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HOW And WHY The Markets MoveIn this video I explain HOW and WHY the markets move. At it's core, trading is a zero-sum game, meaning that nothing is created. There must always be a counter-party to any trade, after all it is called "trading". Because of this, liquidity is the lifeblood of the market and it is what is required by all participants, albeit more for the larger entities out there. In order for these larger entities to trade, they must do so in stages of buying and selling, and not all in one single position like we do as retail traders. They buy on the way down, and sell on the way up, throughout many different time horizons. Therefore, they require price to be delivered efficiently in order to sustain this working machine. I hope you find the video somewhat insightful. Regardless of your beliefs, I think it can be agreed that these two principles are what drives the marketplace and it's movements. - R2F
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OANDA:WTICOUSDEducation
by Road_2_Funded
7
Trading GBPUSD | Judas Swing Strategy 15/10/2024Last week proved challenging for the Judas Swing strategy, with three consecutive losses and no wins, which heightened our anticipation for this week. Will we be able to break this losing streak? We'll soon find out. We typically arrive at our trading desks five minutes before the session starts to delineate our zones and settle into the trading rhythm. After delineating our zones, the next step is to wait for a sweep of a high or low of the trading zone, which will assist us in establishing our bias for the trading session. Forty-five minutes later, price swept the liquidity at the high, indicating that we should look for selling opportunities during this trading session. A few minutes after the high was swept, we observed a Break of Structure (BOS) on the sell side, which was encouraging as we avoid entering trades without analysis, even with a sell bias established for the session. Upon identifying the BOS, the next step is to find a Fair Value Gap (FVG) within the price leg that broke structure. The final step in the entry checklist is to wait for price to pull back into the Fair Value Gap (FVG) and to execute the trade only after the candle that enters the FVG has closed. Shortly after, a candle entered the FVG, indicating that we could execute our trade following the close of the candle. It's crucial to understand that by risking only 1% of our trading account for a potential 2% return, we minimize emotional attachment to the trades since we're only risking what we can afford to lose, and we stand to gain more than we risk. After executing the trade, we experienced a significant drawdown, which is a critical point for those who risk more than they can afford to lose. After a patient wait, the trade has turned around and begun to move in our favor, which is thrilling. However, we must still keep our composure as the objective has not yet been achieved According to our data, we can anticipate being in a position for an average of 11 hours, so the duration of this trade meeting our objective is not a concern; we simply need to remain patient for it to occur. After 15 hours and 20 minutes, our patience was rewarded when our take profit (TP) target was reached, resulting in a 2% gain on a trade where we risked 1%.
Education
by CleoFinance
Riding The Wave - The Importance of Top-Down AnalysisIn this video I explain why a top-down analysis is important when it comes to increasing the odds of price moving in your favour. I know it is extra work, but it isn't much, especially in terms of being a part of the most lucrative industry in the world. Trading from the higher timeframe simply allows you to "ride the wave" by going down to trade on the lower timeframe. Now, this is all relative to the timeframes you are on and not based on what is considered high or low timeframes. But simply put, if the higher timeframe is trending or being drawn to a specific price or level, then the displacements in price towards that direction will outweigh any displacements via retracements in the opposite direction. So, I hope this video gives some insight into this topic if you were wondering if it is really something you should do. If you desire higher win-rates, then the answer is yes. - R2F
Education
by Road_2_Funded
Two Roads to Profit. A Comparison of ICT/SMC and Advanced VSAHello traders and investors! When we start engaging in trading and investing, we get acquainted with various methods of forecasting price movements. Gradually, if we have enough persistence, strength, and patience, we choose our own path to profitable trades. Among the most popular approaches, we can highlight the use of various oscillators and channels, Dow Theory, Elliott Waves, Fibonacci levels, supply and demand, Volume Spread Analysis (VSA), market auction theory, and the Inner Circle Trader/Smart Money Concept (ICT/SMC). Many traders combine elements from different approaches into their trading system. I personally prefer a concept I call Advanced VSA. It’s a comprehensive set of tools that combines ideas from VSA, Dow Theory, and Supply and Demand analysis. The name "Advanced VSA" perfectly captures the essence of the method, as it is fundamentally based on analyzing volume and price spread. Recently, the ICT/SMC concept has been gaining more and more popularity. Today, I want to explore the similarities and differences between ICT/SMC and Advanced VSA. If there are any inaccuracies in my explanation of ICT/SMC basics, feel free to correct me in the comments. Perhaps after reading this article, you’ll be able to decide which approach resonates more with you and which one you believe will help you in your trading. I hope this will be helpful. Let’s dive in! Basic Differences Before diving into the technical details, let's first clarify the key differences between these concepts. Who Controls Price Movements The ICT/SMC concept assumes that price movements are controlled by large players, such as market makers, who direct prices in the desired direction. This is similar to a model where one "center of power" determines the market's direction. In contrast, Advanced VSA is based on the idea that two forces influence price — the Buyer and the Seller. All analysis revolves around the interaction between these two sides, creating a more balanced model where both forces are equally important. Traded Volume The ICT/SMC concept does not use traded volume as a part of its analysis. In Advanced VSA, volume is an important factor. It is considered an integral part of the data that helps to understand market processes and the actions of participants. Now let’s move on to a detailed comparison of the elements of these concepts. What They Have in Common Both concepts teach traders to identify price ranges on the chart where a large player (Market Maker in ICT/SMC) or a Buyer (in Advanced VSA) shows interest in buying, and ranges where the Market Maker or Seller is interested in selling. When the price returns to these ranges, traders can execute buys or sells. We can call these price ranges contextual areas for buying and selling. Neither concept relies on technical indicators. Instead, they focus on the following key terms for identifying the trade direction and the trade entry point: Trend Trend break/half-trend Trend confirmation Accumulation/Distribution/Sideways movement/Flat Contextual areas for buying and selling The first four terms help determine the direction of the trade, while the fifth helps identify the entry point and the likely target of the trade. Both methods suggest using higher timeframes to find contextual areas and lower timeframes to find entry points within those areas. What Are the Differences The differences between the concepts lie in the interpretation of key terms. For the first four terms (trend, trend break, trend confirmation, accumulation/distribution/Sideways movement), the distinctions are minor and relate mostly to specific interpretations. However, the main differences arise in the rules for identifying contextual areas of interest (buyer, seller, or market maker). Let's look at these differences in more detail. Difference 1: Use of Volume In ICT/SMC, contextual areas of interest are determined solely based on price action and candlestick patterns, without taking traded volume into account. In contrast, Advanced VSA sees volume as an integral part of the analysis. contextual areas of interest are identified by both traded volume and price behavior (candlestick patterns). If there was interest from a buyer, seller in a specific price range, leading to a price change, it's logical to assume that the volume traded in that range should be higher than in previous periods over a similar timeframe. To illustrate the importance of using all available data for analysis, consider an analogy with choosing the best time for a seaside vacation. If the decision is based only on water and air temperature, while ignoring factors like wind or rainfall, the choice may be misguided. For example, choosing April for its comfortable temperature might result in encountering constant rain and high waves. Thus, in Advanced VSA, volume plays a crucial role, whereas it is absent in ICT/SMC. Difference 2: Types of Contextual Areas of Interest In ICT/SMC, the following types of contextual areas of interest are used: order block, breaker, mitigation block, and rejection block. All of these areas are formed by a specific arrangement of candles on the chart. In contrast, Advanced VSA operates with a different set of contextual areas of interest: effort, zone, and range (sideways movement). Effort refers to a single candle or bar that indicates significant market activity. Zone is formed by a sequence of candles or bars, taking into account their traded volumes. Range (sideways movement) is defined by a series of consecutive candles/bars where price fluctuates within a limited range, interacting alternately with the upper and lower boundaries of the range. It's only possible to identify which party (buyer, seller, or market maker) controls the range after the price breaks out and confirms the move. If the volumes align with Advanced VSA's criteria, order blocks and mitigation blocks in ICT/SMC can be considered as zones in Advanced VSA. So, not all order blocks and mitigation blocks will be considered zones in Advanced VSA. The breaker will be discussed separately, and there is no equivalent to the rejection block in Advanced VSA. Difference 3. Price Attraction Points In ICT/SMC, concepts such as fair value gap, liquidity void, and liquidity are used to describe price attraction points. In Advanced VSA, the terms fair value gap and liquidity void are not utilized. Most of the time, these ICT/SMC elements correspond to price interest points in Advanced VSA, such as effort. The term liquidity has the same meaning. Difference 4. Importance of Levels In Advanced VSA, levels play an important role in identifying trade opportunities. To understand the significance of levels, let’s first recall the concepts of trend and range (sideways movement). In both ICT/SMC and Advanced VSA, a trend is broken down into components, often referred to as impulses or expansion moves. A range, on the other hand, is characterized by its boundaries and the vectors of price movement between those boundaries. In Advanced VSA, important trading signals include the defense of a broken level or a price retracement to a level followed by its defense. In Advanced VSA, the defense of a broken level or the cancellation of a breakout (where the price returns back behind the broken level) followed by a defense of that level is considered a signal for identifying trades. This method helps traders spot potential entry points where either buyers or sellers to protect a key price level, giving more confidence in the direction of the market. The most important levels include the base of the last impulse, the boundaries of a range, and the test level of a zone. In ICT/SMC, there are no direct equivalents of these elements when it comes to searching for trades. However, breakers and sometimes mitigation blocks serve similar purposes to the levels in Advanced VSA, but the approaches differ. In ICT/SMC, trades are typically executed within the breaker or mitigation block, whereas in Advanced VSA, trades are found when a level is defended: buy trades above the level (supported by buyers), and sell trades below the level (supported by sellers). Additionally, Advanced VSA allows for trading within ranges, moving from one boundary to the other, as long as the boundaries are defended. Summary Despite the shared terms and similar approaches, there are significant differences between the two concepts: Number of forces influencing price movement: In ICT/SMC, it is believed that price is controlled by a single force, the Market Maker (MM). In contrast, Advanced VSA considers the interaction of two forces—buyers and sellers—as driving price movements. Use of volume in analysis: ICT/SMC does not take traded volume into account during analysis, while in Advanced VSA, volume is a crucial element for identifying market forces and areas of interest. Use of levels for trade entries: In ICT/SMC, levels do not play an important role, whereas in Advanced VSA, levels one of the possible places for identifying potential trade setups. Good luck with your trading and investing!
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by AlexeyWolf
2
Mastering High Probability Trading Across All AssetsGreetings Traders! Welcome back to today’s video! In this session, we're revisiting the critical concept of draw on liquidity. I'll guide you on how to take advantage of it with extreme market precision, focusing on when to trade, when to avoid the market, and how to increase your chances of high-probability trade outcomes. If you're looking to enhance your trading strategy and make smarter decisions, this video is for you. Let's dive in and start mastering these concepts! Refer to these videos as well: Premium Discount Price Delivery in Institutional Trading: Mastering Institutional Order-Flow Price Delivery Quarter Theory Mastering Algorithmic Price Movements: Best Regards, The_Architect
OANDA:NAS100USDEducation
by The_Archi-tect
4
Quarter Theory: Mastering Algorithmic Price Movements!Greetings Traders, and welcome back! In today's video, we’ll dive deep into Quarter Theory—a powerful concept that can take your trading to the next level. We’ll break it down step-by-step, explain how it works, and show you how to implement it into your strategy. Quarter Theory is all about studying the algorithmic price delivery within the markets. It’s grounded in Time and Price Theory, which suggests that significant market moves often occur at specific price levels and times. This foundational idea will help us predict price movements more effectively. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the previous videos in the High Probability Trading Zones playlist for the key concepts you’ll need to fully grasp today’s content. For those watching on TradingView, links to previous videos will be included to help you catch up. Mastering Institutional Order Flow & Price Delivery: Premium & Discount Price Delivery in Institutional Trading: We’re kicking off a weekly series on Quarter Theory, with the goal of helping you build a robust trading model by the end. Stay tuned! Best Regards, The_Architect
Education
by The_Archi-tect
2
BTC Short using ICT Market Maker Sell Model (Explained)ICT Market Maker Sell Model (MMSM) for Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Key Components: 1. Original Consolidation: - This is the initial phase where the price consolidates within a range, indicating accumulation by smart money. 2. Smart Money Reversal: - This area marks the point where smart money starts to take profit or reverse their positions, leading to a reversal in the market trend. 3. Market Structure Shift: - This indicates a significant change in market direction with a displacement 4. Fair Value Gaps (FVG): - They are marked as potential areas of interest where price might return to fill these gaps. 5. Sellside Liquidity: - This is the area where liquidity is collected, often below the market structure where stop-losses and other sell orders are triggered. 6. Re-Distribution: - After the initial move down, the market redistributes, often retesting previous support areas or fair value gaps before continuing the trend. Chart Analysis: 1. Consolidation Phase: - The price starts with an original consolidation phase where accumulation occurs. 2. Upward Move: - After consolidation, there's an upward move indicating bullish market conditions. 3. Smart Money Reversal and Low Risk Sell: - The price reaches a peak where smart money starts to reverse their positions. The chart highlights a 'Low Risk Sell Inside FVG' which is an optimal selling point within a fair value gap, suggesting a high probability sell zone. 4. Market Structure Shift: - After the peak, the market experiences a shift in structure, breaking previous support levels and signaling a bearish trend. 5. Downtrend and Redistribution: - The price moves down sharply, redistributing within fair value gaps. The chart highlights these gaps (fvg) where price might retrace to fill before continuing downward. 6. Sellsides Liquidity Targeted: - The market targets sellside liquidity, triggering sell orders and stop-losses, leading to further downward pressure. Practical Use: - Identifying Entry and Exit Points: - Traders use this model to identify optimal entry (sell) points within fair value gaps and exit points where liquidity might be targeted. - Understanding Market Phases: - Recognizing different market phases (accumulation, distribution, and redistribution) helps in anticipating market moves. By understanding these components and their interplay, traders can better anticipate market movements and make informed trading decisions. 🙏 Support Me! If you enjoy my analyses and content, please consider following me and leaving a like/boost and a follow . Your support motivates me to keep creating high-quality content and sharing it with the community. Thank you for your support! 🚀
INDEX:BTCUSDEducation
by SerenityEquity
Trading EURUSD | Judas Swing Strategy 30/07/2024Risk management ought to be a trader's closest ally, as the previous week demonstrated the practical significance of incorporating risk management into every trader's toolkit. Last week, we executed four trades; despite having only one win and three losses, we concluded the week with a mere 1% loss on our trading account. This has heightened our excitement for the opportunities that this week may present. As is customary, at 8:25 AM EST, we commenced the day by reviewing the essential items on our Judas Swing strategy checklist, which comprises: - Setting the timezone to New York time - Confirming we're on the 5-minute timeframe - Marking the trading period from 00:00 - 08:30 - Identifying the high and low of the zone The next 5 minute candle swept liquidity resting at the low of the zone, which meant our focus would be on identifying potential buying opportunities for the trading session. To increase the likelihood of success of our trades, we wait for a break of structure (BOS) towards the buy side. Once the BOS occurs, we anticipate price to retrace to the initial Fair Value Gap (FVG) created during the formation of the leg that broke the structure. We patiently waited for price to retrace into the created Fair Value Gap (FVG), and executed our trade upon the closing of the first candle that entered the FVG, as all the conditions on our checklist for trade execution were satisfied. Please note that our stop loss is set at the low of the price leg that broke structure, and we implement a minimum stop loss of 10 pips. The minimum stop loss value was not chosen randomly; it was determined through extensive backtesting. This allows trades sufficient space to fluctuate, avoiding premature stop-outs and trades later moving in our anticipated direction. After 15 minutes, a large bearish marubozu candle formed, which could have exited us from the trade if we had set our stop loss solely based on the low of the price leg that broke structure, without including a minimal stop loss in our checklist. By using that price leg, our stop loss would have been around 6 pips, whereas a 10 pip stop loss provides the trade with sufficient breathing room. We are aware that our strategy does not guarantee a 100% win rate but rather hovers around 50% on EURUSD, indicating that some losses were inevitable. To avoid becoming emotional over the position, we used only 1% of our trading account with the goal of achieving a 2% gain. Upon checking our position later, we observed that the position was a few pips away from hitting SL. We remained calm despite the drawdown we were experiencing and were prepared for any outcome of the trade. All that was left was to wait for either our stop loss or take profit to be triggered to determine the result of our trade. A few hours later, the trade began to move in our favor. After 13 hours, our Take Profit was triggered, and our patience paid off as we hit our target on EURUSD, resulting in a 2% gain from a 1% risk on the trade.
Education
by CleoFinance
Power of 3 - ICT Concept ExplainedIn this video I cover the topic of Power of 3 or otherwise known was PO3. This concept is also the same as AMD, which is Accumulation, Manipulation, Distribution. PO3 is the basis in which Smart Money approaches the market. As we have covered before, liquidity is the lifeblood of the market. To maximize efficiency for Smart Money, liquidity is engineered for the purpose of trapping uninformed money on the wrong side of the market and assuming the counter-party to their trades. At the open of a candle, Smart Money is accumulating positions, usually in some sort of range. The next stage is the manipulation, where price makes a fast run towards liquidity, usually in the opposite direction of where price is intended to go, and then reversing rapidly. The final stage is distribution, where Smart Money is offloading their positions above or below the marketplace depending on whether it is a buy or sell program. The whole purpose of understanding this concept is to be able to anticipate the future direction of price, and to ideally buy below or above the open of a candle, again depending on what type of candle it is. I show how I anticipate the PO3 in this video. - R2F
Education
by Road_2_Funded
2
4 Stages of Price Delivery (ICT Concepts)In this video I go through the 4 stages of price delivery as it pertains to ICT Concepts. Generally, the market is going through either of the following: Consolidation Expansion Retracement Reversal Price starts from a consolidation, where Smart Money accumulates their position, and then an expansion, where price is trending in a direction for the purpose of seeking liquidity and/or manipulating sentiment. From an expansionary phase, price will either retrace to re-accumulate orders and expand again, or have a complete reversal. Now, it is important to note that price is fractal, meaning the signatures you see on a lower timeframe perspective could also be seen on a higher timeframe perspective. In a singular candlestick, there can be multiple phases of price delivery happening. Once one can fit all these pieces together in regard to how market makers book price, one can have a clear insight into where price is likely going and where it likely won't go again, all with a high degree of accuracy. Thanks for watching and reading! - R2F
Education
by Road_2_Funded
2
Compound Interest - A Trader's Secret WeaponIn this video I give you a perspective that traders often neglect - Compound Interest. Compounding is probably the most important part in terms of becoming a trader that survives in the long run. Social media is filled with traders nowadays, and some of them are pretty good at trading. However, shortsightedness gets to them as they forget about the one thing that ensures longevity in this game. It is way easier dig yourself into drawdown than it is increase your wealth, it is just math. The technique that greatly rewards the disciplined and patient trader is COMPOUNDING. As Albert Einstein said according to some sources although not verified is that "Compound interest is the 8th wonder of the world". - R2F
Education
by Road_2_Funded