	for _, acc := range accounts {
 		if acc.MarginCoin == "USDT" {
-			totalEquity, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(acc.AccountEquity, 64)
-			availableBalance, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(acc.Available, 64)
-			unrealizedPnL, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(acc.UnrealizedPL, 64)
+			if totalEquity, err = types.ParseFloatField("accountEquity", acc.AccountEquity); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			if availableBalance, err = types.ParseFloatField("available", acc.Available); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			if unrealizedPnL, err = types.ParseFloatField("unrealizedPL", acc.UnrealizedPL); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
 			logger.Infof("✓ [Bitget] Balance: equity=%.2f, available=%.2f", totalEquity, availableBalance)
 			break
 		}
diff --git a/trader/bybit/trader.go b/trader/bybit/trader.go
index 5f8e9bfb..fd7995f5 100644
--- a/trader/bybit/trader.go
+++ b/trader/bybit/trader.go
@@ -45,16 +45,22 @@ func NewBybitTrader(apiKey, secretKey string) *BybitTrader {
 
 	client := bybit.NewBybitHttpClient(apiKey, secretKey, bybit.WithBaseURL(bybit.MAINNET))
 
-	// Set HTTP transport
-	if client != nil && client.HTTPClient != nil {
-		defaultTransport := client.HTTPClient.Transport
-		if defaultTransport == nil {
-			defaultTransport = http.DefaultTransport
+	// Set HTTP transport. Use a dedicated client instead of mutating the
+	// SDK default (http.DefaultClient): mutating it would leak the referer
+	// header to every other request in the process, and the default client
+	// has no timeout, so a hung connection would stall the trading loop.
+	if client != nil {
+		defaultTransport := http.DefaultTransport
+		if client.HTTPClient != nil && client.HTTPClient != http.DefaultClient && client.HTTPClient.Transport != nil {
+			defaultTransport = client.HTTPClient.Transport
 		}
 
-		client.HTTPClient.Transport = &headerRoundTripper{
-			base:      defaultTransport,
-			refererID: src,
+		client.HTTPClient = &http.Client{
+			Timeout: 30 * time.Second,
+			Transport: &headerRoundTripper{
+				base:      defaultTransport,
+				refererID: src,
+			},
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/trader/bybit/trader_account.go b/trader/bybit/trader_account.go
index 88616a04..ae5943c0 100644
--- a/trader/bybit/trader_account.go
+++ b/trader/bybit/trader_account.go
@@ -51,19 +51,28 @@ func (t *BybitTrader) GetBalance() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 
 	if len(list) > 0 {
 		account, _ := list[0].(map[string]interface{})
+		var parseErr error
 		if equityStr, ok := account["totalEquity"].(string); ok {
-			totalEquity, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(equityStr, 64)
+			if totalEquity, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("totalEquity", equityStr); parseErr != nil {
+				return nil, parseErr
+			}
 		}
 		if availStr, ok := account["totalAvailableBalance"].(string); ok {
-			availableBalance, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(availStr, 64)
+			if availableBalance, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("totalAvailableBalance", availStr); parseErr != nil {
+				return nil, parseErr
+			}
 		}
 		// Bybit UNIFIED account wallet balance field
 		if walletStr, ok := account["totalWalletBalance"].(string); ok {
-			totalWalletBalance, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(walletStr, 64)
+			if totalWalletBalance, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("totalWalletBalance", walletStr); parseErr != nil {
+				return nil, parseErr
+			}
 		}
 		// Bybit perpetual contract unrealized PnL
 		if uplStr, ok := account["totalPerpUPL"].(string); ok {
-			totalPerpUPL, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(uplStr, 64)
+			if totalPerpUPL, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("totalPerpUPL", uplStr); parseErr != nil {
+				return nil, parseErr
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/trader/gate/trader.go b/trader/gate/trader.go
index 27a1d1e1..d4bde56c 100644
--- a/trader/gate/trader.go
+++ b/trader/gate/trader.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package gate
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
 	"nofx/trader/types"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ type GateTrader struct {
 func NewGateTrader(apiKey, secretKey string) *GateTrader {
 	config := gateapi.NewConfiguration()
 	config.AddDefaultHeader("X-Gate-Channel-Id", "nofx")
+	// The SDK default HTTP client has no timeout — a hung connection would
+	// stall the trading loop indefinitely.
+	config.HTTPClient = &http.Client{Timeout: 30 * time.Second}
 	client := gateapi.NewAPIClient(config)
 
 	ctx := context.WithValue(context.Background(),
diff --git a/trader/gate/trader_account.go b/trader/gate/trader_account.go
index 1c912315..00a92ec0 100644
--- a/trader/gate/trader_account.go
+++ b/trader/gate/trader_account.go
@@ -27,9 +27,18 @@ func (t *GateTrader) GetBalance() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get balance: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	total, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accounts.Total, 64)
-	available, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accounts.Available, 64)
-	unrealizedPnl, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accounts.UnrealisedPnl, 64)
+	total, err := types.ParseFloatField("total", accounts.Total)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	available, err := types.ParseFloatField("available", accounts.Available)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	unrealizedPnl, err := types.ParseFloatField("unrealisedPnl", accounts.UnrealisedPnl)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 
 	result := map[string]interface{}{
 		"totalWalletBalance":    total,
diff --git a/trader/hyperliquid/trader_account.go b/trader/hyperliquid/trader_account.go
index f556455a..5104c2ef 100644
--- a/trader/hyperliquid/trader_account.go
+++ b/trader/hyperliquid/trader_account.go
@@ -47,16 +47,25 @@ func (t *HyperliquidTrader) GetBalance() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 	var summaryType string
 	var summary interface{}
 
+	var parseErr error
 	if t.isCrossMargin {
 		// Cross margin mode: use CrossMarginSummary
-		accountValue, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(accountState.CrossMarginSummary.AccountValue, 64)
-		totalMarginUsed, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(accountState.CrossMarginSummary.TotalMarginUsed, 64)
+		if accountValue, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("accountValue", accountState.CrossMarginSummary.AccountValue); parseErr != nil {
+			return nil, parseErr
+		}
+		if totalMarginUsed, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("totalMarginUsed", accountState.CrossMarginSummary.TotalMarginUsed); parseErr != nil {
+			return nil, parseErr
+		}
 		summaryType = "CrossMarginSummary (cross margin)"
 		summary = accountState.CrossMarginSummary
 	} else {
 		// Isolated margin mode: use MarginSummary
-		accountValue, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(accountState.MarginSummary.AccountValue, 64)
-		totalMarginUsed, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(accountState.MarginSummary.TotalMarginUsed, 64)
+		if accountValue, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("accountValue", accountState.MarginSummary.AccountValue); parseErr != nil {
+			return nil, parseErr
+		}
+		if totalMarginUsed, parseErr = types.ParseFloatField("totalMarginUsed", accountState.MarginSummary.TotalMarginUsed); parseErr != nil {
+			return nil, parseErr
+		}
 		summaryType = "MarginSummary (isolated margin)"
 		summary = accountState.MarginSummary
 	}
diff --git a/trader/lighter/account.go b/trader/lighter/account.go
index 39c14130..a37597c1 100644
--- a/trader/lighter/account.go
+++ b/trader/lighter/account.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"io"
 	"net/http"
 	"nofx/logger"
+	"nofx/trader/types"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 )
@@ -113,11 +114,26 @@ func (t *LighterTraderV2) GetAccountBalance() (*AccountBalance, error) {
 	}
 
 	// Parse string values to float64
-	availableBalance, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accountInfo.AvailableBalance, 64)
-	collateral, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accountInfo.Collateral, 64)
-	crossAssetValue, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accountInfo.CrossAssetValue, 64)
-	totalEquity, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accountInfo.TotalEquity, 64)
-	unrealizedPnl, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(accountInfo.UnrealizedPnl, 64)
+	availableBalance, err := types.ParseFloatField("available_balance", accountInfo.AvailableBalance)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	collateral, err := types.ParseFloatField("collateral", accountInfo.Collateral)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	crossAssetValue, err := types.ParseFloatField("cross_asset_value", accountInfo.CrossAssetValue)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	totalEquity, err := types.ParseFloatField("total_equity", accountInfo.TotalEquity)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	unrealizedPnl, err := types.ParseFloatField("unrealized_pnl", accountInfo.UnrealizedPnl)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 
 	// Use collateral as total equity if total_equity is 0
 	if totalEquity == 0 {
diff --git a/trader/okx/trader_account.go b/trader/okx/trader_account.go
index 9220b3d8..3c20ecbb 100644
--- a/trader/okx/trader_account.go
+++ b/trader/okx/trader_account.go
@@ -55,13 +55,20 @@ func (t *OKXTrader) GetBalance() (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 	var usdtAvail, usdtUPL float64
 	for _, detail := range balance.Details {
 		if detail.Ccy == "USDT" {
-			usdtAvail, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(detail.AvailBal, 64)
-			usdtUPL, _ = strconv.ParseFloat(detail.UPL, 64)
+			if usdtAvail, err = types.ParseFloatField("availBal", detail.AvailBal); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			if usdtUPL, err = types.ParseFloatField("upl", detail.UPL); err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
 			break
 		}
 	}
 
-	totalEq, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(balance.TotalEq, 64)
+	totalEq, err := types.ParseFloatField("totalEq", balance.TotalEq)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 
 	result := map[string]interface{}{
 		"totalWalletBalance":    totalEq,
diff --git a/trader/okx/trader_orders.go b/trader/okx/trader_orders.go
index ebe23115..5b5decf8 100644
--- a/trader/okx/trader_orders.go
+++ b/trader/okx/trader_orders.go
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ func (t *OKXTrader) cancelAlgoOrders(symbol string, orderType string) error {
 	path := fmt.Sprintf("%s?instType=SWAP&instId=%s&ordType=conditional", okxAlgoPendingPath, instId)
 	data, err := t.doRequest("GET", path, nil)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get pending algo orders for %s: %w", symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	var orders []struct {
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ func (t *OKXTrader) cancelAlgoOrders(symbol string, orderType string) error {
 	}
 
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &orders); err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse pending algo orders for %s: %w", symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	canceledCount := 0
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ func (t *OKXTrader) CancelAllOrders(symbol string) error {
 	path := fmt.Sprintf("%s?instType=SWAP&instId=%s", okxPendingOrdersPath, instId)
 	data, err := t.doRequest("GET", path, nil)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get pending orders for %s: %w", symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	var orders []struct {
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ func (t *OKXTrader) CancelAllOrders(symbol string) error {
 	}
 
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &orders); err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse pending orders for %s: %w", symbol, err)
 	}
 
 	// Batch cancel
@@ -570,11 +570,15 @@ func (t *OKXTrader) CancelAllOrders(symbol string) error {
 			"instId": order.InstId,
 			"ordId":  order.OrdId,
 		}
-		t.doRequest("POST", okxCancelOrderPath, body)
+		if _, err := t.doRequest("POST", okxCancelOrderPath, body); err != nil {
+			logger.Infof("  ⚠ Failed to cancel order %s for %s: %v", order.OrdId, symbol, err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Also cancel algo orders
-	t.cancelAlgoOrders(symbol, "")
+	if err := t.cancelAlgoOrders(symbol, ""); err != nil {
+		logger.Infof("  ⚠ Failed to cancel algo orders for %s: %v", symbol, err)
+	}
 
 	if len(orders) > 0 {
 		logger.Infof("  ✓ Canceled all pending orders for %s", symbol)
diff --git a/trader/types/parse.go b/trader/types/parse.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7cad2bde
--- /dev/null
+++ b/trader/types/parse.go
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strconv"
+)
+
+// ParseFloatField parses a numeric string field from an exchange API response.
+// An empty string is treated as zero, since exchanges commonly omit fields
+// that have no value (e.g. unrealized PnL with no open position). A non-empty
+// value that fails to parse returns an error naming the field, so a malformed
+// API response surfaces instead of silently becoming a zero balance.
+func ParseFloatField(field, value string) (float64, error) {
+	if value == "" {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+	v, err := strconv.ParseFloat(value, 64)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse %s value %q: %w", field, value, err)
+	}
+	return v, nil
+}
diff --git a/trader/types/parse_test.go b/trader/types/parse_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7a2fc217
--- /dev/null
+++ b/trader/types/parse_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestParseFloatField(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		field   string
+		input   string
+		want    float64
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{name: "normal value", field: "totalEq", input: "1234.56", want: 1234.56},
+		{name: "zero", field: "totalEq", input: "0", want: 0},
+		{name: "negative", field: "upl", input: "-12.5", want: -12.5},
+		{name: "empty string treated as zero", field: "upl", input: "", want: 0},
+		{name: "garbage returns error", field: "totalEq", input: "abc", wantErr: true},
+		{name: "null literal returns error", field: "totalEq", input: "null", wantErr: true},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got, err := ParseFloatField(tt.field, tt.input)
+			if tt.wantErr {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatalf("ParseFloatField(%q, %q) expected error, got nil", tt.field, tt.input)
+				}
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.field) {
+					t.Errorf("error %q should mention field name %q", err.Error(), tt.field)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ParseFloatField(%q, %q) unexpected error: %v", tt.field, tt.input, err)
+			}
+			if got != tt.want {
+				t.Errorf("ParseFloatField(%q, %q) = %v, want %v", tt.field, tt.input, got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}