Stop Loss Orders in Crypto Trading: How to Use (And Common Mistakes to Avoid) (2024)

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Cryptocurrency trading can be an exhilarating and potentially profitable endeavor, but it’s also fraught with risks. One way to mitigate these risks is by using various types of orders to manage your trades effectively. Among these, stop loss orders stand out as a crucial tool for safeguarding your investments.

In this article, we’ll introduce the concept of stop loss orders in crypto trading for beginners, explaining how they work and why they are essential for limiting potential losses.

A stop loss order is a type of order used in trading, whether you’re buying or selling a stock or crypto. Its primary purpose is to limit losses by automatically triggering a market order when the price of the asset reaches a predetermined level known as the “stop price.”

Here’s an example:

Let’s say you buy 1 Bitcoin (BTC) for $30,000, in the hopes that the price will appreciate going forward. As such, you are concerned that the price of BTC may decline, so you decide to set a stop-loss order at $27,000. This means that if the price of BTC falls to $27,000 or below, the trading platform will automatically sell your BTC at the market price, effectively “stopping your loss” to a maximum of $3,000.

In this example, the stop price is 10% below the purchase price of BTC. This is a common percentage to use for stop-loss orders in crypto, as the market is known to be volatile. However, the exact percentage you use will depend on your individual risk tolerance and investment goals.

In other words, you set a stop price at a level that’s the maximum amount of losses you are willing to bear if your trade goes south. This price is usually below the prevailing market price for a long position (buying) or above it for a short position (selling).

When the cryptocurrency’s price reaches the stop price you’ve set, the stop loss order becomes a market order to sell (in the case of a long position) or buy (in the case of a short position). This means the order will execute at the prevailing market price, which may be slightly different from the stop price due to market fluctuations.

In crypto trading, traders have the flexibility to choose from two primary types of stop-loss orders: regular stop loss orders and trailing stop orders. Each type serves a distinct purpose and can be used depending on your trading strategy and objectives.

Regular stop loss orders:

Regular stop loss orders are the more straightforward of the two types. When you place a regular stop loss order, you set a specific stop price at which your order will become a market order. Once the cryptocurrency’s price reaches or surpasses this stop price, the order will execute at the prevailing market price.

Regular stop loss orders are typically used to limit losses by setting a predetermined price point at which you are willing to exit a trade. For example, if you buy Bitcoin at $50,000 and set a regular stop loss order with a stop price of $45,000, your order will automatically sell your Bitcoin if its price falls to $45,000 or lower.

Trailing Stop Orders:

Trailing stop orders are a bit more complex but offer a dynamic way to protect profits and limit losses. With trailing stop orders, you still set a stop price, but instead of it being a fixed value, it is set as a percentage or a specific dollar amount away from the cryptocurrency’s current market price.

Here’s how trailing stop orders work:

You buy Bitcoin at $50,000.
You set a trailing stop order with a trailing percentage of 10% and a trigger offset of $500.
As Bitcoin’s price moves up, the trailing stop order follows it. If Bitcoin’s price rises to $55,000, your trailing stop order’s stop price will adjust to $54,500 (10% below $55,000, plus the $500 offset).
If Bitcoin’s price then begins to fall and reaches $54,500 or lower, your trailing stop order will trigger a market order to sell.

Trailing stop orders automatically adjust the stop price as the cryptocurrency’s price moves in your favor, locking in profits while still allowing for potential gains. This way, you can capture profits during uptrends while protecting against sudden price reversals. Trailing stop orders are particularly useful in volatile markets where prices can change rapidly.

In a trailing stop order, the “offset” refers to the distance or percentage below (for a long position) or above (for a short position) the current market price at which the stop price is set. This offset is a key component of a trailing stop order and determines how the stop price adjusts as the market price moves in your favor.

Here’s how the offset works in a trailing stop order:

Initial setting: When you place a trailing stop order, you specify the initial offset from the current market price. For example, if you’re in a long position (buying) and the current market price of a cryptocurrency is $100, and you set a trailing stop order with an offset of 5%, the initial stop price will be set at $95 ($100–5% of $100).
Dynamic adjustment: As the market price of the cryptocurrency moves in your favor (upward for long positions), the stop price adjusts automatically based on the specified offset. In our example, if the market price rises to $110, the stop price will adjust to 5% below the new market price, which is $104.50 ($110–5% of $110).
Locking in profits: The offset allows you to lock in profits while still giving the trade room to move in your favor. If the market price reverses and falls, the stop price remains at the specified offset from the highest price reached, ensuring that if it eventually crosses the stop price, the trailing stop order will trigger.
Protection against price reversals: Trailing stop orders with offsets are particularly useful in volatile markets where prices can change rapidly. They help protect gains by allowing you to secure profits as the market moves in your favor, and they automatically activate if the market reverses and reaches the stop price.

It’s important to note that the offset in a trailing stop order is customizable, and traders can choose different offset values based on their risk tolerance and trading strategy. Smaller offsets provide more flexibility and room for market fluctuations, while larger offsets may provide more protection against short-term price fluctuations but may result in exiting a trade prematurely if the market retraces slightly.

Trailing stop orders with offsets are commonly used by traders to manage risk and lock in profits in dynamic and rapidly changing markets like cryptocurrencies. However, it’s crucial to understand how trailing stop orders work and to set your offset carefully to align with your trading goals and market conditions.

The choice between regular stop loss orders and trailing stop orders depends on your trading strategy and risk tolerance.

Regular stop loss orders are suitable for traders who prefer a fixed exit point, while trailing stop orders are more flexible and adapt to changing market conditions. Some traders even use a combination of both types to manage their positions effectively.

Stop loss orders are essential tools for crypto traders for several reasons:

Risk management: Crypto markets can be highly volatile, and prices can change rapidly. Stop loss orders help limit losses by automatically triggering a sale when the price falls to a certain level, reducing the potential for further declines.
Emotion control: Emotions can cloud judgment in trading. Setting a stop loss order in advance helps traders stick to their trading plan and avoid making impulsive decisions based on fear or greed.
Protecting profits: Stop loss orders are not just for limiting losses; they can also be used to protect profits. As the price of a cryptocurrency rises, you can adjust your stop price upwards to secure gains while allowing for further potential upside.

Using stop-loss orders can be a double-edged sword in trading, and while they are valuable risk management tools, they can potentially harm you more than help you in certain situations if not used wisely.

Here are some common mistake people make when using stop-loss orders:

Tight stop-loss placement

Cryptocurrency markets are known for their volatility, and stop-loss orders can be triggered by short-term price fluctuations or market “whipsaws.” Placing stop-loss orders too close to your entry point might result in frequent executions due to minor price fluctuations. As a result, your stop-loss order might execute at a lower price only for the market to quickly recover. This can lead to unnecessary losses, increased trading costs and missed profit opportunities.

Base your stop-loss levels on technical analysis, support/resistance levels, and risk management principles. Avoid placing them too close to the current market price to account for normal price fluctuations.

Not being aware of market manipulation

In the cryptocurrency market, where liquidity and regulation can vary significantly, price manipulation is a concern. Traders with large holdings can intentionally trigger stop-loss orders to drive the price down before buying back at a lower price (a practice known as “stop hunting”). Hence, remember to take this into consideration when planning your stop-loss strategies.

Not diversifying your strategy

Relying solely on stop-loss orders is not a comprehensive trading strategy. Combine them with other risk management techniques like position sizing, take-profit orders, and a well-defined trading plan.

Log into your exchange account and navigate to the trading interface. Log in to your CoinW exchange account using your credentials.
Select the cryptocurrency pair. Choose the cryptocurrency pair you want to trade. For example, if you want to trade Bitcoin for USDT, select the BTC/USDT trading pair.
Specify the trade type. Decide whether you want to go long (buy) or short (sell) the cryptocurrency. Your choice will determine whether you’re placing a stop-loss order to protect against losses on a long position or to limit losses on a short position.
Determine your stop price. Calculating the stop price is a critical step. The stop price should be set at a level where you’re willing to exit the trade to limit potential losses. This can be based on technical analysis, support/resistance levels, or your predetermined risk tolerance.
Choose the stop-loss order type. Select the type of stop-loss order you want to place. You can choose between a regular stop loss order or a trailing stop order, depending on your strategy.
Set the stop price and limit price (if applicable). If you’re using a regular stop-loss order, enter the stop price and, if desired, a limit price. The stop price is the trigger level at which the order becomes active, while the limit price ensures that the order executes at or better than the specified price.
Specify the quantity. Enter the quantity of the cryptocurrency you want to buy or sell. Double-check that the amount aligns with your trading plan.
Review and confirm. Review all the details of your stop-loss order, including the cryptocurrency pair, trade type, stop price, limit price (if applicable), and quantity. Make sure everything is accurate and in line with your trading strategy.
Place the order. Once you’ve reviewed and confirmed the order details, click the “Place Order” or equivalent button on the exchange platform. This will submit your stop-loss order to the exchange.
Monitor your trade. After your stop-loss order is placed, monitor your trade regularly. If the cryptocurrency’s price reaches or crosses the stop price you’ve set, the stop-loss order will execute, helping you limit potential losses.

Stop loss orders are a crucial tool for beginners and experienced crypto traders alike. They help limit losses, control emotions, and protect profits in the highly volatile world of cryptocurrency trading. By understanding how stop loss orders work and incorporating them into your trading strategy, you can better manage your risk and increase your chances of success in this exciting but risky market. Remember to use stop loss orders wisely and always have a well-thought-out trading plan to guide your decisions!