At a recently held CoinEx Crypto Webinar, Joseph Juarez Lejarde, known as the WhizKid Trader, explained that crypto markets, like any financial market, operates in cycles. And because human beings are behind the movements, understanding how humans think is crucial in predicting market trends and thriving as a crypto trader. It’s an approach best illustrated by the Elliott Wave Theory, Whizkid said, a framework that he believes can get you ahead of the herd and not just part of it.
The Elliott Wave Theory, developed by Ralph Nelson Elliott in the 1930s, is a technical analysis tool that traders use to analyze financial market cycles and forecast market trends by identifying extremes in investor psychology, highs and lows in prices, and other collective factors. It’s based on the idea that markets move in repetitive cycles, which reflect the prevailing investor sentiment.
How it works
- Wave Patterns: The theory suggests that market prices unfold in specific patterns, referred to as waves. The most common pattern is the “five-wave advance” followed by a “three-wave decline.”
- Impulse Waves: The five-wave advance consists of three ‘impulse’ waves (1, 3, and 5) moving in the direction of the main trend, interspersed with two ‘corrective’ waves (2 and 4) that move against the trend.
- Corrective Waves: After the five-wave advance, a three-wave decline (labeled A, B, and C) typically follows. These corrective waves can take various forms, such as zigzags, flats, or triangles.
Traders use the Elliott Wave Theory to predict potential price movements by analyzing wave patterns. In the volatile crypto market, where prices can fluctuate wildly, this theory helps traders anticipate market turns or continuations. By understanding where they are in the wave cycle, traders can identify potential entry and exit points. For instance, entering a trade at the start of an impulse wave and exiting at its peak can maximize profits. And the theory also helps in risk management. Traders can set stop-loss orders at points that invalidate their wave count, minimizing potential losses.
In-depth insights from the CoinEx community
As part of CoinEx’s commitment to empowering its community, this webinar showcased just how their trading platform allows traders to easily implement strategies like the Elliott Wave Theory. Whizkid noted how the platform’s range of cryptocurrencies and easy-to-use interface made monitoring waves and predicting trends simple for average traders.
The webinar ended with thanks to the participants and winners of the event’s prizes, including cash prizes, merchandise, and trial funds to help newcomers get started on their trading journeys. CoinEx and Lejarde hinted at more webinars in the future, focusing on advanced crypto trading techniques.