A series on cryptocurrency trading basics, focusing on breaking down crypto technical analysis at a beginner's level for everyone to understand.
When it comes to analyzing cryptocurrencies (or any kinds of investments for that matter), there are 2 main ways that you can perform your analysis; namely fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Fundamental analysis assesses the value of a cryptocurrency by looking at underlying variables and metrics of the project to evaluate if it's a good investment. Technical analysis, on the other hand, looks at historical price data to predict the future price movements of a particular cryptocurrency. This article will form an introductory guide into the exciting world of technical analysis.
Introduction To Technical Analysis
Technical analysis represents a methodology for evaluating investments which involves a statistical analysis of market activity. It does not attempt to measure a security’s underlying value, but rather, utilize price charts and other indicators to identify patterns that can be used as a basis for investment decisions. (See also: Guide to Valuing Cryptocurrency: How to Value a Cryptocurrency)
Essentially, technical analysis is predicting future prices by looking at charts and fancy indicators; sort of the stuff you see wall street bankers do
Technical analysis can be performed in various ways, which include relying on charting patterns, statistical indicators and oscillators, and a hybrid of the two. The main differentiating feature of technical analysis as compared to fundamental analysis is its exclusive use of historical volume and price data. Technical analysis is concerned with the future, and the best predictor of future price movements is past trading information and data. There are 3 types of tools and techniques used in technical analysis:
The overarching principle of technical analysis is that a security’s price already reflects all available information and instead focuses on the statistical analysis of price movements. It may seem complicated on the surface, but it boils down to an analysis of supply and demand in the market to determine where the price trend is headed.
Technical analysis is based on three underlying assumptions:
- The market discounts everything
- Price moves in trends
- History tends to repeat itself
Who is Responsible for Technical Analysis?
Many individuals, primarily scholars. A great deal of successful traders over the last century or longer have dissected markets and analyzed them from about every angle imaginable and have utilized a slew of data to create indicators that are designed to outline the market data in a way that’s more ‘digestible’.
Here’s an example below:
This indicator is called the ‘Stochastic RSI’. This indicator does not tell us anything that is not directly available through the price points on the chart. However, its advantage is that it synthesizes the information to give us an idea of whether the recent run of prices has risen well beyond what the prior existing trend dictated. Thus, the indicator is able to tell traders when it is indicating ‘oversold’ or ‘overbought’.
- Indicators: Technical tools based on mathematical computations of historical price and volume to assist in predicting future price movements
- Oversold: A situation where an asset is trading way below its intrinsic (true) value, usually due to panic selling or market overreaction. This is the best time to invest since the asset is cheap relative to its actual value
- Overbought: A situation where an asset is trading way above its intrinsic (true) value, without being supported by fundamental reasons. For instance, a coin’s price multiplying without any increase of its usage (or utility). This is the best time to sell away since the asset is too expensive and a pullback is expected.
Using this technical indicator, it becomes significantly easier to determine whether or not it is a wise choice to invest in a specific cryptocurrency. For example, in the picture above, the indicator is close to signalling that the price for the cryptocurrency is currently ‘overbought’. An educated trader would look at the indicator above and interpret that this means that the value of the cryptocurrency has risen well beyond what the market indicated that it valued it just a few days prior. Thus, there’s a chance that the market may ‘adjust’ or ‘correct’ in order to reach an ‘equilibrium’.
Despite the strong ‘signal’ coming from the above hypothetical indicator, a smart trader would look at a number of other indicators before making a definitive trade. (Read also: Cryptocurrency Trading: Understanding Cryptocurrency Trading Pairs & How it Works)
How Will I Know What to Do?
So, you probably have a lot of questions, like:
- ‘How Do I Learn How to Use These Indicators?’
- ‘Where Do I Find These Indicators to Use Anyway?’
- ‘How Will I Know Which Combination of Indicators to Use?’
- ‘What’s a ‘Signal’?’
While this all seems overwhelming at first, you’ll get the answer to all of these questions in due time. How? By reading through our entire series on technical indicators.
(Read also: Understanding Cryptocurrencies: Game of Thrones Edition)
However, there are a number of myths that we need to ‘put to bed’ first.
- There is no ‘miracle’ algorithm for analyzing a security/cryptocurrency that is going to tell you exactly what’s going on. Certain individuals that have met technical analysts often ask questions such as, “When is ____ going down?” or “Should I invest here?” – Remember this: Technical Analysis are the tools, but their value is determined by their user. It is also useful to understand the differences between cryptocurrencies and tokens.
- Temper your expectations. Technical analysis will not give you a crystal ball, but it will help you to determine the general direction that a security/stock/cryptocurrency will travel in. Here's a guide to understanding the difference between cryptocurrencies and stocks
- No matter how much reading you do, you have to practice. When you think you have it, practice some more. Apply the analysis that you learn to as many different coins/stocks/securities that you can find
- Possess a thirst for knowledge. Never stop reading and learning about this stuff. Learn to love it. This isn’t something you’re going to read for a couple seconds and just master randomly. This is a skill, and as such, you need to feed it
- Be prepared to contribute. Sure, there are already financial analysts and PhDs that have shelled out theories and ideas for years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t contribute. Learn how these indicators work and break them down to a science. Then reconstruct them. You’ll be surprised what you come up with
This seems like a daunting task to start off with, but trust and believe, you’ll be able to synthesize this process in no time and eventually become a master at analyzing cryptocurrencies
(See also: Guide to Common Crypto Terms)
Beneficial Resources
If you're starting your journey into the complex world of cryptocurrencies, here's a list of useful resources and guides that will get you on your way:
Trading & Exchange
- Crypto Guide 101: Choosing The Best Cryptocurrency Exchange
- Guide to Bittrex Exchange: How to Trade on Bittrex
- Guide to Binance Exchange: How to Open Binance Account and What You Should Know
- Guide to Etherdelta Exchange: How to Trade on Etherdelta
Wallets
- Guide to Cryptocurrency Wallets: Why Do You Need Wallets?
- Guide to Cryptocurrency Wallets: Opening a Bitcoin Wallet
- Guide to Cryptocurrency Wallets: Opening a MyEtherWallet (MEW)
Read also: Beginner's Guide to ICO Investing: How to Participate in ICOs and Cryptocurrency Trading: Understanding Cryptocurrency Trading Pairs & How it Works
This series of articles are contributed by CryptoMedication
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Serial Entrepreneur. Advisor to multiple startups
