Pattern Recognition Series Episode 1: GOLDHere's an in-depth look at Volume Spread Analysis.
We use tape reading to gauge future price movements based on the magnitude of previous price movements. This helps us determine the driving force of the market and position ourselves on the same side as the large operators within any market.
The key is understanding what VSA allows us to see.
Volume = activity therefore Ultra High Volume (UHV) shows the activity of not only the public but also the Large Operators of that particular asset.
This video shows that the demand in the upward trend channel diminished while the supply increased giving me the confidence to trade in alignment with the largest of the two opposing forces.
By use of Bar by Bar Volume Spread analysis the operator then uses each bar to quantify the upcoming price movement.
Climactic volume is a sign that prices are likely to reverse and that a stopping action has occurred. When analyzing UHV you want to assess the Effort (volume) and the Result(price).
Remember the markets abide by the laws of Supply and Demand, Effort vs Result, Cause and Effect, and the Law of Attraction.
I hope you guys enjoy the video!
Happy Trading!
-J Hair
Community ideas
Are you ready to quit your job and join crypto full-time? You need to understand that most of the beautiful posts about the amazing life of a traders, airdrop hunters are complete nonsense and "fake it till you make it" life! Most people lose money in trading, and this applies not only to the crypto market! Therefore, on the channel we do not talk about stupid things like tothemoon, uponly, super-profitable meme tokens and other nonsense! Ask yourself the question, are you ready to quit your job and go into full-time trading or full-time work with cryptocurrency! These can be nodes, an accounts farm for airdrops, content creation, work in a crypto project, be the meme token degen, trading.
A few key questions that you need to honestly ask yourself
1. Do you have a extra cash for several months, if, for example, the first six months, you will not be able to make a profit from cryptocurrency?
2. How old are you and what are your expenses? After all, the responsibility for income when you have a family and children is much bigger than when you are 20 years old and you can live peacefully with responsibility only for yourself!
3. Do you have enough experience for regular trading, do you have an understanding of the market, if, for example, we will trade in a downward trend for 2-3 years and investments will not be able to generate income, but only trading! Do you have a deposit to work with!? Lets be real! Start with 100$ and trade every day with x50 lev its not a good idea and plan! One day all this succesefull signal channels and traders just drawdown their accounts, but they got a lot of money from Discords, memecoins alllocations! So be real with initial deposit!
4. How are things going with storing funds, diversification, risk management and money management! Do you have a strategy and a plan for what exactly you will do every day?
5. Do you have skills outside the market, what will you do if your plan does not work? Will you be able to quickly find a job to restore the deposit and try again
6. Are you mentally ready to work every day in this area now? After all, now you will have a lot of time, without a boss and a stable fixed payment at the end of the month! Do you know how to plan your day and work! Are you a disciplined and balanced person, because emotional decisions and trading on fear or greed can ruin your entire deposit!
7. Do you have a plan in case of a black swan in the world, a new pandemic, a financial collapse or abrupt regulation of cryptocurrency in your region!
Hope you enjoyed the content I created, You can support with your likes and comments this idea so more people can watch!
✅Disclaimer: Please be aware of the risks involved in trading. This idea was made for educational purposes only not for financial Investment Purposes.
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Transition of Support to Resistance and Vice Versa(Video 6 of 6)During these 6 videos, we explored and analyzed the prevalent trends in the market and how upward and downward trends develop. We introduced methods on how to work with sideways trends.
Additionally, we discussed two scenarios that can enhance the probability of new trend formation.Finally, in this video, we introduced support and resistance zones to enhance your understanding of the formation of market highs and lows and analyzed their relationship with the existing trends.
Thanks for watching!
The Problem of Fundamental Analysis in the Crypto MarketFundamental analysis in the traditional financial markets involves evaluating a company's intrinsic value through a variety of metrics, such as earnings, revenue, and growth prospects. However, applying this same approach to cryptocurrency networks presents unique challenges. Cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks, and their value often stems from factors that don't align with conventional financial metrics.
Key Challenges:
Traditional Metrics Fall Short:
Cryptocurrency networks are not companies with revenues, profits, or physical assets. Therefore, traditional metrics like price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios or revenue growth don’t apply.
Misleading Social Media Data:
Social media presence and subscriber count might seem like indicators of a project’s popularity or potential, but these figures are easily manipulated. Fake followers, bots, and exaggerated engagement can create a false impression of legitimacy and success.
Isolated On-Chain Metrics:
While on-chain metrics provide valuable insights, they can be misleading if analyzed in isolation. For instance, a high number of active addresses might suggest widespread usage, but without context, it doesn't reveal whether these addresses represent genuine users or automated bots.
Relevant On-Chain Metrics:
Number of Transactions: Indicates the level of network activity, but doesn’t differentiate between meaningful transactions and spam.
Transaction Cost: Reflects the cost of using the network, which can indicate demand, but also congestion or inefficiency.
Active Addresses: Shows how many unique addresses are participating, but could be skewed by the creation of multiple addresses by a single entity.
Commissions (Fees): High fees might indicate network demand, but can also point to issues like scalability problems.
Hashrate or Coins in Staking: High hashrate or staking levels suggest network security and confidence, but can also centralize control if dominated by a few large players.
Design Indicators:
Whitepaper: This document outlines the project's goals, technology, and roadmap, but its value depends on the technical understanding of the reader and the honesty of the team.
Project Team: The experience and reputation of the team are crucial, but the anonymous or pseudonymous nature of many crypto projects complicates assessment.
Competitors: Understanding a project's competitors helps gauge its potential, but the fast-paced nature of the crypto space means that new competitors can emerge quickly.
Tokenomics: The economic model of the token, including supply, distribution, and incentives, is vital, but poorly designed tokenomics can lead to inflation or lack of demand.
Financial Indicators:
Capitalization: Market cap is often used as a quick measure of a project’s size and importance, but can be misleading in low-liquidity markets.
Liquidity: High liquidity indicates that an asset can be traded quickly without affecting its price, but low liquidity can lead to price manipulation.
Emission Method: The way tokens are issued (e.g., through mining, staking, or ICOs) affects supply dynamics, which can influence price stability and long-term viability.
In summary, while fundamental analysis in the crypto market is challenging, a multi-faceted approach combining on-chain metrics, design indicators, and financial indicators can offer valuable insights. However, these should always be interpreted with caution and in context, given the unique dynamics and rapid evolution of the cryptocurrency landscape.
Hope you enjoyed the content I created, You can support with your likes and comments this idea so more people can watch!
✅Disclaimer: Please be aware of the risks involved in trading. This idea was made for educational purposes only not for financial Investment Purposes.
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Video series on the Introduction to Market Structure (Part 5). In this video series, we provide an overview of the formation of highs and lows, and how trends develop in the market. We also introduce and analyze support and resistance zones within charts. Additionally, we introduce a factor that can reinforce the likelihood of forming uptrends and downtrends on the charts.
Video series on the Introduction to Market Structure (Part 4)In this video series, we provide an overview of the formation of highs and lows, and how trends develop in the market. We also introduce and analyze support and resistance zones within charts. Additionally, we introduce a factor that can reinforce the likelihood of forming uptrends and downtrends on the charts.
Video series on the Introduction to Market Structure (Part 3)In this video series, we provide an overview of the formation of highs and lows, and how trends develop in the market. We also introduce and analyze support and resistance zones within charts. Additionally, we introduce a factor that can reinforce the likelihood of forming uptrends and downtrends on the charts.
Video series on the Introduction to Market Structure (Part 2)In this video series, we provide an overview of the formation of highs and lows, and how trends develop in the market. We also introduce and analyze support and resistance zones within charts. Additionally, we introduce a factor that can reinforce the likelihood of forming uptrends and downtrends on the charts.
Video series on the Introduction to Market Structure (Part 1)In this video series, we provide an overview of the formation of highs and lows, and how trends develop in the market. We also introduce and analyze support and resistance zones within charts. Additionally, we introduce a factor that can reinforce the likelihood of forming uptrends and downtrends on the charts.
Hidden Costs of Trading You Must Know
In this educational article, we will discuss the hidden costs of trading.
1 - Brokers' Commissions
Trading commission is the brokers' fee for opening a trading position.
Usually, it is calculated based on the size of the trade.
Though most of the traders believe that trading commissions are too low to even count them, the fact is that trading on consistent basis and opening a couple of trading positions weekly, the composite value of commissions may cut a substantial part of our profits.
2 - Education
Of course, most of the trading basics can be found on the Internet absolutely for free.
However, the more experienced you become, the harder it is to find the materials . So you typically should pay for the advanced training.
Moreover, there is no guarantee that the course/coaching that you purchase will improve your trading, quite often traders go through multiple courses/coaching programs before they become consistently profitable.
3 - Spreads
Spread is the difference between the sellers' and buyers' prices.
That difference must be compensated by a trader if one wished to open a trading position.
In highly liquid markets, the spreads are usually low and most of the traders ignore them.
However, being similar to commissions, spreads may cut the substantial part of the overall profits.
4 - Time
When you begin your trading journey, it is not possible to predict how much it will take to become a consistently profitable trader.
Moreover, there is no guarantee that you will become one.
One fact is true, you should spend a couple of years before you find a way to trade profitably, and as we know, the time is money. More time you sacrifice on trading, less time you have on something else.
5 - Swaps
Swap is the fee you pay for transferring a position overnight .
Swap is based on a difference between the interests rates of the currencies that are in a pair that you trade.
Occasionally, swaps can even be positive, and you can earn on holding such positions.
However, most of the time the swaps are negative and the longer you hold your trades, the more costly your trading becomes.
The brokers' commissions, spreads and swaps compose a substantial cost of our trading positions. Adding into the equation the expensive learning materials and time spent on practicing, trading becomes a very expensive game to play.
However, knowing in advance these hidden costs, the one can better prepare himself for a trading journey.
Trading Lucrative-Heads 'N' Shoulders Patterns : Silver 1 HR
Heads 'N' Shoulders' Patterns can be very lucrative and a pattern to keep in mind every trading day. They work on all time-frames. Often I see market structure price reversals on the 1 minute timeframe all the way down to 10 seconds.
They will be easier to trade on the higher time frames as their price-action can be super-fast on these very low timeframes. Depending on how you apply risk to reward in your trading, they will be more lucrative on the higher timeframes and more reliable because more traders see them on these bigger timeframes right up to weekly and monthly charts.
Here is what you need to know:
* Take advantage of the tradingview 'All Charts' pattern recogniser. This is what most traders including professional-traders would be using because it eliminates subjectivity.
* Draw your neckline from the bottom of left-shoulder across and beyond where the right shoulder comes down (price will be below to the left of the right shoulder & your exact point for the left shoulder will be under & to the right of left shoulder)
* Most often price will in the first instance after the right shoulder is formed, break through the neckline and then retest above the neck line or below the neck line if its a bullish Inverse Head 'N' Shoulders pattern. Seeing this retest occur will give the setup more reliability.
(Note: Price does not always Retest especially if price is selling or buying from a strong resistance or support area, respectively)
* Your trigger to buy or sell is on the retest/retracement above or below neckline, look for an increase in volume and/or a strong reversal candle like a pin-bar or engulfer.
(Your reward is generally the same distance as the neckline below the head)
* I hope this helps in your own trading. Trading is risky. Please don't rely solely on my financial analysis or trade setups.)
Books on trading and Profitunity strategy by Bill WilliamsIn this article, I will share books that were useful for me in the process of studying trading and the Profitunity trading strategy by Bill Williams.
Bill Williams "Trading Chaos 1 and 2" ♡
The first and third books by Bill Williams contain complete and up-to-date information on the Profitunity strategy. The second book "New Trading Dimensions" is intermediate and less relevant.
The book Trading Chaos 1 includes trading psychology (an integral part of trading), the basics of understanding the markets, candlestick patterns (divergent bars and determining the trend based on a pair of bars, the market facilitation index, volume and squat bar), Elliott waves (characteristics, determining waves using the MACD 5/34/5 indicator, an analogue of the modern Awesome Oscillator, and the Fibonacci ratio), fractals, trading in waves (impulses 1-3-5 and ABC correction). And also very important topics — how to work with your internal structure and how our brain functions (Chapter 11).
The book Trading Chaos 2 (co-authored by Bill Williams' daughter Justine Gregory) includes a description of the Alligator indicator in combination with the Awesome Oscillator, divergent bars and fractals. And also tools for working on yourself - morning pages (Chapter 13, from the book by Julia Cameron "The Artist's Way") and autogenic training for traders by Johannes Schultz (Appendix 3).
Tom Hougaard "Best Loser Wins" ♡
The book greatly expands the perception of markets, the approach to trading and deeply describes the psychology of trading.
The book was first published in 2022 and perfectly complements the books by Bill Williams.
John J. Murphy "Technical Analysis of the Futures Markets"
A basic book on classical (linear) technical analysis, which also contains up-to-date information on Elliott Wave Theory in addition to the corresponding section in the book by Bill Williams "Trading Chaos 1".
Alexander Elder "Trading for a living" (How to Play and Win on the Stock Exchange)
A book on the psychology of trading and classical chart analysis, includes a detailed description of popular indicators and a description of the basic strategy "Three Screens" (analysis of the chart on the senior and junior timeframes), as well as an important topic "Risk management".
Steve Nison "Japanese Candlesticks"
A basic book on classical candlestick (bar) analysis.
Thomas DeMark "Technical Analysis - a new science"
Constructing trend lines based on the support price minimums and maximums described in the book led me to search for an indicator that displays such bars, as a result, I first became acquainted with the Bill Williams Fractals indicator, even before I became acquainted with his strategy.
Theodore Dreiser "The Financier" ☽
A novel published in 1912 based on the life story of the American millionaire Charles Yerkes (1837-1905). The book shows how the financial and economic environment surrounding the main character (Frank Cowperwood) already from childhood forms in him the psychology of a businessman and stock dealer...
Robin Sharma "The 5 AM Club" ☆
This book is not about trading, but about healthy habits. But for me the book became useful, including in trading, because I made the following conclusion for myself - it is important to rest (take breaks) every day, and not only on weekends and vacations. And it is worth starting with the fact that after waking up there is free time (about 1 hour) before business activity begins, i.e. either wake up earlier, or move all things forward, so that you can start your day easily. And taking breaks in trading is very important, so I recommend paying attention, for example, to the algorithm for removing limitations using neurographics.
(◉ ‿ ◉) There are many good books, as well as good strategies, but I am sure that only independent deep study, practice, good concentration and self-control will allow you to find your own understanding of the markets and your own approach to successful trading.
I’ve spent 8 years in crypto, and here’s what I’ve discovered ↓↓I’ve spent 8 years in crypto , and here’s what I’ve discovered ⏬
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▪️ Throughout my journey, I’ve met hundreds of ambitious traders, but today only a few remain —those who were willing to wait and those who didn’t dream of quick profits.
▪️ According to most official studies, only 1-3% of traders make money.
▪️ Only 1% can overperform the market and earn more than a simple buy-and-hold strategy.
▪️ Intuition and prayers don’t work here; without a clear strategy , you will lose everything, I guarantee it.
▪️ The best of the best earn 100-150% annually (check the World Cup Trading Championships to verify this). Yes, there are sometimes bull markets where you can make 500% or more, but this happens only once every four years, and you need to be earning consistently.
▪️ The crypto market is changing, and this cycle is very challenging , even for professional market participants. The only way to succeed is to constantly adapt.
▪️ 99% of bloggers and influencers you follow are complete scams. Most of them won’t be able to show you a yearly trading account performance report upon request in real-time. They make money not from trading, but from you, by selling yet another course. (Always check their profitability statistics; it's the only way to verify if this person is a professional or a fraud).
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Everyone is looking for the holy grail , and I searched for it too, but I found it in algorithmic trading . This trading style allows me to rely solely on numbers, clear profitability indicators, and statistics. Most importantly, it removes the human factor (staying emotionally stable, not succumbing to fear and greed).
How I used Volume Spread Analysis to avoid FOMO trading!As a trader, I often battle with the fear of missing out (FOMO), a common pitfall among traders that can lead to impulsive, unprofitable trades. After reviewing my journal, I determined that chasing breakouts was costing me a significant portion of my account, so I studied Volume Spread Analysis (VSA) to help me reduce my urges. Here is how is used VSA to avoid FOMOing a trade.
Before we get started, let's clarify two definitions:
Volume: Measures the number of times buyers and sellers exchange 1 unit of an asset at an agreed-upon price. It doesn't inherently indicate whether a trend is bullish or bearish, but rather that a trade has occurred. Low volume suggests that few transactions have taken place because buyers and sellers couldn't agree on price. High volume suggests that buyers OR sellers felt they were getting a bargain at the current price, leading to many transactions.
Spread/Range: The difference between the high and low of a candlestick. A narrow spread indicates little variance between what someone is willing to buy for and what someone is willing to sell for. A wide spread suggests that buyers and sellers have significantly different ideas of what the fair price is.
In short, Volume Spread Analysis (VSA) interprets the relationship between trading volume and candle spread. When volume and spread agree, they are considered harmonious, and the trend will probably continue. If volume and spread disagree, there is a divergence, and the trend may be weak or could even reverse. In general, there are three main harmonious conditions:
Narrowing spread should have narrowing volume.
Average spread should have average volume.
Widening spread should have widening volume.
I spotted a bear flag consolidation on QQQ and decided I would trade the breakout to the downside. I took a break and came back to the chart just after the breakdown had occurred, missing my ideal entry. The candle spread was widening and my first thought was "I have to get in! This thing is free falling!" PAUSE! I reminded myself that I cant make every dollar in the market. If I miss this trade, there will always be another. "Be patient and wait for the market to come back to you."
This is the chart after the initial break. What can we observe? QQQ broke the low of day with high volume and a widening red candle. Based on our definitions from earlier, we know that high volume means that buyers or sellers think they are getting a bargain so they are willing to transact as much as they can at current price. Given that price is falling, we can assume that the volume is due to aggressive selling. We remain patient and continue to watch for something to trade against.
Next, we see a narrower range candle with a long lower shadow and above average volume. By definition, strong volume with a narrow range is a possible divergence. We know that narrow range candles mean that buyers and sellers generally agree on current price, but why would it close near the highs if the selling was so aggressive? Given that there is a long lower shadow and then a bullish candle close, we can infer that sellers were not willing to sell below $467.89. The buyers absorbed the selling at those prices.
Fast forwarding, we notice that the volume and candle size has shrunk back to the average meaning buyers and sellers are in agreeance. The number of people willing to transact is decreasing. We also notice that a small range has formed. Buyers have not stepped in to buy above the previous low of day at $469.35 and the sellers have shown no effort to get back below $467.89. Now we have something to trade against instead of FOMOing in! We will look for a break of this range with increased volume.
On the next candle we see bulls break out of the range with aggressive volume and a wide spread candle. Something of note is that the volume on this bull candle is less that the volume of our initial sell candle. If those sellers were still present, wouldn't they be selling at these higher prices and forcing the candle range to be narrow? This shows us that bulls are now in control and the selling from earlier was just a hoax.
As we can see, the rest is history. If I FOMOed into the short as I had planned, this trade would have resulted in a loss. Being patient allowed me to realize that there was nothing to miss out on and actually allowed me to find a better trade.
Key Notes
Always journal your trades and review them
Never FOMO into a trade. Be patient and wait for the trade to come to you!
You dont need to take every trade to make money in the market. It is okay to miss a trade if it means protecting your account.
Volume spread analysis is not 100%, but it can be useful in determining the strength of a trend.
A Dilemma: Do Stock prices moves Options or Vice Versa???This interesting question touches on the complex relationship between stock prices and option prices. Let's break down this dilemma:
1. The theoretical relationship:
In theory, stock prices drive option prices. Options are derivatives, meaning their value is derived from the underlying asset (in this case, the stock). The Black-Scholes model and other option pricing models use the stock price as an input to calculate option values.
2. The practical reality:
In practice, the relationship can become more complex, especially in the short term. There are scenarios where options trading can influence stock prices, creating a feedback loop.
3. How options can influence stocks:
- Delta hedging: Market makers who sell options often hedge their positions by buying or selling the underlying stock. This can create buying or selling pressure on the stock.
- Large option positions: Significant option volumes can signal bullish or bearish sentiment, potentially influencing trader behavior in the stock market.
- Pinning: As expiration approaches, there can be forces that "pin" a stock to a particular option strike price due to hedging activities.
4. The max pain theory:
This theory suggests that option trading can influence stock prices, particularly near expiration, pulling the stock price toward the maximum pain point.
5. Short-term vs. long-term effects:
While options can influence stock prices in the short term, fundamental factors (like earnings, economic conditions, etc.) tend to dominate in the longer term.
6. Market efficiency considerations:
In highly liquid markets, any predictable influence of options on stocks should, in theory, be quickly arbitraged away. However, markets aren't always perfectly efficient.
7. Regulatory perspective:
Regulators are aware of potential market manipulation through options and monitor for such activities.
In conclusion, while the primary relationship is stock prices influencing option prices, there can be feedback effects where options trading influences stock prices, especially in the short term. This creates a complex, interconnected system that traders and analysts must navigate carefully.
Max Pain theory in options trading is an interesting concept. Here's a concise overview:
Max Pain refers to the strike price where option buyers (collectively) would experience the maximum financial pain, or loss, at expiration. Conversely, it's the price at which option sellers would profit the most.
Key points:
1. It's based on the idea that option sellers (often market makers) try to manipulate the underlying asset's price toward maximum pain.
2. Calculated by determining the price at which the value of all outstanding options would be minimized.
3. Used by some traders to predict where a stock's price might gravitate as expiration approaches.
Max Pain theory is controversial. While some traders swear by it, others are skeptical of its predictive power. It's important to note that many factors influence stock prices, and Max Pain is just one potential consideration.
NVDA:
Total open interest: 28.4 million contract
while SPX, SPY, QQQ, IWm, and TSLA's open interest is: 21,20.5,13.5,6.9 million respectively.
Total open interest is an important metric in options and futures trading. Here's a concise overview:
1. Definition:
Total open interest refers to the total number of outstanding contracts (options or futures) that have not been settled or closed.
2. Calculation:
It's the sum of all open positions across all strike prices and expiration dates for a particular underlying asset.
3. Significance:
- Market activity indicator: Higher open interest generally indicates more active and liquid markets.
- Trend confirmation: Increasing open interest can confirm the strength of a price trend.
4. Interpretation:
- Rising open interest + rising prices: Often indicates a bullish trend.
- Rising open interest + falling prices: Often indicates a bearish trend.
- Falling open interest: May suggest a weakening of the current trend.
5. Contrasts with volume:
- Volume measures the number of contracts traded in a given period.
- Open interest represents the number of active contracts at a point in time.
6. Uses:
- Assessing market sentiment
- Gauging the strength of price movements
- Identifying potential support/resistance levels
7. Limitations:
- Doesn't indicate the direction of trades (long vs. short)
- Can be misleading if not considered alongside other factors
Strategic Gold Plays: Maverick-Rabbit Precision in Key PatternsBased on your archetype, a combination of the Bold Maverick and the Analytical Rabbit, you have a natural tendency to take calculated risks while also ensuring that those risks are backed by thorough analysis. This hybrid nature likely drives you to engage in trades that have high potential rewards, but only when they meet specific analytical criteria.
Chart Analysis and Coaching on Your Positions
Overview:
Context: This is a 15-minute chart of XAUUSD (Gold vs. USD).
Structure: The chart shows a clear bullish trend with higher highs and higher lows. There are multiple channel formations, liquidity zones (LQZ), and key levels identified (including a 4H Over Ride/LQZ level).
1. Position Analysis:
First Entry - Inside the Ascending Channel:
Entry Reasoning: You likely identified the ascending channel as a bullish continuation pattern and entered within it.
Archetype Reflection: As a Bold Maverick, you're comfortable entering before a full breakout, assuming the trend continuation. However, as an Analytical Rabbit, you probably also considered the channel support before entry.
Coaching: This entry aligns with your dual archetype. You took the position inside the channel, expecting price to continue its upward momentum. However, consider tightening your stop loss in case of a fake breakout to protect your position.
Second Entry - Near the LQZ:
Entry Reasoning: You likely saw price approaching the Liquidity Zone (LQZ), expecting a bounce or reaction at this level.
Archetype Reflection: Analytical Rabbits love analyzing levels like LQZ, while Bold Mavericks might anticipate a reaction before confirmation.
Coaching: Good job recognizing the importance of the LQZ. You probably set a trailing stop to capture profit while letting the trade run. Just be cautious with overconfidence—always have a plan if the price moves against you.
Third Entry - At the 4H Over Ride / LQZ level:
Entry Reasoning: This level is crucial as it represents a 4H Liquidity Zone (LQZ), a significant potential reversal point.
Archetype Reflection: This is a classic Bold Maverick move—anticipating a strong reaction at a higher timeframe LQZ. The Analytical Rabbit side of you likely analyzed the 4H timeframe and identified this as a high-probability zone.
Coaching: This is an aggressive yet well-informed entry. Ensure your stop loss is adjusted to below the LQZ to minimize risk in case the market turns against your position.
2. Trailing Stop Loss (SL) Usage:
Position: You’ve used trailing stop losses, which is a smart move, especially given the bold yet analytical approach.
Coaching: Trailing stops can help lock in profits as the price moves in your favor. Ensure that the trailing distance is neither too tight (to avoid premature exit) nor too wide (to protect against significant pullbacks). This aligns with the Analytical Rabbit’s cautious nature.
3. Key Levels and Patterns:
Ascending Channel: The price is respecting the channel boundaries, which validates your initial entries.
LQZ & 4H Override: Price has shown reactions at these levels, indicating they are well-chosen.
4. Risk Management:
Balance Between Risk and Reward: Your trading strategy seems to balance the Bold Maverick’s appetite for risk with the Analytical Rabbit’s focus on minimizing unnecessary exposure.
Coaching: Given your dual archetype, keep refining your entry and exit points. Use the rule of three (waiting for confirmation after three touches on key levels) to align with your analytical side.
Conclusion:
Your trading approach is a robust mix of intuition and analysis. You're combining bold entries with a solid understanding of market structure. Continue to refine your strategy, especially in the context of multi-timeframe analysis and liquidity zones, to maximize your trading effectiveness. Make sure to always have an exit strategy and avoid letting the Maverick side take over without sufficient backing from the Rabbit’s analysis.
Smart Money and the why behind it
I have used @TradingView for near enough 10 years now. What I like about the platform is the simplicity and the tools.
I often get asked about things like strategy or other people's techniques - "What do you think of SMC or this guy or that guy"
Look, when it comes to trading - Liquidity is something very little people understand. Gurus talk about it and draw pretty lines but still fail to break it down as to why it's there in the first place.
"Ah it's where the big boys buy or sell"
so to help visualise this lets use some of these tools here on Tradingview.
Look at my first chart here;
What I have done is jumped up a timeframe and placed a volume profile tool on my chart, then simply used the drawing tool to draw a squiggle around the relevant nodes.
I then dropped back to the smaller timeframe and switched on a couple of indicators to help visualise where the liquidity is.
if you look at the lines 15minutes and 30minutes both in green and cast your eyes to the right, can you see they sit just below (as price is coming from above) to those higher volume nodes from that higher timeframe?
Let's use another tool here on TradingView;
This one is called a fixed range volume profile.
the two blue lines extended out are known as the value area high and low. Often this is set to around 70-75% but I like to reduce that a little. The red line is called a PoC or point of control. This basically means the highest transactional point of the range you fixed.
However, if you look over to the left this time you will see two higher volume nodes (mountains) and therefore look at the 15m and 30m lines again with fresh eyes.
In this next image I have increased the range and dragged it over to include more data. I could write full strategies on this tool alone.
The first thing you should notice is the PoC has now jumped up higher. Think logically about this for a second.
We are seeking lower timeframe liquidity down low and the area of interest and value is showing price was accepted up high.
So, after grabbing liquidity, would we anticipate the price to continue down lower or come back to play in the accepted zone?
This is where a lot of newer traders fail, especially when trading smart money concepts "SMC" for short. They fail to understand the bigger picture.
Another little tool in the same box-set is the Timeprice indicator.
Much like session volume this gives a pretty clean view and of course settings can be adjusted. I like the look on this one, it's very modern. But the real value isn't until you zoom in and zoom in and you see why it's called Time - Price. I'll leave that for another post.
But continuing the theme of this post; look at the clusters of the time price indicator and note where the PoC sits on the 15m liquidity level. Then below the 30m liquidity is the lower side of the value area. Are you starting to see a theme?
In this last image; I have simply highlighted liquidity to keep my chart clean.
You will see candles showing the last buys before the selloff. Then a consolidation under the liquidity - this is basically a Wyckoff structure prior to a mark down move.
We then drop into the liquidity pocket and here is where most SMC traders would be jumping long. We see a very nice little rally, then a large fast drop through the liquidity, this hitting many stops and triggering new short positions.
which is why as these shorts get triggered, you anticipate the pullback - to what level? Well look left and the charts will tell you.
I hope this has opened a few eyes - go away and have a play with these indicators on @TradingView and feel free to aks if you have any questions.
Disclaimer
This idea does not constitute as financial advice. It is for educational purposes only, our principle trader has over 20 years' experience in stocks, ETF's, and Forex. Hence each trade setup might have different hold times, entry or exit conditions, and will vary from the post/idea shared here. You can use the information from this post to make your own trading plan for the instrument discussed. Trading carries a risk; a high percentage of retail traders lose money. Please keep this in mind when entering any trade. Stay safe.
Bitcoin’s Rounded Top [Wyckoff Distribution]: 5 Phases to KnowHello, Trading Community!
Today, we dive into the fascinating world of the Wyckoff Distribution model as it applies to Bitcoin's current market structure. Please remember that this article is purely for educational purposes and is not intended as trading advice.
While we explore potential scenarios, including the possibility of Bitcoin heading down to $30,000 or even $25,000, these claims are speculative and should be considered hypothetical.
The Wyckoff Distribution Model: A Roadmap for Market Tops
The Wyckoff Distribution model offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how major market players distribute their holdings before a significant downturn. It is divided into several phases:
Phase A: The market begins to show preliminary signs of selling pressure after an extended uptrend. This is the first hint that the balance of power is shifting from buyers to sellers.
Phase B: The market enters a consolidation phase, moving sideways as large investors gradually distribute their positions.
Phase C: A deceptive breakout, known as the Upthrust After Distribution (UTAD), occurs here, often trapping unsuspecting retail traders.
Phase D: The onset of a decline, marked by clear Signs of Weakness (SOW), indicates that the distribution phase is nearing its end.
Phase E: The final phase, where the market confirms the distribution and continues to fall, marking the completion of the process.
Breaking Down Bitcoin's Key Price Points
Let's take a closer look at the crucial price points that have defined Bitcoin's current structure within the Wyckoff Distribution model:
Buying Climax (BC) - $73,660
This is the pinnacle of buying activity, where demand reaches its peak before supply starts to dominate. For Bitcoin, this level marked the highest point in the current cycle before a significant sell-off began.
Automatic Reaction (AR) - $60,795
Following the Buying Climax, the market experienced an Automatic Reaction—a sharp drop as sellers stepped in. This level is critical as it signifies the start of the distribution process.
Upthrust (UT) - $71,180
The Upthrust represents a rally that tests the resistance near the Buying Climax. However, it fails to sustain those levels, hinting that the market's upward momentum is weakening.
Upthrust After Distribution (UTAD) - $71,680
The UTAD often serves as a bull trap, where the price makes a final push above the resistance only to quickly reverse. This move confirms that distribution is taking place.
Sign of Weakness (SOW) - $54,344
After the UTAD, the market drops significantly, signaling a clear Sign of Weakness. This level demonstrates that sellers are gaining control, pushing the price to new lows.
Last Point of Supply 1 (LPSY 1) - $70,040
The first Last Point of Supply (LPSY 1) is a weaker rally that fails to reach previous highs. This is a key indicator that the market's bullish momentum is fading, and distribution is nearing completion.
Last Point of Supply 2 (LPSY 2) - $65,105
Currently, Bitcoin is in Phase E, at the LPSY 2 point. This level is crucial as it typically marks the final confirmation of distribution before a sustained downtrend.
Navigating Phase E: The Final Act of Distribution
As Bitcoin navigates through Phase E, the LPSY 2 level becomes a focal point. This phase is characterized by further price declines as the market confirms the distribution. Here’s what to watch for:
Lower Highs and Lower Lows: Expect the price to continue forming lower highs and lower lows, reinforcing the bearish trend.
Volume Patterns: During this phase, volume analysis becomes critical. Look for decreasing volume on upswings and increasing volume on downswings, which confirms the presence of distribution.
Final Thoughts
The Wyckoff Distribution model provides a structured way to understand how markets transition from bullish to bearish trends. With Bitcoin currently exhibiting a Rounded Top structure and sitting at LPSY 2 in Phase E, the evidence suggests that we may be on the cusp of further declines. By staying vigilant and analyzing key price levels and volume patterns, traders can better position themselves to navigate this challenging market environment.
In this complex market phase, understanding the underlying forces at play can be the difference between protecting your capital and being caught off guard by the next big move.
Stay tuned for more!
Think Like a Pro: How to Be Your Own Trading PsychologistEver Felt Like Your Worst Enemy in Trading? Here’s How to Overcome it!
Have you ever been in that moment where you're staring at the screen, and every fiber of your being is screaming, "This trade is going south," but you still hold on?
It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion—except you’re the conductor, and somehow, you’re glued to your seat.What if you could turn that inner chaos into clarity?
Imagine becoming your own trading psychologist, mastering the mental game to transform your trading experience. It’s possible, and it’s within your reach.
The Mirror Doesn’t LieThe biggest challenges in your trading aren’t just the volatile markets or the unpredictable news— they’re the emotions that cloud your judgment. Fear, greed, hesitation, overconfidence— these emotions can lead you to make mistakes that are both costly and frustrating.
But here’s the key: the problem isn’t the emotions themselves, but how you manage them. Recognizing this can help you see the market—and your trades—in a completely new light.
The Secret Sauce: Self-AwarenessThe first step toward mastering your trading psychology is learning to recognize your triggers.
What sets you off? Is it a losing streak? A sudden market spike? Maybe just a stressful day.
Identifying these triggers is crucial to controlling your trading behavior.Once you recognize your triggers, managing them becomes much easier.
It’s like seeing a storm on the horizon—you can’t stop it, but you can definitely prepare for it.
Setting hard rules for when to step away from the screen, and more importantly, when to stay focused, can make all the difference in your trading results.
Actionable Tips: Turn Insight into Action
So, how can you apply this in a practical way?
Here are a few strategies that can help you take control of your trading psychology:
Journal Everything : Start by journaling not just your trades, but your thoughts and emotions before, during, and after each trade.
You’ll begin to see patterns emerge, showing when you might be about to go off the rails.
Mindful Breaks: Set timers to remind yourself to step away from the screen for a minute or two. This gives you the space you need to reset, especially when things get intense.
The “Pause” Button: Before entering a trade, take a moment to pause and ask yourself, “Am I acting out of emotion, or is this a rational decision?”
This simple act can prevent countless bad trades.
Create a Pre-Trade Routine: Just like athletes have pre-game rituals, creating a routine to get into the right headspace before trading can be incredibly beneficial.
This might involve reviewing your journal, setting goals for the session, or doing a quick mental check-in.
Don’t Go It Alone: Trading doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Platforms like TradingView are excellent for connecting with other traders.
Whether you’re joining a chat, reading other traders’ ideas, or commenting on their posts, engaging with the community can provide valuable insights and feedback.
Sometimes, the best advice comes from others who’ve been in your shoes and can help you see things from a different perspective.
The Result? A Psychological EdgeBy mastering your trading psychology, you can stop sabotaging yourself.
Instead of reacting impulsively to the market, you can respond with clarity and purpose.
The challenges of trading will still be there—this is the market, after all—but with the right mindset, you can turn them into opportunities.
If trading psychology has been a struggle for you, know that you’re not alone, and there’s a way forward.
By looking inward, recognizing your patterns, and applying a few simple strategies, you can gain the psychological edge you need to succeed.
Trading isn’t just about reading the market; it’s about understanding yourself. And once you master that, the possibilities for your trading are endless.
Let me know what you think below:)
Theories of Technical AnalysisTheories of Technical Analysis
Dive deep into the intricacies of technical analysis with a close examination of five pivotal theories of technical analysis — Dow, Wyckoff, Gann, Elliott, and Merrill. Unravel their foundational concepts, applications, and histories to gain a comprehensive grasp of market dynamics with this article.
Dow Theory
The Dow Theory, attributed to Charles Dow, lays out foundational concepts that many traders consider the basic principles of technical analysis. It postulates that stock market activities unfold in specific, non-random patterns influenced by human psychology. These patterns manifest in three primary movements: long-term trends, counter-trends, and daily fluctuations. Dow emphasised that market prices integrate all existing and foreseeable data. Consequently, established trends tend to endure until clear signs indicate their reversal.
How It's Used
Traders utilise the Dow Theory to recognise and confirm market trends. By distinguishing between primary and secondary movements, they can identify the overarching trend and any counter-trends or corrections within it. This distinction aids in making informed trading decisions, such as entering or exiting trades at optimal points. By watching for definitive signals that indicate trend reversals, traders can position themselves advantageously for potential upcoming market shifts.
How It Was Developed
The genesis of the Dow Theory rests in the series of editorials penned by Charles Dow for The Wall Street Journal. Through his keen observations of market movements and trends, he devised certain principles that eventually coalesced into the Dow Theory. Though Dow himself never consolidated his ideas into a singular "theory," his successors refined his observations into the framework recognised today.
Wyckoff Method
The Wyckoff Method delves deep into the interplay between supply and demand in the market, underpinned by the assertion that assets move in cycles propelled by institutional investors or "smart money." The method suggests that by grasping the motives and behaviours of these major institutional actors, traders gain an edge, given that these entities notably shape market trends.
How It's Used
The Wyckoff Method prioritises the relationship between price and volume. Traders, armed with this method, keenly observe price movements in relation to volume surges or declines, seeking clues to the actions of institutional players. By recognising accumulation (where "smart money" accumulates assets) and distribution (where assets are offloaded) phases, traders can discern potential future price directions.
The method employs a systematic approach: defining current market trends, anticipating future movements by tracking institutional behaviour, and finally, establishing positions in harmony with these insights. Specific chart patterns, like springs or upthrusts, are signals used to validate the ongoing phase.
How It Was Developed
Richard D. Wyckoff, recognising the disadvantage at which retail traders often found themselves, embarked on a journey to level the playing field. He rigorously studied the strategies employed by the most successful traders of his time. Merging these findings with his own market observations, Wyckoff birthed a method that sought to illuminate the operations of the market's most influential players.
Gann Theory
The Gann Theory is an intricate system of technical analysis developed by W.D. Gann. It’s grounded in the belief that price and time are intrinsically interwoven, and this relationship can be harnessed to predict future price movements. Gann maintained that markets move in consistent patterns and rhythms, and by understanding these, traders can foretell potential price changes.
How It's Used
Traders employing the Gann Theory use a set of bespoke tools to decipher market behaviour. Among the most notable are the Gann angles, which are drawn between a significant bottom and top (or vice versa) at various predetermined angles.
The Square of Nine, another Gann tool, is a root square that offers a horizontal and vertical axis, assisting traders in identifying price movements and potential turning points. Lastly, the Gann Fan is used to foresee areas of support and resistance by marking out angles that depict possible future price movements. By using these tools, traders attempt to pinpoint where the price might change direction, offering them strategic entry and exit points.
You can find all of these tools and more in FXOpen’s free TickTrader platform. Head over there to get started in minutes.
How It Was Developed
W.D. Gann integrated ancient mathematics, geometry, and astrology to decode market movements. This synthesis resulted in the Gann Theory, a set of tools and techniques. His innovative approach significantly influenced technical analysis. His meticulous research and unique approach have rendered his contributions both legendary and influential in the realm of technical analysis.
Elliott Wave Theory
The Elliott Wave Theory, introduced by Ralph Nelson Elliott, posits that market movements manifest in specific, predictable wave patterns. Central to this framework is the belief that markets progress in a five-wave sequence and retract in a three-wave sequence, totalling an eight-wave cycle. This sequence is driven by collective investor psychology, oscillating between optimism and pessimism.
How It's Used
In application, traders deploy the Elliott Wave Theory to both decipher and forecast market trajectories. By discerning where they are within a particular wave sequence, they can anticipate the likely next move of the market. For instance, recognising the commencement of a third wave — typically the most robust and longest — can signal a strong trading opportunity. Conversely, identifying the start of a corrective wave can guide traders to defensive positions.
How It Was Developed
In the 1930s, Ralph Nelson Elliott identified recurring stock market patterns, suggesting predictability rather than randomness. He believed these patterns were fractal—repetitive at different scales. His research led to the Elliott Wave Principle, which provides a lens to understand and forecast market behaviour based on these wave patterns.
Merrill Patterns
Merrill Patterns, formulated by Arthur A. Merrill, are a collection of geometric formations discerned within stock market charts. These patterns reflect the collective psyche of market participants and underscore the principle that markets evolve in discernible trends. Merrill meticulously identified 32 W- and M-shape patterns, such as wedges, triangles, and head-and-shoulders formations, each harbouring unique predictive capacities about future price movements.
How It's Used
Traders leverage Merrill Patterns to gain insights into potential market shifts. By recognising the formation of a specific pattern, a trader can anticipate possible trend reversals or continuations. For instance, the emergence of a head-and-shoulders pattern can often indicate a forthcoming downward market reversal. On the other hand, a triangle formation typically signals the continuation of a prevailing trend. These patterns serve as visual cues, guiding traders in establishing their market positions.
How It Was Developed
Arthur Merrill extensively studied stock charts for decades, identifying recurring predictive patterns. He consolidated these findings into a compilation of patterns with defined rules. His work, "Behavior of Prices on Wall Street," systematically presents these insights, marking a significant contribution to technical analysis.
Final Thoughts
In understanding what technical analysis is in the stock market, these five theories are an ideal place to start. Each offers powerful, time-tested insights that provide a much deeper understanding of market dynamics than mere indicators or candlestick patterns. However, these theories are also used in other markets, including forex and commodities. To harness the power of these insights practically, consider opening an FXOpen account for a seamless trading experience.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
EWJ - How to identify a plausible targetThis idea is for investors as I'm analyzing the chart in weekly and trying to identify fair targets for a long position. First you need a donchian line which is basically the middle between the highest high and the lowest low during the last 52 weeks.
Using this donchian line (nb. which is part of Ichimoku system as SSB line), you then identify the last "cycle" which is a clear half-wave with well-defined bottoms/tops. Applying the Fibo retracement tool using the top-bottom-top (or bottom-top-bottom) points of the identified wave, you'll end up with a set of Fibonacci levels. The different levels above 1.0 can be used as price targets as shown here.
How to ride trend and exit positions using Shlionz MAsBuy Signal:
Trend Start: Buy when EMA 50 crosses above EMA 200.
Pullback Entry: Buy when the price pulls back to MidBB or EMA 50 in an uptrend, with WMA 10 crossing above MidBB.
Confirmation: EMA 5 crossing above EMA 10 (WMA 10) can serve as additional confirmation for entry.
Sell Signal:
Trend Reversal: Sell when EMA 50 crosses below EMA 200.
Pullback Exit: Sell if WMA 10 crosses below MidBB or EMA 50 after a pullback.
Confirmation: EMA 5 crossing below EMA 10 (WMA 10) can signal a potential exit or further downside.
Risk Management:
Stop-Loss: Below MidBB or EMA 50.
Take-Profit: At key resistance levels or based on a risk-to-reward ratio.
Implementation Summary.
Buy Entry:
EMA 50 crosses above EMA 200.
Price pulls back to MidBB or EMA 50.
WMA 10 crosses above MidBB.
EMA 5 crosses above WMA 10 for confirmation.
Sell Exit:
EMA 50 crosses below EMA 200.
Price closes below WMA 10 and MidBB.
EMA 5 crosses below WMA 10 for confirmation.
Incorporating EMA 5 adds a faster-moving element to your strategy, helping you to react more quickly to short-term changes and providing additional confirmation signals.