Effective Techniques for Crypto Trading

Last Updated Sep 2, 2024

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Crypto trading techniques

The use of cryptocurrencies is as fascinating as it is unpredictable. Of course, the possibility of making large amounts of money is accompanied by the same opportunities to lose a lot of money. Hence, it is only wise to grasp and apply effective techniques for crypto trading to reduce risk and maximize profit. This article is a helpful resource for anyone who wants to know about the best strategies for trading in cryptocurrencies, from beginners to intermediate traders. Here are the Trading strategies:

1. Technical Analysis

Technical analysis is one of the main effective techniques for analyzing a cryptocurrency, and price and volume have proven to be fractal, so Technical analyst traders study the past behavior and patterns of the market to make predictions about future price changes. There are a lot of technical indicators and chart patterns to consider: 

1a. Moving Averages

Moving averages smooth out price data to create a single flowing line, making it easier to identify trends. The most common types are the Simple Moving Average (SMA) and the Exponential Moving Average (EMA).

The SMA and EMA are often used by price action traders who only consider the trend of the market; let's say we are in a downtrend and a trader is using the 50MA, which shows the most recent weight of price and 100MA and also shows the price weight but not too recent compare to the 50MA.

Now, when the two moving averages cross, we expect a trend change, i.e., downtrend to uptrend, and vice versa.

Moving Averages Chart view

1b. Relative Strength Index (RSI)

The RSI is a momentum oscillator that indicates the strength and direction of price changes. As a newbie or pro trader, it's important to understand the concept of highs and lows.

The market doesn't just buy or sell continually. When such happens, it is considered overbought or oversold, considering the trend. So that is what RSI helps you track, when using this indicator, it has a number that is in between 0 to 100.

When the trend lines crosses the value of 70 during an uptrend or cross the value of 30 during a downtrend, it is considered to be overbought and oversold, respectively; thus, a reversal will be needed for price correction. This prepares a trader to be evenly biased at any given trend. 

Chart example of Relative Strength Index on a Crypto market.

1c. Bollinger Bands

Bollinger Bands consist of a middle line known as the SMA and two other lines, which are standard deviations above and below the SMA. They are also used to determine whether a particular market is overbought or oversold.

Bollinger bands help a trader determine the volatility of a market. When this indicator is set, it consists of three lines: the upper band, moving average, and a lower band.

The moving average helps gauge the market's volatility while the lower and upper bands adjust each time the volatility increases.

Using Bollinger band to gauge market structure.

1d. Smart Money Concept (SMC)

The Smart Money concept deals with techniques that mimic the activities of big institutional investors, commonly known as ‘Smart Money’.

This concept is used by traders to Identify the movement of these big banks and emulate them.

Traders who use these patterns often look out for order blocks, inducement, also known as liquidity draw, Liquidity, price action, and market formation, to capture changes or shifts in market structure.

Smart Money Concept

2. Fundamental Analysis

Fundamental analysis is a method that involves assessing an asset based on factors such as economic and financial factors and other qualitative and quantitative factors. In the case of cryptocurrencies, this may include reviewing the team behind the project, the technology used, the application, the market, and the legal structure.

Often, cryptocurrency prices are influenced by news events, such as partnerships, new technologies, or changes in the laws governing the market. Beyond news, they are also influenced by major holders of a particular project or token. For instance, Elon Musk is the major holder of Dogecoin and also the owner. What he does with his coin will greatly influence the coin price.

3. Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)

Dollar-cost averaging is a technique whereby an investor spreads the total amount of money to be invested over a number of equal portions to be invested at equal intervals in the targeted asset to minimize the effects of fluctuations in the price of the asset.

Let say a trader with a 5000 dollar portfolio wants to buy Avax coin, after a long TA and FA analysis he believes that the coin will pump 5x from its current price,  in order to be in a safe side he divides his portfolio into 5 places, then he buys first with 1000 dollars then monitor the trade.

So he keeps buying when he sees that the price is going his way.  Or he keeps buying even when the price goes down which will enable him to buy a high volume of the coin at a cheaper rate.

Risk Management Techniques

Effective risk management is important for long-term success in crypto trading. A trader without risk management is a gambler; even if he has a refined strategy that works, a stop-loss hit can take the whole profit he has made In a month. Below are necessary risk management techniques one can use:

1. Stop-Loss Orders

It is an order placed with a broker to sell an asset when the price reaches a certain level to minimize the investor’s loss on a particular position.

For instance, if a trader enters a trade using $200, he can decide to risk only 10% of this capital using stop-loss techniques. This risk management is available at any exchange or broker in automated settings that will be integrated by the trader when he/ she wants, or in the form of OCO for spot traders.

This technique is useful in preventing large losses in the event that the price is moving against the trader.

2. Portfolio Diversification

Diversification involves spreading investments across various cryptocurrencies to reduce exposure to any single asset's risk.

An investor or trader is always advised to diversify their portfolio; for instance, if you use our portfolio of $500 to buy only the Solana project, and then negative fundamental news comes in, which has a negative impact on the Solana blockchain, this trader will lose a great deal.

But let's say he diversified his portfolio, buying five or six coins across different blockchains, the FA that affected the Solana blockchain might be positive for the Ton blockchain, which will yield positive returns making up for the loss he incurred in the Solana coin.

Trading Psychology

Psychological factors may affect the decision-making and performance of a trader in a particular trading activity. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy trading mindset.

  1. Stay Calm

    It is important to understand that cryptocurrency markets can be very unpredictable and may lead to many emotions. This is why long-term strategies are important to avoid being swayed by short-term market conditions and making rash decisions.

  2. Avoid Emotional Decisions

    Crypto trading based on emotions is always bad since it makes people make wrong decisions. Keeping our emotions in check during losses or wins is also important.

  3. Have a Clear Trading Plan

    A crypto trading plan helps you define your objectives and maintain focus and discipline.

    It will also limit how many trades you take in a day, thus reducing losses, and it will help you keep your emotions in check. A trader or investor might want to consider his personality while choosing a trading plan. 

Conclusion

Effective crypto trading techniques encompass a blend of financial instruments, including technical and fundamental analysis, risk management, and psychological training.

Thus, crypto trading strategies such as using Moving Averages, Relative Strength Indexes, Bollinger Bands, and Dollar Cost Averaging can help traders effectively manage crypto market fluctuations. Also, using stop-loss orders, diversifying portfolios, and following a trading plan can improve trading results immensely. 

So, as you progress further into trading in cryptocurrencies, ensure that you increase your knowledge base, do your homework, and enhance your skills. The crypto industry continues to expand, and it is crucial to understand that it opens up tremendous opportunities for those who are ready to think and act in a certain way. Happy trading!