What To Invest In During A Crypto Pullback?

Cryptocurrency markets can be highly volatile, with prices rising and pulling back rapidly. Knowing what to do with your investments can be tricky during a market pullback. Having a clear understanding of the risk-on-risk-off market shift to manage your investment in response to global economic changes properly could alter the return on investment results. And having plans to deal with market downturns is ideal. 

This article will explore crypto market pullbacks and strategies for navigating them.

Why Are There Market Pullbacks in Crypto?

Some of the most common reasons pullbacks occur in crypto markets include the following:

Profit-taking: When the price of digital currencies rises significantly, some investors may choose to sell their holdings to lock in gains. This selling pressure can cause the price of the crypto to decline temporarily.

News and events: Negative news or events, such as a hacking incident, regulatory crackdown, or controversy involving a particular coin, could lead to a brief drop in the price of that coin.

Technical factors: A decline in trading volume or a move below a key support level can lead to a pullback.

Market sentiment and FUD: When market sentiment turns negative, and FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) dominates, investors are more likely to panic sell, which can drive prices down.

Are Crypto Pullbacks and Traditional Finance Pullbacks the Same?

Crypto and traditional finance pullbacks are similar in some ways, but there are also some key differences.

Both crypto and traditional finance pullbacks can be caused by profit-taking, negative news or events, technical factors, and market sentiment. In both cases, an asset price decline usually occurs when there is increased selling pressure.

However, crypto markets are highly volatile compared to traditional financial markets. Crypto prices can fluctuate quickly, while conventional finance markets tend to be more stable in the short term and experience more gradual changes in price. Analyzing the past performance of the asset class should give a better overview to strategize your trading strategy.

Another difference is the level of regulation and oversight in the crypto market compared to traditional finance markets. The crypto market is still relatively uncharted territory, and a higher risk and uncertainty are associated with investing in crypto assets.

Additionally, the mainstream acceptance of both markets is different. Traditional finance markets are more stable and predictable as they have been around for longer, with a more established track record, market structure, regulation, and investor base. While the crypto market is still relatively new and uncertain, mass adoption could stabilize it.

How Long Does A Crypto Pullback Last?

A cryptocurrency pullback typically lasts for a few trading sessions; anything longer could be considered a reversal.

To identify a pullback, you can look for a decline in the price of a cryptocurrency after a period of price increases. The drop should be more significant than a typical day-to-day price fluctuation, and the price should remain below the previous high for a considerable period. 

However, note that a pullback is different from a downturn, which is a sustained decline in the market over a longer time. A downturn is characterized by a prolonged period of bearish market conditions, often lasting for months or even years.

The market decline is typically shorter during a pullback, and it's often considered a normal and healthy part of any bear and bull market cycle. A pullback usually indicates an opportunity to accumulate assets at a discounted price. On the other hand, the decline is more pronounced during a downturn as the assets have mostly lost significant value due to negative market sentiment.

The Difference Between a Reverse vs. Reversal vs. Pullback

The terms "reverse," "reversal," and "pullback" all refer to changes in the direction of a market or an asset's price, but they take on slightly different connotations.

A "reverse" refers to a change in the direction of a trend. For example, if a cryptocurrency has been experiencing an uptrend (i.e., its price has been steadily increasing), a reverse would occur when the price starts to decrease. In this case, the trend has changed from an uptrend to a downtrend.

A "reversal" refers to a trend change expected to be sustained for longer. Most reversals are often a more enduring change in the market and are often seen as a confirmation of a new trend.

A "pullback" refers to a temporary decline in the price of an asset after a period of increase. Considered a normal part of a market cycle, pullbacks are less severe than a reversal, and the price tends to recover rapidly after a pullback.

While these terms are similar, they represent different scenarios — "reverse," and "reversal" often indicate that the market's direction has changed for the long haul. At the same time, "pullback" usually implies that the market's direction has temporarily changed and will return to its previous trend.

What Are The Pullback Trading Strategies? 

A pullback trading strategy entails buying assets at a lower price during temporary market drops. Most long-term investors would take advantage of short-term uncertainty while hoping to benefit from the long-term uptrend.

Stop-loss Strategy

A stop-loss pullback trading strategy is a method of buying an asset after it has experienced a significant price drop, with the expectation that the asset's price will rebound. The idea is to buy the asset at a lower price after a temporary setback and then sell it for profit once the price has recovered.

The strategy involves setting a stop-loss order, which is an order to sell an asset if its price falls to a certain level. A stop-loss order limits potential losses if the asset's price drops further after being purchased.

For example:

An investor notices that Bitcoin is trading at $10,000. The market sentiment turns bearish, and the price drops to $9,000 within a week. The investor then decides to buy Bitcoin at $9,000 with a stop-loss order at $8,500 (if the price reaches $8,500, the investor will automatically sell), with a target price of $9,500. After a couple of weeks, the market sentiment improves, and amidst positive news about the record institutional adoption of Bitcoin, the price reaches $9,500. The investor sells his holdings for a $500 profit.

Take-profit Strategy

A take-profit pullback strategy is a method of trading where an investor or trader sets a target price at which they will sell an asset to lock in profits. Traders typically use this strategy in conjunction with the pullback strategy. 

Once the asset reaches the target price or "take-profit" level, the investor or trader will sell the asset to lock in the profits. The idea behind this approach is to take advantage of market fluctuations to buy low while having a pre-determined plan to sell the asset once a certain profit level has been reached.

Here's an example of how a take-profit pullback strategy might work in practice:

A trader identifies a digital asset that they believe is undervalued and has strong long-term growth potential. The coin is currently trading at $50 per unit, but the trader thinks it may ultimately reach $70. The trader believes the digital asset's price is temporarily depressed due to market uncertainty and sets a take-profit price at $60. The trader uses a pullback strategy to buy the digital asset at $50 per unit. After a while, the coin price reaches $60 per unit, the trader sells it to lock in a $10 per unit profit. 

How to Enter a Market During a Market Pullback

Entering a market during a pullback can be an excellent way to buy assets at a discounted price. Here are ways of taking advantage of the pullback using Bitcoin as an example:

Identify the pullback: The first step is to identify that a pullback is happening. You can look for a decline in the price of Bitcoin after a period of price increases. You can use charts and technical analysis tools to help you identify the pullback.

Determine support and resistance levels: Once you've identified the pullback, you'll want to determine key support and resistance levels. Support levels are prices where buyers are expected to step in and prevent further price declines. In contrast, resistance levels are price levels where sellers are expected to take profit, preventing further price increases.

Set entry and stop-loss orders: Once you've identified key levels, you can place entry orders at or near the support levels and stop-loss orders at or near the resistance levels. This allows you to buy the asset if it reaches the support level and will limit your losses if it reaches the resistance level.

Wait for the order to be filled: After placing your entry and stop-loss orders, you will wait for the order to be filled. The price of bitcoin may not reach your desired entry point, so you must be patient and wait for the right opportunity.

Monitor your investments: Once you've entered the market, you'll want to monitor your investments closely to ensure that they perform as expected. Keep an eye on relevant news and events, and use technical analysis tools to help you stay on top of the market.

What to Invest in A Crypto Pullback?

During a crypto pullback, one strategy could be investing in blue-chip cryptocurrencies, well-established digital assets with a strong track record and a large market capitalization. These cryptocurrencies are less risky than other digital assets and can be a good option for those looking for more stability. Examples of blue-chip cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

Consider investing in Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) during a pullback. NFTs are unique digital assets stored on a blockchain, representing digital art, collectibles, real estate, virtual land, and many more. NFTs have been gaining traction, and a pullback could be an opportunity to invest in high-quality NFT projects with a strong track record and an established community.

Is Pullback Trading Profitable?

Pullback trading in cryptocurrency involves buying an asset after a period of price decline in anticipation of a rebound in the asset's value. While pullback trading can be profitable, it is risky because cryptocurrency prices can be highly volatile and subject to various factors. 

Additionally, predicting the timing of a pullback and the subsequent rebound can be challenging. It is imperative to have a well-thought-out strategy and a solid understanding of the market before attempting to engage in pullback trading in the crypto ecosystem.