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Crypto trading glossary
Clear definitions, practical examples and related concepts—from market basics to technical analysis, derivatives and risk management.
Market basics
All-time high (ATH)
The highest recorded price an asset has reached.
Volatility
A measure of how much and how quickly prices fluctuate.
Trading volume
The amount of an asset traded during a period.
Bid-ask spread
The difference between the best buy and best sell price.
Market capitalization
A rough size measure based on price times circulating supply.
Slippage
The difference between an expected and actual execution price.
Stablecoin
A token designed to hold a relatively stable value.
Halving
A scheduled reduction in a proof-of-work block reward.
Drawdown
The decline from a peak to a subsequent trough.
Altcoin
Any crypto asset other than the most widely referenced one.
Whale
A participant or wallet holding a very large amount of an asset.
Technical analysis
Candlestick
A chart element showing open, high, low and close for a period.
Resistance
A price area where selling pressure has previously emerged.
Relative Strength Index (RSI)
A momentum oscillator commonly displayed on a 0–100 scale.
Support and resistance
Price areas where buying or selling pressure has previously mattered.
Moving average
A smoothed series calculated from prices over a rolling window.
Trend
The general direction of price over a period.
Momentum
The speed and strength of a price move.
Moving average crossover
When one moving average crosses another on a chart.
Derivatives
Risk management
Leverage
Exposure created using a smaller amount of margin than the position's notional value.
Liquidation
A forced reduction or closure when margin no longer meets requirements.
Position size
The quantity or notional exposure of a trade.
Risk/reward ratio
A comparison of potential loss with potential profit for a setup.
Stop-loss
An order or planned level intended to limit loss on a position.
Order types
Put the concepts into context
Explore structured learning guides and use practical calculators to understand position size, risk/reward and potential outcomes.
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