Traps — Indicators and Strategies

SMC Study: Buy & Sell Traps (Pro) - Levels Only SMC Study: Buy & Sell Traps (Pro) — Levels Only SMC Study: Buy & Sell Traps (Pro) — Levels Only is a Smart Money Concepts (SMC) based indicator designed to display key Support & Resistance levels on the chart. It helps traders identify important price zones where liquidity and market reactions are likely. How it works: - Pivot Highs are plotted as Resistance levels (red lines). - Pivot Lows are plotted as Support levels (blue lines). - Levels are filtered by ATR buffer, candle body strength, and optional volume confirmation. - Lines automatically extend and update as new pivots form. - No buy/sell signals, arrows, or alerts; clean structural levels only. How to use: - Use the levels as key reaction zones for potential entries. - Support lines can indicate potential bullish bounces. - Resistance lines can indicate potential bearish reversals. - Combine with price action, market structure, and higher timeframe analysis. - Suitable for all timeframes and markets. Visuals: - Blue horizontal lines: Support - Red horizontal lines: Resistance - Solid, dashed, or dotted lines (customizable) - Lines extend dynamically with price movement Important Notes: - This indicator is for analysis only and does not generate trading signals. - Proper risk management is required before taking any trades. - Best used in conjunction with price action and structural analysis. License: Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 (Open Source) Free to use, modify, and share with attribution. Commercial use prohibited. Disclaimer: Educational purposes only. Trading involves risk.

Trap Longs - Hamza Naveed Trap Longs – Hamza Naveed is an advanced Open Interest–based indicator that analyzes net longs, net shorts, delta, and ratio across multiple exchanges (Binance, BitMEX, Kraken). It visualizes institutional positioning using candles, lines, or columns, with optional VWMA/EMA smoothing, RSI strength, volume heatmaps, statistical tables, and divergence detection. Designed to identify traps, absorption, and exhaustion, this tool helps traders understand positioning shifts, liquidity behavior, and potential trend reversals beyond price action alone.

Liquidity Trap Detector Pro [PyraTime]The Problem: Why You Get Stopped Out 90% of retail traders place their stop-losses at obvious swing highs and lows. Institutional algorithms ("Smart Money") are programmed to push price through these levels to trigger liquidity, fill their heavy orders, and then immediately reverse the market. If you have ever had your stop hit right before the market moves exactly where you predicted—you were the victim of a Liquidity Trap. The Solution: Visualizing the "Stop Hunt" Liquidity Trap Detector Pro is not just a support/resistance indicator. It is a comprehensive Reversal Scoring Engine. Unlike standard indicators that spam signals on every wick, this tool uses a proprietary 5-Star Scoring System to analyze the quality of the trap. It validates every signal using Wick Symmetry, RSI Divergence, and Volume Analysis to separate a true reversal from a trend continuation. Key Features (USP) - 5-Star Scoring Engine: Every signal is rated from 1 to 5 stars. Stop guessing if a signal is valid; let the algorithm check the confluence for you. - Glassmorphism Visuals: Gone are the messy lines. We use modern, semi-transparent "Liquidity Zones" that keep your chart clean and professional. - Smart Terminology: Automatically identifies Bull Traps (Buyers trapped at highs) and Bear Traps (Sellers trapped at lows). - Heads-Up Display (HUD): A professional dashboard monitors the market state, active filters, and recent trap statistics in real-time. - Strict Non-Repainting: (Technical Note) This script uses strict non-repainting logic. All Higher Timeframe (HTF) data is confirmed and closed before a signal is generated, ensuring historical accuracy. --- Tutorial: How to Trade This Indicator 1. Understanding the Signals We use correct institutional terminology to describe the market mechanics: GREEN Signal (BEAR TRAP): - What happened: Price swept a Swing Low, enticing sellers (Bears) to enter. The candle then reversed and closed back inside the range, trapping those sellers. - The Trade: This is a Bullish Reversal setup (Long). RED Signal (BULL TRAP): - What happened: Price swept a Swing High, enticing buyers (Bulls) to breakout. The candle reversed and closed lower, trapping the buyers. - The Trade: This is a Bearish Reversal setup (Short). 2. The 5-Star Scoring System Not all traps are created equal. The stars tell you how much "Confluence" exists: - 1 Star: A basic structure sweep. Risky. - 3 Stars: A solid setup backed by either Volume or Divergence. - 5 Stars: The "Perfect" Trap. Structure Sweep + RSI Divergence + Volume Spike + Wick Symmetry. High Probability. 3. The Strategy - Wait for the Zone: Watch price approach a coloured Liquidity Zone. - Observe the Reaction: Do not trade blindly. Wait for the candle to close. - Check the Stars: Look for at least 3 Stars before considering an entry. - Confirm with HUD: Glance at the Dashboard to ensure the "RSI Filter" and "Vol Filter" agree with your analysis. --- Settings Guide Structure Settings: - Pivot Lookback: Adjusts how sensitive the zones are (Default: 10/5). - HTF Confirmation: Optional filter to only show traps that align with Higher Timeframe structure (e.g., 1H or 4H). Quality Filters: - RSI Divergence: Requires momentum to disagree with price (classic reversal sign). - Volume Spike: Requires volume to be higher than average (Smart Money footprint). Visuals: - Clean Mode: A presenter-favorite feature. Hides all historical zones and leaves only the active setup—perfect for taking screenshots or sharing analysis. Disclaimer This tool is designed to assist with technical analysis and identifying potential areas of interest. It does not guarantee profits. Trading involves significant risk; always use proper risk management.

Retail Sentiment Indicator - Multi-Asset CFD & Fear/Greed Index Retail Sentiment Indicator - Multi-Asset CFD & Fear/Greed Index Overview The Retail Sentiment Indicator provides real-time sentiment data for major financial instruments including stocks, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. This indicator displays retail trader positioning and market sentiment using CFD data and fear/greed indices. Methodology and Scale Calculation This indicator operates on a **-50 to +50 scale** with zero representing perfect market equilibrium. Scale Interpretation: - **Zero (0)**: Market balance - exactly 50% of investors buying, 50% selling - **Positive values**: Majority buying pressure - Example: If 63% of investors are buying, the indicator shows +13 (63 - 50 = +13) - **Negative values**: Majority selling pressure - Example: If 92% of investors are selling, the indicator shows -42 (50 - 92 = -42) BTC Fear & Greed Index Scaling: The original `BTC FEAR&GREED` index is natively scaled from 0-100 by its creator. In our indicator, this data has been rescaled to also fit the -50 to +50 range for consistency with other sentiment data sources. This unified scaling approach allows for direct comparison across all instruments and data sources within the indicator. -Important Data Source Selection- Bitcoin (BTC) Data Sources When viewing Bitcoin charts, the indicator offers **two different data sources**: 1. **Default Auto-Mode**: `BTCUSD Retail CFD` - Retail CFD traders sentiment data (automatically loaded). 2. **Manual Selection**: `BTC FEAR&GREED` - Fear & Greed Index from website: alternative dot me **To access BTC Fear & Greed Index**: Input settings -> disable checkbox "Auto-load Sentiment Data" -> manually select "BTC FEAR&GREED" from the dropdown menu. US Stock Market Data Sources For US stocks and indices (S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones), there are **two data source options**: 1. **Default Auto-Mode**: Individual retail CFD sentiment data for each instrument 2. **Manual Selection**: `SNN FEAR&GREED` - SNN's Fear & Greed Index covering the overall US market sentiment. SNN was used as the name to avoid any potential trademark infringement. **To access SNN Fear & Greed Index**: When viewing US market charts, disable in input settings checkbox "Auto-load Sentiment Data" and manually select "SNN FEAR&GREED" from the dropdown menu. This distinction allows traders to choose between **instrument-specific retail sentiment** (auto-mode) or **broader market sentiment indices** (manual selection). Features - **Auto-Detection**: Automatically loads sentiment data based on the current chart symbol - **Manual Selection**: Choose from 40+ supported instruments when auto-detection is unavailable - **Multiple Data Sources**: Combines retail CFD sentiment with Fear & Greed indices - **Visual Zones**: Clear greed/fear zones with color-coded backgrounds - **Real-time Updates**: Live sentiment data from merged data sources Supported Instruments Major Indices - S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones 30, DAX Forex Pairs - Major pairs: EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY, USDCHF, USDCAD - Cross pairs: EURJPY, GBPJPY, AUDUSD, NZDUSD, and 20+ others Commodities - Precious metals: Gold (XAUUSD), Silver (XAGUSD) - Energy: WTI Oil - Agricultural: Wheat, Coffee - Industrial: Copper Cryptocurrencies - Bitcoin (BTC) sentiment data - BTC & SNN Fear & Greed indices How to Use 1. **Auto Mode** (Default): Enable "Auto-load Sentiment Data" to automatically display sentiment for the current chart symbol 2. **Manual Mode**: Disable auto-load and select from the dropdown menu for specific instruments 3. **Interpretation**: - Values above 0 (green) indicate retail greed/bullish sentiment - Values below 0 (red) indicate retail fear/bearish sentiment - Fear & Greed indices use 0-100 scale (50 is neutral) Data Sources This indicator uses curated sentiment data from retail CFD providers and established fear/greed indices. Data is updated regularly and sourced from reputable financial data providers. Trading Strategy & Market Philosophy Contrarian Trading Approach The primary purpose of this indicator is based on the fundamental market principle that **the majority of retail investors are often wrong**, and markets typically move opposite to the positions held by the majority of market participants. Key Strategy Guidelines: - **Contrarian Signal**: When the majority of users are positioned on one side of the market, there is statistically greater market advantage in taking positions in the opposite direction - **Trend Exhaustion Signal**: An interesting observed phenomenon occurs when, during a long-lasting trend where the majority of investors have consistently been on the wrong side, the Sentiment indicator suddenly shows that the majority has flipped and opened positions in the direction of that long-running trend. This is often a signal of fuel exhaustion for further movement in that direction Interpretation Examples - High greed readings (majority bullish) → Consider bearish opportunities - High fear readings (majority bearish) → Consider bullish opportunities - Sudden sentiment flip during established trends → Potential trend reversal signal Technical Notes - Built with PineScript v6 - Dynamic symbol detection with fallback options - Optimized for performance with minimal resource usage - Color-coded visualization with customizable zones Data Sources & Expansion Acknowledgments We extend our gratitude to **TradingView** for enabling the use of custom data feeds based on GitHub repositories, making this comprehensive sentiment analysis possible. Data Expansion Opportunities As the operator of this indicator, I am **open to suggestions for new data sources** that could be integrated and published. If you have ideas for additional instruments or sentiment data: How to Submit Suggestions: 1. Send a **private message** with your proposal 2. Include: **instrument/data type**, **source**, and **brief description** 3. If technically feasible, we will work to import and publish the data Data Infrastructure Status Current Data Upload Process: Please note that sentiment data uploads may occasionally experience minor interruptions. However, this should not pose significant issues as sentiment data typically changes gradually rather than rapidly. Infrastructure Development: We are actively working on establishing permanent cloud-based infrastructure to ensure continuous, automated data collection and upload processes. This will provide more reliable and consistent data availability in the future. Disclaimer This indicator is for educational and informational purposes only. Sentiment data should be used as part of a comprehensive trading strategy and not as the sole basis for trading decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The contrarian approach described is a market theory and may not always produce profitable results.

Smart Market Matrix Smart Market Matrix This indicator is designed for intraday, scalping, providing automated detection of price pivots, liquidity traps, and breakout confirmations, along with a context dashboard featuring volatility, trend, and volume. ## Summary Description ### Menu Settings & Their Roles - **Swing Pivot Strength**: Controls the sensitivity for detecting High/Low pivots. - **Show Pivot Points**: Toggles the display of HH/LL markers on the chart. - **VWMA Length for Trap Volume** & **Volume Spike Multiplier**: Identify concentrated volume spikes for liquidity traps. - **Wick Ratio Threshold** & **Max Body Size Ratio**: Detect candles with disproportionate wicks and small bodies (doji-ish) for traps. - **ATR Length for Trap**: Measures volatility specific to trap detection. - **VWMA Length for Breakout Volume**, **ATR Multiplier for Breakout**, **ATR Length for Breakout**, **Min Body/Range Ratio**: Set adaptive breakout thresholds based on volatility and volume. - **OBV Smooth Length**: Smooths OBV momentum for breakout confirmation. - **Enable VWAP Filter for Confirmations**: Optionally validate breakouts against the VWAP. - **Enable Higher-TF Trend Filter** & **Trend Filter Timeframe**: Align breakout signals with the 1h/4h/Daily trend. - **ADX Length**, **EMA Fast/Slow Length for Context**: Parameters for the context dashboard (Volatility, Trend, Volume). - **Show Intraday VWAP Line**, **VWAP Line Color/Width**: Display the intraday VWAP line with custom style. ### Signal Interpretation Map | Signal | Description | Recommended Action | |--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | 📌 **HH / LL (pivot)** | Market structure (support/resistance) | Note key levels | | **Bull Trap(green diamond)** | Sweep down + volume spike + wick + rejection | Go long with trend filter | **Bear Trap(red diamond)** | Sweep up + volume spike + wick + rejection | Go short with trend filter | 🔵⬆️ **Breakout Confirmed Up** | Close > ATR‑scaled high + volume + OBV↑ | Go long with trend filter | | 🔵⬇️ **Breakout Confirmed Down** | Close < ATR‑scaled low + volume + OBV↓ | Go short with trend filter | | 📊 **VWAP Line** | Intraday reference to guide price | Use as dynamic support/resistance | | ⚡ **Volatility** | ATR ratio High/Med/Low | Adjust position size | | 📈 **Trend Context** | ADX+EMA Strong/Moderate/Weak | Confirm trend direction | | 🔍 **Volume Context** | Breakout / Rising / Falling / Calm | Check volume momentum | *This summary gives you a quick overview of the key settings and how to interpret signals for efficient intraday scalping.* ### Suggested Settings - **Intraday Scalping (5m–15m)** - `Swing Pivot Strength = 5` - `VWMA Length for Trap Volume = 10`, `Volume Spike Multiplier = 1.6` - `ATR Length for Trap = 7` - `VWMA Length for Breakout Volume = 12`, `ATR Length for Breakout = 9`, `ATR Multiplier for Breakout = 0.5` - `Min Body/Range Ratio for Breakout = 0.5`, `OBV Smooth Length = 7` - `Enable Higher-TF Trend Filter = true` (TF = 60) - `Show Intraday VWAP Line = true` (Color = orange, Width = 2) - **Swing Trading (4h–Daily)** - `Swing Pivot Strength = 10` - `VWMA Length for Trap Volume = 20`, `Volume Spike Multiplier = 2.0` - `ATR Length for Trap = 14` - `VWMA Length for Breakout Volume = 30`, `ATR Length for Breakout = 14`, `ATR Multiplier for Breakout = 0.8` - `Min Body/Range Ratio for Breakout = 0.7`, `OBV Smooth Length = 14` - `Enable Higher-TF Trend Filter = true` (TF = D) - `Show Intraday VWAP Line = false` *Adjust these values based on the symbol and market volatility for optimal performance.*

Are stop orders making money? [yohtza]Who is this indicator for and what does it do? This is an indicator that helps price action traders in determining the strength of the trend and potential counter trend traps that present themselves during the move. It highlights the background of the bar at which counter trend traders that trade with stop orders (breakout entries) were able to achieve the same amount of reward as was their risk for that trade. What is it based on? When there is a strong trend in effect, the counter trend traders are unable to buy above(in bear trend) or sell below (in bull trend) a bar with a stop order and get an equal reward for the risk they are taking. The first time counter trend traders are able to buy and make money in bear or sell and make money in bull it is a warning sign that market is likely transitioning into trading range phase of the market cycle. Another application of the indicator is for discovering potential traps. If market comes very close to the take profit level of counter trend traders and reverses, they will usually try to get out with as much profit or as small of a loss as possible and that will often create a fast move (also called giving up) and a good with trend entry. How does it work? The indicator is using exponential moving average as a filter for when the market is trending and then scans for signals where counter trend traders enter. Next it looks if the stoploss or profit target was hit for that trade. If the profit target was hit it draws a box around the bar on which the traders entered, the box height is based on stoploss and profit target price levels. Indicator inputs - Scan for doji signal bars When this option is selected, bars that have small bodies (less than 50% of their height) are also included as bars on which counter traders enter. If the option is not selected it only looks for bull trend bars (bodies are greater than 50% of their height) below the moving average and bear trend bars above the moving average. - Border and background colors and border style It is possible to select different colors and chose between solid, dashed and dotted borders - Ema period Default setting is 20 bar exponential moving average but feel free to use which you prefer - Tick value This is the value of the minimal movement of the chart you are trading on. For example for S&P 500 E-mini futures the value is 0.25 and that is the default setting.