Trading Cryptocurrencies with AvaTrade

Cryptocurrencies are encrypted decentralised digital currencies that are transferred between individuals. These currencies are not tangible and exist only in an electronic form it is a digital asset that exists and remains as data. They allow a person to send money just like they would send an email, with much faster transaction times compared to using a bank, plus minimal fees, no credit cards necessary and no middleman adding on charges.

The joint bookkeeping process is called a “Blockchain”. It is public and is distributed across a huge network, and everybody that has Bitcoin has a copy of the ledger and its transactions, which creates a community of trust. Each cryptocurrency is individually identifiable and programmable based on a very complex digital code.

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While Bitcoin is not the only digital currency on the market, it is indeed the first and most popular one and stands as the digital “gold standard” within the industry. The technology behind cryptocurrency holds a large part of its value -the secure way to identify a transaction and the way to transfer funds.

There is a range of altcoins, which are alternatives to Bitcoin and growing in market share and value, and therefore are worth taking note of too. Some of the top-ranking altcoins include Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold, NEO, IOTA, Stellar Lumens and EOS to name a few.

Trade Cryptocurrencies with AvaTrade

• High leverage of up to
• Competitive spreads
• Easy to deposit and withdraw
• Regulated forex broker
• Trading from the best retail trading platforms
• 24/7 trading, including closing positions over the weekend

How to Trade Cryptocurrencies?

Ordinarily, if you are looking to buy, sell or exchange cryptocurrencies you need to set up a crypto wallet. You would then buy the cryptoassets with fiat currency, and then you can exchange these coins to the altcoins of your choice. If however, you are looking to trade cryptocurrencies you would need to sign up to a crypto exchange, where you can trade cryptos, one from another and profit from the difference in the exchange rates.

In the main, you will find these wallets are not regulated, as they don’t need to be and often you will not know too much about the people behind these products. Plus, there is also the risk of cyberhacking, which happens on exchanges more often than you might think. Trading cryptocoins with AvaTrade has many benefits. The first is safety. We are regulated across 7 jurisdictions, this means real protection for your data and accounts and resolution in case of a dispute. Secondly, since the trades are performed though our SSL secured online trading platform, this proves to be a big deterrent in avoiding potential hackers and theft.

Here at AvaTrade, you can trade cryptocurrencies via CFD’s (read more on CFD trading advantages). This means you won’t actually be buying and holding the coins, rather you will be on the price movements. 

Factors to Watch While Trading Cryptocurrencies

The cryptocurrency market changes very fast, new cryptocurrencies are born, and others disappear. What draws people to the world of cryptocurrencies is the idea of protecting themselves against the devaluation of their own national currency. More retail stores have started accepting Bitcoin and other digital currency as a form of payment, and in countries like Japan, people have started using it more frequently thanks to the government officially approving the currency.

Initially, bitcoin was accepted mostly by the darknet marketplace, but gradually it has gained acceptance and has now been adopted by legitimate brick and mortar and online businesses. With more businesses accepting it as a form of payment, banks are starting to realise that this new product has the potential to change the financial world and draw away partial financial control from governments and banks.

There are different factors that push the price of cryptocurrencies up or down. To start with, just like with Forex, the higher the demand, the higher the price will be. Also, the purchase of the coin by traders purchasing on speculation can affect the demand and therefore the price.

Media reports and news headlines discussing the growing currency can have an effect on the price of digital currency and Bitcoin in particular. For example, there have been a variety of negative remarks from national regulators in China over the years. In 2013 China announced that financial institutions should stay away from the famous Bitcoin, this resulted in a major drop of the coin by as much as $300. Their initial concern was that it could interfere with normal currency policy information. In 2014 the Bitcoin price dropped once again as Bitcoin exchanges stopped receiving deposits from Banks, and in 2017 China’s central bank was rumoured to implement regulatory action regarding the digital coin exchanges which would have accounted for most of the Bitcoin trading volume.

In 2014 there was a major hack attack rumoured to wipe the screens and put the entire Bitcoin exchange offline. During this time and until things returned to normal there was a 23% drop in Bitcoin price. Various influencers over time have and can dramatically influence the price of digital currency swiftly. Its volatility is what makes it attractive as a trading instrument, rather than an asset to buy and own. Overnight you can find the value of your Bitcoin plummet. However, when trading this asset, these big spikes cause opportunity to make more pips.

Bitcoin alone at the time of writing in October 2020, is valued at over $201 Billion, this is partially due to people learning what cryptocurrencies are and considering them as an investment vehicle to add to their investment portfolio.

General Tips For Cryptocurrency Trading

The rule of “buy low, sell high” is the basic formula in trading, it applies to a pattern of cryptocurrencies price that shifts between certain price points. Whatever the size of your capital, you can find a digital currency that matches your needs to trade. Following news on digital currency is very important, and can help direct you to choosing the best cryptocurrency for you.

There are two major factors to consider before trading your crypto currency of choice.  The first is, fundamental analysis and the second is technical analysis.  Technical analysis includes the same research that is done with any and all other financial assets.

Fundamental analysis should take into account the susceptibility of the cryptocurrency markets, and the fact they can be manipulated by thought leaders of the industry for their own advantage.

Start Trading Crypto with AvaTrade

Cryptocurrencies are a form of money for the future and have the potential to transform the global financial system. Regardless of the negative issues surrounding cryptocurrency trading, more people are using it, increasing the demand, and for this reason, the price is rising. Its volatility makes for an excellent addition to any financial trading portfolio.

If you are looking to trade, remember that in addition to the Bitcoin, there are several other altcoins also reaching a high-level market share such as Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin. But it should be noted that cryptocurrencies have crashed before, and like other investment vehicles, this could happen once again. Moving forward, there are discussions on how to manage the currencies and maintain more stable prices. The long-term ramifications are still unknown, but cryptocurrency is not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Why Trade Cryptocurrencies With AvaTrade?

To start with, we offer trading benefits that regular cryptocurrency exchanges’ platforms don’t.

Short Selling, which is the process of being able to continue trading during falling markets and being able to profit from the price decrease.
Leveraged trading, which refers to the process of borrowing funds from the broker in order to trade a much larger position with minimal investment.
Finally, the availability of auto trading – either algorithmic via using pre-programmed trading bots, social trading via AvaSocial or copying  the positions of experienced traders with a proven success record (Zulutrade).

How to trade Crypto main FAQs

Is Bitcoin really a digital form of gold?

For some time now Bitcoin has been referred to as the “digital gold”, but in truth it has no direct relationship with gold. It was given that name because proponents of cryptocurrencies see them as a good hedge against inflation and against weakness in traditional fiat currencies brought on by central banks printing money non-stop. In truth Bitcoin and gold do not move in tandem and as of 2020 Bitcoin has been tied more closely to the movements in the S&P 500.

Do I need a cryptocurrency wallet to trade cryptocurrencies?

At AvaTrade we are not offering the actual cryptocurrencies, but instead are offering CFDs tied to the cryptocurrency as the underlying asset. This saves traders the trouble of learning how to set up a wallet and how to transact with cryptocurrencies. Instead you can spend your time focused on trading. Plus, by using CFDs rather than the actual cryptocurrencies we can offer our clients the ability to use leverage.

Why should I trade cryptos at AvaTrade?

There are many very good reasons for trading cryptos with us. These include the ability to use margin, the wide variety of cryptocurrencies we offer as CFDs, and the lack of any commissions, bank fees, or transaction fees. In addition, we allow trading cryptos against a variety of fiat currencies, and unlike the cryptocurrency exchanges we are regulated by six different regulatory authorities, ensuring your funds are always protected.