For those who are newly interested in trading cryptocurrency, the concept may seem like rocket science compared to trading in long-established securities like stocks and bonds. But cryptocurrency has one very important thing in common with assets from other classes: it is most rewarding to those who enter with trading plans.
Just like how you wouldn’t go into stock trading with no knowledge of your market or of basic trading procedures, you shouldn’t enter the world of crypto empty-handed. It’s best to arm yourself with the latest knowledge on how to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies in the most strategic manner.
There are several benefits to crafting your own “battle plan” for trading crypto. Doing so will ensure that you get the most value for your assets, that you discern the right time to buy versus the right time to sell, and that you mitigate the financial risk of trading in crypto. Even when things don’t completely go your way, smarter trading decisions will still protect you from the most devastating financial losses.
Knowing that, here are a few important components that should comprise any great crypto trading strategy. These will prove useful whether you’re trading in a mainstream cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC) or an up-and-coming altcoin like Monero (XMR).
Build a Crypto Trading Toolkit in Advance
Even a beginning trader must have a “toolkit” of sorts before entering a crypto exchange. The basics include a dedicated crypto wallet, like a free Monero wallet to store your XMR coins, as well as a charting tool to track crypto market trends in real time. Other tools that you can gradually include in your arsenal are market cap data aggregators, crypto intelligence platforms (either for blockchain data or for social media networks), and calendar apps that notify you about major crypto-related events.
More than allowing you to buy and sell on a crypto exchange, these tools will help you get a feel of your market and will guide you to act in accordance with its pulse.
Choose the Right Crypto Trading Platform
Another big trading decision that you’ll have to make is to choose the best crypto trading platform for your needs. The right platform will allow you to build your acumen as a crypto trader using the coins that you prefer, and it will also affect major aspects of your trading journey such as how much you’ll spend in fees.
So, look for a platform that sees a healthy amount of trading volume and that’s well-reviewed by your peers in the crypto exchange. It will also help a lot if the platform has a user-friendly interface, as that will allow you to become more comfortable as a trader and execute your trading strategies with a more confident mindset.
Find Out What Makes the Crypto Market Tick
Next, as a matter of course, you’ll need to study the markets for your chosen crypto coins. It’s particularly important for a crypto day trader, or someone who regularly buys and sells crypto for the short-term, to understand the factors that govern the dynamics of the market.
One pertinent example is that of volatility, or what accounts for the unpredictable price movement of a certain crypto coin. An aspiring crypto day trader will need to build continuous knowledge about how media coverage, research, and the economic situations of different countries play into a crypto’s volatility at any given moment.
If you want to become a successful crypto trader, you will need to base your evolving crypto strategy on what makes the market tick. After some diligent study, you’ll be able to make more accurate calls on how a trend will play out, whether the price of your coin will surge or fall, or what your ideal entry and exit positions are.
Choose between Active and Passive Trading Strategies
When you become more at ease with your chosen coin and platform, it will soon be time to decide what your raison d’être as a trader will be.
Do you want to commit to active trading strategies, which will require frequent activity and conscientious portfolio management? Or would you rather take a more hands-off approach and go for passive crypto investment strategies?
If it’s the former, you will need to research active strategies like day trading, swing trading, range trading, scalping, or arbitrage. If it’s the latter, you’ll still need to think carefully about your choice of passive trading strategy, like a “buy and hold” approach or investing in an index fund that includes your cryptocurrency of choice.
Pay Attention to Asset Liquidity
Some people who begin trading in crypto develop an unshakeable faith in the market. But by its very nature, cryptocurrency comes with a lot of risks, and the market can sometimes be susceptible to events like flash crashes.
The most levelheaded strategy you can take when facing up to these risks is to pay attention to the liquidity of the assets involved. It’s best to enter a crypto market that demonstrates a healthy amount of liquidity; that’s one of the wisest choices you can make to mitigate the amount of risk you encounter while trading in cryptocurrency.
Base Your Trading Decisions on Logic, Not Emotion
When it comes to trading stocks and other securities, you may already know to avoid trading with a hot head.
The same advice applies to trading in cryptocurrency—you should always have a logical basis for buying or selling, and you should never let emotions like panic or frustration cloud your decisions.
Always align your trading strategy with proven trends in the market and informed analysis of the market’s recent developments. Also do your best to resist the temptation to make decisions based on hype or fearmongering.
This is by no means an exhaustive guide to trading in crypto. Still, we hope that you found the above information helpful as you embark on your journey as a new crypto trader.
Rather than treating the above advice as end-all-be-all instructions, use these insights as stepping stones for honing your crypto trading skills. With enough time, effort, and patience, you should be able to enjoy the fruits of your hard work before long.
