Introduction

The world of cryptocurrency can seem like an uncharted territory for those unfamiliar with the intricacies of its market. Understanding how to read a basic crypto chart is essential for anyone looking to get started in this space, whether you’re an investor, trader, or simply curious about the technology. Here’s a guide I’ve written to help you decode the elements of a crypto chart and make sense of what they represent.

1. Understanding the Axes

A basic crypto chart typically features two axes: the horizontal axis (X-axis) and the vertical axis (Y-axis). These axes are the backbone of the chart, providing the framework for all the data presented.

• X-Axis (Horizontal): This axis usually represents time. Depending on the chart’s settings, it might display time intervals such as minutes, hours, days, or even months. For example, a one-day chart will show the price movement throughout that day, while a one-month chart will illustrate how the price has changed over the course of the month.

• Y-Axis (Vertical): The Y-axis represents the price of the cryptocurrency. It indicates how much the crypto is worth at any given time along the X-axis. The price is usually displayed in the relevant fiat currency (like USD, EUR, etc.) or sometimes in another cryptocurrency (like BTC or ETH).

2. Decoding Candlesticks and Bars

Crypto charts often use candlesticks or bars to represent price movements over specific periods. Each candlestick or bar encapsulates four key pieces of information: the opening price, the closing price, the highest price, and the lowest price within that time frame.

Candlesticks:

• Body: The thicker part of the candlestick is known as the body. It shows the difference between the opening and closing prices. If the body is green (or sometimes white), it means the closing price was higher than the opening price—indicating a price increase during that period. If the body is red (or sometimes black), it means the closing price was lower than the opening price, showing a price decrease.

• Wicks (Shadows): The thin lines above and below the body are called wicks or shadows. They represent the highest and lowest prices reached during that period. The top of the upper wick shows the highest price, while the bottom of the lower wick shows the lowest price.

Bars:

• Similar to candlesticks, bars provide the same four data points (open, close, high, and low). However, bars are represented differently, with a vertical line indicating the range (high and low) and small horizontal lines indicating the opening (left side) and closing (right side) prices.

3. Color Coding and What It Represents

Color is an integral part of reading crypto charts. It provides an immediate visual indication of market sentiment:

• Green (or White): This color is typically used to represent a bullish period, where the price has increased. A green candlestick or bar means that the closing price was higher than the opening price, signaling that buyers were in control during that period.

• Red (or Black): Conversely, red represents a bearish period, where the price has decreased. A red candlestick or bar indicates that the closing price was lower than the opening price, showing that sellers dominated the market during that time.

4. Key Patterns to Watch For

When reading crypto charts, it’s important to look out for certain patterns, as they can provide clues about future price movements. Some common patterns include:

Bullish Patterns:

• Hammer: This is a single candlestick pattern that has a small body with a long lower wick. It typically forms after a downtrend and suggests a potential price reversal to the upside.

• Bullish Engulfing: This occurs when a small red candlestick is followed by a larger green candlestick that completely “engulfs” the red one. It indicates strong buying pressure and a potential uptrend.

Bearish Patterns:

• Shooting Star: This is the opposite of the hammer, with a small body and a long upper wick. It appears after an uptrend and indicates a potential reversal to the downside.

• Bearish Engulfing: This pattern happens when a small green candlestick is followed by a larger red candlestick that engulfs it. This indicates strong selling pressure and a potential downtrend.

5. Volume Bars and Their Significance

Below the main price chart, you’ll often find volume bars. These bars represent the number of transactions (buying and selling) that occurred during a specific period.

• High Volume: A tall volume bar suggests that a large number of transactions took place, which usually confirms the strength of the price movement (whether up or down).

• Low Volume: A short volume bar indicates fewer transactions, which might suggest a lack of interest or indecision in the market.

6. Moving Averages: A Simple Trend Indicator

Moving averages are one of the simplest and most commonly used indicators in crypto charts. They smooth out price data to create a single flowing line that helps identify the direction of the trend.

• Simple Moving Average (SMA): This is calculated by averaging the price over a specific number of periods (e.g., 10, 50, or 200 periods). When the price is above the SMA, it suggests an uptrend, while a price below the SMA indicates a downtrend.

• Exponential Moving Average (EMA): Similar to the SMA, but it gives more weight to recent prices, making it more responsive to new information.

Conclusion

Understanding how to read a basic crypto chart is an essential skill for anyone involved in the crypto space. By learning to interpret the axes, candlesticks, colors, and other chart elements, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions. Whether you’re tracking price movements, analysing market trends, or looking for entry and exit points in your trades, a solid grasp of chart reading will be a valuable asset on your crypto journey.

Written by Ants.