Online lessons

Technical analysis in trading: reading charts and patterns

Contents:

In this lesson you will learn:

  • Types and indicators of technical analysis
  • What technical analysis means
  • How to identify a trend
  • How to use indicators

What is technical analysis

This type of analysis examines an asset's historical data and looks for patterns in past price movements. It also takes into account the trading volume of securities. Technical analysis can be used for any types of financial instruments (stocks, indices, commodities), provided that historical data exists for the needed asset.

Technical analysis is often used for short-term investments because it doesn't consider the future prospects of a company's potential, but is based solely on the asset's history. Technical analysis is useful for those who are planning daily strategies for intraday trading. Such analysis is conducted using statistical methods and charts, with the help of which certain patterns can be identified.

Fundamental Principles of Technical Analysis

The fundamentals of technical analysis in trading are built on three core principles that are particularly relevant for the cryptocurrency market:

First Principle: Price Reflects Everything

The first postulate states that market price reflects all available information. The current value of Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any other cryptocurrency already accounts for all known factors—from technical news to investor sentiment. Every time Elon Musk tweeted about Dogecoin, or Donald Trump made another post about cryptocurrencies, the market reacted instantly, and this reaction is displayed on the price chart.

When Bitcoin reached a new all-time high above $106,000 in December 2024, this level already incorporated Bitcoin ETF approval, institutional adoption, and macroeconomic factors.

Second Principle: Prices Move in Trends

The second postulate speaks to the trending nature of price movements. Cryptocurrency markets demonstrate pronounced directional movements that can continue for weeks and months. For example, Bitcoin's uptrend from October 2023 to March 2024 led to a price increase from $26,000 to $73,000, demonstrating the power of trending movement.

Third Principle: History Repeats Itself

The third postulate is based on the cyclical nature of human psychology. The emotions of greed and fear create repeating patterns on charts. The classic "head and shoulders" pattern that formed on Bitcoin's price chart in April-May 2024 at the $65,000-$70,000 level worked exactly the same way as similar patterns in previous years.

BTC/USD
Daily change
107837.20
Min.: 107365.55
Max.: 111850.8

Technical Analysis in Cryptocurrency Trading: Features and Specifics

Technical analysis in cryptocurrency trading has unique characteristics that distinguish it from analysis of traditional markets.

Extreme Volatility

Extreme volatility creates situations where major cryptocurrencies can change by 15-25% within a single day. This feature requires adapting classical analysis methods to the specifics of the crypto market.

Round-the-Clock Trading

Continuous trading means that critically important events can occur at any time. In November 2024, Ethereum made a significant breakout above the $3,200 level during the Asian trading session, which required European and American traders to promptly revise their trading plans.

Social Media Influence

Social media influence also plays a key role—tweets from influential figures on platforms like X (Twitter), Truth Social, and Telegram, or news in online publications can trigger instant price movements of 5-10%. Technical analysis in cryptocurrencies must account for the speed of information dissemination on social networks.

ETH/USD
Daily change
3781.48
Min.: 3760.16
Max.: 3965.01

Mastering Technical Analysis for Beginning Traders

Technical analysis in trading for beginners requires a systematic approach to studying basic concepts. The initial stage involves understanding four main price parameters: opening price (Open), high (High), low (Low), and closing price (Close). These parameters form the foundation of all graphical elements and indicators.

Japanese candlesticks represent the most informative way of displaying price data. Each candle contains comprehensive information about a trading session: the candle body shows the range between opening and closing prices, the shadows show the extreme values of the period, and the color indicates the direction of movement. A green candle signals growth, red indicates a price decline.

Technical analysis in trading from scratch begins with mastering the construction of trend lines. Connecting two or more low points forms a support line for an uptrend, connecting highs creates a resistance line for a downtrend. These lines become the first tools for forecasting price movements.

Beginning traders should avoid common mistakes: trading against a strong trend, using an excessive number of indicators simultaneously, neglecting capital management rules, and making impulsive decisions under the influence of emotions. The Dzengi.com platform provides an ideal environment for practical study of these concepts through demo trading, allowing skills to be practiced without the risk of losing real funds.

Mastering Chart Reading and Trend Recognition

The correct choice of chart type critically affects the quality of analysis. Line charts are suitable exclusively for long-term analysis of global trends but don't display intra-period volatility. Japanese candlesticks remain the optimal choice for crypto trading, providing comprehensive information about each trading session.

Timeframe selection determines the time horizon of analysis and should correspond to the trading strategy. Minute intervals (M1, M5) are used for scalping, hourly (H1, H4) for intraday trading, daily (D1) and weekly (W1) for swing trading and positional strategies.

Trend analysis forms the foundation of trading decisions. An uptrend is characterized by a sequence of rising highs and lows. A classic example is Bitcoin's movement from September 2024 to January 2025, when the price rose from $52,000 to $108,000, forming a clear ascending structure.

A downtrend demonstrates the opposite picture—descending highs and lows. Ethereum showed such a structure in June-July 2024, declining from $4,000 to $2,800. A sideways trend is characterized by horizontal price movement within a certain range and often precedes strong directional movements.

Support and resistance levels play a fundamental role in technical analysis. Support represents a price level where buying interest exceeds selling pressure. Resistance is the opposite level, where sellers dominate over buyers. For Bitcoin, psychologically important levels are often located at round numbers: $90,000, $95,000, $100,000. The Dzengi.com platform provides convenient tools for constructing these levels with high precision.

Chart Patterns and Technical Analysis Figures

Technical analysis figures in trading are recurring graphical formations possessing predictive value. They are classified into reversal patterns and trend continuation patterns, each having statistically substantiated probabilities of realizing predicted scenarios.

Basic technical analysis figures in trading include classic reversal formations. The "head and shoulders" pattern consists of three consecutive peaks, where the central one exceeds the side ones, and foretells a change from an uptrend to a downtrend.

In May 2024, Ethereum formed such a figure at levels of $3,800 (left shoulder), $4,100 (head), $3,750 (right shoulder), after which a decline to $2,400 followed.

A double top or bottom is formed when a key level is retested with an inability to break through it. Bitcoin demonstrated a double top in March-April 2024 at the $73,000 level, which led to a correction to $56,000. Candlestick patterns like "hammer" or "doji" signal potential reversals on short-term intervals.

Trend continuation figures help identify entry points in the direction of the main movement. Triangle formations are created by the convergence of support and resistance lines. An ascending triangle demonstrates horizontal resistance with ascending support. In December 2024, BNB/USD formed an ascending triangle in the $680-$720 range, the breakout of which led to growth to $793.

Technical analysis figures in cryptocurrency trading have accelerated formation dynamics due to the market's high volatility. Patterns that develop over months in traditional markets can complete in weeks in cryptocurrencies. This creates additional opportunities but requires increased vigilance due to the increased number of false signals.

BNB/USD
Daily change
1085.34
Min.: 1076.87
Max.: 1127.18

Indicator Analysis in Crypto Trading

Technical analysis indicators in trading represent mathematical formulas that transform price data into graphical signals. They serve as objective tools for assessing market situations and generating trading opportunities.

Trend indicators determine the direction of the main price movement. The Exponential Moving Average (EMA) with a period of 21 effectively displays short-term tendencies. When Bitcoin's price is above EMA(21), this indicates a short-term bullish sentiment. The MACD indicator analyzes the interaction of two moving averages and generates signals when the main line crosses the signal line.

Oscillators measure the degree of overbought or oversold conditions of an asset. RSI (Relative Strength Index) fluctuates in the 0-100 range, where values above 70 signal overbought conditions, below 30—oversold. In November 2024, Ethereum's RSI reached 85, foreshadowing a correction from $3,200 to $2,900.

The Stochastic oscillator compares the current price with the trading range over a specific period. This indicator is particularly effective for determining reversal points in sideways trends. Volume indicators analyze trading activity. On-Balance Volume (OBV) links price changes with trading volumes, helping identify divergences that often precede trend reversals.

Effective trading requires synergy of multiple indicators. Basic methodology includes EMA(21) for trend identification, RSI for finding entry points, and volume indicators for signal confirmation. All these technical analysis tools in trading are integrated into the Dzengi.com platform with customization capabilities for individual trading styles.

Methodology and Types of Technical Analysis

Types of technical analysis in trading differ in approaches and time horizons of application. Graphical analysis (Price Action) studies "pure" price movement without additional indicators, focusing on candlestick formations, chart patterns, and key levels. Indicator analysis uses mathematical algorithms to generate trading signals. Wave analysis is based on Elliott's theory, describing psychological cycles of market behavior.

Technical analysis methods in trading differ in the degree of complexity and signal reliability. The multiple confirmation method requires coinciding signals from various instruments before making a trading decision. For example, a breakout of a resistance level is confirmed by RSI rising above 50, increasing volumes, and a bullish MACD crossover.

The divergence method is based on finding discrepancies between price movement and indicator readings. When price updates highs while RSI forms lower peaks, this often foretells a trend reversal. Combined pattern analysis integrates candlestick formations with chart figures to increase forecast accuracy.

By time horizons, scalping (minute intervals), intraday trading (hourly charts), and position trading (daily and weekly timeframes) are distinguished. Each approach requires specific indicator settings and different approaches to risk management.

Patterns and Their Practical Significance

Technical analysis patterns in trading include diverse candlestick and combined formations. Reversal candlestick patterns include the "hammer" with a long lower shadow and small body, "doji" with a practically absent body, "engulfing," where a large candle completely encompasses the previous one.

Combined patterns represent more complex multi-candle formations. The "morning star" consists of three candles: a long bearish one, a short uncertainty one, and a long bullish one, signaling a downward reversal. "Three white soldiers" show a sequence of rising bullish candles, confirming the strength of an uptrend.

Successful application of patterns requires understanding market context. One pattern can produce different results depending on the current trend, trading volumes, and overall market conditions. It's important to confirm pattern signals with additional indicators.

Comprehensive Approach: Integration of Analysis Methods

Technical and fundamental analysis in trading create a synergistic effect when properly combined. Fundamental analysis determines long-term project prospects, analyzes news background, and ecosystem development. Technical analysis provides precise entry and exit signals, short-term forecasts, and risk management tools.

Practical example of an integrated approach: fundamental analysis shows positive prospects for Ethereum's DeFi ecosystem development, creating long-term bullish sentiment. Technical analysis identifies an ascending triangle formation on ETH/USDT—a short-term buy signal. Resulting decision: opening a long position with fundamental justification and technical confirmation of the entry point.

The Dzengi.com platform integrates technical tools with news feeds and fundamental data, ensuring comprehensive analysis. Traders gain the ability to track important crypto industry events in parallel with technical chart analysis.

Psychology and Discipline in Technical Analysis

Successful technical analysis requires strict self-discipline and emotional control. Following a trading plan without deviating from preset entry and exit rules is critically important for long-term success. Losses should be perceived as an integral part of the trading process, not as personal failures.

Managing expectations plays a key role in a trader's psychological stability. Technical analysis increases the probability of successful trades but doesn't guarantee 100% forecast accuracy. It's important to diversify risks, use reasonable position sizes, and never risk critically important amounts.

Avoid over-optimization of trading systems by using an excessive number of indicators, which leads to conflicting signals and analytical paralysis. Simple, well-tested strategies often surpass complex systems in effectiveness.

Continuous learning and analysis of one's own trading activity accelerate professional development. Maintaining a detailed trading journal, analyzing successful and unsuccessful trades, studying new methods, and adapting strategies to changing market conditions form the foundation of long-term success.

Conclusion: The Path to Mastery in Crypto Trading

Technical analysis represents a powerful toolkit capable of significantly improving cryptocurrency trading performance when correctly applied. Systematic study from basic concepts to advanced methodologies, regular practice, and constant skill improvement create the foundation for professional growth.

Integration of various analytical approaches — chart patterns, indicator analysis, fundamental factors — ensures comprehensive understanding of market dynamics. Risk management exceeds in importance any trading strategies, and emotional discipline determines long-term profitability more than technical knowledge.

The Dzengi.com platform provides a complete spectrum of tools for practical application of acquired knowledge. Start with demo trading, practice strategies without financial risks, gradually transitioning to real operations. Remember: professional traders learn from every trade, turning both profitable and unprofitable operations into valuable experience for further development.

Ready to apply your acquired knowledge in practice? Open a demo-trading account on Dzengi.com and start your journey to professional crypto trading today.

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