Short trading (also known as short-selling) is a powerful technique that allows traders make money from the falling price of cryptocurrency. Short traders, instead of buying low and then selling high, borrow and sell assets at a higher value, hoping to buy them back at a cheaper price in order to pocket the difference. Although short trading can be very profitable, it also requires precise execution, constant monitoring of the markets, and strict risk control.
Here, an automated trading robot is a valuable tool. Platforms like Coinrule help traders automate short-term trading, which allows them to make better decisions, manage risk and execute their strategies faster. This article will discuss five short trading strategies that have been proven and show you how to use an automated trading bot to implement them.
What is Short Trading in Cryptocurrency?
Crypto short trading involves betting against a currency’s price and profiting if the asset’s worth drops. Here’s an easy breakdown of the process:
- Borrow the Asset: The trader can borrow cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoins) from an exchange.
- Sell at Market price – The borrowed crypto will be sold at its current value.
- Wait for price decline – A trader watches for the asset’s value to drop.
- Buy Back at Lower Price – The trader buys back the same amount of cryptocurrency at a reduced price.
- Return the Borrowed Crypto- The trader returns to the exchange the crypto that was borrowed and keeps the profit.
Because crypto markets are highly volatile, and they operate 24 hours a day, traders can automate short trades by using a bot such as Coinrule to execute their strategies efficiently without constant monitoring.
Why Use an Automated Trading Bot to Short Trade?
Short-term trading requires strict risk management and quick execution. An automated trading robot has the following benefits.
Trades are executed 24/7 – Even while you sleep, bots monitor the market and can execute trades.
Faster reaction time – Bots can react immediately to market changes so that you will never miss a chance.
Emotion-Free trading – Eliminates human mistakes caused by greed or fear.
Customizable Strategy – Set specific trading rules, including stopping loss and taking profit levels.
Risk Management: Bots can automatically stop trades when certain conditions are met. This minimizes losses.
Coinrule offers five short trading strategies that are proven and can be automated.
1. Trend-Following Short Strategies
It Works
A trend-following strategy for shorting assets involves identifying a downtrend and selling the asset to take advantage of the momentum. This strategy is based on technical indicators like:
- Moving Averages & EMA – When the short-term MA (9-day, for example) crosses below the long-term MA 50-day, this signals a downtrend.
- Lower Highs & Lows – Consistently lower highs and lows indicate a bearish trend.
- MACD (Moving-Average Convergence Divergence ) – A bearish cross (MACD crossing below the Signal Line) strengthens a downtrend.
Coinrule: Automating with Coinrule
Set a rule: “If Bitcoin’s price is lower than the 50-day EMA while MACD shows a negative crossover, you should execute a trade.”
Stop-Loss-and-Take-Profit (SL&TP): Set your stop-loss at the previous high, and take profit when you reach a certain support level.
This strategy automates the process of shorting the market, allowing you to do so without manually monitoring price movements.
2. Breakout Shorts Strategy
It Works
This strategy involves the shorting of a crypto-asset when it breaks under a key level of support, which indicates further downside movement. Key indicators include:
- Support Levels- If an investment repeatedly bounces from a certain price and then eventually breaks below it indicates a breakdown.
- High Trading Volume: A significant increase in trading volume confirms the move.
- Bollinger bands: If the price falls below the lower band of the Bollinger bands, then it could indicate further decline.
Coinrule: Automating with Coinrule
Set a rule: “If Ethereum drops below a major level of support with increased volumes, execute a trade.”
Stop-loss/Take-Profit: Place the stop-loss at a price that is slightly above or below the previous key level.
By automating this strategy, your bot will be able to detect any breakdowns immediately and without delay.
3. Range Trading Short – Strategy
It Works
In a range-bound market, prices fluctuate in between resistance (upper and lower limits). This strategy involves buying at resistance and expecting the price will fall to support.
- The resistance level is the price at which an asset has difficulty breaking above.
- RSI Signal Overbought – If the RSI is higher than 70, this indicates the asset has become overbought. It may also reverse downward.
- Volume Confirmation- A decline in the volume of buying near resistance is a strong indicator that an inverse trend will occur.
Coinrule: Automating with Coinrule
Set a rule: “If BTC reaches a resistance level and RSI is over 70, enter a trade for short.”
Stop-loss/Take-Profit: Stop loss above the resistance level and take profit at the lower support.
This automated method ensures that you can capitalize on the repeated price fluctuations in a market with sideways movement.
4. Mean Reversion Short Strategy
It Works
Shorting based on mean reversion assumes that an overextended rally will likely correct. Short sellers are those who sell an asset when its price increases too quickly and too far beyond the historical range.
- RSI Levels Overbought – RSI over 75 indicates extreme conditions of overbought.
- Bollinger Bands – Upper Band Touch: When the price touches the upper band of the band, the trend will likely reverse.
- MACD Divergence- A divergence between MACD and the RSI signals a weakening in the rally.
Coinrule: Automating with Coinrule
Set a rule: “If RSI surpasses 75, and the price touches Bollinger Band upper Bollinger Band execute a Short Trade.”
Stop-loss/Take-Profit Set your stop-loss just above the high of the last few days and profit is at the middle Bollinger band.
Your bot can short rallies instantly with automation.
5. Scalping Short Trades
It Works
Scalping involves multiple shorts of small price fluctuations within a given day. It emphasizes quick entries and outs for frequent, small profits.
- 1-minute or 5-minute chart – These charts are short-term and provide precise entry points.
- VWAP is the Volume Weighted average Price. If the price of a product is above VWAP it can revert down.
- Order Book Analysis. Large-scale walls indicate resistance levels.
Coinrule: Automating with Coinrule
Set a rule: “If BTC prices spike 1% over VWAP in 10 minutes or less, then enter a trade.”
Stop-Loss/Take-Profit: For rapid execution, set a stop-loss or take-profit that is tight.
You can automate scalping trades to take advantage of rapid price changes without manually placing multiple orders.
Risk Management for Short Trading
Short-term trading is fraught with risk, especially when leveraged. To trade safely, consider:
Automated exits can be used to limit losses.
Avoid excessive leverage when managing your risk exposure.
Diversifying Trades: Avoid concentrating your entire capital on one short position.
Monitoring Market News – Sudden bullish news can trigger short squeezes.
Coinrule Automated Trading Bot: The Smarter way to trade
Short trading can be profitable if done correctly, but manual trading leads to emotional errors and missed opportunities. Coinrule’s automated bot lets you:
- Short trades can be executed instantly, based upon precise technical conditions.
- Stick to your proven trading strategy and eliminate emotional bias.
- Stop-loss and Take-profit automation helps you to manage risk efficiently.
- Trade without manually checking markets 24/7
Want to maximize the potential of your short trades?
Try Coinrule’s automated Trading Bot today for an edge on the crypto market!