diff --git a/src/main_ml.py b/src/main_ml.py
index 0d868d0..e127359 100644
--- a/src/main_ml.py
+++ b/src/main_ml.py
@@ -218,11 +218,14 @@ class TradingBotV03:
             self.place_buy_order(best_signal, trade_amount)
         
         logger.info(f"CYCLE END | Active trades: {len(self.active_trades)} | Free USDT: ${usdt_free:.2f}")
-        # Save active trades for dashboard
-        import json
+        
+        # Save active trades for dashboard (atomic write with temp file)
+        import json, os
         try:
-            with open('/home/marc/bot-deploy/active_trades.json', 'w') as f:
+            temp_file = '/home/marc/bot-deploy/active_trades.json.tmp'
+            with open(temp_file, 'w') as f:
                 json.dump({'active_trades': self.active_trades, 'count': len(self.active_trades)}, f)
+            os.replace(temp_file, '/home/marc/bot-deploy/active_trades.json')
         except Exception as e:
             logger.warning(f'Failed to save active_trades.json: {e}')
         logger.info("=" * 70)
@@ -233,8 +236,7 @@ class TradingBotV03:
         logger.info("TRADING BOT V0.3 STARTED")
         logger.info(f"Symbols: {SYMBOLS}")
         logger.info(f"Strategy: Local Min Signals | Risk: TP=+{TAKE_PROFIT_PCT*100:.1f}% / SL={STOP_LOSS_PCT*100:.1f}%")
-        logger.info(f"Position size: Max ${MAX_TRADE_USDT}/trade (50% capital avail)")
-        logger.info(f"")
+        logger.info(f"KEY FIX: Fresh balance fetched EVERY cycle (no stale cache!)")
         logger.info("=" * 70)
         
         try:
@@ -251,3 +253,4 @@ class TradingBotV03:
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     bot = TradingBotV03()
     bot.run()
+
diff --git a/src/web_dashboard.py b/src/web_dashboard.py
index 7983678..7c6bafc 100644
--- a/src/web_dashboard.py
+++ b/src/web_dashboard.py
@@ -84,16 +84,24 @@ async def get_state():
         pnl_status = "🟢 PROFIT" if pnl_usdt > 0.01 else ("🔴 LOSS" if pnl_usdt < -0.01 else "⚪ BREAK")
         pnl_color = "accent" if pnl_usdt > 0.01 else ("negative" if pnl_usdt < -0.01 else "neutral")
         
-        # Count active positions = open orders from Binance API
+        # Count active positions from bot's active_trades.json (REAL source of truth)
+        active_positions = 0
         try:
-            open_orders = binance.get_open_orders()
-            active_positions = len(open_orders)
+            import json
+            with open('/home/marc/bot-deploy/active_trades.json', 'r') as f:
+                bot_state = json.load(f)
+                active_positions = bot_state.get('count', 0)
         except:
-            # Fallback to locked coins if API fails
-            active_positions = 0
-            for asset in ['BTC', 'ETH', 'SOL', 'BNB', 'XRP']:
-                if asset in balance and balance[asset]['locked'] > 0.00001:
-                    active_positions += 1
+            # Fallback: count from Binance open orders
+            try:
+                open_orders = binance.get_open_orders()
+                active_positions = len(open_orders)
+            except:
+                # Last resort: count locked coins
+                active_positions = 0
+                for asset in ['BTC', 'ETH', 'SOL', 'BNB', 'XRP']:
+                    if asset in balance and balance[asset]['locked'] > 0.00001:
+                        active_positions += 1
         
         trades = load_bot_state()