Gold’s recent rollercoaster- A Lifetime of LessonsThere are plenty of lessons to take from Gold’s recent rollercoaster — lessons about volatility, psychology, and how easily conviction can turn into chaos.
But before we get into technicalities, let’s look at what really happened… and what it means for us as traders.
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1️⃣ The Illusion of Strength
When Gold went straight from 4000 to 4400 in just a few days, the move looked unstoppable.
Social media was full of confidence — “China is buying”, “5k incoming”, “This is the new era for Gold.”
But markets don’t move in straight lines forever.
Every parabolic rise eventually collapses under its own weight.
And when it does, it doesn’t just destroy buy positions — it destroys false convictions.
The first lesson?
Moves that look too strong to fade are usually too weak to sustain.
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2️⃣ Confidence Can Be Expensive
Believing too much in one direction — especially when price already exploded (see the rise from 3300 to 4k in one month) — is one of the fastest ways to lose money.
A trader who bought at 4350 because he was “sure” China would keep buying quickly learned how expensive “sure” can be.
The market doesn’t reward conviction.
It rewards discipline, flexibility, and risk control.
Confidence without control is just another form of gambling.
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3️⃣ Trading ≠ Investing
This move also reminded everyone of a fundamental truth:
You are not China.
China buys Gold as a store of value, not as a speculative trade.
They bought at 2500, 3k, 3.5k and 4400 — not to take profit in two days, but to build long-term reserves.
You, as a trader, operate in a completely different universe.
Mixing trading logic with investment narratives is a silent killer.
You might tell yourself, “If China buys, I’m safe.”
But China doesn’t use a stop loss and don't trade in margin (use laverage),— YOU DO.
If you don’t understand the difference, better stay on the sidelines and watch.
At least you won’t lose money while learning the hard way.
And if you want a more down-to-earth comparison — my mother started buying Gold in the early ’70s, as a store of value through the communist period.
She bought through the gold bubble of the late 1970s, bought at the bottom afterward, continued through the 1990s, and kept doing it until she retired in 2005.
She wasn’t trading — she was preserving value.
That’s what investing is.
What we do here, every day, is something entirely different.
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4️⃣ Right vs. Wrong? It’s Not About That
And now that we’ve made the distinction between investing and trading clear,we must also understand something even more important:
Trading is not about being right or wrong — it’s about timing, money management, and perspective.
Let’s take a few real examples from last few day's chaos:
• On Friday, if you bought at 4275 and the price spiked overnight, you could’ve closed with 1000 pips profit — you were “right.”
• But if someone else sold at 4370 during that same night, they were also “right,” catching the drop.
• If you had bought the dip from the all-time high, around 4300, you’d likely be down 1000 pips in drawdown quickly same Friday — and let’s be honest, who really holds that?
• If you sold at 4300 on Monday near resistance, you would have been stopped out as price revisited the ATH — even though your direction was correct eventually.
• Likewise, if you bought yesterday at 4200 during the drop, you’d have been liquidated on the next 2000-pip fall. And if Gold now rises again to 4400 or even 5000 — how does that help you?
Obviously, these are illustrative examples, just to express the point — not literal trades.
And for those who commented under previous posts — either out of boredom or the need to contradict — I have two things to say:
1️⃣ If you don’t understand what I just explained, you have no business being in trading.
2️⃣ If you do understand but still feel the urge to argue, your comment is nothing more than trolling and emotional projection.
Because this isn’t about numbers or ego — it’s about understanding how the market really works, beyond the noise and the narratives.
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5️⃣ The Real Lesson
The 4000–4400 move wasn’t just a chart pattern.
It was a psychological test — a reminder that the market exists to expose overconfidence.
When something looks “certain,” that’s usually when it’s most dangerous.
In trading, survival matters more than prediction.
And sometimes, the smartest trade is no trade at all.
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6️⃣ Final Thoughts
Gold’s rollercoaster taught more than a dozen books on trading psychology ever could.
It reminded us that:
• Parabolic moves end violently.
• Overconfidence without a stop loss is suicide.
• You’re not an investor — you’re a trader.
• Being “right” means nothing without timing.
• And sometimes, the best position is to stay out.
The market didn’t just move from 4000 to 4400 and back.
It moved through the hearts and minds of every trader watching it —and left behind a few lessons worth remembering for a lifetime.
Educationalpost
The best thing you can do as a crypto traderLike many who trade crypto, I’ve got a bitter taste in my mouth after Friday night’s chash.
But with years in the market, I know it’ll pass.
Still, I wanted to give one honest piece of advice to anyone new to this space:
The best thing you can do is stay away from social media.
Everything you see there is fake.
The Lambos.
The “next 100x.”
The guys screaming into the mic about how to become a millionaire, how this coin will make you rich, or how “Trump will print millionaires again.”
You’ll hear about one whale wallet buying — next hour/day, another one selling — and you’ll ask yourself: why?
You’ll see the same people saying for over two years that the mythical altcoin season is just around the corner.
The same people who call for a “100x” no matter what the market does.
The same people who promise that XRP will hit $10,000 on November 21, and when that date passes, it magically becomes “by Christmas, by Summer, by Horses Easter (Romanian expression :) )”
And when one person says something ridiculous and it gets views, a hundred others copy it.
Then a thousand more come and make it even louder, more dramatic, more viral — because attention is currency, not accuracy.
Social media isn’t a place for trading.
It’s a place for noise.
For emotional manipulation.
For dopamine hits disguised as “alpha.”
If you want to survive in this market, learn to think independently.
The moment you stop looking for answers in influencers’ voices (of course, there are exceptions, but...), you’ll start hearing your own.
And that’s when you actually begin to grow as a trader.
P.S. And by the way — instead of scrolling on TikTok or whatever, pick up a real trading book.
At least there, you’ll find something concrete — not another fairytale about how to become a millionaire with the next meme coin.
Why I Didn’t Buy Gold in the Last Few WeeksI’ve been bullish on gold since the beginning of the year — expecting it to reach $3000, and in a very optimistic scenario, maybe even $3500. My previous posts are proof of that.
But I definitely wasn’t expecting $4000, and certainly not $4200, for one simple reason:
Some time ago, my crystal ball broke, and since then I’ve been trying to base my trades on technical analysis and what I’ve actually seen happen in the past — not on wishful thinking.
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When Price Doesn’t Correct, But You Still Profit Selling
Ever since gold hit the $3700–$3800 zone, I’ve been expecting a correction.
It never came.
Even so, I still made money selling against the trend — something I usually avoid and definitely don’t recommend anyone to do.
But this post isn’t about my trades. It’s about why I didn’t buy gold in the last two or three weeks.
And the answer is right there — on the chart.
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The Chart Tells the Truth
If you look closely, you’ll see yellow rectangles highlighting the sharp drops that happened during this period.
It’s easy to look at the chart after the fact and say:
“I should’ve bought there.”
But imagine you don’t see the right side of the chart.
You’re sitting in front of your screen, looking at the current price, trying to decide what to do.
And then — within minutes — gold drops 700-800 pips out of nowhere.
No signal. No alert on WhatsApp. No warning.
Where do you put your stop?
Do you trade without one?
Just because you know it will bounce?
And what if it doesn’t?
What if it drops another 1000 pips — the same way it just did — without even breathing?
That’s not trading. That’s hope disguised as confidence.
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This Is an Exercise in Honesty
This is an exercise in honesty with yourself — not after you’ve seen the chart.
How many of you would’ve stayed in a position that’s -500 pips, just because you “know” it will turn around?
Even now, right after I finished recording the video, it dropped another 500+ pips like it was nothing.
I’ve explained this a thousand times:
1. If a trade is not there, it’s not there. Period.
I don’t force it. I don’t FOMO.
2. A trade must have a clear entry, stop, target — and most importantly, a reason.
“Gold is rising, can’t you see?” is not a reason. It’s FOMO.
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If You Want to Be a Real Trader, Remember This
1. The market has two directions, even when it looks like it only has one.
2. In aggressive trends, even my cat becomes a great trader.
3. Every trade must have a clear reason. If it doesn’t, and you enter just because “it’s going up”, that’s FOMO — and we all saw what happened to crypto in 2021. People are still waiting for the mythical altcoin season, while some are still 70- 90% down on the bag
4. We’re all geniuses after seeing the chart: “should’ve bought there, closed there…”
5. The only real truth is in your equity — and mine is higher, even though I’ve been selling.
6. I can guarantee there are gold bulls reading this right now who lost money on long positions over the past month.
7. In the end, it all comes down to money management and timing.
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Conclusion:
Trading isn’t about being bullish or bearish.
It’s about being disciplined, timing and money management; the rest is can-can, and "I told you so"
P.S. Once again, I’m looking to sell — and if it works out like my last five trades, that’s perfectly fine with me.
At the club, they don’t ask whether I paid for my champagne with profits from buying or selling gold. 🍾
Decentralized-Trade Bitcoin extended cycle revisionINDEX:BTCUSD
Will it age like milk or wine?
...
Extended Cycle Theory Projection
Cycle 4 Top March 2026
Cycle 4 Next Bottom April 2028
Cycle 5 Top (estimated) ~2034–2035
Cycle 5 Next Bottom ~2036
The math behind it will be revealed elsewhere.
Do not trade based on the idea.
The Crypto Crash: A Brutal Reminder of What MattersLast night, the crypto market went through one of its ugliest moments in history — a true bloodbath.
What began as a reaction to Trump’s tariff announcement quickly turned into a historic liquidation cascade that wiped out over $19 billion in leveraged positions within few hours.
More than 1.6 million traders were liquidated. Bitcoin dropped over 10%, Ethereum and Solana fell even harder, and many small altcoins collapsed by 40–50%, some even more.
It wasn’t just volatility — it was destruction.
Was It Manipulation? Probably.
Everyone was long.
Everyone expected a rally.
Then, as often happens in overleveraged markets, someone pulled the plug. Prices were smashed down violently, liquidations fed liquidations, and what followed looked less like a correction and more like a coordinated sweep.
I’m not the one to shout “manipulation” at every dip — but let’s be honest: this one felt orchestrated.
Still, as they say, all’s fair in love and war . And markets are war . Which means you can’t complain — you have to adapt.
The Real Lesson: Survive First, Profit Later
If there’s one thing this crash reminds us of, how risky leverage is.
Used wisely, it amplifies returns.
Used recklessly, it destroys accounts — fast.
Most traders didn’t got liquidated because they were wrong about direction.
They got liquidated because they were overexposed.
When a 10% drop in Bitcoin wipes out your entire account, the problem isn’t the market — it’s your risk management.
How to Trade Like a Professional
1. Trade with controlled risk.
Never risk more than a small percentage per trade. If you don’t know your stop-loss level before you enter, you’re gambling, not trading.
2. Have a plan.
Every position must have an entry, a target, and an exit plan for when you’re wrong. A trader without a plan becomes prey when the market turns.
3. Avoid leverage on small altcoins.
Alts move fast, lack liquidity, and often get manipulated. Using leverage on them is financial suicide. Stick to spot.
4. Stay realistic.
The market doesn’t owe you a 10x move. Take profits, manage downside, and avoid getting caught in collective optimism.
5. Focus on survival.
Capital preservation is victory in itself. If you can stay in the game after a crash like this, you’ve already beaten 80% of the crowd.
Final Thoughts
Yes, my portfolio is down too. But I’m not panicking — because I wasn’t leveraged, and I had a plan.
Those who treat trading like war — disciplined, strategic, prepared — survive.
Those who treat it like a casino, don’t.
So let this $19B liquidation serve as a brutal reminder:
Don’t trade based on hope, hype, or herd behavior.
Trade with control, clarity, and courage.
Because in markets, like in war — survival always comes before victory.
Ascending channels trading applied to Gold current situation🔼 Ascending Channel – Explained Simply
An ascending channel is a bullish pattern — but not always a bullish ending.
It shows a market climbing step by step between two parallel rising lines:
the lower trendline (support) and the upper trendline (resistance).
🧠 Market Psychology
Buyers dominate, but sellers still show up at every swing high.
Each dip gets bought, keeping the trend alive —
until one side finally breaks the rhythm.
⚙️ How to Trade It
• Inside the channel:
Buy near the lower rail, take profit near the upper rail.
• Breakout play:
Go long on a confirmed close above resistance,
or short on a clean break below support.
• Stops:
Just outside the opposite rail — below support for longs, above resistance for shorts.
• Targets:
Use the channel height projected from the breakout point.
⚠️ What to Watch Out For
• False breakouts happen often.
• Too-steep channels usually fail faster.
• Volume must confirm — low volume = fake strength.
• Statistically, breakdowns occur slightly more often than breakouts.
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Key takeaway:
An ascending channel isn’t a promise of a bull run —it’s a structured climb that eventually ends.
Trade the rhythm, not the hope. 🎯
Statistically, in 57% of cases, up channels are broken to the downside
Gold now situation: the recent 1k pips is way-way-way to steep
Confirmation came with a drop under 3950 zone
Usually, in the case of such a steep channel, all the move is negated, so a drop to the 3850 zone.
However 3900 zone is strong support now, so a break under 3950 zone could lead to "only" a drop to this support.
Stop Losses: The Good, The Bad and The UglyLet’s be honest — few things trigger more emotion in trading than a stop loss being hit.
But not all stop losses are created equal.
Even though the title says “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”, let’s start with the Bad — because that’s where most traders get stuck.
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🚫 The Bad Stop Loss
The bad stop loss is the arbitrary one.
You know the type:
“I trade with a 50-pip stop loss.”
“My stop is always 1% below entry.”
No matter what the chart looks like.
No matter what the volatility of the asset is.
No matter if you’re trading Gold, EurUsd, or Nasdaq.
This kind of stop loss doesn’t respect market structure or context — it’s just a random number.
You might get lucky a few times, but over the long run, it’s a losing game.
If your stop loss doesn’t make sense on the chart, then it doesn’t make sense in the market either.
There’s no nuance here — it’s bad, period.
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✅ The Good Stop Loss
The good stop loss is strategic.
It’s placed based on structure, volatility, and logic — not habit or emotion.
You define it after you’ve studied:
• Where invalidation occurs on your idea
• The volatility range of the asset
• The natural “breathing room” of the market
When this kind of stop loss is hit, it’s not a tragedy.
It’s information.
It means your prediction was wrong.
You expected the market to go up, but it went down — simple as that.
No panic. No revenge trading.
You step away, clear your mind, and wait until the next day.
Then, you redo your analysis without bias.
If the new structure confirms that the market has truly flipped direction — then, and only then, you can trade the opposite way.
That’s professionalism.
That’s how you stay consistent.
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😬 The Ugly Stop Loss
Now, this one hurts.
The ugly stop loss is the good stop loss that gets hit… and then the market reverses immediately.
You were right — but your stop was just a little too tight.
That’s the emotional pain every trader knows.
But here’s the key:
This situation only counts as ugly if your original stop loss was good — meaning, logical and based on structure.
If it was arbitrary, then it’s not ugly — it’s just bad.
So, what do we do when a good stop loss turns ugly?
We do exactly the same thing:
• Wait until the next day.
• Reanalyze the chart with fresh eyes.
• If the setup is still valid, re-enter in the original direction.
It’s rare for both the first and second stop to be “hunted.”
Patience gives you clarity — and clarity gives you edge.
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💭 Final Thoughts
Stop losses aren’t just a risk tool — they’re a psychological mirror.
They reveal whether you trade with emotion or with structure.
The bad stop loss shows a lack of respect for the market.
The good stop loss shows discipline and logic.
The ugly one shows that even good decisions can lead to short-term pain.
But pain is not failure — it’s feedback.
So the next time your stop gets hit, don’t see it as punishment.
See it as a test of your ability to stay rational when the market challenges you.
Because in the long run, consistency doesn’t come from winning every trade.
It comes from handling the losing ones correctly. ⚖️
Trading: The Most Relative Profession in the WorldIntroduction
Most professions operate within clear boundaries of right and wrong, success and failure. A doctor either saves the patient or doesn’t. An engineer either builds a stable bridge or one that collapses. But trading doesn’t work like that.
In trading, “being right” and “being wrong” are relative. Two traders can look at the exact same market, take opposite positions, and both can be right. At the same time, they can both be wrong. This relativity is what makes trading not only fascinating, but also psychologically challenging.
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Why “Being Right” Is an Illusion in Trading
Many traders fall into the trap of needing to be right. They celebrate when their forecast matches the price action, and they criticize others when opinions diverge. But trading isn’t about intellectual debates — it’s about execution, timing, and money management.
You can make the perfect call, but if you enter at the wrong time or exit poorly, you still lose. Conversely, you can be “wrong” in your forecast, yet still make money because you managed your trade correctly.
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A Real Example: Gold’s Price Action Yesterday
Take gold, for instance:
• Trader A says: “Gold will rise.”
• Trader B says: “Gold will fall.”
Who is right? The answer is not straightforward.
• Gold made a new all-time high during the day — Trader A can claim victory.
• Gold sold off after — Trader B can also claim victory.
But here’s the twist:
• Trader A was wrong if he bought at the very top before the selloff.
• Trader B was wrong if he sold too early at 3860 before the new ATH.
This example shows how trading doesn’t operate in absolutes. The market gives both validation and punishment, depending not only on the direction, but also on timing and execution.
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Timeframe Relativity: Scalper vs. Swing Trader
This relativity becomes even more visible when we compare a scalper with a swing trader — in fact, this is where it shows itself most clearly.
Consider this scenario:
• The scalper buys against the larger trend, catching a quick 50-pip bounce from intraday volatility.
• The swing trader sells with the dominant trend, holding for several days and capturing 300 pips once the broader move unfolds.
At first glance, their positions contradict each other. One is long, the other is short. Yet both can be right — and both can make money — simply because they operate on different timeframes, with different objectives and risk tolerances.
Don’t believe me? Here’s a real and concrete example: back in 2022, I shorted BTC heavily and made strong profits. At the same time, a good friend of mine kept buying into weakness and applying a DCA strategy.
Who was right?
The answer, again, is relative. I was right in the medium term — profiting from the bearish momentum. My friend was right in the long term — building a position that paid off when the market eventually recovered.
This is the purest example of relativity in trading: the same market, moving in both directions, rewarding two very different strategies.
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The Key Lesson
Trading is not about proving a point. It’s not about winning an argument on social media or showing that your market call was correct. It’s about managing trades in a way that consistently extracts profits, regardless of who “guessed” the move better.
The market doesn’t reward opinions. It rewards discipline and risk control. Always remember:
• Entries are relative.
• Exits define success.
• Risk is king. A “right” prediction with poor risk management can still end in disaster.
In other words: you don’t get paid for being right — you get paid for good execution and risk management.
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Why Relativity Matters
Understanding the relativity of trading helps in three ways:
1. It kills the ego. You stop caring about being right and start caring about making money.
2. It reduces conflicts. Another trader’s opposite view doesn’t threaten yours; both can co-exist.
3. It shifts focus. The conversation moves from “Was I right?” to “Was my trade profitable?”
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Conclusion
Trading is the most relative profession in the world because “truth” in markets is never absolute. Two traders can both be right, both be wrong, or both at once.
What separates successful traders from the rest is not their ability to “predict,” but their ability to trade with discipline, adapt to changing conditions, and manage risk.
In the end, the scoreboard is your trading account — not your pride in being right. 🚀
Stop Blaming Market Manipulation: It’s Your Wrong InterpretationThe Excuse Factory
Recently, Bitcoin dropped from 118k to 108k. Suddenly, TikTokers, YouTubers, and X posters spiraled into paranoia, copy-pasting the same narrative: the “big masterminds,” reptilians, or aliens manipulated the market to liquidate 1.7 billion in buy orders.
Let’s pause for a second. A 10% pullback in Bitcoin is now considered a “market crash”?
If we look deeper... Ethereum fell about 20% from its top — but this same ETH had already grown 300% since April.
Was that also “manipulation”? Or does manipulation only happen when you are losing money?
How do you think markets work in general? Do they move only upward, just to make you richer?
The truth is simpler: there is no manipulation conspiracy here. There are no “false signals.” What exists are wrong interpretations.
The Market Is Neutral
The market doesn’t care about your position. It doesn’t send “false” signals; it simply moves. Price action reflects the sum of supply and demand in each moment.
When traders label a signal as “false,” what they really mean is:
• They misread the context.
• They didn’t account for a higher timeframe.
• Their stop placement wasn’t aligned with market structure or was too close.
The market doesn’t lie. It only reveals how much or how little you understand it.
Examples of Misinterpretation
• The “false breakout” myth – What you see as a false breakout on the 1H chart may be a perfect retest on the daily timeframe. The market wasn’t wrong—you were looking at it from the wrong lens.
• Stop hunting paranoia – Many traders cry “manipulation” when price takes out a cluster of stops. But think: stops are liquidity, and liquidity is where big players need to fill orders. That’s not manipulation—it’s how markets function.
• News volatility – Many traders call sudden spikes around economic releases “market tricks.” In reality, it’s about liquidity gaps. There aren’t buy and sell orders evenly distributed at every price level. When major news hits, price “rearranges” itself to include the new information and moves sharply until it finds liquidity — usually around strong support or resistance zones.
The Psychology Behind Blame
Blaming manipulation is easier than admitting error. It protects the ego. If the loss was due to some shadowy force, you don’t have to change. But this mindset locks traders into a cycle of frustration. Progress begins when you stop blaming the market and start analyzing your own decision-making.
Case Study: Ethereum’s Current Setup
As the saying goes, a picture says more than a thousand words.
Since April, Ethereum has rallied over 300% in just six months. On this path upward, the chart shows two apparent “false breaks” of support.
The question now is: will the current move be the third “false break,” or the first real break? As I wrote in yesterday’s analysis, confirmation is key...
But even if ETH drops further, say to 3600, nothing truly changes in the broader picture. Such a move would only be a healthy correction of the trend that started in April — perfectly aligning the price with the 38% Fibonacci retracement and the rising trendline support.
Conclusion: The Trader’s Responsibility
There are no false signals. There is no hidden enemy in the market. There is only your interpretation.
Risk Management 2.0: Moving Beyond Basic Stop Losses1. Introduction
If you ask most new traders how they manage risk, the answer is usually: “ I use a stop loss. ”
That’s a good start, but it’s far from enough.
Surviving in the markets is not about setting a stop and hoping for the best. It’s about knowing exactly how much you risk per trade, how your account survives losing streaks, and how you protect profits when the market moves in your favor.
Smart traders don’t aim for the biggest win. They aim to survive long enough for their edge to play out.
2. Why Fixed Lot Sizes Break Consistency
The simplest mistake in risk management is trading the same lot size on every trade, no matter the stop loss distance.
Here’s why this is flawed:
A trade with a wide stop risks far more money than intended.
A trade with a tight stop risks very little, but also reduces profit potential.
Over time, results become inconsistent. One loss can wipe out several wins.
Example: On a $10,000 account, a fixed lot might risk $500 on one trade and only $100 on another. Without realizing it, the trader’s statistics no longer add up.
Consistency comes from controlling risk per trade, not per lot size.
3. Position Sizing Models for Professionals
To fix this, professionals adjust their trade size based on account risk and stop loss distance. Three proven models are:
Percent Risk Model (most common)
Risk 1–2% of account equity per trade.
Position size changes depending on stop distance.
Ensures every trade risks the same portion of capital.
Volatility-Adjusted Model
Uses ATR (Average True Range) or market volatility to size positions.
High volatility = smaller positions. Low volatility = larger positions.
Kelly Criterion (advanced)
A formula that calculates optimal bet size based on win rate and reward/risk.
Often used at “half-Kelly” for practical application.
Useful for advanced traders but aggressive for beginners.
All three models serve the same purpose: normalize risk so one trade can’t destroy the account.
4. Trade Management: Beyond Entry Risk
Sizing risk correctly is step one. Step two is managing risk dynamically once a trade is open.
Taking Partial Profits
Scale out of part of your position at predefined levels (e.g., 50% at 1R).
Locks in gains and reduces stress, while keeping a runner for bigger moves.
Moving Stop Loss to Breakeven
After price moves in your favor (say +1R), shift your stop to entry.
Guarantees no loss on the remainder.
Avoid moving it too early or you’ll get shaken out.
Trailing Stops
Manually trail below swing lows/highs, or use ATR-based trailing stops.
Purpose: protect profits while letting the trend run.
5.Practical Rules for Risk 2.0
Here’s a simple framework you can apply today:
Decide your risk per trade (1–2%).
Always calculate position size based on stop loss distance.
Journal each trade with risk taken and whether rules were followed.
Apply a daily/weekly loss cap.
Use partials, breakeven stops, and trailing stops to secure profits.
When followed consistently, these rules transform risk management from theory into practice.
Opportunities Return, Lost Money Doesn’tGold is making all-time highs like there’s no tomorrow. And yet, I haven’t joined the trendin the past days. I made some money selling last week, but I didn’t ride the wave higher. Am I sorry? Not at all.
This brings me to a principle that guides my trading: I would rather miss an opportunity than lose money.
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Confidence Over FOMO
The most important thing in trading is not catching every move — it’s trading with confidence. Even when I lose, I want to know why I lost.
That way, the loss has meaning. It’s part of a process I can trust and refine.
At this moment, my internal radar simply won’t allow me to buy Gold. Sure, it might rise more, but I’m not upset about “missing out.” Why? Because I need to believe in what I trade.
If I don’t, then every tick against me becomes torture, and I start questioning myself at every piece of market noise.
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Why Missed Opportunities Don’t Hurt
• Opportunities always come back. The market is generous in that way.
• Lost money doesn’t come back by itself. You need another trade, another risk, another exposure — and usually more stress.
• Confidence compounds. When you only take trades you truly believe in , you build trust in your own process. That trust is what keeps you alive in the long run.
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The Psychological Edge
Traders often think missing a trade is painful. In reality, it’s a sign of strength. It means you didn’t bend your rules, didn’t give in to FOMO, didn’t chase a market just because “everyone else” is.
Trading without belief in your setup is like walking into a fight without conviction. You’re already halfway defeated.
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Final Thoughts
Yes, Gold is printing all-time highs. Yes, I could have bought and made some money. But I’m fine with that. Because keeping my confidence and protecting my capital matters more than chasing every rally.
Opportunities are infinite. My capital and my confidence are not.
That’s why I’ll always prefer missing an opportunity over losing money.
The PERMA Model: A Psychology Framework Every Trader Should UseIntroduction – Why Mindset Beats Strategy
You can have the best system in the world, but if your mind collapses under stress, you won’t follow it. That’s why traders need more than technical skills — they need a psychological framework.
One of the most powerful comes from Martin Seligman, founder of modern positive psychology. He introduced the PERMA model, designed to explain how humans thrive under pressure. And if there’s one place where pressure is constant, it’s trading.
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P – Positive Emotions
Trading success starts with balance, not adrenaline. Cultivating gratitude and calm optimism helps you:
• Reduce impulsivity
• Build resilience after losses
• Make clearer decisions
👉 Daily practice: Write down 3 things you did well after each trading session.
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E – Engagement
The best trades happen when you’re fully absorbed — no distractions, no second-guessing.
• Deep focus without burnout
• Quick but thoughtful decisions
• A fulfilling process regardless of outcome
👉 Tip: Limit screen time, trade with a plan, cut the noise.
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R – Relationships
Trading feels solitary, but support is fuel. Surround yourself with people who grow, not just chase hype.
• Less isolation
• More constructive feedback
• Higher motivation
👉 Find: A community that values discipline over jackpots.
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M – Meaning
Without a “why,” trading turns into random gambling. Purpose keeps you steady.
• Helps endure drawdowns
• Keeps you aligned with your rules
• Prevents burnout
👉 Ask yourself: “Why do I really trade? Freedom? Growth? Mastery?”
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A – Achievement
Progress > perfection. It’s not about one jackpot, but consistent wins.
• A week of discipline = success
• Following your plan = victory
• Avoiding overtrading = growth
👉 Celebrate: The process, not just the P&L.
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Conclusion – PERMA Could Be Your Hidden Edge
Seligman built PERMA as a blueprint for a fulfilling life. For traders, it’s more than theory — it’s a mental operating system.
If you want consistency, don’t just master charts. Master your mindset.
👉 Challenge: Pick one PERMA element and apply it this week. Journal the impact, and watch how your trading psychology changes. 🚀
Scenarios vs. Certainties: The Shift Serious Traders MakeWhy Certainty Destroys Traders
Every losing trader I’ve ever met had one thing in common: they wanted certainty.
“This setup will definitely work.”
“This pair must go up.”
But markets don’t work like that. They don’t reward certainty — they reward adaptability. The difference between amateurs and professionals? Amateurs bet on one fixed outcome. Professionals prepare for scenarios.
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The Trap of Certainty
When you lock your mind on just one outcome, two things happen:
• You become emotionally tied to it — when it fails, you spiral.
• You ignore new information — even when the chart screams something changed.
That’s how a manageable trade turns into a disaster.
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Building Scenarios Instead of Certainty
A professional trader prepares a mental map of outcomes before taking a position:
1. Worst Case
• Market goes directly against your entry
• Hits stop-loss
• ✅ Response: Accept loss calmly, move on
2. Base Case
• Price fluctuates, stays inside a range
• No clear follow-through yet
• ✅ Response: Observe, adapt, maybe scale out, close all or adjust stop
3. Optimistic Case
• Price moves steadily toward target
• Smooth momentum, plan unfolds
• ✅ Response: Let the trade run, stick to plan
4. Best Case
• Trend accelerates, profit exceeds expectations
• Move continues further than projected
• ✅ Response: Move take profit further, trail stop, lock in gains, maximize opportunity
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Why This Works
• You’re emotionally prepared: no outcome shocks you.
• You stay flexible: adapting without panic.
• You build consistency: no more swinging between overconfidence and despair.
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How to Apply This Today
1. Before entry, write down at least 3–4 scenarios (worst, base, optimistic, best).
2. Decide in advance: what will you do in each case? Close early, adjust, or let it run?
3. After the trade: review which scenario played out and how you reacted.
Do this for 10 trades, and you’ll notice less stress, more clarity, and better discipline.
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Conclusion – From Gambler to Strategist
Amateurs crave certainty. Professionals build scenarios.
The market will always surprise you — but if you’ve already prepared for multiple paths, you’ll never be caught off guard. That’s how you stay disciplined, calm, and profitable.
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👉 Challenge for you: On your next trade, write down at least three scenarios before you enter. Track which one unfolds. This habit alone can transform your trading mindset. 🚀
Forget the USD–Gold Correlation: Trade What MattersI took my first steps in the markets back in 2002 with stock investments. Real trading, however—the kind involving leverage, speculation, and active decision-making—began for me in 2004.
Like any responsible beginner, I started by taking courses and reading the classic trading books. One of the first lessons drilled into me was the inverse correlation between the US dollar and gold.
Fast forward more than 20 years, and for the past 15, XAUUSD has been my primary focus. And here’s the truth: I’m here to tell you that relying on USD–gold correlation is a mistake.
In this article, I’ll explain why you should avoid it, and more importantly, I’ll show you how to think like a “sophisticated” trader—especially if you can’t resist looking at the DXY .
Let’s Dissect the Myth
And for those who will say: “How on earth can you call this a mistake? Everyone knows gold moves opposite to the dollar!” — let’s dissect this step by step.
There couldn’t be a better example than 2025. We’re in the middle of a clear bullish trend in gold. Prices are climbing steadily, but not only against USD.
If gold were truly just the inverse of DXY, this overall rally wouldn’t exist. But it does. Why? Because the real driver isn’t the dollar falling — it’s demand for gold itself . Central banks are buying, funds are reallocating, and investors see gold as a store of value.
The Simple Logic That Breaks the Correlation
If it were truly a mirror correlation, then XAU/EUR would have been flat for years. Think about it: if gold only moved as the “inverse of the dollar,” then against other currencies it should show no trend at all. But the charts tell a completely different story.
Gold has been rising not just in USD terms, but also in EUR, GBP, and JPY. That means the move is not about the dollar being weak — it’s about gold being in demand.
This simple observation destroys the illusion of a strict USD–gold inverse correlation. If gold climbs across multiple currencies at the same time, the driver can’t be the dollar. The driver must be gold itself.
Why Correlation Thinking Creates Frustration
This is exactly why I tell you to ignore the so-called correlation: because it distracts you. You end up staring at the DXY when in reality, you’re trading the price of gold.
And that’s where frustration kicks in. You’re sitting on a position, watching the dollar index going higher, and you start yelling at the screen: “DXY is going up, so why isn’t gold falling? Why is my short position bleeding instead of working?”
I’ve been there many years ago, I know that feeling. But here’s the truth: gold doesn’t care about your correlation. It doesn’t care that DXY is green, red or pink. It moves on its own flows. And when you finally accept that, your trading becomes much cleaner. You stop being trapped by illusions and start focusing on the only thing that matters: the demand and supply of gold itself.
Where the Confusion Comes From
So where does all this confusion come from? Let’s take an example: imagine we get a very bad NFP number. That translates into a weaker USD. What happens? XAUUSD ticks higher.
Now, most traders immediately scream: “See? Inverse correlation!” But that’s not what’s really happening. The move you’re seeing is just a re-alignment of gold’s price in dollar terms. It’s noise, not a fundamental shift in gold’s trend.
If gold is in a downtrend overall, this kind of move doesn’t suddenly make it bullish. It’s just a temporary adjustment because the denominator (USD) weakened. On the other hand, if gold itself is already strong, such an event can act as an accelerator, pushing the trend even stronger.
The key is this: the dollar can influence the short-term pricing of XauUsd, but it doesn’t define the trend of gold. That trend is driven by demand for gold as an asset.
A Recent Example That Says It All
Let’s take a very recent example. Over the past month, DXY has been stuck in a range — no breakout, no major trend. Yet gold hasn’t just pushed higher in USD terms, it has made new all-time highs in XAU/EUR, XAU/GBP, and other currencies as well.
Why? Because gold rose. Not because the dollar fell, not because of some neat inverse chart overlay. Gold as an asset was in demand — globally, across currencies.
This is the ultimate proof that gold trades on its own flows. When buyers want gold, they don’t care whether DXY is flat, rising, or falling. They buy gold, and the charts across multiple currencies show it.
What Sophistication Really Looks Like
If you really want to be sophisticated, here’s what you do:
You see a clear bullish trend in XAUUSD. At the same time, you notice a clear bearish trend in EURUSD — which means the dollar is strong. Most traders get stuck here. Their brain short-circuits: “Wait, how can gold rise if the dollar is also strong?”
But the sophisticated trader doesn’t waste time arguing with a textbook correlation. Instead, they look for the trade that makes sense: buy XAU/EUR.
Because if gold is strong and the euro is weak, the real opportunity isn’t in fighting with DXY — it’s in positioning yourself where you can earn more. That’s not correlation thinking. That’s flow thinking.
Final Thoughts
The dollar–gold inverse correlation is a myth that refuses to die. Traders cling to it because it feels simple and safe. But real trading requires letting go of illusions and facing complexity head-on.
Gold is an independent asset. It rises and falls because of demand, not because the dollar happens to be moving the other way. Once you stop staring at DXY and start trading the flows that actually drive gold, you’ll leave frustration behind and step into sophistication.
🚀 If you still need DXY to tell you where gold is going, you’re not trading gold — you’re trading your own illusions.
Portfolio EducationPortfolio Education: Strategy Breakdown
1. Core Structure of Portfolio
10% BSV (Vanguard Short-Term ETF)
This portfolio follows the guidelines that Warren Buffett has written in his will for his wife's trust in the 2013 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. They state that the trustee should invest 90% in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund (VOO), with the remaining 10% invested in a short-term government bonds fund. The basic strategy is to own a major slice of all American businesses that are bound to grow in total. Buffett believes this portfolio is "superior to those attained by most investors - whether pension funds, institutions or individuals."
Role: Dividend Yield, diversification outside traditional assets.
50% Equities (Primary Plays)
Growth + Value core holdings.
TQQQ/Growth: TQQQ/FANG+ is a smart portfolio that consists of 10 of today’s most traded tech giants. It has Meta (META, formerly Facebook), Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Netflix (NFLX), Alphabet (GOOGL), Tesla (TSLA), Nvidia (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Snowflake (SNOW) (rotation slot, sometimes replaced by others). I swap SNOW with Broadcom, Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, Robinhood, or Coinbase depending on index methodology/BTC Cycle.
VTV/Value = Tilted toward financials, energy, healthcare, and industrials. Consists of dividend-paying stocks that could generate constant money flow in the long term. I use APD, CL, EMR, IBM, JNJ, KMB, KO, MMM, PG, and WMT as a leveraged bet.
TQQQ, provides compounding and exposure to economic expansion. TQQQ Breadth: If only 2–3 names are carrying index gains (like NVDA & MSFT), risk of correction is higher.
Value investing is about buying securities for less than their intrinsic value, then holding them until the market recognizes that value. Key Metrics: Price-to-Earnings (P/E) → low P/E may mean undervalued. Price-to-Book (P/B) → useful for banks/asset-heavy firms. Price-to-Sales (P/S) → for low-profit companies. Dividend Yield / Payout Ratio → sustainable income source. PEG Ratio (P/E ÷ Growth) → checks if valuation is fair vs growth rate. Free Cash Flow Yield. (FCF/Market Cap) → shows true cash generation. I would look for 3/6 to be good before buying.
Rule of thumb (forward P/E too high = Risk) adds a macro filter. I prefer a PEG of 2 or less for Large-Caps and 1 or less for Mid-caps. When they pay dividends, I use PEGY over PEG. A ROA >6% and ROE > 8% are very crucial. A strong balance sheet has an Gross Margin > 20~40%, Operating Margin > 5~15%, and a Net Margin 10~20%. Interest Coverage is moat proxy, anything above 3~5 is works. Optionally, FCF is good if >0. P/S < 5, or <20 for Pharmacy/Biotech. P/B < 1.5, better for banks/sector. I avoid small-caps, but when I buy one I first check the Debt/Revenue ratio.
40% Cash/Options/Futures/Futures Options
Futures: ES (S&P 500), NQ (Nasdaq), YM (Dow) for intraday or short swing trading.
Options: directional and hedging overlay. Start via the Wheel.
Cash buffer allows tactical pivots (gold, silver, REITs, etc.).
2. Futures Trading (Main Arena)
Preferred Instruments: ES, NQ, YM → highly liquid index futures.
Approach: Funded accounts = less personal margin risk.
Commodities:
Gold: Held overnight in rally phases (safe-haven demand).
Natural Gas: Overnight trades (volatile, seasonally spiky).
⚠️ Key Risk: Overnight NG is notorious for gaps; good to size very small relative to ES/NQ. WTI moves 1 dollar up or down in average every afternoon.
3. Hedging Framework
DXY vs WTI/HO Inverse Play
If DXY rises → WTI/HO usually falls, but edge lies in catching synchronized moves (both rising or falling). Expect the opposite move for WTI that DXY performed the following day, and plan accordingly.
These conditions are more common on “down days,” particularly Thursdays.
Practical Tip: Track inventory reports (EIA on Wed/Thurs) and macro dollar drivers.
Friday Hedge Rule
Buy gold equities (WPM, AEM, etc.) on Friday.
Sell Monday open.
Works best in “inflammatory” macro periods (rate hikes, inflation scares, high valuations).
4. Metals Seasonality
Gold vs Silver Timing
Silver tends to outperform gold:
Dec–Feb: winter demand + industrial rebound.
Jul–Aug: summer volatility + monetary policy lull.
Gold outperforms during inflationary panic or when equities look stretched.
Practical Rule:
Winter/Summer → overweight silver.
Panic macro (e.g., VIX stretched/elevated) → switch to bonds, gold, and other safer assets.
5. REIT Allocation Logic
Optimal Entry Condition: When yields < 2–4%.
Lower yields → cheaper borrowing → REITs rally.
Trend Filter: Only enter if above 21 SMA (trend confirmation).
Style: Slow movers, better for weekly charts & trend following.
Role: Defensive equity exposure; bond proxy with dividend yield.
6. Options Overlay
Tactical Use:
Selling premium (income) in high IV environments.
Buying calls/puts for directional plays (funded futures act).
Macro Filter:
High VIX → collect more premium. I would match my % allocation to VIX levels.
Earnings season → buy options for directional volatility plays.
7. Portfolio Risk Management
Sizing:
10% → BSV.
50% → Equities (core growth + Value/REITs).
40% → Tactical cash (options/futures/hedges). IEF/TLT 40/60 Portfolio can work as well.
Correlation Awareness:
ES/NQ/YM → move together, pick one to trade; hedge with DXY, WTI, Gold.
Metals and REITs can diversify during equity drawdowns.
Crypto is uncorrelated in some regimes, but can collapse in risk-off (-70%). Altcoins peak either during summer or during winter, check before hand. Meme-coins fall off -99% every 2 years, so I would check for something else to invest.
Other:
Good for V-shaped Corrections: 40% PGR, FICO 22%, LLY 16%, VST 10%, NRG 4.5%, ACGL 4.5%, IRM 3%.
Better than holding APY = BOXX 10%, BIL 2%, TBIL 13%, BILS 29%, SGOV 46%.
ETF: CSPX.AS 30%, IUT.L 20%, ISX5.L 20%, IWDA.L 25%, EIMI.L 5%.
Execution Cadence:
Daily: ES/NQ/YM futures.
Weekly: REIT trend checks.
Seasonal: Silver vs Gold switches.
Macro triggers: TLT hedge when valuation chatter spikes.
Detailed analysis of consolidation and growth phases in Nifty. Look at the chart of Nifty carefully. The Circles C1, C2, C3 and C4 show the consolidation phases of Nifty in last 125 Months each time after it makes a new high. Th period between the circles is the growth phase. We will study it carefully and try to derive the conclusions thereoff. To the onset let me tell you that stock market investment are subject to Macro and Micro risks. It is not necessary that the lightning will strike twice at the same spot. But we will use this data and try to measure the statistical possibility of growth and rate at which our investments can grow.
First let us look at Consolidation Phase C1 phase and growth phase that happened thereafter:
C1 Starts in March 2015 when Nifty made a high of 9119. Post that it consolidated for 24 months and came out of consolidation when it gave a closing above previous high in March 2017 when Nifty closed at 9173.
Growth Phase 1 (34 Months) . When Nifty has given a closing above previous high it embarks the journey of growth. It might momentarily go below the past high in some cases but we still consider that whole phase as a growth phase for better understanding and calculation purpose. The next high that Nifty makes is 12430 in January 2020.
Calculations: C1 and Growth Phase 1.
So the actual growth achieved = (12430-9191) = 3311. Which was a 36.3% growth achieved in a Bull Run that lasted 34 months. Which equates to roughly 1.06% Growth per month during the Bull Phase. If you look at the cumulative growth (34 months of bull run + 24 months of consolidation period = 58 months) we get 36.3/58 = 0.62% Growth per month. (During the whole Bull and Bear/Consolidation cycle).
Now let us look at Consolidation Phase C2 phase and growth phase that happened thereafter:
C2 Starts in January 2020 when Nifty made a high of 12430. Post that it consolidated for 10 months and came out of consolidation when it gave a closing above previous high in November 2020 when Nifty closed at 12968.
Growth Phase 2 (11 Months) . When Nifty has given a closing above previous high it embarks the journey of growth. It might momentarily go below the past high in some cases but we still consider that whole phase as a growth phase for better understanding and calculation purpose. The next high that Nifty makes is 18604 in October 21.
Calculations: C2 and Growth Phase 2
So the actual growth achieved = (18604-12430) = 6174. Which was a 49.67% growth achieved in a Bull Run that lasted 11 months. Which equates to roughly 4.5% Growth per month during the Bull Phase. If you look at the cumulative growth (11 months of bull run + 10 months of consolidation period = 21 months) we get 49.67/21 = 2.37% Growth per month. (During the whole Bull and Bear/Consolidation cycle).
Now let us look at Consolidation Phase C3 phase and growth phase that happened thereafter:
C3 Starts in October 2021 when Nifty made a high of 18604. Post that it consolidated for 13 months and came out of consolidation when it gave a closing above previous high in November 2022 when Nifty closed at 18758.
Growth Phase 3 (22 Months). When Nifty has given a closing above previous high it embarks the journey of growth. It might momentarily go below the past high in some cases but we still consider that whole phase as a growth phase for better understanding and calculation purpose. The next high that Nifty makes is 26277 in September 2024.
Calculations: C3 and Growth Phase 3.
So the actual growth achieved = (26277-18604) = 7673. Which was a 41.2% growth achieved in a Bull Run that lasted 22 months. Which equates to roughly 1.87% Growth per month during the Bull phase. If you look at the cumulative growth (22 months of bull run + 13 months of consolidation period = 35 months) we get 41.2/35 = 1.17% Growth per month. (During the whole Bull and Bear/Consolidation cycle).
Right Now we are in C4 which is the consolidation phase which started in September 2024. Next trading day is in September 2025 so we have almost completed 12 months of consolidation phase. When exactly this phase will be over we can not say but let us look at statistical possibility: (Again let me retrate performance of past can not guarantee performance of future but let us see what statistics has to say).
If we look at data from C1, C2 and C3:
Average Consolidation phase length has been 24 (C1) + 10 (C2) + 13 (C3)= 15.6 Months (Almost 12 months have passed so investors should keep the faith and have little more patience).
Average Bull Phase or the Growth phase post completion of Consolidation lasts for 34 (Growth Phase 1) + 11 (Growth Phase 2) + 22 (Growth Phase 3)= 22.33 Months (So there is a huge probability the phase that everyone will enjoy is near by and we are certainly going to be rewarded sooner than later.)
Average Growth during the Growth Phases= 1.06(Growth Phase 1) + 4.5(Growth Phase 2) + 1.87(Growth Phase 3) = 7.43/3 = 2.48% per month.
Average Cumulative Growth considering both Growth phases and Consolidation phase = 0.62(58 Months during C1 and Growth Phase 1) + 2.37(21 months during C2 and Growth Phase 2) + 1.87(35 months of C3 and Growth phase 3) = 4.86/3 = 1.62%.
Conclusion:
/ After every high there is a substantial consolidation phase.
/ If you keep patience during consolidation phase you will be rewarded handsomely by equity market.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for educational purpose, analysis and paper trading only. Please don't treat this as a buy or sell recommendation for the stock or index. There are a lot of assumptions in data and pure statistics is not applied. We just want to pass on the message that markets have always be rewarding the patient. That does not mean they will continue to do so in future but we are working on probabilities and assumptions here. There can be some mistakes in assumptions and calculations. The Techno-Funda analysis is based on data that is more than 3 months old. Supports and Resistances are determined by historic past peaks and Valley in the chart. Many other indicators and patterns like EMA, RSI, MACD, Volumes, Fibonacci, parallel channel etc. use historic data which is 3 months or older cyclical points. There is no guarantee they will work in future as markets are highly volatile and swings in prices are also due to macro and micro factors based on actions taken by the company as well as region and global events. Equity investment is subject to risks. I or my clients or family members might have positions in the stocks that we mention in our educational posts. We will not be responsible for any Profit or loss that may occur due to any financial decision taken based on any data provided in this message. Do consult your investment advisor before taking any financial decisions. Stop losses should be an important part of any investment in equity.
CM-Finding Stocks That MOVE!-Part 2-(Building The Scanner)This is Video 2 in the series "CM - The Best Method I’ve Found For Finding - Stocks That MOVE!!"
Please make sure you watch the 1st video in this series which is listed below under Related Ideas.
Also in that post I provided links to two different watch lists.
Leverage in Crypto: The Sexy Lie vs. The Boring TruthLet’s be honest: the vast majority of crypto traders don’t come with a trading background. Not in stocks, not in futures, and definitely not in leveraged Forex.
Most enter crypto because of hype, the dream of fast money, and stories of overnight millionaires.
That’s why leverage in crypto is so dangerous. It’s not just a tool — it’s a trap for the unprepared.
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What leverage really means
To keep it simple: with 100× leverage, every 1% move in your favor doubles your account, but every 1% move against you wipes it out completely.
👉 No matter the asset — Forex, Gold, Bitcoin, or meme coins — at 100× leverage you only have 1% room to be wrong.
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Yesterday’s market moves – a perfect example
Yesterday, markets exploded across all asset classes:
• EURUSD → +1%
• Gold (XAUUSD) → +1.5%
• Bitcoin (BTC) → +4%
• Ethereum (ETH) → +8%
• PEPE, other coins and meme coins → +10%+
Now imagine trading them with 100× leverage, catching the bottom and selling at the top:
• EURUSD → +100% (account doubled)
• Gold → +150%
• BTC → +400%
• ETH → +800%
• PEPE → +1000%
Sounds incredible, right?
But here’s the other side: with 100× leverage, a –1% move against you = instant liquidation.
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Effective Leverage – The Hidden Concept
Effective leverage — you rarely see it explained. Why?
Because it’s not sexy, not marketable, and most of all… exchanges and brokers don’t want this to be very clear.
Nominal leverage (the 50×, 100×, 200× banners you see everywhere) sells dreams. Effective leverage, on the other hand, shows the brutal reality: how much exposure you actually control compared to your account size.
Formula:
Effective Leverage=Position Size/Account Equity
• Example 1 (Forex): $1,000 account, $5,000 EURUSD position = 5× effective leverage.
• Example 2 (Crypto): $100,000 account, BTC at $100k, controlling 5 BTC ($500,000 position) = 5× effective leverage.
👉 Nominal leverage is the ad. Effective leverage is the invoice.
And once you understand it, the marketing magic disappears.
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A concrete example – Solana trade
Let’s take a real setup I shared recently on Solana:
• Entry: buy at $200
• Stop Loss: $185 → risk on the asset = -7.5%
Case 1 – 100× leverage
From 200 → 198 (–1%), you’re liquidated. You never reach your stop at 185.
Case 2 – 10× effective leverage
Every 1% move = 10% account swing. You could survive down to 180, but you’d be under constant stress.
Case 3 – 2× effective leverage (my choice)
Let’s say you control $2,000 worth of SOL, effectively $4,000 exposure.
• If Solana falls to 185 (–7.5%), that’s a –15% hit to your account. Painful, but survivable.
• If Solana rises to 250 (+25%), with 2× leverage you make +50% on allocated capital.
• Risk–reward ratio: ~1:3.3 — sustainable, worth taking.
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The psychological factor
This is where leverage breaks most traders.
• With 100× leverage, every 0.2% fluctuation moves your account by 20% (≈ $400 on a $2,000 account). Every 1% move = liquidation. How do you stay calm? You don’t.
• With 2× effective leverage, a 1% fluctuation only moves your account 2% (≈ $40). Boring? Maybe. Survivable? Absolutely.
Now imagine: you enter SOL at 200 with 100× leverage.
• At 202, you’ve doubled your account.
• At 210, you’ve made 5×.
But will you hold? No. Because:
1. If you’re awake, the stress of watching wild swings (in money, not in price) forces you to close early.
2. If you do hold, it’s usually because you were asleep — or the move happened in a single violent candle.
Markets never move in a straight line. They go 200 → 202 → 201 → 203 → 201 → 205…
At 100× leverage, every retracement feels like life or death. At 2× leverage, it’s just noise.
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Conclusion
Leverage isn’t evil. It’s just a tool. But in crypto, with insane volatility and inexperienced traders, it becomes a weapon of mass destruction.
• At 100×, you’re gambling on the next 1% very small move.
• At 10×, you’re constantly stressed and one bad move away from ruin.
• At 2×–5× effective leverage, you can actually follow your plan, respect your stop, and let your targets play out.
Trading isn’t about adrenaline. It’s about survival.
High leverage destroys accounts — and discipline. Small, controlled leverage gives you the one thing you need most in trading: time.
P.S.
Of course, the choice is yours — what leverage you decide to use, whether you take into consideration the concept of effective leverage, or how you handle the psychological impact of high leverage.
But at least now, you know. 🙂
Investing vs. Speculating in Crypto: Stop Mixing the TwoThe crypto market is in a correction, and every time this happens, I see the same pattern repeat: traders and investors talking about the moon — expecting 10x or 100x — but the moment their coin drops by 10%, they panic. They ask “What’s wrong?” or panic that the project is failing.
This is a misunderstanding of what it means to invest versus what it means to speculate. Let’s clear that up.
🚀 The Investor’s Perspective
If you believe Bitcoin is going to 500,000 USD, do you really care if it dips under 100k before reversing?
If you bought Solana with the vision of 1,000 USD, why should a retest of 150 USD make you nervous?
Investors understand:
Markets never move in a straight line.
Patience is essential — big returns require time.
Short-term corrections don’t change a solid long-term thesis.
If you’re aiming for 5x or 10x, you must accept that it takes months or years, not days.
⚡ The Speculator’s Perspective
Speculators play a different game:
They focus on short-term setups.
They use technical analysis and momentum.
They might even short-sell when the conditions align.
Both are fine — but the problem begins when people think they’re “investors” while acting like speculators every time the market moves against them.
🎯 Targets, Plans, and Patience
Here’s what most forget:
The market isn’t a straight line up designed for your convenience or for your dream Lambo
You need to set a clear target and be patient.
Want 5x on BTC? Or 10x on a strong altcoin? Then you’ll have to wait for it.
If you expect daily gains and can’t handle normal corrections, you’re not investing — you’re speculating without realizing it.
🤡 The Quick 10x Illusion
Yes, you can chase 10x in a day or two with meme coins on DEXes. Sometimes it works, most times it ends with rugs or sudden collapses. That’s not investing. That’s just gambling, and you can’t complain when it goes wrong.
✅ Final Thoughts
Decide who you are:
As an investor, set your targets, trust your thesis, and don’t panic on corrections.
As a speculator, play the short-term moves but accept the inherent risks and use discipline.
Crypto can deliver very big returns — but only if you stop mixing long-term conviction with short-term panic.
Patience and discipline will always beat hype. 🚀
P.S.
Let’s take a concrete example: since April, ETH tripled in value in a nearly straight line. What do you expect — for it to keep rising like that to 25k by the end of the year?
Do you look at your portfolio daily expecting more money every single day?
Think also of those who bought ETH with 10 million dollars, not just 3 ETH for 5k.
Maybe they want to mark profits.
Maybe they need a new yacht:)
Their selling affects the market too — and corrections are part of the bull runs.
Some Traders Only See The Bait, But Not The HookLet’s get one thing straight: if you seriously think you’ve discovered a “secret” setup that you saw in a YouTube video with 1 million views, and it’s right there on the chart – clean, centered, elegant – congrats. You’re already on the hook.
Welcome. You’re liquidity.
🧼 “Clean breakout” = dig your own grave, enthusiastically
It’s honestly beautiful how thousands of traders see the same “clean breakout,” the same “double bottom,” the same “bullish engulfing,” and all believe they’re geniuses. They enter confidently, with a “perfect oversold” RSI, a “confirmed” MACD, and maybe even the moon in Capricorn.
Then, of course, the market spits their orders back in their face at 300 km/h.
Standard response? “It was manipulation.”
No, bro. It was bait. You were the fish. You bit. The market says thank you for your participation and moves on.
🧠 If you see what everyone else sees, it’s useless
What most don’t get is this: if a setup looks “too clean,” it will most probably not work. If you see it, everyone sees it. If everyone thinks something is “about to explode,” that means it’s being used – to attract orders. Your money. Your emotions. Exactly what bigger players need to exit, gracefully – on your dime.
The market is like an exclusive party: if you found out about it, it’s already lame.
💅 That warm feeling of “certainty”? Yeah, you’re screwed
The irony? The moments when a trader feels most certain are exactly the moments when they’re most exposed. The market wants you to feel relaxed. Wants you to think “this is the one.” It’s like a drug dealer giving you your first hit for free, with a smile. Not because he likes you, but because he knows you’re hooked.
So when you feel “sure” – check your mouth. You might already be on the hook.
🤡 “But it was an A+ setup!”
Of course it was. The A+ setup – seen, tested, recycled, and re-sold thousands of times. The one that works great in textbooks, backtests, webinars, and in the wet dreams of those who think they just need “a perfect strategy”.
But the market isn’t here to validate your setup. It’s here to take your money. From whom? From those who still think it’s a “fair game.”
Spoiler: it’s not.
🤔 If you’re gonna bite, at least ask: who’s holding the line?
Look at any “clear opportunity” and ask the magic question:
“Who benefits from what I’m seeing right now?”
If the answer is “me ” – you’re in trouble.
If you don’t know – you’re in even more trouble.
The market is full of traps dressed up as opportunities. Hooks that move slowly, with sexy candles, to lure in the kind of trader who only learned the “buy low, sell high” part – but skipped the chapter on “ don’t bite every shiny thing you see. ”
🎬 Bottom line:
The market doesn’t try to fool you. You’re already doing that yourself.
The market doesn’t need complex tricks. All it needs is people in a hurry, easy to excite, who never ask the right questions. Who see a green candle and think, “This is it.”
Who don’t bother looking for the hook because they’re too busy dreaming about the profits.
If you want to trade seriously, it’s simple:
Don’t ask “Where do I enter?”
Ask: “Where do they want me to enter?”
And if you’re already there… run.
🧭 Alright, now seriously
( I mean, I tried to be funny above – but let’s get real for a second )
Let’s look at a few concrete recent examples from the market:
📉 EUR/USD
On Monday, I mentioned that price was testing resistance and could offer a nice selling opportunity.
But… I changed my mind. (You know... dynamic probabilities )
The pattern was way too clean, too clear, too pretty.
And of course, price broke above.
Because if it looks too obvious – it’s probably already bait.
🟡 XAU/USD (Gold)
Since yesterday, I’ve been talking about the potential for an upside breakout.
Why?
Because 3380–3385 resistance zone is way too clean.
Everyone sees it. Everyone talks about it. Everyone sells there.
Which makes me ask: if everyone’s expecting a drop… isn’t that, once again, just bait?
Here is my Gold analysis from today:
BTC/USD
We all see the confluence of support. The perfect alignment. The setup that screams “Buy me.”
But what if it’s too perfect to be true?
What if it’s just another classic trap – the kind that gets everyone excited before the drop comes.
💡 Now don’t get me wrong – this isn’t about abandoning technical analysis.
Far from it. For me, it’s essential.
But we’ve got to use it differently.
✅ Not as a treasure map
❌ But as a battlefield map showing us where the traps are laid
So maybe… don’t bite like a lizard the second something shiny pops up on your chart.
Instead, ask yourself:
“Does this make sense… or does it make too much sense? ”
Because in trading, when something looks too clean – that’s exactly when it gets dirty.
Disclosure: I am part of TradeNation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analyses and educational articles.
BTCUSD Technical Analysis – Smart Money Concept Based
🔍 BTCUSD Technical Analysis – Smart Money Concept Based
🕒 Timeframe: Intraday (likely 1H or 4H)
📅 Date: August 5, 2025
📉 Price: ~114,445 USD
📌 Key Zones and Observations
🔴 Previous Resistance (117,000–119,000)
This area has a strong high formed after multiple equal highs (EQH), indicating a liquidity pool above.
Price sharply rejected this zone, validating it as a significant supply zone.
🔵 Support Zone & Liquidity Pool (~112,600–113,200)
This is a high-volume node (visible on VRVP) where price consolidated previously.
Market structure suggests liquidity resting below, as indicated by the marked “Target” area at 112,648.
Smart Money may aim to sweep liquidity below this support zone before any meaningful reversal.
🟤 Order Block & Rejection at 115,210–116,065
Price tapped into a bearish order block, creating a minor change of character (ChoCH) and then started to decline.
Rejection from this zone signals distribution by institutions or Smart Money, leading toward bearish continuation.
🟢 Value Gap and Imbalance (Above 115,000)
A visible value gap still remains unfilled; however, current momentum is bearish, and price failed to reclaim it, hinting downside continuation.
🔄 Market Structure
BOS (Break of Structure) to the upside confirmed short-term bullish momentum.
CHoCH back to the downside near current price reflects bearish shift in order flow.
Price is respecting lower highs, and failing to break above 115,210 confirms a bearish bias.
🎯 Target and Outlook
Primary Bearish Target: 112,648 USD
This is a liquidity pool and previous support area where institutions may look to rebalance and accumulate.
Scenario:
If price retests 115,000–115,210 again and fails, expect strong continuation downward toward the 112,648 target.
If price breaks and holds above 116,065, bullish invalidation may occur, and we can look for higher retracement toward 117,000–119,000.
✅ Conclusion
BTCUSD is currently respecting a bearish order block, with Smart Money likely targeting liquidity resting below at 112,648 USD. Unless price breaks above 116,065 with strong volume, the bias remains bearish short-term.
GBPUSD LONG4H supply still holding, but I expect a bullish move this week if possible.
Demand was in control on the 5M, creating a clean demand zone with a liquidity sweep.
That gave clear reason for higher prices. Dropped down to the 15s for entry.
Tapped out after 3RR was achieved.
Same system. Same pair. Same outcome.
Zero emotion. Just posting what works.
From Execution to Adaptation: Enter Dynamic ProbabilitiesIn the previous article , we looked at a real trade on Gold where I shifted from a clean mechanical short setup to an anticipatory long — not because of a hunch, but because the market behavior demanded it.
That decision wasn’t random. It was based on new information. On structure. On price action.
It was based on something deeper than just “rules” — it was about recognizing when the probability of success had changed.
That brings us to a powerful but rarely discussed concept in trading:
👉 Dynamic probabilities.
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📉 Static Thinking in a Dynamic Market
Most traders operate with static probabilities — whether they realize it or not.
They assign a probability to a trade idea (let’s say, “this breakout has a 70% chance”) and treat that number as if it’s written in stone.
But markets don’t care about your numbers.
The moment new candles print, volatility shifts, or structure morphs — the probability landscape changes. What once looked like a clean setup can begin to deteriorate. Conversely, something that looked uncertain can start aligning into high-probability territory.
Yet many traders fail to adapt because they’re emotionally invested in the original plan.
They’ve already “decided” what the market should do, so they stop listening to what the market is actually doing.
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🧠 Dynamic Probabilities Require Dynamic Thinking
To trade dynamically, you must be able to update your internal odds in real time.
This doesn’t mean constantly second-guessing or overanalyzing — it means refining your bias based on evolving context:
• A strong breakout followed by weak continuation? → probability drops.
• Price holding above broken resistance with clean structure? → probability increases.
• Choppy pullback into support with fading volume? → potential reversal builds.
It’s like playing poker: you might start with a good hand, but if the flop goes against you, your odds change.
If you ignore that and keep betting like you’ve got the nuts, you’re not being bold — you’re being blind.
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📍 Back to the Gold Trade
In the Gold trade, the initial short was based on structure: broken support turned resistance.
The entry was mechanical, the reaction was clean. All good.
But then:
• Price came back fast into the same zone.
• Sellers failed to defend it decisively.
• The second leg down was sluggish, overlapping, and lacked momentum.
• Compression began to form.
That’s when the probability of continued downside collapsed — and the probability of a reversal increased.
The market had changed. So did my bias.
That’s dynamic probability in action — not because of a feeling, but because of evolving evidence.
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🧘♂️ The Psychological Trap
Many traders intellectually accept the idea of being flexible — but emotionally, they cling to certainty.
They fear being “inconsistent” more than they fear being wrong.
But in a dynamic environment, consistency of thinking is not about repeating the same action — it’s about consistently reacting to what’s real.
True consistency is not mechanical repetition. It’s mental adaptability grounded in logic.
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🧠 Takeaway
If you want to trade professionally, you must upgrade your mindset from fixed-probability execution to fluid-probability reasoning.
That doesn’t mean chaos. It means structured flexibility.
Your edge isn’t just in spotting patterns — it’s in knowing when those patterns are breaking down.
And acting accordingly, before your PnL does it for you.
Disclosure: I am part of TradeNation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analyses and educational articles.






















